Guides
What Does a Moving Estimate Include for a US Household?
What does a moving estimate include for US interstate moves? Federal rules require separate line items for transportation, fuel surcharge, and valuation coverage.
What to take away
- A US interstate moving estimate must list transportation, fuel surcharge, and valuation coverage as separate line items.
- A written estimate is required before loading, and the mover must give you a copy before you sign the order for service.
- State and municipal rules do not replace federal line item requirements for interstate moves, but cite additional access fees outside the estimate.
- If a mover omits a required line item and later charges for it, you can file a complaint with FMCSA.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules under 49 CFR Part 375 set the minimum line items for a household goods estimate between two states. A complete written estimate protects you from surprise charges after the truck is loaded. The linked reference sets out how the agency shapes interstate mover household estimates, line item by line item.
Who has jurisdiction over a US moving estimate
Federal jurisdiction covers household goods moves between states. The FMCSA is who has jurisdiction over an interstate moving estimate. State regulators handle moves that stay within one state, such as a move from Sacramento to San Diego. That example is intrastate, so the FMCSA tariff rules do not apply to it.
Municipal rules for parking or elevator use are private arrangements, not federal tariff line items. A private building rule can add a fee outside the estimate, so ask about it before you book. The FMCSA tariff requirements are set out in 49 CFR Part 375.
Who Regulates Your Move
Does the move cross state lines?
FMCSA federal tariff rules
State regulator rules apply
What triggers the written estimate requirement
What triggers a permit to move is not a city parking permit. It is the request for interstate transportation that triggers the written estimate requirement. The mover must provide a written estimate before the move and before you sign the order for service. A move within one state does not trigger the same FMCSA tariff rules. You may still get a written estimate under state law, but the federal line item list does not apply. The FMCSA explains the difference between these options in Protect Your Move. The estimate must state whether it is binding or non-binding. The difference between binding vs non-binding moving estimates changes which line items may shift after the survey.
When the Written Estimate Is Due
- Before the moveMover must give written estimate
- Before signingEstimate required before order for service
- Before loadingBill of lading and inventory issued
What to submit for a complete estimate
A complete US estimate requires several documents and pieces of information. The mover must include the name, address, and USDOT number of the moving company. You must provide the origin and destination address, a pickup date range, and a list of rooms or large items. The written estimate becomes part of the order for service, and a separate bill of lading is issued before loading. The FMCSA also requires a written inventory list attached to the bill of lading. Use this checklist to spot missing items:
- Mover's legal name, address, and USDOT number.
- Origin and destination addresses, with the pickup date range.
- Room-by-room list of large items.
- Whether the estimate is binding or non-binding.
- Fuel surcharge listed on its own line, if the mover charges one.
- Valuation level you selected, written on the estimate itself.
Required Estimate Line Items
- Transportation charge as its own line
- Fuel surcharge shown separately
- Valuation coverage stated in writing
- Accessorial services itemized
- Mover name, address, USDOT number
The table below groups the required federal line items.
Required line items
| Required line item | What the item must cover | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation charge | The base charge for moving goods from origin to destination | It is listed separately from accessorial charges |
| Fuel surcharge | A separate charge that reflects fuel cost changes, typically 5% to 15% of the transportation charge | It is stated as a line item, not hidden in the base rate |
| Valuation coverage | The level of carrier liability for loss or damage. The minimum option pays 60 cents per pound per article | You are given a clear choice between two levels |
| Accessorial services | Extra services like packing, storage, or stair carry | Each service is itemized and described |
For examples without hidden fees, compare sample moving company quotes that follow the same federal line item structure.
How long approval takes under US rules
FMCSA does not pre-approve a household's moving estimate. The agency registers the moving company and enforces tariff rules after the fact. A mover with active operating authority can issue a written estimate on the day of the survey. For an email inventory, one to three business days is common. The written estimate must be signed by the mover before the move. A mover's operating authority application can take several weeks, but that is separate from your household estimate.
What happens if you skip it
What happens if you skip it is not an abstract risk. If a mover omits the fuel surcharge from the written estimate and later adds it, the charge may be uncollectible. The household can file a complaint with FMCSA. The agency can require a refund of overcharges and may impose civil penalties.
You can file a complaint through USA.gov consumer complaints. If your move stays inside one state, California PUC rules apply instead of the FMCSA federal tariff.
