A moving company sends an estimate before the job, often after a phone call, video walkthrough, or in-home survey. Clients usually get two or three quotes and compare hourly rate, crew size, minimum hours, extra fees, and liability coverage rather than just the total.
When to use estimates: Use estimates to provide project quotes and get client approval before starting work. Once approved, convert your estimate to an invoice with one click to collect payment.
Create an invoice for payment collection
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Invoice_1001_Client_2026-10-14.pdf
Clients need to know whether the price can change on moving day. For interstate moves, federal rules cover these estimate types, so name which one you are giving.
Shows exactly what the client is buying and lets them compare quotes on equal terms.
These items cause many surprise bills. Say when billing starts and ends and how partial hours are rounded.
The estimate depends on what is being moved. List major items, number of rooms, and anything unusual, such as a piano, safe, or outdoor equipment.
Stairs, elevators, long carries, narrow doors, and parking restrictions add time and fees. Note them in the quote, and note what happens if the conditions turn out to differ from what the client described.
Make clear whether boxes, wrap, mattress bags, and furniture disassembly are in the price or billed separately.
State the basic liability amount and the options to upgrade. Add an expiry date for the quote, since fuel costs and schedules change.
| Service | Priced | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Local move, 2 movers and truck | per hour | $120-200 |
| Local move, 3 movers and truck | per hour | $170-280 |
| Additional mover | per hour | $40-70 |
| Trip or travel charge | flat fee | $75-200 |
| Packing labor | per hour per packer | $40-75 |
| Moving boxes, medium or large | per box | $2-6 |
| Piano or safe handling | flat fee | $150-500 |
| Long-distance move (weight-based) | per pound | $0.50-1.25 |
| Storage in a container or vault | per month | $100-400 |
Typical US ranges. Rates vary by region, experience, and job size.
A local move can run an hour or two over or under, depending on the crew, stairs, and how well the client packed. Give an estimated hour range and the hourly rate, so the final bill is not a surprise.
A three-bedroom home with a garage full of tools is a different job from one with minimal furniture. Ask for photos or do a video survey and price against what will go on the truck.
Pianos, safes, gun safes, and treadmills take extra labor and sometimes extra equipment. Quote them as separate lines so you are paid for the added risk.
Offer a basic move, a move with packing, and a full-service option. Clients often choose the middle option, and the list helps them see where costs come from.
Most movers do not charge for a standard estimate, including video or in-home surveys for local moves. Some charge for complicated commercial walkthroughs, or credit the fee toward the move if the client books.
Thirty days is common, but peak season, such as May through September, often calls for a shorter period. State the expiry date on the quote and note that it is subject to availability on the move date.
A quote is generally not a contract until the client accepts it and you confirm the date, usually with a deposit and signed agreement. For interstate moves, federal rules require specific paperwork. Check your state and federal requirements.
Revise the estimate in writing before loading continues if possible. Explain what changed, such as extra items or a different access situation, and get the client's approval, then record it on the work order.
Use the Moving Company invoice template to bill the client, or convert this estimate once it's approved.
Moving Company invoice template