Moving companies, from a two-person truck operation to a regional crew business, send invoices for local and long-distance household and commercial moves. A typical bill covers crew labor and truck time, travel, packing materials and packing labor, and extra charges such as stairs, long carries, heavy items, and storage.
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Local moves are usually billed by the hour for a crew and truck, with a 2 to 4 hour minimum and a trip or travel charge for getting the crew and truck to and from the job. Rates rise with crew size and truck size. Long-distance and interstate moves are usually priced by shipment weight and mileage, or by a binding quote based on an inventory of the home. Add-ons are itemized separately: packing labor and materials, stairs, long carries, shuttle service when the truck cannot reach the door, piano and safe handling, appliance disconnects, storage, and valuation (liability coverage) beyond the basic minimum. Some companies offer flat-rate local moves for small apartments. Fuel surcharges are common, but they should be disclosed before the move, not added afterward.
| 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.
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local move, 3 bedroom home: 3 movers and 26 ft truck (4 hour minimum met) | 6 hour | $210.00 | $1,260.00 |
| Trip charge (truck and crew travel to and from origin) | 1 flat fee | $100.00 | $100.00 |
| Medium moving boxes | 20 each | $4.00 | $80.00 |
| Wardrobe boxes | 4 each | $18.00 | $72.00 |
| Long carry at destination (over 150 ft from truck to door) | 1 flat fee | $85.00 | $85.00 |
| Mattress bags and stretch wrap | 4 each | $10.00 | $40.00 |
| Total | $1,637.00 | ||
Notes: Move date: as scheduled on the booking confirmation. Deposit paid at booking is credited to this invoice. Balance is due on completion of unloading by card, check, or cash. Basic released-value liability of $0.60 per pound per article applies unless full-value protection was purchased in writing. Gratuities for the crew are not included. Late balances are subject to a 1.5% monthly charge after 15 days.
Ties the invoice to a specific job and supports the travel time and mileage charges. It also helps resolve questions about which day charges apply.
Hourly moves are the most disputed bills. Showing when the clock started and stopped, and how travel time was counted, prevents arguments over hours.
Interstate movers must be registered with the FMCSA, and many states license intrastate movers. Putting the numbers on the invoice shows clients you are authorized to operate. Check your state's rules.
Stairs, long carries, shuttles, heavy items, and packing materials each get their own line, so the client sees what drove the total above the base estimate.
Records whether the client accepted basic released-value protection or bought higher coverage. This matters if a damage claim comes up later.
For binding or weight-based moves, the invoice must match what was agreed. Reference the document number so charges can be checked against it.
Shows what was paid at booking and what remains, so the final payment on moving day is clear.
Most local movers take a deposit at booking, often a flat $100-300 or 10-25% of the estimate, with the balance due when the job is finished, before the crew leaves or right after unloading. Long-distance and interstate movers often require payment in full, or in certified funds, cash, or card, before the shipment is unloaded at the destination. Card payments are standard, and many companies add a card fee only where local law allows it and it is disclosed in advance. Cancellation and rescheduling fees should be spelled out in the booking terms. Commercial clients, such as offices or property managers, may be billed net 15 or net 30 with a PO number.
Once furniture is on the truck, you hold the leverage, but only if your contract says payment is due before delivery. State the payment terms at booking and repeat them on the bill of lading. Check the federal and state rules for your type of move.
Say whether billing starts when the crew leaves the shop or arrives at the origin, and whether it ends at the destination or back at the yard. List the minimum hours, how partial hours are rounded, and any charge for breaks. This avoids most hourly disputes.
If a client adds items, a second stop, or a piano, write it on the work order and have them sign it. Later charges are harder to collect when the client did not see them at the time.
Photos of the furniture before loading, and a signed inventory list, protect you in damage claims. They also support charges for items that were not in the original quote.
Do not add gratuity to the bill. If a client tips the crew, it goes to the crew. Put a gratuity note in your communications if clients ask.
Local moves are usually billed by the hour with a crew and truck. Long-distance moves are typically billed by weight and distance, or by a flat binding quote. Use whichever your state allows for the type of move and make sure the estimate and invoice use the same method.
It depends on the type of estimate and the rules in your state. For interstate moves, federal rules limit how much extra you can require at delivery on a non-binding estimate, and a binding estimate locks the price unless services change. For local hourly moves, a quote is an estimate, and the final total follows the actual hours. Document any additions in writing.
This varies by state. In many states moving labor is not taxed, but materials such as boxes may be. Check with your state revenue department or an accountant.
Keep the payment and damage claim separate. Collect the undisputed balance, give the client the claim form and your process, and follow the valuation terms in the contract. For interstate moves, there are federal claim handling time limits to follow.
Have a cancellation policy in your booking terms, such as the deposit being non-refundable within 48 to 72 hours of the move. Invoice the fee and refer to the agreed policy if the client pushes back.
Send a Moving Company estimate for approval, then turn it into an invoice when the work is done.
Moving Company estimate template