A move that protects your things and respects your time

It depends on the move type. Local moves are typically hourly — an agreed crew size and truck at a rate per hour, plus travel time and any materials — so the total tracks how long the job takes. Long-distance and interstate moves are priced instead by the weight or volume of your shipment and the distance it travels, plus charges for packing, stairs, long carries, or specialty items. Because the local clock and the long-distance weight are the two big drivers, a lighter, well-organized load and easy access at both ends are the most reliable ways to keep the number down.

A non-binding estimate is the mover's best guess, and the final bill can come in higher or lower based on the actual weight and services. A binding estimate fixes the price for the agreed inventory and services, so it will not change unless you add items. A binding-not-to-exceed estimate is the most protective: you pay the estimate or the actual weight, whichever is lower. Knowing which you are signing matters, because it decides whether move day can bring a bigger bill — and reputable movers put the estimate type in writing before they load.

For interstate moves, the carrier must be registered with the FMCSA and have a USDOT number you can verify through the federal lookup tool. Warning signs of a rogue operator include a large deposit demanded up front, a refusal to do an in-home or video survey, a quote that comes in far below all the others, and no written estimate. The classic scam is a lowball quote followed by an inflated bill, with belongings effectively held hostage until you pay. Checking the license, reading recent reviews, and getting everything in writing are the best defenses.

You can absolutely pack yourself, and many people do to save money. The trade-offs are time and liability: self-packed boxes are usually not covered for damage to their contents the same way professionally packed cartons are, since the mover did not control how they were packed. A common compromise is to pack your own books, clothes, and non-fragile items while paying the crew to handle the kitchen, electronics, and anything breakable. If you do pack yourself, using proper boxes and padding rather than improvised containers makes a real difference in what survives the trip.

Tipping is customary in the US when a crew does a good job, though it is never required. A common approach is a per-person amount that reflects the length and difficulty of the move — more for an all-day job, lots of stairs, or heavy specialty items — or a percentage of the labor cost split among the crew. Cash handed to each mover is typical, and offering water or lunch on a long move is a normal courtesy. If a crew was careless or unprofessional, it is entirely reasonable to tip less or not at all.