Cost & Pricing 4 min read
Hidden Moving Fees to Watch For (and How We Avoid Them)
The rate a mover advertises and the amount on the final bill can be far apart. This guide lists the fees that fill the gap, gives you a question to ask about each, and then lists everything we charge.
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The fees, and the question to ask about each
None of these fees is improper if the mover tells you about it up front. Ask about each one before you book, and get the answers in writing.
- Hourly minimum. Many movers bill at least three or four hours. Ask what the minimum is.
- Travel time. The clock may start when the truck leaves the yard. Ask whether travel counts and how much is charged.
- Fuel surcharge. Often a percentage added at the end. Ask whether fuel is included.
- Stair fee. Charged per flight or per floor. Ask how stairs are billed at both addresses.
- Long carry fee. Charged when the truck cannot park near the door. Ask what distance triggers it.
- Elevator or wait time. Time spent waiting for a shared elevator is billed. Ask how waiting is handled.
- Heavy or bulky item fee. Applies to pianos, safes, treadmills, and similar pieces. List yours and ask.
- Packing materials. Blankets are usually free, but shrink wrap, TV boxes, and mattress bags may be billed per item. Ask for the price list.
- Assembly. Taking apart and rebuilding beds may be billed separately. Ask whether it is included.
- Card fee. Some movers add a percentage for card payments. Ask before you pay.
How a $140 an hour quote becomes $1,076
The numbers below are an example, made up to show the arithmetic. The job was advertised at $140 an hour with a three-hour minimum.
- Labor: 5.5 hours at $140 comes to $770.
- Travel time: one hour, $140.
- Fuel surcharge: 10% of labor and travel, $91.
- Stair fee: $75.
- Total: $1,076.
Fees that do not come from the mover
Some move-day costs come from the building or the city. Ask about them early, because no mover's quote includes them.
- A move-in or move-out fee charged by the building
- A refundable deposit for the elevator
- A parking permit to reserve curb space, from DDOT in DC or the county in Arlington
- A fee from the building if the move runs past the elevator reservation
Everything we charge
Our flat rate covers the truck, fuel, travel time, blankets and shrink wrap, floor and doorway protection, taking apart and putting back standard furniture, TV and mirror protection, and stairs and long carries that we knew about when we quoted. These are the only things beyond that number.
- A 4.2% digital transaction fee on card and PayPal payments made online.
- The $100 date hold comes off your bill. It is refunded if we cancel and is not refunded if you cancel.
- Tips are optional.
What changes our quote
The flat rate holds unless the job itself changes. We tell you the new number in writing before the crew loads anything.
- Extra stops along the way
- Adding a truck, which starts at $110
- Many stairs or a long walk from the truck that we were not told about
- Items that were not in your photos or on your list
How to protect yourself with any mover
A written quote should answer every question on this list. If it does not, ask before you pay a deposit.
- Is this a flat rate or an estimate?
- What exactly would change the price?
- Are stairs, long carries, and elevator waits included?
- Is fuel included? Is travel time?
- Which materials are included, and which are billed?
- How large is the deposit, and when is it refunded?
- Is there a fee for paying by card?
- How do I file a claim if something is damaged?
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common add-on with hourly movers?
Travel time and stairs. Both are easy to overlook in a quote and both add up fast in DC's walk-up neighborhoods.
Does Lift & Chill charge extra fees?
One, a 4.2% digital transaction fee on online card and PayPal payments. Everything else is inside the flat rate, which is confirmed in writing before move day.
What about fuel or travel charges?
Both are inside the flat rate for local moves.
Can a flat rate change on move day?
Only if the job changes, such as extra items, an added stop, or stairs we were not told about. You get the new number in writing before the crew starts.
Is a deposit a red flag?
A small hold with written refund terms is normal. A demand for a large share of the job up front, or for cash or wire only, is a warning sign.
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