What Is a Non-Binding Moving Estimate and How Does the 110% Rule Work?
⚡ Quick AnswerWhat does the 110% rule mean?For an interstate household-goods move based on a non-binding estimate, the estimate is not a guarantee of the final price. Federal rules generally prevent the mover from demanding more than 110% of the non-binding estimate at delivery for the estimated services. Additional lawful charges can still exist and may be billed later under the applicable rules. The 110% rule is therefore a delivery-payment protection, not a promise that the final bill can never exceed the estimate.
A non-binding estimate is easy to misunderstand because it looks like a price but functions more like a good-faith prediction of the cost. The final charge is based on the actual shipment and services under the mover’s applicable tariff and contract terms.
This federal framework applies to interstate household-goods moves. A move that stays entirely inside New York follows New York’s intrastate rules instead, so do not apply the federal 110% rule automatically to every NYC move.
What Is a Non-Binding Estimate?
A non-binding estimate tells you what the mover expects the shipment to cost based on the information available when the estimate is prepared. It can reflect inventory, weight, services, access conditions and other known scope details, but it is not a fixed-price commitment.
If the actual shipment is larger, additional services are needed, or important conditions are different from what was estimated, the final charge can change. That is why the quality of the original inventory and access information still matters.
For the broader pricing framework, see our NYC Moving Costs & Quotes Guide.
What the 110% Rule Protects You From
The rule limits how much an interstate mover using a non-binding estimate can require as a condition of delivery for the estimated services. In practical terms, if the non-binding estimate was $2,000, 110% is $2,200.
That does not automatically mean the final lawful transportation charge is capped at $2,200. It means the mover cannot simply hold the shipment at delivery until you immediately pay an unlimited amount above the estimate. Additional amounts that are properly due can be billed according to the federal rules and contract.
What Can Still Make the Final Bill Higher?
- More belongings than were included in the estimate.
- Customer-requested packing, storage or other added services.
- Access conditions that materially change the work, such as a shuttle, long carry or additional stairs.
- Changes in pickup or delivery requirements.
- Other lawful charges permitted by the mover’s tariff and the signed agreement.
The best protection is to reduce surprises before the move. Make the inventory accurate, show both addresses and building access, and get any changed scope documented before the work expands.
Non-Binding vs Binding Estimate
| Estimate Type | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Non-binding | A good-faith estimate. Final lawful charges may differ based on actual shipment and services. |
| Binding | A fixed price for the items and services described in the binding estimate, subject to the rules for changed or added services. |
Neither type eliminates the need for an accurate scope. A binding estimate can still need revision if the customer asks the mover to perform additional work that was not part of the agreed shipment.
What Should You Check Before Signing?
- Confirm whether the estimate says binding or non-binding.
- Review the inventory and make sure large or unusual items are included.
- Check packing, storage, stairs, elevator, parking and shuttle assumptions.
- Ask what can cause the price to change.
- Keep the estimate and any revised estimate with your moving documents.
What If the Scope Changes on Moving Day?
If the mover discovers a meaningful difference before loading, do not treat it as a surprise to sort out at the destination. Ask the mover to explain the difference and document the revised scope before the added service is performed.
If you decide to add packing, another stop or more inventory, recognize that you are changing the transaction. The useful question is not simply, “Can the price change?” but “What exactly changed, and how is that change documented?”
A Simple Example
Suppose an interstate non-binding estimate was prepared for the furniture and boxes shown during a video survey. On moving day, the customer adds a storage unit full of boxes that was never disclosed. The final lawful charge can be higher because the shipment itself changed. The 110% rule still governs the amount that can generally be required at delivery for the non-binding estimate, but it does not turn the missing storage-unit inventory into free transportation.
Bottom Line
A non-binding interstate estimate is not a final-price guarantee. The federal 110% rule limits what the mover can generally demand at delivery based on that estimate, but it does not erase lawful additional charges or cap the final bill forever. Understand the estimate type, make the scope accurate and document changes before the move expands.
Comparing Moving Quotes?Compare estimate type, inventory, access and included services together instead of relying on the headline number.Request a Video QuoteCall (877) 887-1818
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 110% rule apply to local moves within New York?
The federal 110% rule discussed here applies to interstate household-goods moves using non-binding estimates. Intrastate New York moves follow state rules.
Can the final bill be more than 110%?
Yes. The 110% rule limits what can generally be demanded at delivery, not necessarily the ultimate lawful final charge.
Is a non-binding estimate bad?
No. It is a legitimate estimate type. The important thing is understanding how the final price is determined and making the scope accurate.
Should I keep a revised estimate?
Yes. Keep the original estimate, any revision, the bill of lading and other shipping documents until the move and any billing issues are fully resolved.
