How to Read a Chicago Moving Estimate Before You Hire Movers

The rules that govern your estimate depend on where your belongings are going.

• Moves inside Illinois, including moves within Chicago and from the city to the suburbs, fall under the Illinois Commerce Commission. Movers that handle household goods within the state hold an ICC license and publish a tariff that lists their services and charges.
• Moves to another state fall under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Federal rules spell out what a written estimate must include and how much a mover can collect at delivery.

Knowing which set of rules applies tells you what protections you have and what questions to ask.

A quick number over the phone is a rate quote. The FMCSA says it plainly: a mover’s rate quote is not an estimate. A real estimate is written, lists all charges, and is based on an actual or virtual look at what you are moving.

If a company gives you a firm price without asking about your furniture, your stairs, or your building, treat that price with caution. The questions a mover asks are a good sign of how accurate the estimate will be.

For moves to another state, federal rules recognize two main estimate types. Read the top of your estimate to see which one you have.

Binding Estimate

A binding estimate is a fixed price. You will not owe more than the estimated amount at delivery for the items and services listed. If you add items or services, or if conditions change, such as stairs, an elevator, or a required parking permit that was not in the original estimate, the mover must prepare a new binding estimate. You pay the full binding amount at delivery.

Nonbinding Estimate

A nonbinding estimate is a good-faith projection. Your final cost depends on the actual weight of your shipment, the services you use, and the mover’s published rates. Federal rules protect you here too. At delivery, a mover cannot require you to pay more than 110 percent of a nonbinding estimate.

An estimate is only as good as the details behind the total. Check each of these before you sign.

The Inventory

The inventory is the list of what the mover expects to move. Compare it against your home, room by room. A missing dresser or a forgotten storage unit changes the time and the truck space, which changes the price.

Labor, Truck, and Time

Local Chicago moves are often priced by time. Look for how many movers are included, how many trucks, and whether travel time between the warehouse and your home is counted. For long-distance moves, look for weight or volume and the distance.

Access Details

Access is where Chicago estimates get specific. Walk-up two-flats, greystones with front steps, and high-rises with service elevators all take different amounts of time. Make sure the estimate reflects the floor you live on, the number of flights, any long carry from the truck to the door, and any elevator reservation window.

Packing and Materials

If the movers are packing for you, the estimate should show which rooms are included and how materials are handled. If you are packing yourself, confirm that nothing for packing is on the bill.

Specialty Items

Pianos, hot tubs, safes, and other heavy or delicate items are often listed separately. If you have one, make sure it appears on the estimate by name.

Parking and Building Requirements

Chicago parking and building rules can add steps to moving day. Confirm whether the estimate accounts for no-parking signs, and whether your building needs paperwork from the movers before they can start. 

• Is this a binding or nonbinding estimate?
• What would cause the final price to change?
• Is travel time included, and how is it counted?
• Are stairs, long carries, and elevators already included?
• Which items are listed as specialty items?
• How and when is payment collected?

For a longer list, see our 12 questions to ask any Chicago mover before you sign.

When you line up estimates from different Chicago movers, compare what each one includes, not only the total. A lower number that leaves out stairs or packing can end up higher on moving day.

Our breakdown of hidden moving costs in Chicago shows where those gaps usually hide, and our guide to Chicago moving costs covers what drives the price.

An estimate can only be as accurate as the details behind it. Before you request one, list your rooms, your largest furniture, your floor and stairs on both ends, any elevator windows, and any specialty items. Movers who see the full picture give you a number you can plan around.

Moving to another state? The federal rules above apply, and it is worth reading how long-distance moves from Chicago are planned and priced before you compare quotes. When you are ready, request a free moving quote and include those details with your request.