The quote is often the lowest one you get, and it comes fast. You describe your rooms over the phone or fill in an online form, and a price comes back. Nobody visits your home. Then the truck arrives, the crew says your belongings take up far more cubic feet than estimated, and the price goes up. Sometimes this happens after everything you own is already on the truck.
How the tactic works, step by step
- The quote. A salesperson prices the move from a list you give them, usually in cubic feet. That salesperson may work for a broker, not a mover. A broker doesn't operate the truck or handle the shipment, but brokers can give estimates on behalf of the movers that do.
- The signature and deposit. You're asked to sign and pay up front to hold your moving date.
- The 'remeasure.' On moving day the crew says the load is much bigger than quoted and hands you new paperwork with a higher price.
- The squeeze. If you push back, the crew may threaten to leave, or to keep your belongings until you pay.
Federal prosecutors described this exact sequence in a recent case (details below).
What federal law says about interstate moves
Interstate moves are covered by 49 CFR Part 375, enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The main rules:
- Someone has to look at your things. A 2022 rule means the mover must do a physical survey no matter how far away it is, unless you waive that in writing. FMCSA also changed the definition of physical survey to allow virtual surveys by live and pre-recorded video.
- Cubic-foot quotes need a written formula. If a mover gives you an estimate by volume that will later be converted to a weight-based rate, it must explain the conversion formula to you in writing. It must also state that final charges will be based on actual weight and services, subject to the 110 percent rule at delivery.
- The 110% cap. A non-binding estimate must clearly state that you won't have to pay more than 110 percent of it at the time of delivery. The most a mover may demand is 100 percent of a binding estimate, or 110 percent of a non-binding estimate, at delivery.
- Loading locks in the price. Once your shipment is loaded, if the mover hasn't written up a new estimate, it has reaffirmed the original one. It can't collect more than 110 percent of that amount at destination for the services and quantities shown.
- The rest of the bill waits. If the bill goes over 110 percent of a non-binding estimate, the mover must hand over your shipment once you pay 110 percent, and bill the rest no sooner than 30 days later.
Holding goods hostage carries serious penalties. Under federal law, a mover that holds household goods hostage faces civil penalties of at least $10,000 per violation, plus suspension of its registration for 12 to 36 months.
A real case
In December 2023 a federal jury in Brooklyn convicted two former employees of several moving companies of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Office of Inspector General, they drew in customers with fake online reviews and told sales staff to low-ball moving costs. After customers signed, and sometimes after their belongings were loaded, the movers added new fees and threatened to keep the goods unless customers paid. Investigators said the scheme took more than $3 million from over 800 victims. In February 2025 the court sentenced one defendant to 2 years in prison, and ordered four defendants to pay $1,795,950 in restitution.
Complaints like these are still coming in. In Arizona, the Department of Public Safety has received 97 complaints about moving companies so far this year. The Arizona Attorney General's Office has also warned about movers that raise prices sharply after loading and may refuse to deliver unless customers pay.
Warning signs
FMCSA lists these as common red flags: no in-home estimate, being asked to sign incomplete paperwork, and a company that isn't registered with FMCSA. FMCSA's consumer booklet also says to avoid movers that aren't registered with FMCSA, refuse to do a physical survey of your belongings, or require cash only. A quote in cubic feet with no written explanation of how the price will be calculated is another reason to slow down.
If it happens to you
- Don't sign anything under pressure. Read every page before you sign. Check whether the new paperwork is a new estimate that would replace your original one.
- Find out what kind of estimate you have. Binding and non-binding estimates come with different payment limits at delivery.
- Document everything. Keep the original quote, your inventory list, texts and emails, and take photos of the loaded truck.
- Report a hostage load. FMCSA says that if you've paid 110% of a non-binding estimate or 100% of a binding estimate and the mover still won't deliver, it has broken federal rules. You can file a complaint online or call 1-888-DOT-SAFT (1-888-368-7238).
- Contact your state. Rules for moves within one state vary, so check with your state, county or local consumer affairs agency or your state attorney general.
This article is general consumer information, not legal advice. For your own situation, contact FMCSA through Protect Your Move and your state attorney general.
How to check a mover before you sign
- Ask for the company's USDOT number. Look it up at movepricer.com/check (free) or on FMCSA's site.
- Ask in writing whether the company is the mover or a broker.
- Ask for an in-home or live-video survey, and get a written estimate that says whether it's binding or non-binding.
- If the quote is in cubic feet, ask for the written formula that turns it into a price.