What is a not-to-exceed price for a move?
A not-to-exceed price is a written ceiling on what your local move can cost. We give one after a free on-site inspection of your home, so you know your maximum cost up front instead of relying on an hourly estimate alone.
The longer answer
How you get one
- Request a quote and mention that you want an on-site inspection.
- We agree on a time for the visit.
- The estimator walks through the home with you and sees what is going.
- You receive a not-to-exceed price based on what was seen.
The visit is free. Point out anything you are unsure about, like items staying behind or pieces going to a different address, so the price reflects the real job. You can start with our quote request form.
Why it only comes after a visit
Local moves are billed by time, so we do not offer a flat or binding price for them. An emailed quote cannot account for a packed garage, a narrow staircase or a basement full of tools. Seeing the home in person is what makes a ceiling possible, because the estimator can judge volume, packing and access together rather than guessing from a bedroom count. For the same reason, we do not do estimates by video call; too much can be missed on a screen.
Hourly estimate vs not-to-exceed
| Hourly estimate | Not-to-exceed | |
|---|---|---|
| How you get it | Email or phone | Free on-site inspection |
| Maximum known in advance | No | Yes |
| Best for | Smaller, simple moves | Larger homes or tight budgets |
Who benefits most
It is most useful when the stakes are higher: a four-bedroom house, a home with lots of storage spaces, or a household moving on a fixed relocation budget. For a studio with easy access, an hourly quote is usually enough. Our residential moving page covers larger home moves in more detail.
More questions people ask
Does an on-site inspection cost anything?
No, the inspection is free.
Can I get a not-to-exceed price from photos?
No, it requires an in-person walk-through. We also do not offer video estimates.
Is a not-to-exceed price the same as a flat rate?
No. It is a ceiling on an hourly move, not a fixed price; we do not offer flat or binding prices for local moves.