Moves that stay inside Washington have to be handled by a household goods carrier with a permit from the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC). Companies that advertise or handle in-state moves without a permit are violating state law. The commission can enforce standards and help when you hire a permitted company. It cannot help if you hire an illegal mover.

Why a UTC permit matters, and how to check it

The UTC regulates the transportation of household goods for pay on public roads in Washington. That includes advertising, estimates, pickup and delivery, short-term storage, handling, and related services. Permitted movers have to follow state safety, insurance, and service standards, and they have to offer service at reasonable rates and within a reasonable time. Those rates are bounded by Tariff 15-C, the commission's minimum and maximum rate document. Movers without a permit work outside that system, with no guaranteed protection for loss or damage.

Look up the company in the UTC's companies directory, filtered for household goods carriers, or use the commission's permit lookup. Confirm that the name on the estimate matches the permitted name. A USDOT number, by itself, is not proof of Washington intrastate authority. If you suspect a company is operating without a permit, the UTC has a page for reporting suspected non-permitted carriers.

When you compare movers, the UTC's Consumer Guide to Moving in Washington State also recommends that you:

• Choose a professional mover with a UTC permit.
• Look at customer reviews and complaints, and ask people you trust who have recently moved.
• Ask for and check references.
• Compare written costs, not only a phone quote.
• Walk away if a company makes you uncomfortable, demands a large cash deposit, or will not provide a bill of lading.

State law requires permitted movers to give you specific documents at each step: a free written estimate before the move, an inventory for you to sign, and a bill of lading, which is your contract. If a mover will not provide a bill of lading, the guide says not to hire them. They also have to give you the Consumer Guide itself.

What "inside Washington" means, and when federal rules apply instead

UTC authority covers moves with an origin and destination in Washington. A move from Seattle to Spokane, from Tacoma to a storage warehouse in Kent, or from Vancouver to a new apartment in Olympia is an in-state household goods move if the company is paid to haul your goods on public roads. A move from Portland, Oregon, to Seattle, or from Yakima to Boise, is an interstate move. Interstate household goods carriers are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and you check them through ProtectYourMove.gov and the federal company snapshot, not only the UTC list.

Some companies hold both kinds of authority. Ask, in writing, which set of rules applies to your shipment, and get the permit or federal registration number on the estimate. Do not assume that a truck with out-of-state plates is automatically legal for an in-state job, or that a local permit covers a move across a state line.

If something later goes wrong with a permitted in-state mover, try to resolve it with the company first, including a supervisor. If that fails, contact the UTC Consumer Protection Help Line at 1-888-333-WUTC (9882) or file a complaint online. Loss-and-damage claims have their own written process and a nine-month filing window, which is covered in a separate guide in this hub. The UTC can help facilitate a discussion. It cannot require either side to settle a loss-and-damage claim, and some disputes end up in small claims or another court.

Work only with a permitted carrier and a written estimate. If a quote is far below every other offer, or someone wants cash outside normal channels, check the UTC lookup again before you pay, and consider calling the help line. Keep copies of the permit number, the estimate, the inventory, and the bill of lading until any claim period has ended. If the company uses a trade name on its website that does not appear on the UTC listing, ask for the legal permitted name and check that name before you sign.

FAQ

Who licenses movers for a move that stays inside Washington?

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission. Household goods carriers need a UTC permit to advertise or handle those moves.

How do I check a company's permit?

Use the UTC companies lookup for household goods carriers, or the commission's permit lookup, and match the name on your estimate to the permitted name. A USDOT number alone is not Washington intrastate authority.

What if I hire a company that has no permit?

Unpermitted movers operate outside the law, and the UTC says there is nothing the commission can do to protect you in that situation. Check the permit before you book.

Does a UTC permit cover a move to another state?

No. A move that crosses a state line is an interstate shipment under FMCSA rules. Confirm which authority applies to your origin and destination.

Next step

Before you book an in-state move, look up the company on the UTC household goods list, get a free written estimate, and ask a licensed local agent or the UTC help line if you are unsure whether the company is permitted.

Sources: Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, Consumer Guide to Moving in Washington State; UTC, household goods carriers; UTC companies lookup, household goods carriers; UTC, look up a company's permit.

A move between Washington and another state is an interstate shipment. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), not the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission's in-state permit rules, is the federal regulator for household goods carriers that cross state lines. Check the company at ProtectYourMove.gov, confirm it has active interstate authority, and get a written estimate before you book.

How interstate authority differs from a UTC permit

A Seattle-to-Spokane move stays inside Washington and requires a UTC household goods permit. A Portland-to-Seattle move, a Tacoma-to-Boise move, or a household leaving Bellevue for California is interstate. Some companies hold both a UTC permit and federal authority. Ask, in writing, which authority covers your origin and destination, and put that registration number on the estimate. A UTC permit alone does not authorize an interstate haul, and a USDOT number alone does not prove that a carrier may transport household goods across state lines.

FMCSA's Protect Your Move program is the official consumer starting point. There you can:

• Search a company and review its authority, insurance, and complaint history in the federal snapshot.
• Read the federal rights-and-responsibilities booklet that interstate household goods carriers are required to provide.
• Learn the difference between a binding estimate, a non-binding estimate, and a not-to-exceed estimate under federal rules, which are not identical to Washington's 25% and 110% in-state rules.
• Find out how to file a complaint with FMCSA if an interstate mover will not resolve a problem.

Interstate movers generally have to give you a written estimate, a bill of lading, and information about valuation coverage before the move. Federal released-value protection has long been 60 cents per pound per article unless you purchase a higher level of valuation. That 60-cent figure is a federal default, not the 72-cent basic option that currently applies to many UTC in-state shipments. Do not assume the in-state valuation menu applies to a move that crosses a state line. Read the interstate bill of lading and the booklet the carrier is required to give you.

Be wary of brokers who sell a move but do not actually haul it. If a website books the job and a different truck arrives, confirm that the actual carrier is also FMCSA-authorized for household goods and is named on your documents. Do not pay a large cash deposit to a mover or broker you cannot find in the federal system. Get a physical address, a working phone number, and copies of the estimate and the rights booklet before the truck is loaded.

Estimates, delivery windows, and claims on an interstate shipment

Federal household goods rules use their own estimate and payment structure. A binding estimate generally holds the price for the listed services. A non-binding estimate can change with the actual weight and services, and federal rules have long required the carrier to deliver if you pay 110% of a non-binding estimate at delivery, with a later period to collect any remaining lawful charges. Confirm the current federal percentages and any “not-to-exceed” option in the booklet and on your estimate, because those details are set by federal regulation, not by Tariff 15-C.

Interstate shipments often have a spread of delivery dates rather than a single guaranteed day. Ask the carrier to put the agreed pickup and delivery window on the bill of lading. If no one is available at delivery, storage-in-transit charges can begin. Inspect items as they come off the truck, note exceptions on the inventory, and keep the bill of lading.

Federal claim rules also differ from Washington's nine-month in-state window and 10-day acknowledgment period. The required booklet and the bill of lading state how long you have to file a written claim and how the carrier has to respond. File in writing, keep damaged items for inspection, and use FMCSA's complaint process if the carrier ignores the claim. A complaint to the UTC may still be useful if the same company holds Washington authority and the problem also involves an in-state service, but the interstate shipment itself is a federal matter.

If you are moving to Washington, the federal move ends when the goods are delivered. You still have a separate 30-day Department of Licensing deadline to get a Washington driver license and register the vehicle, and you will need Washington-compliant auto insurance. Those state tasks are not part of the FMCSA shipment.

FAQ

Who regulates a move from another state into Washington?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, through its household goods rules and the Protect Your Move program. The Washington UTC permit applies to moves that stay inside the state.

How do I check an interstate mover?

Search the company at ProtectYourMove.gov and review its federal authority, insurance, and complaint history. Confirm that the name on your estimate matches the authorized carrier, especially if a broker booked the job.

Are Washington's 72-cents-a-pound and nine-month claim rules the ones that apply?

Those figures come from the UTC consumer guide for in-state moves. Interstate shipments use federal valuation and claim rules, which have different defaults. Read the federal booklet and your bill of lading.

Can I complain to both FMCSA and the UTC?

FMCSA is the agency for the interstate shipment. If the company also holds Washington authority and the issue involves in-state service, the UTC may also be able to take a complaint. Start with the agency that regulates the move you hired.

Next step

Before you book a move into or out of Washington, look up the carrier at ProtectYourMove.gov, get a written estimate and the federal rights booklet, and ask a licensed local agent whether your insurance would apply in transit.

Sources: FMCSA, Protect Your Move; Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; Washington UTC, Consumer Guide to Moving in Washington State.

New Washington residents have 30 days after moving to get a Washington driver license and to register their vehicles. The Department of Licensing requires the Washington driver license first. Driver licensing and vehicle licensing are done in separate offices, so plan on two trips. Make a driver-licensing appointment before you go.

How to get a Washington driver license

DOL says you are considered a Washington resident if, among other things, you have a Washington address, you are registered to vote in Washington, you receive state benefits or in-state tuition, or you get a Washington license at resident rates. Once you have moved, you have 30 days to get the driver license.

You must make an appointment at a driver licensing office. Bring proof of identity, including your out-of-state license, payment for the fee, and any extra documents needed for an enhanced driver license (EDL) or a name change. At the office you will need to tell the staff your Social Security number, pay the fee, and pass any required tests. Whether you have to take a knowledge or driving test depends on where your current license was issued. Review the Washington State Driver Guide if a test may be required. You will also be asked whether you want a standard license or an EDL, which meets REAL ID standards and can be used to re-enter the United States by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean.

Starting November 1, 2026, first-time Washington driver license applicants under 25 have to pass a free online course on work zone and first responder safety. That requirement is aimed at first-time applicants, not at every person who is only transferring a long-held out-of-state license. If you are under 18, use DOL's separate application page for 16- and 17-year-olds.

Before you leave the office, DOL will punch a hole in your out-of-state driver license or ID and return it to you. You will receive a temporary license that allows you to drive for 45 days. You probably will not be able to use the temporary license as ID. The permanent license is mailed in about 7 to 10 days. If it has not arrived in 30 days, call DOL at 360-902-3900 (TTY: 711).

How to title and register the vehicle

Get the Washington driver license before you register the vehicle. Bring the current title to a vehicle licensing office, and write down the odometer reading before you go in. If a lender holds the title, call the vehicle licensing office first; the office can explain how the lender should provide a copy. Fees and accepted payment methods vary by office, so call ahead. If you handle the transaction by mail, plates may take up to three weeks to arrive. In the office, you generally receive plates the same day.

Washington will also tell you about open safety recalls for the vehicle at first registration or on a renewal notice, using information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. You can still register or renew; the recall notice is information, not an automatic block.

You will need Washington liability insurance, or another accepted form of financial responsibility, when you drive a vehicle registered here. The minimum auto liability limits are $25,000/$50,000/$10,000. Put a policy in force before you register. After the vehicle is registered, you can add it to a License Express account to track tab renewals and your address. If you will use toll roads such as the SR 520 Bridge, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, or the I-405 express lanes, consider a Good To Go! account so you are not billed as a Pay By Mail customer.

Missed deadlines can create citations and delays. If you are unsure which documents you need, call a driver or vehicle licensing office before the 30 days run out. Military and other special situations can have extra rules; ask DOL rather than assuming the standard timeline applies. Bring the current title, not only a registration card, unless you are coming from a state that does not issue titles and the vehicle office has told you what to use instead. Keep copies of the temporary license, the insurance card, and the new registration in the vehicle once the plates are issued.

FAQ

How long do I have to get a Washington driver license after I move?

Thirty days after you move to Washington, according to the Department of Licensing. You also have 30 days to register your vehicles, and you need the Washington license first.

Can I do the license and the vehicle registration in the same office?

Usually no. DOL says driver licensing and vehicle licensing are handled in separate locations. Plan two trips, and make a driver-licensing appointment.

Will I have to take a driving test?

It depends on where your current license was issued. DOL has a page that explains when a test is required. Bring your out-of-state license and review the Washington Driver Guide if a test is possible.

How long can I drive on the temporary license?

The temporary license allows you to drive for 45 days. The permanent card is typically mailed in 7 to 10 days. Call DOL if it has not arrived within 30 days.

Next step

Make a driver-licensing appointment, gather your out-of-state license and identity documents, and buy a Washington-compliant auto policy before you visit a vehicle licensing office. A licensed local agent can write the policy so it is in force when you register.

Sources: Washington State Department of Licensing, moving to Washington: get a driver license; DOL, moving to Washington: vehicle registration and plates; DOL, mandatory insurance.

Washington has no statewide maximum for a residential security deposit. To collect one, the landlord needs a written rental agreement and a signed move-in checklist, and the funds go into a Washington trust account. A refund or a specific statement of deductions is due within 30 days after move-out.

What the landlord has to do when the deposit is collected

The rules are in the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act, especially RCW 59.18.260, 59.18.270, and 59.18.280. If the landlord takes money as a deposit or as security for the tenant's performance, the lease has to be in writing and has to state the terms under which the deposit, or part of it, may be withheld. No deposit may be collected unless that written agreement exists and the landlord gives the tenant, at the start of the tenancy, a written checklist or statement that specifically describes the condition, cleanliness, and existing damage to the premises, including walls, paint or wallpaper, carpets and other flooring, furniture, and appliances.

The checklist has to be signed and dated by both the landlord and the tenant, and the tenant receives a copy. The tenant may later request one free replacement copy. A deposit may not be withheld for wear resulting from ordinary use. If the landlord collects a deposit without providing the written checklist at the start of the tenancy, the landlord is liable to the tenant for the amount of the deposit, and the prevailing party may recover court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees.

All deposit money has to be placed promptly in a trust account maintained for tenants' security deposits, in a financial institution as defined in the deposit-account statute, or with a licensed escrow agent, located in Washington. Unless the parties agree otherwise in writing, interest on that account belongs to the landlord. The landlord has to give the tenant a written receipt and written notice of the name, address, and location of the depository, and of any later change. If the property is sold, the deposit has to move to the successor's equivalent trust account, and the new landlord has to notify the tenant. If the unit is foreclosed and the deposit is not transferred or refunded, the foreclosed-upon owner can be liable for up to two times the deposit.

Cities or counties may add their own rental rules, including deposit limits, that are stricter than state law. Check the city where the unit is located. There is no statewide cap in Chapter 59.18 RCW.

The 30-day return rule, and what can be deducted

Within 30 days after the rental agreement ends and you vacate, or, if you abandon the premises, within 30 days after the landlord learns of the abandonment, the landlord has to give a full and specific statement of any amount retained, together with the documentation the statute requires, and payment of any refund due. The landlord meets the deadline by delivering those items in person or by depositing them in first-class U.S. mail, postage prepaid, to your last known address, within the 30 days.

For damage charges, the landlord has to include copies of estimates received or invoices paid. If the landlord or an employee does the repairs, the landlord has to document the cost of materials and include a statement of the time spent and a reasonable hourly rate. The statute also says no portion of the deposit may be withheld for ordinary wear, for carpet cleaning unless the landlord documents wear beyond ordinary use, for fixtures or furnishings whose condition was not reasonably documented on the required checklist, or for more than the cost of repairing or replacing the damaged portion when the item is not a total loss.

If the landlord misses the 30-day deadline, the landlord is liable for the full amount of the deposit and, in a tenant's lawsuit to recover it, is generally barred from asserting a claim or defense for keeping any of it, unless the landlord shows circumstances beyond the landlord's control, or that the tenant abandoned the premises. The court may award up to two times the deposit for an intentional refusal to provide the statement, documentation, or refund. The prevailing party is entitled to costs and a reasonable attorneys' fee.

Keep your own records: the signed lease, the signed checklist, photos from move-in and move-out, the deposit receipt, and the depository notice. Give the landlord a forwarding address in writing when you leave. Ordinary wear is not a lawful deduction, but unpaid rent and other lawful charges can be, and the checklist-and-invoice rules are aimed at damage deductions.

FAQ

Is there a statewide limit on how large a Washington security deposit can be?

No. Chapter 59.18 RCW does not set a statewide maximum. A city or county may have its own cap. The landlord still needs a written rental agreement and a move-in checklist to collect a deposit.

How long does the landlord have to return the deposit?

Thirty days after the tenancy ends and you vacate, or 30 days after the landlord learns of an abandonment. The statement, supporting documents, and any refund have to be delivered or mailed within that period.

What if the landlord never gave me a move-in checklist?

If a deposit was collected without the written checklist at the start of the tenancy, the landlord is liable for the amount of the deposit, and the prevailing party may recover costs and reasonable attorneys' fees.

Where does the landlord have to keep the money?

In a trust account at a Washington financial institution or licensed escrow agent. You are entitled to a receipt and to written notice of the depository's name and location.

Next step

Before you move in, get a signed copy of the lease, the checklist, the deposit receipt, and the trust-account notice. When you move out, send a forwarding address in writing and calendar the 30-day deadline. A licensed local agent, or a tenant or landlord attorney, can help if the refund or the statement does not arrive.

Sources: RCW 59.18.260; RCW 59.18.270; RCW 59.18.280; Chapter 59.18 RCW, Residential Landlord-Tenant Act.

For an in-state Washington move, file a written loss or damage claim with the mover within nine months after delivery. Basic value protection pays 72 cents per pound for each lost or damaged item. Replacement-cost options pay more, with or without a $300 deductible, for an extra charge. Choose the valuation on the bill of lading before the truck leaves.

What are the three valuation options?

Mover's liability is not the same as insurance. The Utilities and Transportation Commission requires movers to assume liability for loss or damage, but that liability will be less than the full value of your goods unless you pay for more protection. Talk with a licensed insurance agent before the move if you want coverage through a homeowners or renters policy, or a separate policy, in addition to the mover's liability.

The Consumer Guide to Moving in Washington State describes three options. If you do not choose one on the bill of lading, Option 2 is the default.

• Option 1, Basic Value Protection: $0.72 per pound for each lost or damaged item, regardless of actual value, with no deductible and no extra charge. A 50-pound damaged chair would be valued at $36 under this option.
• Option 2, Replacement Cost Coverage with a deductible: After a $300 deductible, the mover's liability is the total declared value of the items, or $9.16 times the shipment weight, whichever is greater. There is a charge, listed in the guide as $0.55 to $1.78 per $100 of declared value. Declared value cannot be less than $9.16 per pound of total weight.
• Option 3, Replacement Cost Coverage with no deductible: The same declared-value or $9.16-per-pound floor, with no deductible, at a higher charge listed as $0.66 to $2.16 per $100 of declared value.

Options 2 and 3 do not apply to antiques, fine arts, paintings, statuary, and similar irreplaceable items, or to memorabilia and collector's items whose age or history is a large part of their value. The mover is also not responsible for certain excluded items, including coins, currency, deeds, jewelry, precious metals, items of extraordinary value, items that need temperature control, pets, live plants, perishables, and furniture made of pressed board or particle board. Breakage of items you packed yourself is generally excluded unless you can prove the mover was negligent. Internal damage to electronics with no visible damage to the packaging, and several other conditions such as insects, preexisting damage noted on the inventory, and acts of God, are also excluded.

Rates in Tariff 15-C can be updated. Confirm the per-pound figures and the valuation charges on the estimate and the bill of lading you actually sign, and ask the mover to show you the current tariff pages if the numbers differ from an older brochure.

How and when to file a claim

You have nine months from the date of delivery, or expected delivery, to file a written claim. File after you have paid all legal charges. Include the bill of lading and enough information to identify the property. Keep the damaged items; the mover has the right to inspect them. Note damage on the inventory and the bill of lading at delivery when you can, and set aside items you discover later, without unpacking them further, and call the mover promptly.

The mover has to provide the information and forms needed to file. Once you submit a written claim, the mover has 10 days to acknowledge it. Try to resolve the claim with the company first. If you are not satisfied, call the UTC. Staff can help facilitate negotiations. The commission cannot require you or the mover to settle a loss-and-damage claim. If the mover will not settle voluntarily, you may file suit, including in small claims court if the amount qualifies.

If the mover reimburses you or replaces an item, it may claim that item as its property. Read the claim form before you cash a check if you want to dispute the amount.

For interstate moves, federal FMCSA claim rules apply instead of these UTC valuation figures and the nine-month state window. Confirm which set of rules covers your shipment before you file.

FAQ

How long do I have to file a damage claim after a Washington in-state move?

Nine months from the date of delivery, or expected delivery. The claim has to be in writing, after you have paid all legal charges, and should include the bill of lading.

What do I get if I do not buy extra valuation?

Option 1 pays $0.72 per pound per item, with no deductible and no extra charge. That can be far below replacement cost. Option 2 is the default if you do not make a choice on the bill of lading.

How quickly does the mover have to respond?

The mover has 10 days to acknowledge a written claim. That acknowledgment is not the same as a settlement.

Can the UTC order the mover to pay my claim?

No. The commission can help with negotiations, but it cannot require a settlement. Unresolved claims may go to court.

Next step

Before an in-state move, ask the permitted mover to write the valuation option, the declared value, and the charge on the estimate, and talk with a licensed local insurance agent about whether your homeowners or renters policy would apply. After delivery, file any claim in writing within nine months.

Sources: Washington UTC, Consumer Guide to Moving in Washington State; UTC, household goods carriers and Tariff 15-C; UTC, uniform household goods bill of lading.

A Washington mover has to give you a free written estimate before the move. A binding estimate guarantees the price for the services listed. A non-binding estimate can rise, but not by more than 25% above the estimate, and the mover has to unload if you pay 110% of the final estimate.

Binding, non-binding, and how charges are calculated

The Utilities and Transportation Commission sets minimum and maximum rates in Tariff 15-C. Companies choose rates inside those limits, which is why two permitted movers can quote different prices for the same job. The Consumer Guide to Moving in Washington State explains that costs are calculated differently by distance:

• For moves of 56 miles or more, rates are based on the weight of your goods and the distance hauled. The mover weighs the empty vehicle, then weighs it again after loading. If you request it, the mover will notify you of the weight and charges, you can witness the official weighing, and the shipment can be reweighed before final delivery (you pay for the second weigh-in).
• For moves of 55 miles or less, rates are based on the number of workers, the time it takes to load, move, and unload, and the mover's hourly rate.

Movers may give an informal verbal figure while you are shopping, but they have to provide a written estimate before the move. The estimate should clearly describe all charges. There are two types:

• A non-binding estimate is an educated guess after the mover reviews your things. The final cost can be more than that guess, but not more than 25% above the estimate or any supplemental estimate.
• A binding estimate is a written agreement that guarantees the price based on the items and services listed.

An estimate is only as complete as the information you provide. Tell the mover about items in the attic, basement, garage, shed, closets, and under beds, and agree in writing on packing and other services. If anything changes, the mover has to give you a supplemental estimate to sign before performing the additional work. Extra items that were not on the estimate will raise the bill.

The bill of lading is the contract. It states the services, how the mover will charge, and the liability the mover will assume. You sign it before the truck leaves, and you sign it again as a receipt at delivery. Keep a copy until everything is delivered and unpacked. The mover also has to make an inventory for you to sign. If you disagree with a condition note, write it on both copies before you sign.

Paying at delivery, and what 110% and 25% mean in practice

Unless you have made credit arrangements, you have to pay all legal charges before the mover unloads. If circumstances change and the charges on a non-binding estimate come in higher, the mover still has to unload and release your goods if you pay 110% of the amount of your final estimate. Any remaining balance is then due in 30 days. Even then, UTC rules limit the company to charging no more than 25% more than the final estimate.

Those two percentages are easy to mix up. The 25% figure is a cap on how much a non-binding estimate can grow. The 110% figure is the amount you can pay at delivery to get your goods off the truck if the bill is higher than expected, with up to 30 days to pay the rest, still inside the 25% cap. A binding estimate does not work this way: the price for the listed services is the price, unless you have signed a supplemental estimate for extra work.

If delivery cannot be made because no one is present, the mover may place the goods in storage at your expense. Be there, or appoint an agent, for packing, loading, unloading, and unpacking. Check items against the inventory while the mover is still there, and note damage on both copies of the bill of lading and the inventory before you sign the delivery receipt.

If you need help reading Tariff 15-C, the UTC invites you to email consumer@utc.wa.gov. For service problems, call the Consumer Protection Help Line at 1-888-333-WUTC (9882) after you have tried a supervisor at the company.

FAQ

Does a Washington mover have to give a written estimate?

Yes. The UTC requires a free written estimate before the move. A verbal figure while you are shopping is informal and is not the estimate the rules rely on.

How much can a non-binding estimate go up?

No more than 25% above the estimate, or any supplemental estimate you accepted. If the bill is higher than expected, the mover has to release your goods if you pay 110% of the final estimate, with 30 days to pay the remainder.

Why do short moves and long moves use different pricing?

Under Tariff 15-C and the consumer guide, moves of 55 miles or less are generally timed and billed hourly. Moves of 56 miles or more are generally billed on weight and distance.

What is a supplemental estimate?

If the inventory or the services change after the original estimate, the mover has to give you a supplemental estimate to sign before doing the extra work. Unsigned extras are a common source of surprise charges.

Next step

Ask each permitted mover for a written binding or non-binding estimate that lists every item and service, and review the 25% and 110% rules before moving day. A licensed local agent can help you think about valuation and insurance to go with the estimate.

Sources: Washington UTC, Consumer Guide to Moving in Washington State; UTC, household goods carriers and Tariff 15-C; UTC, rates and rules for movers.