Moving Crews Glossary
"5 terms every homeowner should recognize before signing a contract." Each entry is a short read drawn from the warranty language carriers use during claims.
General
- Binding estimate A written quote from a moving company that legally caps the final bill at the estimated amount, regardless of actual weight or hours.
- Broker A company that takes your move booking and dispatches it to an actual moving carrier, without owning or operating a single truck themselves.
- Carrier A licensed and registered moving company that owns the trucks, employs the drivers, and physically moves your goods. Distinguished from a broker.
- Gratuity An optional cash tip paid to the moving crew (not the company) at the end of the move, in exchange for good service.
- Valuation The mover's liability coverage for damaged or lost goods during a move. Required by federal law for interstate moves; the default is the legal minimum, not real insurance.