Moving Industry Glossary — Every Term You Need to Know

Extra fees added to a moving bill for services beyond the standard point-to-point transport, such as long carries, stair fees, or appliance handling.

A guaranteed price quote that cannot increase at delivery regardless of actual weight or time, as long as no additional services are requested.

A price guarantee where the final cost won't exceed the estimate, but may be lower if the actual shipment weighs less than projected.

The percentage of estimates that convert into confirmed, booked moves — a key performance metric for moving company sales teams.

A prompt on a website or marketing material that tells visitors what to do next, such as 'Get Your Free Moving Quote.'

A set of documents a moving company provides to a broker or agent to establish a business relationship and get approved for job referrals.

A document issued by an insurance company verifying a moving company carries active liability and cargo insurance coverage.

The percentage of customers who stop using a product or service during a given time period — for moving SaaS, the rate of subscription cancellations.

The percentage of leads that become paying customers — for movers, typically the ratio of estimate requests to booked moves.

Total marketing spend divided by the number of leads generated — varies from $5 per referral to $200+ per aggregator lead for movers.

Software that manages all customer interactions from first inquiry to post-move follow-up — the central hub for moving company operations.

A detailed inventory form used by estimators to calculate total cubic footage or weight of a household shipment, room by room.

The total cost of acquiring a new customer, including all marketing and sales expenses divided by new customers gained.

The total revenue a business can expect from a single customer over their entire relationship, including referrals and repeat business.

A series of automated emails or text messages sent on a schedule to nurture leads over time until they book or opt out.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration — the U.S. government agency that regulates interstate moving companies, sets safety standards, and issues operating authority.

The most comprehensive liability option for interstate moves, requiring the mover to repair, replace, or pay current market value for any lost or damaged items.

A list of items valued at more than $100 per pound that must be declared in writing before a move — undeclared items may not be covered for loss or damage.

A company authorized by the FMCSA to transport personal belongings for compensation — the legal classification for moving companies.

A moving company licensed to transport household goods across state lines, regulated by the FMCSA with USDOT and MC authority requirements.

A moving company that operates only within a single state, regulated by state-level authorities rather than the federal FMCSA.

A standalone web page built for a specific marketing campaign, designed to convert ad traffic into estimate requests with a single focused call to action.

The process of capturing, tracking, qualifying, and nurturing potential customers from first inquiry through to a booked move.

Building relationships with undecided leads through systematic follow-up via email, SMS, and phone until they're ready to book.

The time between a lead submitting an inquiry and the company responding — responding within 5 minutes increases contact rates by 900%.

A methodology for ranking leads based on their likelihood to book, using factors like move size, timeline, distance, and engagement level.

The base transportation cost for moving goods from origin to destination, calculated on weight and mileage before any accessorial fees are added.

An accessorial charge applied when movers must carry items more than 75 feet from the truck to the residence, typically $75-150 per increment.

An operating authority number issued by the FMCSA that authorizes a moving company to transport household goods for compensation across state lines.

An independent moving company that operates under the authority of a larger van line like United, Atlas, or Mayflower.

A company that arranges household goods transportation but doesn't perform the move — connecting customers with licensed carriers for a fee.

A written price estimate that can change at delivery based on actual shipment weight, meaning the final cost may be higher or lower than quoted.

The written authorization a customer signs that allows the mover to pick up their shipment and transport it under agreed terms and estimated charges.

Professional packing and unpacking offered by moving companies using industry-grade materials — typically $25-50/hour per packer or $500-1,000 for a full house.

The high-demand period for moving services, typically May through September, when rates are higher and availability tighter due to increased residential moves.

The basic free liability coverage for interstate moves — the mover's maximum liability is $0.60 per pound per article, regardless of actual item value.

A visual representation of where each lead is in the sales process — from first contact through estimate, follow-up, and booked move.

An accessorial charge when the main moving van can't access the location, requiring a smaller truck to shuttle items — typically $300-700+.

An additional charge for carrying items up or down stairs when no elevator is available — most movers charge $50-100 per flight of stairs.

Temporary storage offered when goods can't be delivered immediately — governed by the same bill of lading as the transportation service.

The published schedule of rates, charges, and service rules that a licensed mover must follow and make available to customers upon request.

A unique identifier assigned by the FMCSA to companies engaged in interstate commerce — required for every moving company operating across state lines.

The level of liability a mover assumes for loss or damage to a shipment — not insurance, but a declaration of responsibility that determines the mover's maximum payout.