What Are Accessorial Charges in Moving?
Accessorial charges are fees added to a moving bill beyond the base linehaul transportation cost. They compensate the mover for additional labor, equipment, or time required by specific conditions at pickup or delivery — such as stairs, restricted truck access, oversized items, or temporary storage. On interstate moves, FMCSA regulations require all applicable accessorial charges to be itemized on the Order for Service before collection.
Stair Carry
Most common type
Shuttle Service
Highest-cost accessorial
Must be itemized
FMCSA requirement
Pre-move survey
Best estimation method
How Accessorial Charges Work
Every moving job starts with a linehaul charge — the base cost calculated from the shipment's weight and the distance between origin and destination. Accessorial charges layer on top of that when specific conditions require additional effort beyond standard loading, transport, and unloading.
Each accessorial has a defined trigger condition. A stair carry fee activates when there's no elevator access. A long carry fee applies when the truck must park beyond a set distance — typically 75 feet — from the entrance. A shuttle fee comes into play when the primary truck physically cannot reach the address.
For interstate moves, the FMCSA requires that all potential accessorials be listed on the estimate and Order for Service. The mover cannot collect any accessorial charge not disclosed in writing before performing the service — a rule designed to prevent surprise fees at delivery.
How to Estimate Accessorial Charges Accurately
The most reliable way to identify accessorials before move day is a thorough pre-move survey. Whether conducted in person or via a virtual video walkthrough, the survey should capture:
- Number of stair flights and whether elevator access is available
- Distance from parking to the front door at both origin and destination
- Building access restrictions — permit requirements, loading dock hours, elevator booking windows
- Any items over 300 lbs or requiring special equipment (piano boards, appliance dollies)
- Whether the destination will be ready on the scheduled delivery date
DriveSales integrates virtual survey tools directly into the quoting workflow, so estimators can flag accessorials during the survey and automatically attach them to the estimate — reducing disputes and protecting revenue.
Communicating Accessorials to Customers
Customer disputes over accessorial charges are one of the most common sources of negative reviews in the moving industry. Transparent, proactive communication prevents most of them.
The best approach: itemize every potential accessorial on the initial estimate with clear trigger conditions and price ranges. During the pre-move confirmation call (typically 48 hours before the move), revisit the list and ask the customer if anything has changed — a new apartment floor, a rescheduled elevator reservation, or a piano that wasn't mentioned initially.
If a new accessorial arises on move day, pause and document it before performing the service. Have the crew supervisor note the condition in writing, obtain the customer's e-signature, then proceed. This protects the mover legally and keeps the customer informed — no surprises at the final invoice.
Common Accessorial Charge Types
Charged per flight of stairs above the first floor when elevator access is unavailable.
$50–$150 per flight
Applied when movers must carry items an excessive distance from the truck to the door — typically beyond 75 feet.
$75–$200 per 50 ft over limit
Covers the additional time and coordination required when using a building elevator for loading or unloading.
$50–$100 flat
When the primary moving truck cannot access the pickup or delivery address, a smaller shuttle vehicle moves goods to/from the larger truck.
$200–$500+ per shuttle
Extra charge for oversized or unusually heavy items — pianos, gun safes, hot tubs — that require special equipment or extra crew.
$100–$400 per item
Billed when crew members are on-site but cannot begin work due to circumstances outside the mover's control — e.g., customer not ready or building not available.
$50–$150 per hour
Short-term storage at a warehouse when the destination isn't ready for delivery. Covers handling, storage, and re-delivery.
$100–$300 setup + daily rate
Full or partial packing services using professional materials. Charged per hour of labor or as a flat-rate add-on.
$25–$50 per hour per packer
Accessorial Charges — FAQ
Common questions from moving company owners and customers.
Stop Leaving Accessorial Revenue on the Table
DriveSales automatically surfaces accessorial charges during the estimate and requires customer sign-off before your crew starts work.