Moving Estimate Checklist — Phoenix

What it should state. What's commonly not stated. What to ask before you sign.

You're about to sign a moving company estimate in the Phoenix area. This page lists what a complete one states, the lines that are commonly not stated, and the questions worth asking before your name goes on it.

This is a reading checklist, not advice. Spend Defense doesn't tell you whether to sign — we make sure you've actually seen what's on the page, and what isn't.

What a complete moving estimate states

Estimate type — binding, binding not-to-exceed, or non-binding — stated in writing.
Inventory basis — whether the estimate came from an in-home or video survey, or from your description by phone.
Itemized inventory — the list of items or the weight/volume the price is based on.
Valuation coverage — released value or full value protection, with the cost of each.
Accessorial charges — stairs, long carry, shuttle truck, packing, and storage, each listed with a price.
Deposit and payment — the deposit amount, accepted payment methods, and when the balance is due.
Pickup and delivery dates — the dates or date window for each.
Company identification — the company's legal name and, for interstate moves, its USDOT number.

What's commonly not stated

What released value means — basic coverage for interstate moves is set at 60 cents per pound per item — far below most items' value; the estimate rarely spells that out.
Accessorial charges — extra charges are often added on moving day when the estimate didn't list them.
Non-binding upper limit — with a non-binding estimate, how much the final bill can exceed the estimate is often unclear.
Who actually moves you — the company you book may hand the job to another carrier.
Delivery delays — what happens if your belongings arrive late is seldom written down.
Local move or out-of-state move from Phoenix — a move within Arizona and a move across state lines can fall under different rules and different registrations. The estimate should say which kind of move it is, and list the mover's registration information so you can look it up yourself.

None of these gaps decide anything by themselves. They're the lines to ask about before you sign, not after.

Questions to ask before you sign

“Ask your Phoenix moving company: is this estimate binding, binding not-to-exceed, or non-binding?”
“Was this based on a survey of my items, or on my description?”
“What valuation coverage is included, and what does full value protection cost?”
“Which extra charges could be added on moving day?”
“Will your company perform the move, or another carrier?”

Want a second set of eyes on the actual document?

Send us the paperwork before you sign. A Quick Check reads your document and shows you what it says, what's not stated, and what to ask — for $4.99 (up to 10 pages). Longer documents: Document Review $19, Premium Review $49.

Check my document →

We don't decide for you. We make sure nothing on the page — or missing from it — surprises you later.

FAQ

How much does a move usually cost in the Phoenix area?

We don't price other people's work — cost depends on distance, the weight or volume of your belongings, access at each end, and the services chosen. What you can check is whether your estimate states its type, its inventory basis, and every extra charge. If it doesn't, ask before signing.

What if something on this checklist is missing from my moving estimate?

Ask for it in writing before you sign. A missing estimate type or valuation line isn't a verdict on the mover; it's an unknown in a contract that holds everything you own. Getting it stated costs nothing and settles it before the truck is loaded.

Can Spend Defense read my actual moving estimate?

Yes — that's the Quick Check. Send the document and you'll get back what it says, what's not stated, and what to ask, for $4.99 (up to 10 pages). Estimates with long inventory lists may need the Document Review ($19, up to 25 pages).

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Spend Defense — we read the paperwork before you sign. We don't decide for you.