The household good motor carrier must conduct a physical survey of the household goods to be transported and provide the prospective individual shipper with a written estimate of the charges for the transportation and all related services. (Note: an individual shipper may elect to waive a physical survey).
A physical survey must be conducted on-site or virtually. If the survey is performed virtually, the household goods motor carrier must be able to view the household goods through live or pre-recorded video that allows it to clearly identify the household goods to be transported. Refer to 49 CFR 375.103.
Before the household good motor carrier issues a bill of lading to a shipper, it must provide a written estimate of the total charges and indicate whether it is a binding or a non-binding estimate, as follows:
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A binding estimate is an agreement that guarantees the total cost of the move based upon the quantities and services shown on the estimate.
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A non-binding estimate is what the household goods motor carrier believes the total cost will be for the move, based upon both the estimated weight or volume of the shipment and the accessorial services requested. The household goods motor carrier will base the final charges upon the actual weight of the individual shipper's shipment.
General estimate requirements are found in 49 CFR 375.401.
Additional 11 requirements for binding estimates are found in 49 CFR 375.403.
Additional 10 requirements for non-binding estimates are found in 49 CFR 375.405.