Two moving quotes for the same house can be hundreds of dollars apart. Usually that’s not because one mover found a magic discount. It’s because one of them is guessing. Here’s how to get moving quotes in Omaha you can actually budget around, plus the questions to ask before you book anyone (including us).
What Movers Need to Know to Quote Your Move
A quote is only as good as the information behind it. Before you call or fill out a form, have these ready:
- Your home size. Bedrooms, plus the spaces people forget: the garage, basement, patio and any storage unit.
- Your big items. Sectionals, king beds, armoires, appliances, the treadmill. A quick list beats “a normal amount of furniture.”
- Stairs, elevators and parking at both ends. A third-floor walk-up and a ranch with a driveway are very different days. Tell the mover how close the truck can park and whether you need an elevator reservation.
- Specialty items. Pianos, safes, gym equipment, antiques and artwork may need extra hands, crates or equipment.
- Both addresses and any extra stops, like a storage unit on the way.
- Your dates and how flexible you are. Summer weekends and the last few days of the month fill up first.
- How much help you want. Full packing, just the kitchen, beds set up at the new place or only the heavy stuff.
- What’s not coming. Anything you’re selling, donating or leaving behind.
The garage, the basement and the back of the closets are where forgotten stuff hides. Open every door before you ask for a quote. Photos or a quick video help too.
In-Home, Video or Phone Estimates
There are three common ways movers put an estimate together:
| Estimate type | How it works | Good fit for |
|---|---|---|
| In-home walkthrough | Someone from the moving company walks through your home and sees everything | Big homes, long distance moves, lots of specialty items |
| Video walkthrough | You walk your phone through each room on a video call | Busy schedules, or when you’re moving from out of town |
| Phone or online form | You describe your home and your big items | Apartments and smaller local moves, as long as you’re detailed |
For an out-of-state move, federal rules say the estimate must be based on a physical survey of your things if you’re moving from within 50 miles of the mover’s place of business, according to FMCSA’s estimating rules. FMCSA’s Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move booklet says that survey can happen on-site or virtually. You can waive it in writing, but FMCSA puts phone-only and online-only estimates on its list of moving fraud red flags.
At Easy As Pie, our free estimate form gets you a price range fast. Most of our local quotes happen by text or phone. For homes with three or four bedrooms or more, we usually do a walkthrough to make sure the estimate is accurate, and we’re happy to do an in-home or video walkthrough for any move. Just ask.
How Local Omaha Moves Are Quoted
Moves inside the metro, like Papillion to Bennington or Midtown to La Vista, are usually billed by the hour. Your quote is really two numbers multiplied together: the hourly rate (set by crew size and truck) and the hours the mover expects your move to take.
The hourly rate is easy to compare. The hours are where quotes go wrong. A mover who quotes a low rate but plans on too few hours will look cheapest on paper and cost the most on moving day. Always ask how many hours they expect and why.
Some Omaha context: since July 1, 2021, the Nebraska Public Service Commission no longer sets rates for licensed household goods movers, so each mover sets its own. That’s one reason quotes around town vary so much. Nebraska’s rules do say a licensed mover has to give you a written estimate of the total cost, plus a detailed description of its rates and charges, at least 24 hours before a scheduled move (unless you book less than 24 hours out).
Here’s how it works with us. We bill by the hour based on your crew size and truck, and we’ll send you a price range. Your full moving agreement, with every rate spelled out and your valuation coverage options, arrives when you book. No stair fees, no surprise add-ons. If there’s more to move than planned, we’ll tell you at the start of the day, not on the bill. For typical prices by home size, see our Omaha moving cost guide.
Long Distance Moves: Binding, Non-Binding and Not-to-Exceed
Out-of-state moves are priced differently. FMCSA’s glossary describes a non-binding estimate as one based on the estimated weight of your shipment and the extra services you request. Federal rules recognize two kinds of written estimates, and movers use a third term you’ll hear a lot:
| Estimate | What it means | What you pay at delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Binding | Guarantees the total cost based on the items and services listed | The quoted amount, plus services you add and certain “impracticable operations” charges (capped at 15% of the other charges due at delivery) |
| Non-binding | The mover’s best estimate. The final cost is based on actual weight and services | No more than 110% of the estimate. Anything above that is billed at least 30 days after delivery |
| Binding not-to-exceed | A binding price that works as a ceiling. If your shipment comes in lighter, you may pay less | No more than the quoted amount for the items and services listed |
A few more things worth knowing from FMCSA’s rules:
- A mover can’t charge you for a non-binding estimate. It can charge for a binding one.
- If you add items after the estimate, the mover can reaffirm it, write a new one or (with your written agreement) switch a binding estimate to non-binding before loading.
- “Binding not-to-exceed” isn’t its own category in the federal rules. It’s a term many movers use, and This Old House explains it as knowing your maximum up front while possibly paying less. Get the exact terms in writing.
- Interstate movers have to give you the Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move booklet. Read it before moving day, not after.
We offer two long distance options, consolidated shipping and exclusive express, and every long distance move gets a custom quote.
12 Questions to Ask Before You Book
Bring this list to every mover you talk to:
- Is this quote based on a walkthrough, a video call or just what I told you?
- How many movers and what size truck are you sending?
- What’s the hourly rate, and how many hours do you expect?
- Is there a minimum, and do you charge for travel time, fuel or a trip fee?
- Do you charge for stairs, elevators, long carries or heavy items? Here’s our rundown of hidden moving fees to ask about.
- What’s included? Furniture pads, plastic wrap, taking beds apart and setting them back up.
- What happens if the move runs long, or I have more stuff than we planned?
- For long distance: is this binding, non-binding or not-to-exceed?
- When will I get the written agreement, and what valuation coverage options does it include? You want it well before moving day.
- Is there a deposit, when is the balance due and how can I pay?
- What’s your cancellation and rescheduling policy? While you’re at it, ask if they’ve ever canceled on a customer.
- What’s your USDOT number, and are you licensed in Nebraska? Here’s how to check a mover’s license yourself.
How to Compare Quotes Side by Side
- Compare totals, not rates. Multiply each hourly rate by the hours that mover expects.
- Match the crew size. Three movers at a higher rate can finish faster than two at a lower one.
- Check what’s left out. Minimums, travel charges and per-item fees can hide in one quote and not another.
- Be suspicious of the outlier. A quote far below everyone else’s usually means something is missing.
Moving Quote FAQs
Are moving quotes free?
Most local movers give free estimates, including us. For interstate moves, federal rules say a mover can’t charge for a non-binding estimate but may charge for a binding one.
How many moving quotes should I get?
FMCSA suggests getting written estimates from several movers. Two or three detailed quotes is usually enough to see what a fair price looks like.
Why are Omaha moving quotes so different from each other?
Each mover sets its own rates, and each one makes its own guess about how long your move will take. The more detail you give, the closer the quotes will be.
How far ahead should I get quotes?
Start a week or two before you plan to book. We recommend booking two to four weeks ahead, and earlier for summer moves.
Get Your Omaha Moving Quote
Tell us about your home on our free estimate form and we’ll send you a price range fast. Your full moving agreement arrives when you book, with every rate spelled out.
Rather talk it through? Call (402) 200-4661.
