Quotes and what they mean
How much deposit should a moving company ask for?
The short answer
A modest deposit to hold a date is ordinary. What deserves scrutiny is a large upfront percentage, a payment method that is hard to reverse, and a refund policy that is vague or missing. Pay by a method with recourse, and get the cancellation terms in writing before you pay anything.
What to establish before paying
- The amount, as a proportion of the estimate.
- The refund terms, including the notice period and what is retained.
- The payment method. Wire transfers, cash, and irreversible app payments remove your recourse.
- Whether the deposit is credited against the final bill or is a separate booking fee.
- What is required at delivery, and by what method. Being told at the door that only cash is accepted is a recognised pattern.
Paying a deposit by credit card is worth more than the convenience: it gives you a dispute mechanism that a bank transfer does not. A company that will not take a card for the deposit on a move of any size is worth asking why.
Also asked
Is it normal to pay the full amount before delivery?
No. For interstate moves in the United States there are federal rules about what a carrier may require before delivering, and for other moves the applicable consumer rules are set by your state or province. A demand for full payment before the truck is unloaded should be checked against the rules that apply to your move, not accepted at the door.
The long version
Moving scams and red flags to recognize early
Spot lowball quotes, hostage-load tactics, identity changes, risky deposit demands, and other moving red flags before your goods are loaded.
Read the guide →General information about moving and about hiring, not advice about your move. Interstate household-goods moving within the United States is federally regulated; local, intrastate and Canadian moving is regulated by each state or province, and the rules differ. The authority for your move is the one to check.