Accessorial Charges
Definition
Additional fees beyond the base transportation cost: stair carries, long carries, shuttle service, elevator charges, packing, unpacking, appliance service, and bulky item handling.
Accessorial charges are any fees added to the base linehaul cost. They cover services and conditions that go beyond standard door-to-door transport.
Common accessorial charges and typical costs: stair carry ($50-$100 per flight), long carry ($75-$150 per 50 feet), shuttle service ($300-$600), elevator charge ($75-$150), packing service ($300-$800 for a 2-bedroom), unpacking service ($200-$500), appliance servicing ($50-$100 per appliance, for disconnecting/reconnecting), bulky article charge ($50-$200 for items requiring special handling), and waiting time ($50-$100 per hour if the crew cannot begin loading/unloading).
Accessorial charges can add 15-30% to the base moving cost. The key to avoiding surprises: get an in-home or video estimate so the mover sees all access challenges, ask specifically about each potential charge during the estimate, get all charges listed in writing in the estimate, and compare the itemized breakdown across multiple quotes.
All accessorial charges must be published in the mover's tariff and cannot exceed the tariff rates. If a charge seems excessive, ask to see the relevant tariff section.