2014 Maryland Code
Commercial Law
Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions
Subtitle 31 - Maryland Household Goods Movers Act
§ 14-3103. Estimates and charges.

(a) "Excess charges" defined. -- In this section, "excess charges" means an amount, in excess of the estimate provided to a consumer, charged by a household goods mover for additional services that:

(1) Are provided before or during an intrastate move; and

(2) Are necessary because of circumstances that:

(i) Are beyond the control of the household goods mover; and

(ii) Could not have been reasonably anticipated by the household goods mover.

(b) Written estimates required. -- Subject to subsection (e) of this section, a household goods mover shall provide a written estimate to a consumer before providing household goods moving services for an intrastate move.

(c) Contents. -- The written estimate shall:

(1) Separately identify each household goods moving service that the household goods mover will provide and the price of each service;

(2) Separately identify each fee that the consumer will or may be required to pay;

(3) State the estimated total price;

(4) State the time and method of payment for the household goods moving services; and

(5) Indicate clearly whether the estimate is binding on the consumer and household goods mover.

(d) Binding and nonbinding estimates. --

(1) A consumer who receives a binding estimate from a household goods mover may not be required to pay more than the estimated total price stated in the estimate for the household goods moving services described in the estimate.

(2) A consumer who receives a nonbinding estimate from a household goods mover may not be required to pay more than 125% of the estimated total price stated in the estimate for the household goods moving services described in the estimate, plus any applicable excess charges.

(e) Waiver of right to receive estimate by consumer. -- A consumer may waive the right to receive a written estimate under subsection (a) of this section if the waiver is made voluntarily and without coercion by the household goods mover.