Maryland Statutes
Subtitle 31 - Maryland Household Goods Movers Act
Section 14-3103 - Estimates and Charges

(a)    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)    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)    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)    (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)    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.

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