What a Locked Price Guarantee Means
When a moving company says the quote is "locked," it means the price confirmed at booking cannot be revised upward by the company for the scope agreed. This is different from an estimate, a range, or a "best price" claim — all of which leave room for adjustment.
The practical value of a lock is timing. A price revision on move day, after goods are loaded, leaves you with no leverage. You either pay the revised amount or unload everything. A locked quote removes that moment entirely.
The Conditions That Make a Lock Real
A price lock is only as strong as the scope it is tied to. Every legitimate locked guarantee includes a scope definition:
- Goods list — what items are being moved. Adding a washing machine after confirmation breaks the original lock.
- Pickup floor and access — a ground floor with direct truck access is different from a fourth floor with no lift. Changing this changes the cost.
- Delivery floor and access — same logic applies at the destination.
- Route — city-to-city intercity moves have distance-based rates. Changing the destination changes the locked amount.
- Date and time — some routes and dates carry surcharges. Changing the move date can affect the locked price depending on the company's policy.
If a moving company quotes you a price but does not define the scope in writing, the price is not locked. It is an estimate with a marketing label.
Why Most Movers Cannot Actually Lock a Price
Most booking platforms in India operate as aggregators. They list prices from multiple third-party crews, collect a booking fee, and pass the enquiry to whichever vendor is available. The platform has no direct control over the crew's rates, equipment, or pricing on the day.
The result is a predictable pattern: the platform shows a low estimate to attract the booking. The vendor arrives and quotes a higher amount based on "actual assessment." Because the goods are now waiting and you have already paid an advance, most customers accept the revised amount.
A locked guarantee requires the company doing the booking to also be the company doing the move. That is only possible when the mover is a direct service provider, not a platform or broker.
How to Verify a Lock Before You Book
Ask three questions before paying any advance:
- "Can you send me the confirmed quote in writing?" — The document must include the total amount, the scope, and the conditions that would trigger a revision.
- "Who will be doing the actual move — your own crew or a subcontracted vendor?" — If the answer is a vendor, the price cannot be locked by the booking platform.
- "What happens if the quote changes on move day?" — A company with a real lock will tell you the specific conditions. A company without one will give a vague answer about "on-site assessment."
What Changes After a Lock Is Set
After a confirmed scope is locked, the only things that can change the price are changes you initiate:
- Adding inventory items not in the original goods list
- Changing access conditions (floors, lift availability, parking distance from the door)
- Requesting packing upgrades beyond the grade quoted
- Changing the destination or route
All of these require the quote to be reviewed and re-locked before the move starts. The revised amount becomes the new locked price for the updated scope.
The Difference Between Locked and Guaranteed
Some companies call their quotes "guaranteed" without explaining what that means. A guarantee of satisfaction, best service, or safe delivery is different from a price guarantee. Clarify whether the guarantee applies to the price specifically and what the remedy is if the company breaches it.
A legitimate locked price guarantee typically includes: a written confirmation, a clearly stated scope, and a remedy process if the amount is revised without a valid scope change — usually a refund of the excess paid or a credit.
What Marshal Does
Marshal issues a locked quote after a confirmation call. The call records the goods list, pickup floor, delivery floor, building access, and date. The locked amount is sent in a written confirmation before any advance is collected.
The price does not change for the confirmed scope. If you need to revise the scope, the quote is reviewed and re-locked before the move proceeds. There is no on-site repricing.
Use the calculator to get a planning range before requesting a locked quote. The calculator covers household shifting, vehicle transport, storage, and office relocation.