Industry Tips
Moving
Choosing your mover Moving companies provide a variety of services for a range of fees. It is a good idea to talk with different movers to compare their services. To find out who the best movers are in your area, begin by asking your friends about their experiences with the movers they have used. You can also check with the Better Business Bureau. Once you have compiled a list of movers, inform them of the destination and timing of your move. Ask them about the types of services they offer. Also ask them to explain their estimates in detail and to give you a copy. Then carefully compare to see which mover best suits your needs and budget. You should read and understand all of the information you receive. In addition to brochures explaining their various services, moving companies should give you a copy company's latest performance report. It is important to try to make arrangements for your move well in advance, preferably four to six weeks before the moving date.
You should also discuss with your mover:
- Rates and charges.
- The mover's liability for your belongings.
- How pickup and delivery work.
- What claims protection you have.
Packing Proper packing by a trained packer using specially designed cartons and materials is crucial to a good move. Schedule a packing day for the mover, a day or two before the moving van is loaded. Be present when your goods are packed, or arrange for someone to be there. Before packing, an inventory will be made of your household goods being shipped. Make sure all copies of the inventory are legible and that all items are numbered, listed, and described correctly. Have valuable items listed separately on the inventory. Discuss the inventory sheet with your mover and make sure you agree with the list of your possessions before you sign it. The inventory record is one of your most important shipping documents. You will need to refer to it at your destination and will be asked to sign it again after you have received and inspected your goods.
Appliances you will be moving, such as washing machines, television antennas, air conditioning units, and other items requiring special servicing and installation, should be disconnected by an appliance dealer before moving day. Your mover can make arrangements to disconnect or install some appliances for you. Most movers can perform limited special servicing of television sets, stereo equipment. washers, refrigerators, home freezers, and other items. If you plan to ship your refrigerator or freezer, first remove all food. Next, defrost and bring the units to room temperature with the doors open. Then thoroughly dry them to prevent mildew and other damage. You may want to send out your furniture, draperies, and carpets for repair and cleaning. Keep these items in the cleaner's wrapping during the move. To save on packing charges, you may want to pack part of your belongings yourself. This can save money, but it requires expertise and the proper packing materials. Keep in mind that movers will not usually accept liability for "breakage " of items packed by owners. However, if you decide to pack some of your goods, your mover can advise you on the purchase of packing materials and on the best packing procedures to follow.
Planning your moving day Your mover may ask you to select several consecutive days during which your goods can be loaded and a second series of dates during which your goods can be delivered to your new home. A spread of days gives you and your mover the flexibility needed to keep your move on schedule. If you desire pick up on a special date, ask your mover about the conditions of this arrangement. There may be an unforeseeable delay in pickup. It is best not to plan to relinquish your house until several days after the period in which your goods were to have been picked up. Remember that movers are swamped during the summer months, especially around the first and last days of the month. Some movers offer lower prices between the months of October and April. Obtain estimates from different companies and select the one which best meets your needs.
Timetable
- At 8 weeks
- Meet with your mover and discuss all details: costs, insurance, packing, loading, delivery and claims procedures.
- At 6 weeks
- If the mover does the packing, arrange for packing to be done one to two days before loading.
- At 4 weeks
- If packing yourself, begin packing.
- Sort through and throw out, give away, or sell belongings you don't want or need.
- If necessary, arrange for storage of your goods.
- Send furniture, drapes, carpets for repair or cleaning.
- Arrange for repair work on your new house.
- Arrange to have appliances, utilities and telephones disconnected in your old house. Arrange utility and telephone hookup for your new house.
- At 3 weeks
- Make travel arrangements and hotel reservations for your trip.
- Apartment dwellers--reserve elevator for pickup and/or delivery day.
- Obtain medical, dental, and veterinarian records.
- Organize car license, registration, and insurance records.
- Obtain, fill out, and mail change-of-address cards.
- At 2 weeks
- Make special arrangements for transporting pets and plants.
- Take care of bills, stocks and bank accounts.
- Arrange for a baby-sitter on moving day.
- At 1 week
- Transfer prescriptions.
- Arrange for delivery services (newspapers, milk, etc.) to be discontinued.
- Have mover pack your goods.
- 1-2 days before
- Defrost and dry refrigerators and freezers to be moved.
- Arrange for cash/traveler's checks for trip expenses and payment to mover.
- If traveling by car, check your gas, tires, water, battery, oil, wipers.
Moving day
- Be on hand when the movers arrive to answer questions and give directions.
- Discuss the delivery arrangements fully with your mover.
- Have beds stripped and ready to be packed.
- Save your energy by letting the moving crew take beds apart, roll up carpets and put mattresses in cartons.
- Read the Bill of Lading--the contract between you and the mover-before you sign it. Keep it with you until your shipment is delivered, all charges are paid, and all claims, if any are settled.
- Tell your mover where you or your representative can be reached at your destination.
- While shipment is in transit, keep in contact with the mover's agent at your destination.
Money matters--The cost of interstate moves is usually based on the weight of your belongings and on the distance they are shipped, plus packing and other services. Some movers are basing costs on the amount of space your belongings occupy in the moving van (volume) instead of on their weight.
Getting an estimate--To help you anticipate your moving expense, movers will give you an estimate of the costs. Some movers offer binding estimates which are guaranteed to be your final cost. They may charge for this service.
To help movers calculate the cost of your move, show them every single item to be moved. Don't forget to go into the attic, basement, garage, closets, and under beds. Reach a clear understanding about the amount of packing and other services needed. Anything omitted from the estimate but later included in the shipment will add to the cost. Non-binding estimates are not final; they are the probable cost of your move. The final cost is determined by the actual weight of your belongings or the amount of space they take up in the van, plus the distance they are transported and the amount of packing and other services provided.
Weighing your shipment--Before the van driver loads your shipment he weighs the van on a certified scale. After your shipment is loaded, he weighs the van a second time. The difference between the two weights is the net weight of your shipment, upon which final charges are based. You may arrange with your mover to observe this official weighing. You can also arrange for a reweighing before your goods are unloaded at your new home. Some movers automatically reweigh before delivery when the billed weight is appreciably higher than the estimated weight. By predetermined arrangement, the van driver will notify if you of the actual charges.
Liability of a moving company--Your mover will explain his liability under federal regulations for any loss of or damage to your property. In addition to the company's basic liability, there are other options available for increasing the amount of coverage you can place on your possessions, which your mover will be glad to explain. We recommend you consider this extra coverage to protect the full value of your shipment.
Payment on delivery--Before your household goods are delivered and unloaded, be ready to pay the van driver in cash, money order, traveler's check or cashier's check as specified by the carrier beforehand, unless other arrangements have been made with the moving company, in accordance with state or federal laws. The driver is not allowed to provide change. On an interstate shipment, if the billed charges are more than the nonbinding, written estimate, you are liable for the estimate, plus 10 percent of the balance at the time of the delivery. Any amount remaining to be paid is due in 30 days.
Delivery--Generally, your belongings will be transported in a van along with those of other families moving in the same general direction. This helps to keep your costs down. Delivery is made on any one of several consecutive days agreed to before the move began. If you desire delivery on a specific date, ask your mover about the special conditions of this arrangement. The mover is required to notify you by telephone, telegram, or in person if either pickup or delivery will not be on schedule. Make sure you understand how you will be contacted for the specific delivery time. Get in touch with the mover's agent at the destination and make certain he has your current phone number. If you cannot be reached at your destination upon arrival of the van, the mover may place your shipment in storage to avoid delay of shipment for the other families whose household goods are also on the van. This, of course, can mean additional charges for storage and handling. So, be certain you are on hand for delivery. Upon delivery, check your household goods for loss or damage. Refer to the suggestions in the "Claims" section of this pamphlet if an item is lost or damaged. Do not sign the receipt on the driver's copy of the inventory until you have inspected your furniture items and the exteriors of the packed cartons. If you do not want containers unpacked at the time of delivery, you and the van operator should carefully inspect them for any indication of damage. Check off how many were left unpacked on your inventory sheet.
Claims--If any of your household goods are damaged or lost, report the facts promptly and in detail on the van driver's copy (the original) of the inventory sheet before you sign it. The inventory sheet is attached to the Bill of Lading. You do not need to unpack all of the cartons and inspect their contents before signing the inventory sheet, but you should note obvious damage to the cartons' exteriors. "Concealed" damage discovered later can be reported when a loss and damage claim is filed. Since reasonable proof must be furnished, leave the damaged items in the carton until they have been inspected by the moving company's agent. Do not dispose of broken pieces, as your claim may be denied if the damaged article is disposed of prior to inspection. A claim for loss or damage must be filed within nine months after delivery.
However, it is to your advantage to file your claim promptly. The mover must acknowledge receipt of your claim within 30 days, and within 120 days must deny or make an offer in settlement of the claim. Loss and damage claim forms can be obtained from the destination agent or by writing the mover's home office. If there is no agent nearby, report your claim directly to the mover's home office by letter. The mover may require that you also enclose the original billing and your Bill of Lading, so keep all of your transportation documents. Damage and loss claims can be recovered in a number of ways:
Limited Liability--Under this option, you may seek recovery of an item at the rate of 60 cents per pound. If an item is damaged, the mover will pay for repairs, provided the cost of repairs does not exceed 60 cents times the weight of the item being repaired. Items damaged beyond repair, or which become lost, are reimbursed at 60 cents per pound. Additionally, the entire claim settlement cannot exceed 60 cents times the weight of the entire shipment. Under this option, you would be paid six dollars for a ten pound item, even though the actual value may be much higher.
Added Valuation Protection--Under this option, you may seek recovery based on the actual value of the item lost or damaged. The actual value of an item is computed at current replacement cost, less depreciation. Regarding depreciation, all items (except for certain art objects) are assumed to depreciate a certain amount for each year of use over their average useful life. For example, under this option, a 5-year-old sofa that is irreparably damaged would not be replaced with a new sofa. Instead, you would receive a cash allowance for the current cost of a comparable sofa, less an amount deducted for five years' worth of depreciation.
Full Value Protection--Some movers are now offering new plans affording additional protection. The plans vary between moving companies. Full value plans offer full cost of repair of damaged items without deduction for depreciation. If an item is irreparably damaged, the mover will replace it with a like item, or pay a cash settlement at current market replacement cost without deduction for depreciation. Ask your mover to explain his particular plan in detail. Inconvenience claims can be submitted when late pickup or delivery was the fault of the mover. Ask your mover about his company's policy regarding claims for valid out-of-pocket living expenses that you incurred while waiting for late delivery. The mover's liability and any additional protection may end if your goods are placed in storage. Your mover can explain the difference between permanent storage and "storage-in-transit," which is temporary storage in connection with the transportation of your goods.
Special considerations
The Elderly --The elderly who may be moving into a smaller residence should consider how many items they need to move. They may want to sell bulky items before the move to save on costs.
Company Moves--If you are moving at a company's request, find out what portion of your moving expenses will be paid by your company. Determine whether you have a voice in the selection of the moving company.
Pets--Pets cannot be shipped with your household goods on moving vans. Except for seeing eye dogs accompanying blind persons, pets are not permitted on buses or trains. Each airline has special regulations for transporting pets. Also, regulations vary from state to state concerning the entry of pets.
Plants--Many moving companies will accept plants under their moving company policy which provides that: "the plants are transported not more than 150 miles, or delivery is completed within 24 hours from time of loading. No storage is required. No en route servicing or watering is required of the mover." Of course, if you move your plants yourself, you may have more control over environmental conditions. Regulations vary from state to state, and there are also federal regulations regarding the transporting of plants across state lines.
