Moving contract – the ultimate breakdown of terms

Why is it that some people find relocation to be an overwhelming experience? For starters, it brings a lot of changes to our lives. Some would go as far as to say that relocation is a life event on par with marriage and the arrival of children. Additionally, moving to another city or state requires some serious tinkering as well as waving goodbye to close friends and family members. Not to mention that moving can also be quite expensive. Say you wish to move to Manhattan. First of all, you have to contact a Manhattan moving service, sign a moving contract, get moving insurance, then to arrange your new apartment and so on. An average local move can reach well over 2,000$. That is, you must agree, a respectable amount.

But what also makes moving such a tiresome activity is the fact that it’s shrouded in mystery. This is not something we do every day, nor do we usually have a lot of friends with moving experience. Coupled with sometimes difficult-to-grasp moving terminology it is no wonder that people freak out at the very thought of changing their address. Therefore, we will try to clarify the moving terminology for you, so that you can better understand your moving contract and other important rules in this moving game. Stay tuned.

Finance-related terminology of a Moving contract

The most important factor for most people who are in the process of changing their address is the price that they will have to pay. So how does one calculate the approximate cost of their move? We already said that local moves go upwards of 2,000$, while long distance movers NYC have slightly different rules for cross-country moving. Either way, there a few things you should know:

• Moving Quotes. Estimated price for your move based on the total weight of your shipment and the distance of your travel. There are two types of moving estimates. Binding and non-binding. The first one is the agreement between the customer and the moving company that guarantees the final price of the move.
• Additional charges. These may be induced because of transportation of bulky items like pianos or massive chandeliers. Similarly, transportation of high-value items like artwork and paintings is priced differently than regular household items.
• Bill of Landing. The evidence that the moving company has taken your belongings for transportation. This document includes all the important details of the shipment and is basically your contract with the moving company. When your items arrive you will sign the delivery report.

  

Insurance-related vocabulary

Insurance is an integral part of every relocation process. Instead of crying over spilled milk, it is always a good idea to insure your belongings. Moreover, even if you hire the best moving company in the world accidents can still happen. So, keep this in mind when it comes to moving insurance:

• Released value Insurance, aka basic moving insurance, is obligatory by the letter of law. However, it coves your loss with only 60 cents per pound of shipment. Not so much for a 30-pound OLED TV, right?
• Declared value is a type of protection where you declare the value of each item separately.
• Full-value protection. This insurance covers the current market value of the broken item or pays for the repair.
• Cargo Claim. Written statement concerning items that got damaged during the move
• Claim. Appeal against the moving company for any inconveniences that it might have caused including delaying of shipment or broken or lost items.
• Carrier’s liability for loss or damage. Your mover’s obligation to reimburse your eventual loss depending on the insurance option you have chosen.
• Third-party insurance. The possibility for you to insure your belongings with an external insurance company.

  

Other services in moving contract

Moving companies provide various services outside of the standard transportation of your belongings from point A to point B. It is important that you understand them well so that you don’t overpay for something that you don’t need.

• Packing services are a useful additional service if you have to move in a hurry and you don’t have enough time to pack your belongings. Your moving crew will do it for you.
• Commercial relocation is a term used for relocation of businesses and office spaces.
• Storage services are a neat way to temporarily store your belongings if your new apartment is not yet ready for moving in. Another name for this service is storage-in-transit.
• Door-to-door service is the opposite of storage services. Your items are directly transported to your new apartment.
• Shuttle service. When the location isn’t accessible to large moving trucks, a moving company will use a smaller vehicle to transport your belongings.

Notable mentions

Other terms that you might stumble upon while reading articles related to the relocation process.

• Packing supplies. Everything you need to pack your belongings for transportation. For example, cardboard boxes, packing tape and paper, scissors, bubble wrap, and foam peanuts.
• Essentials box. Stuff you should have by your side at all times during relocation. Important documents, clean clothes, products for personal hygiene and so on.
• Non-allowable list. Items that the moving company will refuse to transport because of laws or because they can cause damage to moving company’s
• Inventory sheets. The complete list of everything that your movers are transporting. Each and every item of yours is listed here.

As can be seen, moving glossary is not that abstract, but you should still invest some time in research so that you can be prepared when signing your moving contract. Know that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and American Moving and Storage Association are there for you if anything goes wrong. You just need to know your mover’s USDOT number. Every legal moving company must have one. We wish you a safe relocation.