Organizing your household move involves significant planning, and it’s easy to make missteps. One way to make your move easier is to familiarize yourself with important terminology in your moving contract. Here are 10 top terms to know before signing.
1. Bill of Lading
Moving companies will draw up a contract between themselves and the customer. This document is known as a “bill of lading” and establishes the terms of the agreement. This document also grants permission to the mover to transport the customer’s belongings and serves as the customer’s receipt.
2. Virtual Survey
A virtual survey is an increasingly popular online tool that movers use. You use your smartphone or tablet to show the estimators the household belongings they need to move. So, instead of coming to your home, the moving company can provide customers with an estimate online. It’s a fast and easy way to get your moving quote.
3. Binding Estimate
Drawn up by the moving company before moving day, this document itemizes the entire cost of the move and guarantees the customer a final flat-rate quote. A binding estimate obligates the moving company to honor the rate they quote, regardless of how long the relocation takes or if other events happen.
4. Non-Binding Estimate
Unlike a binding estimate, the non-binding estimate is what a mover quotes as a price they foresee but is not set in stone and is subject to change. The final price will adjust based on the items’ weight and other events on your moving day.
5. Advanced Charges
Sometimes a customer will want moving services, but a third party needs to complete this segment of a move. In this event, the moving company will pay the fees and add them to your Bill of Lading.
6. Assembly and Disassembly
This phrase defines the service of your movers taking apart your furniture, loading it onto the truck, and then putting it back together upon arrival at your new home.
7. Full-Service Moving
You can choose a variety of service levels when contracting with your mover. A full-service move is when you grant permission for the moving company to do everything from start to finish, including providing moving materials, packing, loading, transporting the household, unloading, unpacking, and doing clean-up from unpacking.
8. Delivery Window
The delivery window is the estimated timeframe your movers will bring your household goods to your new home. The distance of the move determines the delivery window. It’s a good idea to speak to your mover about how this will work is a good idea.
9. Door-to-Door Service
This contract stipulates how your possessions will be moved from your old home and directly delivered to your new one with no storage days involved.
10. Cash-On-Delivery
Also known as “C.O.D.,” this is when you agree to make your payment to the mover when they reach your new home to deliver your belongings.
Ready to Get Planning?
You should know these ten standard terms before moving, but there are many more. Contact us today, so we can provide a free quote if you are preparing for a move.