Terms to know (moving tips)
The following list provides definitions of words commonly heard in the process
of working with moving companies. By having a working knowledge of these terms,
you’ll be better prepared to deal with the otherwise confusing details of
planning and organizing your move.
Additional or Accessorial Services: Additional services are
those that aren’t included in your mover’s estimate and usually refer to extra
work the movers will need to do, such as carrying items up flights of stairs or
moving extremely heavy items. These services are charged separately from the
rest of your move.
Advanced Charges: Advanced charges refer to the services
provided by a third party other than your mover. These are usually paid for by
the mover and then charged through your bill.
Agent: An agent is a local representative of a larger, national
moving company.
Anti-Static Bubble Wrap: Anti-static bubble wrap is a special
cushioning material used for the protection of fragile appliances, glassware,
and other delicate items.
Appliance Service: Appliance service fees refer to the services
provided to specially prepare appliances for transportation.
Assessed Value: Assessed value refers to the amount you pay per
$1000 of assessed value to cover your items to their fully assessed value. This
is a type of insurance coverage commonly offered, and requires the assessment
of your property’s value.
Bill of Lading: Your bill of lading is the contract and receipt
provided by your mover as an agreement on the transportation of your goods. You
must carefully examine the bill of lading prior to signing it, as it will
outline both the mover’s level of responsibility as well as your fees and
charges.
Binding Estimate: A binding estimate is an agreement made with
the mover prior to the move which guarantees the costs of the move as estimated
through the quantities and services described in the document.
Booking Agent: The agent you choose as your mover, responsible
for registering your move and coordinating the dates and services for your
move. May also be your origin agent.
Bulky Items: Oversized items that require additional handling
fees for loading and unloading and the occupation of additional space.
Carrier: The carrier is the mover responsible for transporting
your property.
Consignee: The person to whom a shipment is delivered.
Consignor: The person from whom a shipment is sent.
Cost of Move: The cost of move is the amount the move will cost
exclusive of extra charges and insurance. This is an estimation calculated
based on preliminary information.
Destination Agent: The local contact at your destination that
is responsible for arranging a crew to assist in unloading and unpacking.
Elevator Carry: Extra fees charged when a mover is required to
move good in an elevator.
Exceptions: A section for noting exceptions about the condition
of your property once it arrives at its destination, usually located on the
Inventory Sheet. After inspecting the condition of your good, list damaged or
missing articles in the exceptions section before signing.
Expedited Service: Expedited service refers to a client paying
a higher rate to ensure the transport of property within a specified time
period.
Flight Charge: A flight charge is the additional cost applied
when movers are required to carry property up or down flights of stairs at the
original address and/or destination.
Freight Service: Freight service is a low-cost moving option
which provides shipment services only without unpacking or unloading.
Full Replacement Value Coverage: This insurance coverage refers
to the amount of money per $1,000 of items moved that you will need to pay to
protect your property to its full replacement value.
Full Service Move: Most people choose full service moving for
their relocation. This involves the carrier’s transporting of your property
from the original address to the new address.
Guaranteed Pickup and Delivery: This refers to a special
service in which dates are guaranteed and any delays are reimbursed monetarily.
High Value Article: A high value article is one that is valued
over $100 per pound.
Hoisting: Additional charge added when property does not fit
through doorways or staircases and must be hoisted.
Intrastate Move: A move within state boundaries
Inventory: Your inventory list details each item being moved
and its condition and value.
Linehaul charges: These charges refer to long distance moves
and are calculated through mileage and weight of goods shipped.
Long Carry: Long carry charges refer to the movers’ need to
carry property a distance from the moving truck to the destination.
Long Distance, Intra State: A move of more than 100 miles
within the same state.
Long Distance, Inter State: A move from one state to another
that is billed by weight and distance.
Long Haul: Long haul refers to a move of more than 450 miles
distance from origin to destination.
Mobile Container: An empty storage container that is delivered
to your home to be filled with property and is later retrieved for transport.
Moving Kit: Moving kits are packages sold that offer all of the
boxes, packing materials, and other supplies required to pack an entire
residence.
Non-Binding Estimate: A non-binding estimate is an
approximation the mover provides of the cost of moving your property and is
based on the shipment’s weight and distance.
Operating Authority: The operating authority is a
government-issued certification that authorizes the carrier to move belongings
between certain origins and destinations.
Order for Service: The order for service is the document that
authorizes the mover to transport your property.
Order or Bill of Lading Number: this is an identification
number used to track your property’s shipment and transport.
Overflow: Belongings left behind due to insufficient space and
placed on the next moving truck headed to the destination area.
Packing Kit: A packing kit contains supplies required for the
packing of a specific room.
Peak Season Rates: Rates applied during summer months that
involve higher charges for longhaul rates.
Pickup and Delivery Charges: These are separate and additional
transportation charges that apply when your mover picks up the shipment at a
storage facility and delivers it to your residence.
Sealing Tape: A special grade of heavy-duty tape designed
specifically for use in packing boxes for relocation. This tape is usually made
with resin adhesives and a polypropylene backing.
Self-Service Mover: Moving companies that provide their
customers with empty trailers to pack and load themselves. The company
retrieves the trailer and transports its contents to the destination. Then, the
customer unloads and unpacks the trailer and the moving company retrieves the
empty container.
Self-Storage: A storage option in which the customer can access
their goods freely and store them under a variety of climate-controlled
conditions and security measures.
Short Haul: A move requiring a distance less than 450 miles.
Shuttle Service: This service is required when property is
located in an area inaccessible to large trailers and requires the use of a
smaller type of vehicle.
Storage-in-Transit (SIT): Storage-in-transit is the temporary
storage of property until further transportation. This may be required in
instances where the new residence isn’t immediately available for occupation.
Special guidelines and limitations apply to SIT services and these involve
additional fees.
Standard Coverage: Standard coverage is the amount of free
coverage moving companies is required to provide by law. Standard coverage
details the amount of money you can be compensated for each pound of damaged
property.
Tariff: The tariff is the mover’s written list of rates,
charges, and policies in terms of interstate moving services.
Valuation: Valuation refers to the amount of value for a
shipment, and compensates a mover for assuming a higher level of liability than
what is provided in base charges.
Warehouse Handling: Warehouse handling refers to an additional
charge that applies when storage-in-transit service is provide.