Moving Tips - Protect Yourself When Moving
Choosing a Moving Company - The two most important things you can do to protect yourself are:
- Choose a licensed, professional mover with care.
- Understand your rights and responsibilities as a moving services customer.
Before You Move
Select A Licensed Mover
Your moving company should have a valid permit. Companies handling moves within the state without a permit are violating state law. A licensed mover must comply with safety, insurance and service standards. They also must perform their services at reasonable rates and within a reasonable time.
Non-permitted moving companies operate outside the law and may provide little, if any, protection for loss or damage to your belongings.
Get recommendations when choosing a moving company
When shopping for a moving company, get recommendations from neighbors, friends, and co-workers who have used a mover recently. Ask for and check the company's references. To have us help you choose a licensed moving professional who has all of the necessary permits, click here or call us at 800-452-4285.
Trust Your Instincts when choosing a moving company
If a company makes you feel uncomfortable, go with another company. It's that simple.
Compare Costs when choosing a moving company
To compete for your business, the mover may price its services up to 40 percent below the maximum allowed for moving costs. Ask for a great deal and get a free, no obligation, moving estimate before choosing a moving company.
How your moving company calculates moving costs
Make sure you understand how the moving costs are being calculated: rates based on the weight of your goods and the distance hauled, or rates are based on the number of workers used; the amount of time it takes to load, move, and unload your goods; and the mover's hourly rate for service. We can get this estimate for you with no obligation to buy. Click here for a free full service moving estimate.
Also, if you are thinking of doing some of the packing yourself to save money, we can get you a free self-service moving estimate.
Moving Company Estimates
You should ask for and receive a free, written estimate of the probable cost of your move. The estimate should clearly and accurately describe all charges. If it is not in writing, it is not an estimate.
Full Service Moving
| Self Service Moving | Moving Truck RentalThere are two types of estimates you will get from moving companies:
- A non-binding estimate is an educated guess of what your move would cost based on the mover's survey of your belongings. Your final cost can be more than your non-binding estimate -- though there is a limit on how much a company can exceed the estimate.
- A binding estimate is a written agreement that guarantees the price you pay based on the items to be moved and the services listed on the estimate, inventory or tally sheet.
Regardless of which type of moving estimate you get, you are best served by an accurate one. Show the estimator every single item to be moved, including items in the attic, basement, garage, shed, 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. If circumstances change from the time of the estimate resulting in additional costs, the mover must provide a supplemental estimate before performing the additional services.
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| Self Service Moving | Moving Truck RentalDuring Your Move
An inventory list and the bill of lading are valuable documents, particularly if you have a claim for loss or damage.
Moving Inventory List
Ask the mover to make an inventory of your property. Make sure the list is legible and accurate. If you disagree with the inventory, note it on the list before you sign it. Make sure all notations also appear on the mover's copy.
On moves when you pay by the hour, you will have to pay for the time an inventory takes. But without an inventory, you could have difficulty proving a claim.
Bill of Lading
Keep the bill of lading safe and available until your belongings are delivered. The bill of lading is a contract between you and the mover and a receipt for your belongings.
Movers are required to provide you with this contract before the truck leaves with your belongings.
Read the bill of lading, complete portions requiring you to make specific choices, and understand the document in full.
If there are differences between what is written on your estimate and on your bill of lading, or if you do not understand something, ask the mover to explain it to your satisfaction. Be sure you understand the contract, especially the part about the carrier's liability, and get a copy.
You must sign the bill of lading contract before the truck leaves with your belongings, and sign it again as a receipt upon delivery. The driver should also sign the bill of lading contract as a receipt that your belongings were picked up. If you cannot read the signature, ask the driver to print his/her name below the signature.
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| Self Service Moving | Moving Truck RentalMoving Carrier Liability
Your mover's liability for loss or damage to your property will likely be less than the value of your goods. The mover is not liable for the full value of your property unless you pay an additional charge for that protection.
Basic protection often covers as little as 60 cents per pound, per article. As an example, a 10-pound lamp would be reimbursed at $6.
Carrier's liability and insurance are not the same thing, so it's a good idea to see your insurance agent to determine if you need additional coverage. Movers must explain their liability for loss or damage to your property and how you can increase your protection.
More details on carrier liability can be found reviewing the back of the bill of lading or from the tariff. You can view a copy of the tariff and a fact sheet on this topic.
On the back of the bill of lading is a list of instances in which the mover is not liable for loss and damage to your property. Review this list carefully, and make certain you understand the information.
Under no circumstances should you pack the following items with your other belongings:
- Jewelry
- Valuable papers
- Coins
- Money
- Flammables
- Dangerous articles
You should take personal responsibility for moving such items.
Weight
Long distance moving charges are typically based on weight and distance. To determine the net weight of your shipment, the mover weighs the empty vehicle then reweighs it after loading your belongings into the truck.
At your request, the mover should:
Notify you of the weight and charges as soon as the net weight of your shipment is established. You are entitled to witness the official weighing of the loaded vehicle.
Re-weigh the shipment before delivery, if it is practical to do so. You are responsible for the cost of re-weighing the shipment. Re-weighing charges are shown in the tariff.
or Call us at 800-452-4285 and we will help answer any questions you have about your move.
Delivery and Inspection
Be there at the agreed-upon time for delivery. If you are not there, and delivery can't be made because of your absence, your property may be put in storage at your expense.
Check for damage, particularly valuable items, while the mover is present. If there's a box or container that won't be unpacked right away, you and the mover should inspect it for signs of damage.
Do not sign any delivery papers until you inspect your belongings and check them against the inventory.
If there's loss or damage, make a specific notation on both copies of the inventory and/or bill of lading. This will help later if you have to file a claim.
If you find damaged goods after the mover has left, keep the items and packing materials as they were in the box, or set aside damaged belongings that were not packed. Call the mover immediately so that a claims representative can inspect them.
Be Prepared To Pay
Unless you make credit arrangements, you will be expected to pay for the move before your goods are unloaded. Payment will be expected in cash, money order or cashier's check unless other arrangements were made.
If charges are more than the written non-binding estimate, the mover MUST unload and release all your goods if you pay 110 percent of the amount of the estimate and supplemental estimates. The carrier is required to give you 30 days to pay the balance. (A good reason to get and retain a written estimate.)
After The Move
Claims
All claims for loss or damage must be filed in writing with the mover. Ask the mover for a claim form.
Claims must be filed within nine months from the date of delivery. If your shipment is lost, the claim must be filed within nine months of the date upon which delivery should have been made. File your claim as soon as possible while memories are fresh.
Movers must acknowledge written claims within a limited time frame (check state regulations). Be sure to keep the damaged property, because the mover has a right to inspect any damaged property before settling a claim.
If the mover will not voluntarily settle a claim to your satisfaction, you may: Submit the claim to arbitration or mediation through a third party (including services provided by a local government agency); or file suit in a court of law. Depending on the amount contested, you may be able to use small claims court.
Additional information related to claims is printed on the backside of the bill of lading.
Give us a call at 800-452-4285; we'll answer any questions you have.
Storage
If your goods are put in storage, you will have to pay for unloading when they go into storage, reloading them when they come out again, and storage charges. The mover's liability may end if your goods go into permanent or long term storage.
Moving Tips to Remember
The best way to avoid problems is to plan ahead, be informed, and be prepared. It's worth your time to remember these tips:
- Choose your licensed mover carefully
- Get a written, signed estimate, and have it out when you pay the final bill
- Ask for an inventory and check it for accuracy
- Understand and agree with the bill of lading before you sign it
- Have the mover explain his liability for loss and damage
- Be at the destination at the time agreed upon for delivery
- Check the condition of your property before you sign a delivery receipt, bill of lading, or inventory sheet
- Keep the lines of communication open with your mover at all times
Information From The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission
Contact us for more information about Choosing a Moving Company.
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