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HOW TO CHOOSE A MOVING COMPANY
When choosing a moving company, find out:
How long the company has been in business.
If the company offers extra services, such as packing, unpacking and storage.
What type of protection you are afforded against loss or damage (full replacement cost, depreciated value, or the basic per-pound valuation carriers are required to provide).
Whether the mover has a good reputation for settling claims.
If the company offers arbitration for claims disputes.
How well the company meets its delivery schedules.
If the company provides proof of workers compensation, and general and legal liability coverage.
Have at least three movers come to your home and give you an estimate, two to six weeks ahead of your planned move date. A mover's estimator should actually see what needs to be serviced and moved to provide you with a reasonable and accurate estimate.
The cost of the move will depend on:
Distance involved (generally on long-distance moves).
Time involved (generally on local moves).
Volume of the shipment.
Weight of the shipment.
Special services required, such as long carries, stairs and elevators, and appliance servicing.
Declared value of the goods to be moved.
WHAT'S AN ESTIMATE?
Effective July 1, 2002, all movers are required to provide you with a written estimate regarding the cost of your move. You should understand that actual costs at the time of your move are based on services performed at the time of your move. Additional service requests on your part may increase the price of your move.
PACKING
Another key area in which you can decrease your moving costs is in added charges for packing and unpacking. When a moving company does the packing, they charge for the containers and packing materials used and the labor for each container packed or unpacked.
You may be able to perform some of the packing yourself. A do-it-yourself packing guide may be available from your mover. Allow four weeks to pack; the task can be much more time consuming than it appears. Also consider packing less valuable items yourself and having the mover pack the rest.
Keep in mind that professional movers will generally not accept liability for breakage of items packed by homeowners. Weigh the savings from self-packing against possible losses from damage to self-packed items.
Suitable boxes may be found at local merchants. Do not use plastic bags or boxes which cannot be closed. Pack properly -- do not exceed the box's weight rating (stamped on the box). Choose boxes with care: very large boxes (such as toilet tissue cartons) can have very low weight ratings. Pack heavy items in small boxes and light items in larger boxes. Wrap fragile items in tissue. Number each box and keep an inventory list of the contents.
Mark boxes with the room in the new house in which they should be placed. If you choose to have movers pack your goods, this will be done before the actual moving day, usually one or two days prior. Make plans to be there to observe and provide direction. The more involved you are with your mover, the better the process is likely to go.
Before the packers arrive, make sure you have set aside any personal items you will want to take with you, including medicines. Delays can occur. If you'll need something immediately when you arrive at your new home, take it with you -- do not pack it.
Before you sign the packing order, make sure all items you want moved are packed and that the carton count matches the pack order form.
BEFORE YOU SIGN THE SERVICE ORDER
Some intrastate movers use service orders, but most do not. Ensure that the dates for packing, loading and delivery are part of the contract before signing. Understand what the price is based upon:
Hourly rates
Weight, distance
Cubic footage
Number of items
Packing/unpacking
Appliance servicing
Stair/elevator charges and/or long carries
BEFORE YOU SIGN A CONTRACT FOR SERVICE:
Ascertain that all services you requested and require are on the estimate and contract. Provide your delivery address and phone numbers where you can be contacted at origin, enroute and destination.
Check your homeowners insurance policy before moving to see if you are covered for damage or loss during a move a by professional moving company. If your homeowners policy does not cover moving, the insurance company may provide for a rider to your policy at an additional fee.
You can usually purchase full coverage from your homeowners insurance company or arrange with the mover for full depreciated or full replacement valuation.
A mover must clearly and conspicuously disclose to the shipper in the estimate and contract for
services the forms of payments the mover will accept. Know what forms of payment your mover accepts. A mover must
accept a minimum of two of the three following forms of payment:
Cash, cashier's check, money order, or traveler's check;
Valid personal check, showing upon its face the name and address of the shipper or authorized representative; or
Valid credit card, which shall include, but not be limited to, Visa or MasterCard.
MOVER'S LIABILITY FOR LOSS OR DAMAGE
Moving companies are required to assume some
basic liability for the goods transported by carrying legal liability valuation and insurance coverage.
Moving companies must carry cargo legal liability coverage, which is for loss or damage to household goods
resulting from the negligence of the mover, its employees, or agents, in an amount not less than $10,000 per incident.
Movers usually print more provisions on the
reverse side of the contract excluding liability for loss or damage to items not
specifically listed on the contract. Generally excluded is liability for documents,
currency, money, jewelry, watches, precious stones or articles of extraordinary value.
These items should be carried with you. If you cannot carry them, give the mover notice by
listing them on the estimate, service order (if any) and the contract. AVOIDING HASSLES When possible, do not move until your new residence
is available. Direct residence to residence moving is the best way to make a household move. Be available to accept delivery during the
scheduled date/time period. If you cannot be located at delivery, it could require the
mover to place your goods into storage. If this happens, you will incur additional charges
for storage and redelivery. Have payment available as required in your
contract. Do not wait until the goods arrive to obtain the necessary funds. Delivery will
not commence until moving charges are paid. There will usually be a very limited wait time
allowed at delivery before charges are made for waiting. Also, you should be aware that if the
mover has other delivery or loading commitments, your goods may be placed into storage at additional
storage and redelivery expense to you. If you cannot be on the premises when your goods arrive,
you should have a responsible individual act as your representative with the
mover. Provide the mover with the name, address and phone number of those who will
represent you at origin and/or destination. They will sign and receive, in your stead, all
documents necessary to complete your move. STORAGE Many movers will store your possessions when
required. There is a charge for storage services. There are several reasons you may need
storage services: You may not be available to accept delivery
during the date/time period and the mover is unable to locate you. Your new residence is not ready for occupancy
but you must vacate your current residence. Payment funds are not available at time of
delivery and mover cannot deliver until payment is made. Avoid storage, if possible. The additional
handling of your goods into and out of storage increases the possibility of damage. MOVING DAY Inventorying your goods Except on local moves, your mover will write an
inventory of the items being moved before loading the items on the van. The mover walks
through the house placing a numbered sticker on each item being moved and writes a
description of the item and condition indicating any existing damage. If the mover notes damage on the inventory, make
sure it is correct and not vaguely worded. For example, if the mover writes, "Dining
table scratched," ask him to add a clarifying remark such as "two inch scratch
on the left side only." If possible, get the names of all members of the
moving crew, including the driver and any helpers at origin and destination. Be sure to get a copy of the inventory, contract
and insurance certificate (if third-party insurance.) DELIVERY DAY Be at the destination residence or have your
representative there. Make certain you know what form or payment your mover will accept at the
time you sign the contract. To avoid delays, make sure you have the appropriate form of payment
available at delivery. When you receive your goods at delivery, check
each item and note additional damage, if any, that occurred during the move, both on your
copy and the mover's copy of the inventory. Don't be rushed by the mover. Check for any
obvious new damage. You do not need to unpack and inspect all packed
items before signing the inventory except those boxes which are crushed or otherwise show
external damage. You should open those boxes containing fragile or valuable items in the
presence of the mover's van foreman. Report any concealed damage that you discover later
and provide reasonable proof. Leave broken or damaged items in the container until the
mover's claims agent examines them. Do not throw away the item or its container. After the van is completely unloaded, sign the
delivery receipt, noting any missing items or damage. IF YOU HAVE A CLAIM Make your mover aware of your claim, in writing,
as quickly as possible. The moving company can give you specific instructions on how to
file a claim. If you are not satisfied with the mover's handling of the claim, or your
claim is not resolved through the company's normal claim handling process, you may file
suit in a civil court, or with an approved arbiter, if the mover is party to an
arbitration service. source: Consumer Tips, Florida Department of Agriculture
Movers must also provide motor vehicle coverage, including combined bodily injury and property damage
liability coverage, in the following amounts:
The law also provides for a limitation on the release of the mover's liability for the value of a shipper's goods at
a rate not less than 60 cents per pound per article. Your mover must disclose this limitation of liability to you, in writing,
at the time the estimate or contract for services is executed, and prior to any services being provided to you.
Your mover must also inform you of the opportunity to reject or select additional valuation for goods being moved.