Moving Contracts and Estimates and hiring the services of a reliable moving company when relocating constitutes a very important part of any move, as the assistance you will receive should greatly ease the process of moving. However, being aware of all the moving contract guidelines before signing the contract is equally important, as you will want to know exactly what the deal entails.
Learning how to handle all the paperwork can be an intimidating or, frankly, rather tiresome process, but it is still necessary. So, take a big breath, and let us begin!
Moving Contracts and Estimates
Once you have contacted a moving company, their representative will come to visit you at your home in order to asses the amount and the weight of your belongings. This is important information, as it will determine the cost estimate of your move. In simplified terms, the more items you transport, the higher is the price going to be.
In order to feel safe in the process of relocating, you will need to know the kind of estimate you will receive, as some estimates are not final and may lure you into thinking that you won’t have to spend any additional money.
Here are the types of Moving Contracts and estimates you may encounter:
- A non-binding estimate.This estimate is subject to change in case any additional costs are introduced.
- A binding estimate.The opposite of a non-binding estimate, this figure is final and you can rest assured that you won’t have any additional expenses in relation to the moving company.
- A binding not-to-exceed estimate.The best of all moving estimates -the final cost cannot be higher than the one that was estimated, but it can be lower.
The moving estimate document should also specify exactly how the estimate was attained, in order to prove that the movers have calculated the final price in an ethical manner.
Order For Service
Next, you’ll need to be aware of the moving contract and estimate guidelines pertaining to a document called an order for service. This document will be drafted after you have agreed on an estimated price. Basically, it is a contract that, when signed, allows the movers to legally move your belongings. In other words, it is a contract between the moving company and you, legally regulating the terms of your deal.Order for service will contain all the relevant information -the date when your belongings will be picked up, an approximate date when they will be delivered, information on the agreed-upon insurance policy, etc. Some additional information may also be included: the terms of canceling your deal, the kind of items that the moving company won’t ship, and so on.This is a very important contract, so read it very carefully. If you have any questions or if you think that one or more terms of the contract are unsatisfactory,now is the time to speak up!
Bill of Lading
On the day of the move, you will receive a document called a bill of lading, that will serve as a form of a receipt. According to the moving contract guidelines related to the bill of lading, you should keep the copy of this document that will be handed to you in your possession at all times. Much of the terms on the bill of lading will be the same as in the order for service document, including the date when your belongings are picked up, an estimated date when they will be delivered, and the terms of your insurance coverage. Pay attention to all terms to see if they indeed are the same.Especially pay attention to the specified fees. They need to be the same as you earlier agreed to. If they are not, or if any other terms seem to have changed, don’t sign the bill of lading and notify your chosen movers.
Inventory Sheet
Another important document when it comes to the moving contract guidelines is an inventory sheet that you may receive on the day of the move depending upon the move distance and the moving company. As the movers are packing your things, they will tag each item, guaranteeing that all items are inventoried and accounted for. Many moving companies will ask you to tag each item in order to ensure the transparency of the process. And if they don’t, you should still be involved in order to make sure that the inventory of your belongings was properly recorded. Similarly, the inventory sheet will also be used when it’s time to unload the items in your new home. After all the items are unloaded and accounted for, you will need to sign this document. If you notice that any objects are damaged or even entirely missing, that information will also go in the inventory sheet. Later, you will need it in order to file an insurance claimmore easily.
High-Value Inventory Sheet
A similar document is called a high-value inventory sheet. This is a separate inventory list consisting of your high-value belongings. Depending on the moving company, their employees may insist on the way these items are packed. They may want to pack them by themselves or, if you’re packing them, they may insist that these items are packed in a certain way that will minimize the chance of them being damaged. Both of these two types of inventory sheets are designed in order to make moving easier and to make sure that the shipping of your belongings is handled in an efficient and ethical manner.
Final Thoughts on Moving Contract and Estimate Guidelines
With these moving contract guidelines for beginners, we’ve gone through all the important things you need to have in mind before signing any contracts drafted by your moving company’s representatives. Remember to always carefully read each and every document. If there are any terms that you’re not sure about or you’re not satisfied with -let your movers know and don’t be afraid to try to negotiate a better deal. With all that being said, good luck with your move and enjoy your new home.