The following will provide you with information necessary to ensure a well-planned and uncomplicated move. In addition, this information will help you make a well-informed decision when choosing your next moving company.
Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions, or would like to request a quote for services.
The busiest times for moving companies are during the summer months, May 15 – September 15. At the end of these months, the volume of shipments is extremely heavy. This is the case for all professional moving companies.
Take all the factors into consideration when deciding on the best time for you to move. If you have some flexibility in your schedule, provide the moving company with a five-day window for loading your shipment. This will allow the individuals who schedule the drivers and crew member’s greater flexibility when scheduling your move. If possible, be flexible with your destination timeframe as well.
If you are moving state to state, keep in mind that you most likely are not the only shipment on the truck. Depending on the weight of your shipment, you will receive a delivery date spread.
Ask your neighbors, friends, coworkers and family members if they can make recommendations. Investigate each of the movers you select with the Better Business Bureau. Good service is the best measure of a good mover!
Try to provide the moving companies with as much notice as possible, especially if you are moving during the busy season as noted above. Six weeks from the actual move date is not too early for estimators to come into your home to complete what they refer to as a “visual survey of your household goods.” Add even more time to make a decision if you are obligated by your employer to submit estimates for approval. Try to decide which mover you will use four weeks from your actual load day. Call the mover to confirm your booking and schedule your packing, loading and delivery dates. This timeframe can be shortened in the off peak season which is September 15 through May 15.
The relocation consultant will arrive at your home to complete the visual survey of your items. Once this is completed, the relocation consultant will calculate the weight, packing cost and any other charge related to your move. Remember that the relocation consultant must clearly see what you are moving in order to provide you with an accurate estimate. Crawl spaces, attics, and cluttered closets can be deceiving, so organize your house before the relocation consultant arrives.
Don’t be alarmed if the relocation consultant goes through all your cabinets and closets or looks under beds and on top of cabinets. He or she must be able to see what is moving and possibly needs packing. If you know of items that are out of view, be certain to point them out to the relocation consultant. If there are items you will be eliminating, be sure to point them out as well.
To verify the weight of your shipment, the driver will weigh his trailer prior to loading your shipment. Once your shipment is on board, the driver will weigh his trailer again. All other charges will be calculated at your origin address. If there are any additional charges that are incurred during the delivery process, the driver will provide you with the additional cost. This is a rare event, but it may occur.
Local Moves: Local moves are any move under 50 miles radius to your origin address. Charges for local moves are calculated on an hourly basis dependent upon how many laborers are estimated for your move. Payments accepted on Local moves may be in the form of cash, personal check or credit card.
Intra-State moves: An intra-State move is a relocation over 50 miles from the origin within the state of Ohio. Intra-State moving prices are calculated by the Ohio PUCO tariff based on the weight of your shipment and the distance your shipment is traveling. Payments accepted on intrastate moves may be in the form of cash, cashiers or bank check or credit card.
Interstate Move: An Interstate move is any move that crosses state lines. The charges are based on the weight of your shipment and mileage. These are referred to as the transportation charges. Payments accepted on interstate moves may be in the form of cashiers or bank check or credit card.
Additional charges that may appear on any of the above estimates may include packing, crating, valuation (Insurance), bulky article charge for oversized items and extra labor. Again, be certain you understand these charges so that you can accurately compare the estimates you receive.
**In the event that your employer is paying for the move, the employer may pre-arrange to be billed via invoice**
Yes, as long as the driver deems them safe for transport.
All loose items must be packed in boxes to prevent loss or damage. It is recommended that you pack all items and leave the drawers empty.
Most moving companies will not take your plants. The stress and heat of being inside of the moving trailer usually causes them to die. Many states do not allow the entry of plants while other states will admit plants under certain conditions. There are some states that have no regulations at all. Discuss this with your relocation consultant at the time of your estimate.
Items of extraordinary value such as jewelry, money, antiques and stamp collections can be included in your shipment, provided that you notify your local moving representative of these items before packing and moving day. It is strongly recommended that you carry irreplaceable and expensive articles with you or make other arrangements for their transport.
In the moving industry, items worth more than $100 per pound are considered to be articles of “extraordinary” value. To be assured that a claim involving these articles is not limited to minimal liability, complete and sign your mover’s version of a high-value inventory form. Also be sure to sign the “Extraordinary (Unusual) Value Article Declaration” box on the Bill of Lading.
Each mover has a slightly different procedure to follow as it relates to high-value items. Ask your relocation consultant to provide you with an explanation of their process. This is a confusing but important task, so make sure that you clearly understand the rules prior to load day.
Appliances such as washers, dryers and refrigerators must be disconnected, and the washer must have a stabilizer installed by you or a third party service. Again, your estimator can help you understand how these items are serviced. All local moving companies have business relationships with local service providers that handle this type of service. Be sure you know who your mover will be using as you will need to let these people into your home to provide the service.
Allied uses a special procedure called stretch-wrap. It is a heavy, clear plastic wrap that protects your furniture from being soiled.
Yes, but how much protection you have and its cost to you depends on upon the valuation coverage you selected. This can be one of the most confusing aspects of moving but it is important that you understand what is being provided to you.
The valuation option you choose determines the basis upon which any claim will be adjusted and the maximum liability of the carrier. The liability of a carrier for loss or damage is based upon the carrier’s tariffs, as well as federal laws and regulations that have certain limitations and exclusions. Valuation is not coverage. This is important to understand. It is the liability of the moving company. Check with the provider of your homeowner’s coverage to find out of your items are covered while in transit. Often times you will find that they are.
Released Value – This is the most economical as it is no cost to you. This option provides only minimal protection and is not sufficient coverage for almost all shipments. It will pay you $.60 per pound per article if lost or damaged. That means a piece of furniture weighing 75 lbs would receive a settlement of $45.00.
Full Extra Care Protection – This is your most comprehensive coverage. You may hear it referred to as “full replacement value” as well as “full value protection”. If you elect to purchase full value protection, articles that are lost, damaged or destroyed will be either repaired, replaced with like items or a cash settlement will be made for the current market replacement value, regardless of the age of the lost or damaged item. Depreciation of the lost or damaged item is not a factor in determining replacement value when the shipment is moved under full value protection.
The cost of full value protection may be further subject to various deductible levels of liability that may reduce your cost. Ask your mover for the details of their specific plan.