If you’ve chosen to use professional moving services for your forthcoming relocation, you’ll need to find good movers – licensed, experienced, and trustworthy – and sign a moving contract. This may seems like a mere formality (you’ve already reached an agreement with your chosen movers, after all), but it’s very important that you carefully review the document before signing it.
A moving contract defines the conditions of the relocation process and provides protection against moving scams. It can help ensure that you and the movers are on the same page about your move and protect you in case of a dispute.
So, to increase your chance of a safe and smooth relocation, you need to make sure that your moving contract is thorough and accurate – that everything you’ve agreed upon with your movers is clearly stated and all the details of your move are correct and complete.
Here is what you need to know before signing a moving contract in order to avoid misunderstandings and problems with your move.
What is a moving contract?
A moving contract is a legally binding written agreement between a moving company and a customer who wishes to hire the company’s services. It outlines the rights and responsibilities of both the mover and the customer and details all the agreements the parties have reached – services, prices, timeframes, special conditions, etc. A moving contract puts it all in writing, so there’re no misunderstandings and there remains very little room for argument.
Essentially, your moving contract is your safety net:
- It can help prevent confusion and hassle;
- It can help you hold the movers accountable for any negligence, incompetence, fraud, or other wrongdoing.
In a word – a moving contract is intended to improve the efficiency of the moving process, provide peace of mind, and reduce stress.
How to get a moving contract?
Your first step when looking for professional movers is to get moving quotes and ask for estimates of your moving costs.
Moving estimate
The first document a moving company will provide you with is an estimate of your moving costs.
Generally, there are two types of moving estimates – binding (that guarantees the cost of your move, unless you add more weight to your shipment or request additional moving services) and non-binding (that is susceptible to change, depending on the actual weight of your items and specific services provided by your mover). You can find more information on the different kinds of moving estimates here.
To learn the exact cost of your move, you’re advised to request an on-site visual survey of your home and get a written binding not-to-exceed estimate. Do not accept estimates given online or over the phone – they can never be accurate. Also, if you get an estimate that is considerably lower than the others, raise your guard – lowball estimates are a red flag of moving fraud.
See also: How to get an accurate moving estimate; How to recognize a lowball estimate
Bonus tip: Be sure to check what services are included in the estimates, as well. Before signing a contract with a moving company, you need to know:
- if the movers offer all the specialty services you need for your relocation;
- how much the movers charge for their services;
- which services may incur extra costs, etc.
When you’ve received price estimates from several reputable moving companies, compared the offers, and chosen a qualified, reliable, and affordable mover to hire for your relocation, they will prepare an order of service that details the terms and conditions of your move.
Bill of Lading
The Bill of Lading serves as a contract between you and your chosen moving company – it is prepared on the basis of the order of service and should match it fully. The movers are required to give you the Bill of Lading on moving day and you must sign it before they can get to work.
Read the document very carefully to confirm that the details of your move are correctly and clearly stated and make sure you understand and agree with all the clauses in it before signing your moving contract.
Your Bill of Lading must include:
- The moving company’s contact details and licensing and insuring information;
- Your contact information;
- The origin and destination addresses of the shipment;
- The pick-up and delivery dates (or time windows);
- The ID(s) of the moving vehicle(s) that will transport your shipment;
- The required moving services and their rates;
- The total cost and the method of payment;
- Dispute settlement information;
- Valuation addendum – your chosen valuation protection plan (Full Value Protection or Released Value Protection) and any additional insurance you may have bought, together with its provisions and the amount of the premium, must be specified in the document.
Additional useful information: What is a Bill of Lading
Inventory list
The first thing the movers will do when they get down to work is conduct a walk-through of your home and prepare a written inventory of the things you have for moving. Make sure all the items you’re going to entrust to the movers are present on the inventory list and their condition is marked correctly (so you have proof of the pre-move condition of your belongings in case you need to file a damage claim against your movers).
Related: How to make a moving inventory
Good to remember: The moving estimate, the order of service, and the inventory list are integral parts of your moving contract and must be added as attachments to the Bill of Lading.
What to look for in a moving contract
When reviewing your moving contract, pay attention to:
- Licensing information, names, and addresses – Make sure the moving company’s USDOT number and physical address are on the contract and match the information from the company’s website and other resources you have looked at when researching the movers. Also, check if your contact information and both your old and new addresses are full and correct – you want your movers to be able to find you;
- Schedules – Confirm the date and time of the pick-up and the delivery date (or delivery window) – the schedules must line up with what you and the moving company have previously agreed upon;
- Included services – Look at the list of services that the moving company is providing to you – make sure all the services you require for your relocation are on the list and there are no additional services included that you don’t want. If you’re hiring the movers to pack only some of your items or to provide custom crating services for your more delicate or more valuable items, be sure that the moving contract includes those details as well;
- Rates and costs – Moving costs are based on the weight of the shipment (for long-distance moves) or the time it takes to complete the job (for local moves). Your moving contract should include information on the company’s rates, minimum charges, and possible additional fees (such as long-carry fees, for example). Check if the pricing section (that shows what you’ll actually pay for the move) aligns with the quote that your mover gave you in the beginning of the process – if not, request an explanation. Take a closer look at any additional considerations (circumstances that may require extra charges), as well;
- Liability – Check if the company has worker’s compensation, what happens of something goes missing during the move, who is liable for broken items, how disputes are to be settled, etc.
Bonus tips for signing a moving contract
It is crucial for the success of your relocation endeavor that you carefully read the moving contract – and completely understand everything that is in it – before signing the document. You need to be sure that you’re hiring the right movers for you and that you agree with all the terms and conditions in the contract – otherwise, you may easily become the victim of a moving scam.
So, in order to save your nerves and your money when using professional moving services, you need to know what to check before signing a moving contract and to be meticulous and persistent when reviewing the document:
- Make sure you’re dealing with licensed, experienced, and reliable moving professionals – check the company’s website, verify its USDOT number, research its complaint history, read online reviews from previous customers, ask for references, etc. (See also: How to make sure my movers are qualified);
- Make sure all the necessary information (the details of your move, the price estimate, the inventory list, etc.) is included in the contract;
- Confirm that all the fees and costs, services and timeframes, terms and conditions listed on the Bill of Lading match what you agreed to while negotiating – if there are any differences, ask for clarification;
- Check everything that seems suspicious or out of your agreement;
- Make sure you understand all the terms in your moving contract;
- Read the fine print very carefully – every word matters.
Take every precaution to ensure that you get exactly what you want and do not sign the contract until you’re certain that everything is as previously agreed. The more careful you’re, the smoother your move will go.
