Moving Terminology You Should Know Before Hiring Moving Companies

If you are preparing to move, you may be looking to hire a local moving company to assist you with your move. However, before you do this, it is important to familiarize yourself with a few key terms. This will help you to better understand the questions that moving companies may ask and the amounts listed on estimates. Here is some terminology you should know prior to hiring moving companies. 

Accessorial Charges

Accessorial charges is a term that you may see on estimates or final moving bills. This term basically means anything in excess of the loading, moving, and unloading costs. This may include packing fees, crating charges, appliance disconnection fees, or fees associated with taking furniture apart or putting it back together. 

Binding and Non-Binding

Another important term to understand as you look to hire moving companies is binding and non-binding. This term is found in estimates. When you see that an estimate is binding, it means that that is the final cost of the move. The moving company cannot increase the cost of the move. If you see the term non-binding, it means that the costs associated with your move can change. Non-binding is generally used when a moving company is estimating how much your move will cost. 

Released Value Protection Insurance and Full-Value Protection Insurance

Moving companies are required to provide all of their clients with released value protection insurance. This type of coverage will pay you a certain amount per pound for your belongings that get lost or damaged, regardless of the value of your belongings. If you want to cover the full value of your belongings, you need to purchase full-value protection insurance. 

Guaranteed Pickup and Delivery Service  

As you work with moving companies, it is important to understand that most dates for pickup and delivery are estimates, unless your contract specifically uses the term guaranteed pickup and delivery service. As such, if you need your items by a specific date, you should always ensure your contract lists this term. 

Interstate and Intrastate 

Moving companies are either interstate or intrastate movers. Intrastate movers can move belongings within a particular state. Interstate movers have the licensing required to move home goods across state lines. If you are moving out of state, you need to hire interstate movers. If you are moving within your existing state, you can hire either interstate or intrastate movers. 

Each and every moving company is slightly different. This means that the services that they offer and the prices that they charge can vary. Taking the time to learn about key terminology used in the moving industry can help you to better answer questions moving companies may ask you and help you to better understand the estimates they provide. Ultimately, this helps to ensure you hire the right moving company for your upcoming move.    

For more information, reach out to local moving companies. 

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