Moving terms

Additional Services —packing; appliance servicing; unpacking; or moves that involve extra stairs that are needed either per your request or building regulations that may otherwise result in additional charges

Agent — a local moving company authorized to act on behalf of a larger, national company

Appliance Dolly — a special dolly with straps to help load and unload large items like appliances and oversized furniture

Anti-static Bubble Wrap — bubble wrap that helps prevent static charge usually pink in color and often used on electronics such as computer monitors

Assessed Value Coverage — specifies how much money per $1,000 of assessed value you will need to pay to cover your household items to their fully assessed value (Purchasing this protection requires a cash value be assigned to the items you will be moving. Some valuation policies are calculated on a sliding scale, where the price per $1,000 of coverage will vary depending upon the total amount of coverage. In such cases, carriers are requested to quote valuation prices based on $25,000 of coverage. Most valuation policies require the entire load be covered -- not just specific items. Ask your carrier for terms.)

Bill of Lading — the contract between the mover and the customer that also acts as a receipt (It's important to understand everything on the bill of lading before you sign it.)

Binding/Non-Binding Estimate —

• Binding - a flat price based upon a given inventory meaning no matter how long the job takes, the flat price is always paid (It's given only when an onsite estimate is performed.)
• Non-Binding - estimates based upon the movers' previous experience (These estimates are subject to change.)
• Hourly Rates - charging by the hour, per person, per truck

C.O.D. (Cash on Delivery) — payment is required at the time of delivery -- ask if your payment should be in cash, credit or check

Flight of Stairs Fee — any additional cost for a flight of stairs either at the point of origin or the destination (A third-floor walkup counts as two flights since you are starting on the first floor. Serviceable elevators large enough to transport the household goods eliminate the need to pay this fee.)

Full-Replacement Value Coverage — the amount of money to purchase a new replacement for a damaged item regardless of the age of the item (Most valuation policies require the entire load be covered -- not just specific items. Ask your carrier for terms.)

Full-Service Mover — most common type of moving company (Movers will move all household goods from your old address to your new address. Your items are picked up from every room in your old home and delivered to the appropriate rooms in your new home. Individual pieces of furniture are wrapped. Full service movers will also provide, at additional cost, full packing and unpacking services.)

Inventory — the detailed descriptive list of your household goods showing the quantity and condition of each item

Interstate Move — any move that crosses a state boundary -- regardless of the number of miles

Intrastate Move — a move within a state boundary

Packing Service — many full-service movers provide customers the option of having all of their possessions packed before the move and later unpacked at the destination

Stair-Carry Charge — an extra charge for carrying items up or down flights of stairs

Standard Coverage — movers are required by law to provide a minimum amount of free coverage (This number, typically 60 cents, refers to the amount of money you will receive per pound of damaged goods. This coverage is a bare minimum and should not be relied upon to cover you for any significant damage. For example, if you have a priceless vase that weighs two pounds, you would only be entitled to $1.20 of compensation if the vase is damaged in transit.)

Tariff —the carrier rates provisions for every aspect of moving a shipment from one location to another

Valuation — the degree of "worth" in a shipment; the valuation charge compensates the mover for assuming a greater degree of liability than is provided for in its base transportation charges. (All movers are required to assume liability for the value of goods they transport. Most movers offer two levels of liability — basic and full value. Basic value is also referred to as released value.)