Learning a little about the moving industry jargon — even before you call a prospective moving & storage services provider — is definitely a smart thing to do when planning a big move. These key terms will always come up in your transactions with your corporate storage, residential storage, and moving company, and knowing what they mean can actually help you maximize your budget and provide more security to your move.
1. Binding and Non-Binding Estimates
Binding estimates are the flat rates, which your residential storage, freight services, and corporate storage company provides for a given inventory. If your Twentynine Palms movers give you these numbers, understand that these are onsite estimates that will not increase or decrease. Non-binding estimates, on the other hand, is simply an initial quote — the final rate is provided once the job is done.
2. Bill of Lading
What could be the most important document you’ll receive from your moving & storage services and corporate storage provider, the Bill of Lading is a binding contract. It concerns mainly the transportation of your residential or corporate goods, so make sure to read carefully and understand the terms before your sign. After you’ve made a deal with your moving, storage, and freight services company, remember to keep this document in a very safe place.
3. Delivery Window
Knowing when your Twentynine Palms movers will deliver your goods at your new address is always important. In the industry, this specific time frame is called a delivery window. If you’re commissioning a moving & storage services company for a long-distance move, then you must always ask for a delivery window in case they forget to give you one. The average time frame for an arrival window is 3 to 5 days. But if you’re moving to another country, then the window will be much bigger, because your freight services provider will be dealing with country borders and customs.
4. Full-Service Move
A full-service move is the most common type of move, in which your Twentynine Palms movers will deliver your items from your old address to your new place. Every piece will be picked up, wrapped with protective blankets, and transported to your home or to your residential storage. They can even hook up your appliances and reassemble your furniture for an additional fee.
5. Carrier’s Liability
This is the liability that your Twentynine Palms movers assume once they take hold of your goods. There is no definite amount for this, because the scale varies according to the service provider. When dealing with this, you must remember that this is not an insurance. You must always communicate with your representative, so you’ll know the conditions of the carrier’s liability.
6. Long Carry
This is the additional fee for when your mover or residential storage provider has to transport your goods from the vehicle to your home or storage space. There is usually a distance limit between the rear of the moving van or truck to the entrance. Once this limit is exceeded, then that’s when you will have to pay for an additional fee.