| Cost estimates
Before calling a moving company for a cost estimate, you must first get an estimate of the weight or amount of items you will be moving. You can do this by preparing a list of the number of rooms in the house, and major pieces of furniture in each.
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| How moving charges are determined
Depending on the specific needs of the customer, moving companies have some flexibility in determining their charges. Most moving companies determine charges by the actual costs and market conditions, however tariffs are still determined by an industry organization called the Household Goods Carriers Bureau.
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| Liability of the moving company
A moving company should explain its liability policy under federal regulations for any loss or damage to your property. In addition to the company's basic liability, other options are available for increasing the amount of coverage you can place on your possessions.
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| Money-saving strategies
If you are planning a move, you will find that expenses can add up. A key to saving money is to 'comparison shop' between various moving companies. You can do this by comparing their total services offered and their prices.
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| Paying your moving costs
Most moving companies will require you to pay for the cost of your move in-full, on the day of delivery, unless you've made prior payment arrangements with them.
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| Payment on delivery
A mover should collect the payment for your delivery before your goods are unloaded in most cases, unless a prior agreement has been made. The driver may accept cash, cashier's check, money orders, and some larger companies take major credit cards.
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| Payment plans
When making arrangements for a move, you may want to find out if your moving company offers any payment plan options. A payment plan would allow you to spread out your payments over a period of time, and thereby help you avoid having to make one large payment.
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| Weighing your shipment
Before a mover loads your shipment, the van is weighed on a certified scale, and then weighed again after your shipment is loaded. The difference between the two weights is the net weight of your shipment.
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