• The estimator will arrive at your home to complete the visual survey of your items. Once this is completed, the estimator will calculate the weight, packing cost and any other charge related to your move. Remember that the estimator must clearly see what you are moving in order to provide you with an accurate estimate. Crawl spaces, attics, and cluttered closets can be deceiving, so organize your house before the estimator arrives.

• Don’t be alarmed if the estimator goes through all your cabinets and closets or looks under beds and on top of cabinets. He or she must be able to see what is moving and possibly needs packing. If you know of items that are out of view, be certain to point them out to the estimator. If there are items you will be eliminating, be sure to point them out. One word of caution that can save you a great deal of trouble on loading day.

• Get rid of all items you do not plan to move. Otherwise, there may not be enough space for your shipment. This will not occur on one or two small items, but if you anticipated eliminating an entire bedroom suite and do not do so, it is quite possible that this could violate the integrity of your binding estimate and/or cause the driver to run out of space.

• Try to provide the moving companies with as much notice as possible, especially if you are moving during the busy season. Four weeks from the actual move, date is not too early for estimators to come into your home to complete what they refer to as a “visual survey of your household goods shipment”. Add even more time to make a decision if you are obligated by your employer to submit estimates for approval. Try to decide which mover you will use ten days from your actual load day. Call the mover to confirm your booking and schedule your packing, loading, and delivery dates. This timeframe can be shortened in some cases.

• This depends on the goods you have and the services you ask for.

• This is normally decided between you and the mover. If the method of payment is not established prior to load day, it can cause you problems on delivery day.

• This is the authorisation given to a mover to execute the packing job.

• This is the shipping document that has the details about your goods such as container no., vessel no., port of arrival, and departure.

• It is detailed inventory of packed house-hold goods.

• All loose items must be packed in boxes to prevent loss or damage. It is our’s recommendation that you pack all items and leave the drawers empty.

• Yes, as long as the mover deems them safe for transport.

• Most moving companies will not take your plants However it can be transported on your risk. We recommend that you leave your plants behind. Consider keeping the pots for new plants at your new home. Perhaps buy some plants that are indigenous to your new area, and if you are fortunate to live in a warm climate, put the plants outside.

• Items of extraordinary value such as jewelry, money, antiques, and stamp collections can be included in your shipment, provided that you notify your local moving representative of these items before packing and moving day. It is strongly recommended that you carry irreplaceable and expensive article with you or make other arrangements for their transport.

• Appliances such as washers, dryers, and refrigerators must be disconnected, and the washer must have a stabilizer installed. Again, your estimator can help you understand how to these items are serviced. All local moving companies have business relationships with local service providers that handle this type of thing. Be sure you know who the local mover will be using as you will need to let these people into your home to provide the service.

• Yes, provided you buy a Insurance policy through the mover, otherwise no mover will cover you for the losses. Full Value Protection or Coverage – This is your most comprehensive coverage. You may hear it referred to as “full replacement value” as well as “full value protection”. If you elect to purchase full value protection, articles that are lost, damaged or destroyed will be (at the mover’s option) either repaired, replaced with like items or a cash settlement will be made for the current market replacement value, regardless of the age of the lost or damaged item. Unlike the other options, depreciation of the lost or damaged item is no a factor in determining replacement value when the shipment is moved under full value protection. The cost of full value protection may vary by mover and may be further subject to various deductible levels of liability that may reduce your cost. Ask your mover for the details of their specific plan.

• You mover may ask you to select from one to several consecutive days during which your goods will be loaded. The amount of days in what is referred to as a load spread depends upon the size of your shipment and the time of the year when your shipment is loaded. Remember to try to remain flexible during the busy season by allowing for extra days on your load spread to have a better chance of securing a truck and driver to load your shipment.

• Make sure your home is ready for the crew. Move anything off the porch and walkways that may obstruct movement of your goods out of the home. Take doors of the hinges if you know certain items will not fit through. Remove all small throw rugs from traffic areas that could cause the crew to trip or slip. Have water, Gatorade or pop on hand for the crew, especially on a hot summer day. They will come prepared but will be grateful for your thoughtfulness.

• Good movers will be able to provide details and status . Please be certain to ask your estimator if their company has these capabilities.

• You will be contacted few hours prior to delivery. The moving company may assign a customer service representative as your primary contact and they should be able to provide you with an update as to the date your goods will arrive. Be certain to provide the mover with all your contact information. The phone number at the new home is only good if there is a person their to take the call. If you can be reached at work, a hotel, or temporary residence or by email let the mover know.

• Claims are always unpleasant – no one wants to have to deal with the problem but damage does occur and claims are a result. The best advice is to understand the claims settlement procedure for the mover you select, very clear prior to moving. It is important that you understand your coverage and how to proceed through the claims process. Claims adjusters are people with a difficult job. It is better to approach them with kindness than anger. Understand you coverage and be certain to have the proper documentation in the form of an inventory with the damage noted.