Moving Tips
"Things You Should Know About Moving"
In Search of a New Residence
- Subscribe to the Sunday edition of the new area's local newspaper in advance of your move. It usually contains a large real estate section, which can be very helpful in giving you some idea of the type of housing available in the new city, as well as other useful information.
- Arrange for a house-hunting trip to your new city. Unless you have a real estate broker who is a member of a national referral organization, ask friends, your banker or the local board or association of Realtors[reg] in your new locality to recommend a reputable broker.
- When looking for a new home, take along a tape measure and a list of the exact dimensions of each of your major appliances and other large pieces of furniture. Measure the areas provided for them to be sure your appliances and furniture will fit.
- Establish credit in the new city. Ask your banker for a referral to a correspondent bank and to act as a credit reference.
Preplanning Your Move
- Plan the move as early as possible. If you are able to move at any time of the year, don't wait until summer, the peak moving season. Consider also that the first and last few days of the month are extra busy.
- If you plan to sell your house, get it on the market as soon as possible. If renting, give your landlord timely notice of your moving date.
- Keep a record of all expenses related to the move, some of which may be tax deductible.
- Fill out the Personal Household Inventory for each room. This is important for establishing the amount of declared valuation for the shipment and as a permanent inventory for insurance purposes. List, as nearly as possible, the year of purchase and original cost of each item. Attach any invoices or records of purchase to the completed inventory.
- Prepare a separate high-value inventory if the shipment will contain articles of ``extraordinary'' value. In the moving industry, items worth $100 per pound are considered articles of extraordinary value. The following list includes items that might fall into this category:
| antiques |
cameras |
oriental rugs |
| figurines |
firearms |
art collections |
| furs |
crystal |
computer equipment |
| jewelry |
stones/gems |
TVs or stereos |
| silver |
tapestries |
china collections |
Estimate of Moving Costs
- The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) requires strict compliance with provisions set forth in tariffs governing all costs of moving and services performed by moving companies. At the time the agent gives you the estimated cost of service (nonbinding) or a binding estimate, you acknowledge receiving a copy of the Annual Carrier's Performance Report (OCP-101) and the booklet, Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move (OCP-100), both required by the ICC.
- Unless you have been given a binding estimate where a firm cost is estab lished in advance, the exact cost of a move cannot be determined until after the shipment has been loaded on the van and weighed. The weight on which charges are based is calculated by weighing the van before and after loading.
- The total cost of the move will include transportation charges, any charges for declared valuation, plus charges for any extra services performed at your request. All of these charges are based on tariff rate schedules.
- Unless other billing arrangements are made in advance, payment is required upon delivery in cash or by traveler's check, money order or cashier's check. Personal checks are not accepted. If you choose to use a major credit card, authorization must be obtained from the agent of origin prior to loading.
Carrier Liability
- Basic carrier liability for loss or damage to each article in the shipment is 60 cents per pound. This basic liability level is provided at no charge.
- In general, the household goods moving industry provides programs for providing higher amounts of carrier liability for an additional charge. These programs are frequently identified as ``declared valuation.''
- Articles worth more than $100 per pound are considered articles of ``extraordinary or unusual'' value. To ensure that such articles are not limited to minimal liability, you need to notify your agent before packing and complete and sign a high-value inventory form.
- Valuation is not insurance; it is simply a tariff-based level of motor carrier liability. If you desire the kinds of additional protection afforded by insurance coverage, check with your insurance agent or broker.
Owner's Responsibility
- It is the owner's responsibility to see that all mechanical and electrical equipment and appliances are properly serviced for shipping prior to the arrival of the moving van. For safe moving, have these items prepared by a licensed or properly trained technician. This service may be performed by a technician of your choice or by qualified personnel of the moving company. If the owner has failed to have an item serviced, the van operator may load and haul it, but will mark the inventory sheet, ``Not Serviced--Loaded at Owner's Risk.'' For more information, request a free booklet, Moving Appliances and Other Home Furnishings, from United Van Lines.
This article is an excert from The HomeOwner's Kit, Robert de Heer; Dearborn Financial Publishing, Inc.(R), 1995.
THIS BOOK CAN BE FOUND IN YOUR LOCAL BOOK STORE
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