Moving is stressful enough without having to learn an entirely new language during the process. To make it easier for you, we’ve compiled a glossary of common terms you will encounter when hiring a professional mover. Some moving companies have their own proprietary definitions, so be sure to clarify with them that their definitions match these generally-accepted industry standards below.
Accessorial services: Services in addition
to loading, moving, and unloading your belongings, such as packing/unpacking.
Auxiliary service: A smaller shuttle that may be needed to move items to or from a moving truck due to constraints in the location of or pathway to a dwelling.
Bill of Lading: Your receipt, title to your goods and contract for service.
Binding, Non-Binding Estimate: Binding means that your move will cost what the estimate says in writing that it will, regardless of whether your items weigh more or less than anticipated. Non-binding means costs could change based on final weight or other services provided.
Bulk items: Non-standard items requiring significantly more work and cost to move, such as pianos and jet skis.
Consignor: The owner of the goods that are being moved or that person’s representative.
Full Value: One of two types of insurance required by Federal Law for interstate movers, this is the most comprehensive protection available to repair or replace damaged or lost items. This plan is used unless you specifically select Released Value Protection.
Gross Weight: Weight of moving truck plus your loaded items.
High-Value Article: Anything the company moves that is worth more than $100/pound.
Inventory List: Everything the moving company is transporting and its condition.
Net Weight: Basically, the weight of your goods being moved.
Order for Service: Gives legal permission to the moving company to handle and transport your goods.
Overflow: When all of your belongings will not fit in the moving truck.
Released Value: One of two types of insurance required by Federal Law for interstate movers, offered at no charge, with minimal protection, since compensation is provided by weight rather than value.
Short Haul Factor: A charge if the mileage is less than what a company defines as its minimum.
Tare Weight: What the moving truck and movers’ equipment weighs before loading.
Tariff: What the moving company will do and the cost of each service; also includes rules and regulations pertaining to these services.
Valuation: Your statement in writing of the dollar value of your items, for insurance purposes.
Auxiliary service: A smaller shuttle that may be needed to move items to or from a moving truck due to constraints in the location of or pathway to a dwelling.
Bill of Lading: Your receipt, title to your goods and contract for service.
Binding, Non-Binding Estimate: Binding means that your move will cost what the estimate says in writing that it will, regardless of whether your items weigh more or less than anticipated. Non-binding means costs could change based on final weight or other services provided.
Bulk items: Non-standard items requiring significantly more work and cost to move, such as pianos and jet skis.
Consignor: The owner of the goods that are being moved or that person’s representative.
Full Value: One of two types of insurance required by Federal Law for interstate movers, this is the most comprehensive protection available to repair or replace damaged or lost items. This plan is used unless you specifically select Released Value Protection.
Gross Weight: Weight of moving truck plus your loaded items.
High-Value Article: Anything the company moves that is worth more than $100/pound.
Inventory List: Everything the moving company is transporting and its condition.
Net Weight: Basically, the weight of your goods being moved.
Order for Service: Gives legal permission to the moving company to handle and transport your goods.
Overflow: When all of your belongings will not fit in the moving truck.
Released Value: One of two types of insurance required by Federal Law for interstate movers, offered at no charge, with minimal protection, since compensation is provided by weight rather than value.
Short Haul Factor: A charge if the mileage is less than what a company defines as its minimum.
Tare Weight: What the moving truck and movers’ equipment weighs before loading.
Tariff: What the moving company will do and the cost of each service; also includes rules and regulations pertaining to these services.
Valuation: Your statement in writing of the dollar value of your items, for insurance purposes.
