Most people are not familiar with moving terminology. In fact, sometimes the foreign lingo can make things even more stressful than the actual move itself. Below, we’ve put together a moving glossary to make your move easier. Keep the list handy and use it as a quick reference or stow it away as a resource for years to come!
A
Accessorial Charges: Additional charges for services like packing and unpacking.
Agent: A local moving company permitted to act on behalf of a national company.
B
Bill of Lading: A legal document containing a detailed description of the move and a list of items that were loaded onto the moving truck. This services as a receipt of a customer’s agreement with the moving company.
C
Carrier: The moving company transporting your goods
C.O.D.: Cash on Delivery. This means the payment for the move is collected when the items are delivered to the customer/destination.
Crating: Packing goods in a wooden crate for transportation. This is typically done to protect valuable or delicate items.
D
Delivery Report: A report, signed by the customer, to confirm the delivery of goods at the destination.
E
Estimate, Binding: The price quoted by a moving company is the price you pay – even if unforeseen costs arise.
Estimate, Non-Binding: The price quoted by a moving company is not guaranteed and in many cases, will end up changing.
F
Full-Service Movers: The moving company completes the full moving process from packing and loading to unpacking and cleaning up.
G
Gross Weight: The weight of the moving truck and the goods it is hauling.
H
High-Value Articles: Goods that are valued at more than $100 per lb.
I
Interstate Move: A move across state lines.
Intrastate Move: A move located in the same state.
Inventory: A detailed list of home goods and a description of their condition.
J
K
L
License: Every moving company is required to be licensed with the U.S. Department of Transportation, per federal law.
Line-Haul Charges: Charges that are calculated by the weight and mileage of a shipment for long-distance moves.
Long-Carry Charges: A charge when the movers have to carry your items a long distance to reach the moving truck
M
N
Non-Allowable List: Prohibited items that movers will not transport.
O
Order for Service: A document that authorizes a moving company to move your items.
Order Number: A number used to identify a customer’s move.
P
Packing Service: Movers will pack your items before transporting them and then unpack the items upon arrival.
P.B.O.: Packed By Owner.
ProMover: A moving company that is reputable, trustworthy and certified by the AMSA (American Moving & Storage Association)
Q
Quote: A price provided by the moving company based on the customer’s needs
R
S
Stretch Wrap: A heavy duty wrap that is used to protect furniture during the moving process.
T
Tariff: A list of the moving company’s rules, regulations and prices.
The Moving Guys: Your Black Hills moving solution! Serving the entire Black Hills including Rapid City, Spearfish, Hill City, Custer, and more! We even support out-of-state moves!
U
Unpacking: When the moving company unloads the goods and then proceeds to unpack them at the destination.
V
Valuation: Prior the move, a customer will declare the monetary cost for all of the items included in the move. This is the maximum amount of money that the moving company will be liable for.
W
X
Y
Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move: A document prepared by the government to help anyone that is moving understand the process
