If you have a choice, most moving companies suggest prior to the end of the month & during the first half of the year. At these times vans and trained personnel are more readily available.

How Long Does It Take To Move?

This depends on many factors, such as the time of year, weather conditions, size of your shipment, time required to load and unload, and the direction and distance your shipment is traveling. Furthermore, if the move necessitates the use of an elevator, the location of the service entrance and any parking restrictions, these are also factors that determine the amount of time needed.

When Should I Call A Moving Company?

The earlier, the better. The more lead-time you can give, the more likely we will be able to meet your preferred date. Although, at times, some moves can be arranged with one or two days notice.

Is A Moving Company "Licensed"?

Yes, it needs to be registered with the Department of Transportation. This insures the company is viable and that all the proper requirements are met. This license number should be on any printed material the mover has, as well as in advertisements. The letter T precedes the license number. The license number is also an indication of the age of the operating authority, for example, if a license number begins with a 3, it shows the company is relatively new or the company had it’s previous authority cancelled due to problems/violations and was now reinstated.

What Can Happen If I Don’t Use A Licensed Mover?

Anyone can do the same job as a licensed mover… when everything goes right. But what happens when something goes seriously wrong? Here is an example of things going bad.

Moe, Larry and Curly pull up at a residence in a rental truck and proceed to do a great job for the customer. The residence is prepped nicely so there is no property damage. Shemp has done a great job packing and the customer couldn’t have been happier. Everything is loaded by 4:00 PM and the Stooges leave Long Island for Florida. Unfortunately, on the way south, Moe, the driver, gets sleepy. While southbound on I-95 he falls asleep and crosses the median into oncoming traffic. There is a head on collision resulting in a fatality in the other vehicle. Since Moe, Larry nor Curly ever incorporated or obtained interstate authority the owner of the property being transported on the van becomes the target of litigation. After hiring an attorney and spending thousands of dollars to put forward their position that all they (the customer) did was hire a mover, the court decides that as the Stooges never had a signed Order for Service, never presented a Bill of Lading, did not own a building, and never owned a truck, they were not movers but, instead are considered casual labor employed directly by the property owner. As such they (the customer) are not only on the hook to the family of the deceased but now Larry, who hurt his back in the accident files a workers comp claim (at the advise of his attorney) against their home owners insurance. Curly, in the mean time, took the box Shemp had told him about (the one with all the Hummel’s and antique glass) and has run off to the Bahamas and opened a hair styling salon. The customer has to sell his retirement home to pay legal fees. Moe and Larry go on 60 minutes and provide “Insider” information on unscrupulous movers in the metro area.

Are the Movers Employees of the Driver or the Company?

Moving Right Along employs all their own drivers and helpers, allowing us to match up the right drivers with the proper helpers for each particular job. Some other companies may either use drivers who secure their own help or Van Line Agencies that have owner operators who pick from local labor pools. The latter two scenarios often sacrifice quality of service.

Do I Need An Estimate?

A Moving Right Along agent will make a pre-move evaluation of your household goods to be transported. This is needed to determine the approximate cost of a move and the size of the moving van needed. Moving Right Along will then compute the approximate cost and give you an Estimate. There is no charge for the estimate.

Keep in mind that estimates (household goods surveys) are only guidelines. On long distance shipments, you must pay the total charges as determined by the actual weight of your shipment, the distance it travels, and the services that you authorize or which become necessary to handle your shipment.

Charges for local shipments are generally calculated on an hourly basis. There may be a minimum number of hours required.

How Much Will My Move Cost?

Hourly Based Moves

The final cost of your move will be determined by the number of hours our men are working, any charges for Full-Value Coverage or Depreciated Coverage (see "Am I Protected Against Loss Or Damage While My Goods Are In Transit?"), and the travel time plus charges for any "accessorial" services (such as packing and unpacking) performed by Moving Right Along at your request. These charges are based on "tariff" rate schedules (see below). Also, tolls for tunnels and bridges, going to origin and to destination as well as returning from destination. Parking Tickets, as the closest or most accessible parking space to your building entrance may result in ticketing. Otherwise there may be additional move time required for the truck to be parked legally.

Weight Based Moves

The exact cost of your move cannot be determined until after your shipment has been loaded on the van and weighed. If additional services are requested or become necessary after loading and weighing, additional charges will be incurred. Basic transportation charges depend on the actual weight of your goods and the distance they will travel. The total cost will include these transportation costs, any charges for Full-Value Coverage or Depreciated Coverage (see "Am I Protected Against Loss Or Damage While My Goods Are In Transit?"), plus charges for any "accessorial" services (such as packing and unpacking) performed by Moving Right Along at your request. These charges are based on "tariff" rate schedules (see below).

What Is A Tariff?

This is the list of rules, regulations, available services and resulting charges used by all motor carriers, which provide transportation of household goods. A tariff is published by each household goods motor carrier and includes its various services and is submitted to the Department of Transportation.

How And When Should I Pay?

Tariff provisions require that all charges be paid before your shipment is unloaded at destination (unless prior arrangements have been made).

Payment for your shipment can be made by one of the following methods: cash, traveler's check, money order, cashier's check, the American Express^® Card, Visa^® and MasterCard^® can be used to pay for. Personal checks are not accepted.

Am I Protected Against Loss Or Damage While My Goods Are In Transit?

Yes, but how much protection you have and its cost to you depend upon the "insurance" program you choose - Full-Value Coverage or Depreciated Coverage.

The insurance option you select determines the basis upon which any claim will be adjusted and establishes the maximum liability. The liability for loss or damage is based upon tariffs, as well as federal laws and regulations, and has certain limitations and exclusions. Valuation is not insurance; it is simply a tariff-based level of motor carrier liability. If you desire insurance, inquire about our Replacement Cost insurance policies.

Consumer tip: If purchasing insurance make sure you purchase enough insurance to cover your complete shipment, not just a portion.

Released Rate Liability - Basic Coverage

Intrastate Moves

As with all licensed and insured moving companies you are automatically covered at .30 cents per pound per article. This valuation is based solely on the weight of an object and not the value, (i.e. if an article weighing 100 lbs is damaged, the maximum amount you would receive is $30.00).

Interstate Moves

You are automatically covered at .60 cents per pound per article. This valuation is based solely on the weight of an object and not the value, (i.e. if an article weighing 100 lbs is damaged, the maximum amount you would receive is $60.00).

Depreciated Coverage

If additional coverage is desired, it can be purchased through Moving Right Along at a rate of $5.00 for every $1,000.00 of coverage. There is a minimum purchase of a $5,000.00 policy, which costs $25.00. Please note that this is not replacement coverage, but will cover the article for its value on the day of the move.

Full-Value Coverage

Replacement cost insurance is available at a cost of $10.00 for every $1,000.00 of coverage with a minimum purchase of a $5,000.00 policy, which costs $50.00. Please note that should damage occur, said item will be replaced only if it is not repairable.

Why Would I Purchase Cargo Insurance If Your Ad Says You Are Insured?

When a mover says they are insured it ensures that the men have Workers Comp Coverage, which protects you from being sued if injury results while moving your belongings. Furthermore, it ensures that the trucks are properly insured if they damage the building property while loading or unloading. When it comes to your belongings the “Insured Mover” only provides a basic coverage of $ .30 per pound per article, as mandated by the Department of Transportation. Hence why we sell additional insurance policies.

Items Of "Extraordinary Value"

In the moving industry, items having a value of more than $100 per pound are known as "articles of extraordinary value." All "articles of extraordinary value" in your shipment must be listed on the High-Value Inventory form, which will be given to you by the salesperson to complete. Although you might have other articles of extraordinary value, the following list should help you identify items that might fall under this classification: jewelry, furs, art and coin collections, crystal, figurines, antiques, Oriental rugs, precious stones or gems, china and silverware. In the event of a claim, any settlement involving an article of extraordinary value listed on the High-Value Inventory form is limited to the value of the article, not to exceed the declared value of the shipment, based upon the Moving Right Along valuation program applicable to your shipment. If an article of extraordinary value is not listed on the form, Moving Right Along’s maximum liability is limited to $100 per pound per article. Shipments that move under the Released Rate Liability program, in which the declared value of the shipment would be 30 cents per pound per article, would not be covered by the provisions applicable to articles of extraordinary value.

For a full description of the Full-Value Coverage, Depreciated Coverage and Released Rate Liability programs, please ask your Moving Right Along representative.

Can My Possessions Be Stored Temporarily?

If you are unable to take immediate possession of your new residence, your belongings can be stored in our warehouse. Moving Right Along provides a safe storage facility for holding your goods until you're ready for them. However, you are responsible for the storage charges, warehouse valuation coverage and final delivery charges from the warehouse.

If your goods are placed in storage, there will be an additional charge for the valuation or insurance coverage provided for your shipment, as mentioned previously. The type of coverage and cost will depend upon whether the shipment is held in storage-in-transit (temporary) or in permanent (long-term) storage. Please ask Moving Right Along for information regarding storage arrangements.

Will My Furnishings Remain Clean?

Moving Right Along’s air-ride vans provide a clean, safe move. We keep things clean by using bed bags, sofa covers and stretch wrap for light colored fabrics. We also provide in-house wrapping of all your furniture with furniture pads.

What Can Be Done To Protect My Floors?

Moving Right Along has Self-Adhesive Carpet Mask for protection of your carpets, floors and is available for purchase.

Do My Appliances Need Special Attention?

Most refrigerators, washers, dryers, and other electrical or mechanical appliances require special servicing to ensure safe transportation. Any moving parts such as motors on major appliances, washer drums, icemakers and the pickup arm on a phonograph should be securely fastened for shipment. Gas appliances need to be serviced and disconnected prior to your move.

It is the owner's responsibility to see that appliances are serviced for shipment before they are loaded on the van.

Can I Pack My China, Glass and Crystal?

Most people prefer to have their household possessions, especially fragile items, professionally packed by Moving Right Along, in order not to jeopardize insurance coverage should there be a claim. However, if you decide to pack these items yourself, remember that the basic principles of good packing include wrapping the items individually, providing plenty of cushioning and making sure of a firm pack.

Be sure to select a sturdy container with a lid. Place a two or three inch layer of crushed paper on the bottom of the carton as a cushion. Wrap each item individually with a soft material to provide a safe, protective, "padded nest." Pack the heaviest items on the bottom and the lighter ones next, filling in empty spaces with crushed paper. Place plates on edge and glassware on rims for maximum protection. Mark the carton "Fragile," and list the contents on the outside. Be sure to seal the carton with tape.

Cartons, paper and tape may be purchased from Moving Right Along for a modest cost.

Can I Pack My Clothes In A Chest Or Dresser Drawers?

Some lightweight clothing - shirts, blouses, and lingerie - may be left in the drawers. Do not fill drawers with heavy items such as books, table linens or sheets, which can damage the piece of furniture during transit. Be careful NOT to leave fragile items, money, jewelry, watches or other valuables in the drawers, as well as anything that might spill or leak.

Can the Mover Pull the Drawers Out of My Chest or Dresser?

It is not recommended, as drawers do not tend to stack well and can topple resulting in damage, furthermore, drawers generally have to go back into their original slot, resulting in wasted time. And lastly the items are subject to loss and the weather elements.

Can I Move My House Plants?

Moving Right Along cannot accept responsibility for safely moving your plants, because they may suffer from a lack of water and light as well as probable temperature changes while in the van. You may prefer to transport your houseplants in the family car or ship them by plane.

Some states prohibit the entry of all plants, while other states will admit plants under certain conditions; still others have no plant regulations. Be sure to check the regulations of the state to which you're moving.

Can I Move My Pet?

Pets cannot be carried on the moving van. Dogs, cats, canaries and parakeets can usually be transported in the family car.