FAQs about our Moving Company, General Moving, Storage & Junk Removal

Moving Junk Removal Home Cleaning More Home Services UPS & FedEx Storage Commercial Services Estate Resolution Furniture Care Fumigation Services Special Services

General Moving FAQ

When is the best time to move?

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 its 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 or Curly never 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 advice of his attorney) against their homeowners insurance. Curly, in the meantime, took the box Shemp had told him about (the one with all the Hummels 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 drive time from the pickup address to the delivery address plus the travel time fee and 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 included in the final cost are tolls for tunnels and bridges, going to origin and to destination as well as returning from destination, as well as 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 The Travel Time Fee?

Travel time fee is a flat fee that is charged to the client to compensate for the time spent getting to the pickup address (before the move starts) and to return from the delivery address (after the move is complete). This is not to be confused with the driving time from the pickup to the delivery.

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®. 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.

Don’t Confuse Valuation With Insurance

Many movers often claim they are providing you with insurance but below is an explanation of how to know if it’s really insurance or merely valuation. Moving Right Along recommends purchasing insurance which will provide you with an actual insurance policy as opposed to just declaring the value of your shipment on a Bill of Lading.

Local Moving Valuation
The minimum coverage required by law (and it’s free) is called Limited Liability. If an item is lost or damaged, you would receive $0.30 per pound per article to a maximum of $2500. This does not cover the actual value of the item. For instance if the mover dropped an antique vase that you bought for $500 and it weighed 5 pounds, you would receive only $1.50 as compensation. This is not an option Moving Right Along recommends as this does not cover you in any way and, in essence, releases the mover from any responsibility or liability.

Added valuation is optional coverage. The amount you collect in the event of damages is based on the actual value of the item at the current replacement cost, minus any depreciation, up to the limit of the coverage. (The charge is $10.00 for each $1,000 of coverage, and can be purchased for a minimum charge of $50, which means you will be covered for $5,000). If the mover damaged that same $500 vase and the current market value was still $500, the claim would be settled for $500; but if the repurchase price had depreciated to $400, that’s the amount you would receive. This is not insurance. This covers the mover’s liability for the value of your belongings, which you declare before the move as the coverage amount. (This is not a recommended option since a mover is not a licensed insurance agent and does not give a written legal policy listing terms and conditions.)

Long Distance Moving Valuation
The contract that you will sign with your mover provides two options for placing a value on your shipment:

Released value of 60 cents per pound per article is the most economical option available. This level of protection is provided at no additional cost. However, it only provides minimal protection. Under this option, the mover assumes liability for no more than 60 cents per pound per article for loss or damage. This means that claims are settled based on the weight of the individual article(s) multiplied by 60 cents. For example, if a 10-pound stereo component valued at $1,000 were lost or destroyed, your mover would be liable for no more than $6.00 (10 pounds X 60 cents). This is not an option Moving Right Along recommends as this does not cover you in any way and, in essence, releases the mover from any responsibility or liability.
Full (Replacement) value protection is a plan available for protection of your goods. When you select this option, articles that are lost, damaged or destroyed will, at the mover’s option, be either repaired or replaced with articles of like kind and quality, or a cash settlement will be made for the repairs or replacement of the articles at their current market value, regardless of the age of the lost or damaged article. Under this option, you have two choices for establishing your mover’s maximum liability on your shipment:

You can declare a value based on the weight of your shipment multiplied by an amount less than $4.00 per pound OR
You can declare a higher lump sum amount (for example $30,000)

This is not an option Moving Right Along recommends as this does not cover you in any way and, in essence, releases the mover from any responsibility or liability.

Regulations Applied To Valuation Coverage
Valuation coverage does not automatically pay for damaged articles. It must be clearly shown that the mover was responsible. Items in boxes not packed by the mover are not covered, unless there is clear evidence that the entire box was dropped or mishandled during the move. Similarly, the mover is not responsible for any electronic item that does not function after the move, unless there is clear evidence that the entire box was dropped or mishandled during the move. You have the right to file a claim up to nine months after the move.

What Is Insurance?
Insurance is a system of comprehensive protection against loss or damage, in which an individual agrees to pay a certain sum for a guarantee that he/she will be compensated, under stipulated conditions, for the loss or damage of the specified possessions. It is a contract and insurance policy confirming such protection.

Why Should You Choose Insurance Over Valuation Coverage?
There are many reasons to consider insurance instead of valuation coverage. The following are some of them:

An insurance policy ensures that you are covered from a licensed insurance agent in lieu of a mover’s “promise”. It is a binding contract and insurance policy between you and the insurance company.
Taking out an insurance policy enables you to insure high value items.
Insurance will offer you protection against an “Act of God” (e.g. floods, tornadoes, lightening, etc.)
It will cover the items listed on your contract at their full replacement cost.
Insurance is usually more comprehensive than many homeowner policies, which limit personal property coverage to only 50% - 75%. In many cases, a homeowner’s policy does not cover a move “in transit”.

Please contact any member of our sales staff with any questions you have.

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.

Albany • Astoria • Bayside • Binghamton • Bronx • Brooklyn • Buffalo • Far Rockaway • Farmingdale • Flushing • Forest Hills • Garden City • Great Neck • Greenpoint • Hicksville • Howard Beach • Ithaca • Jamaica • Jamestown • Manhattan • Long Island City • Mount Vernon • New Hyde Park • New Rochelle • Niagara Falls • New York • Ozone Park • Port Washington • Poughkeepsie • Queens • Rego Park • Rochester • Rome • Schenectady • Staten Island • Syracuse • Troy • Uniondale • Utica • Vally Stream • Westbury • White Plains • Woodstock • Yonkers

Home : About Us : Commercial : Estimates : Packing & Crating : Boxes and Supplies : Promotions : Privacy Policy : Site Map
DOT# T10941 - ICC# MC2425373 - DOCA# 088170