Greenbook: A Local Guide to Chesapeake Living - Issue 3 | Page 24

sign a contract (or make a deposit)
before doing so, find someone else.
Why does this matter? Lots of
reasons, but here’s an important one:
interstate movers cannot require you
to pay more than 110 percent of the
price given in a non-binding estimate
in order to get your property from
them. This is called the 110 Percent
Rule, and it prevents movers from
holding your property for ransom.
(Most states have a similar rule for
intrastate movers). Expenses you
incur over 110 percent of the
non-binding estimate usually must
be paid within 30 days. Note that
there’s an exception from the federal
110 Percent Rule for services incurred
It’s almost summer which means many after the estimate is signed.
people are moving. Doing it yourself is
physically tough and can be expensive, Pay attention to insurance. Check first
that your mover is insured. Don’t work
while using movers often makes a lot
with one that isn’t. Second, federal law
of sense. But how do you make sure
requires interstate movers to offer
you’re using a good one?
liability coverage for damage to your
property. The baseline coverage is 60
Here are nine things from Renthop
cents per pound per item regardless
that you should know about choosing
of the value of the item. The mover
and working with movers.
has to offer this at no cost. Movers
Look at publicly-available information. will also usually offer additional
coverage for a fee; this should protect
All interstate movers are required
you better, but make sure you
to be both licensed and registered
understand its terms. Think before
with the US Department of
declining additional coverage – 60
Transportation’s Federal Motor
cents per pound may not be enough
Carrier Safety Administration. That
to make you whole if something
site will also have complaint reports
unexpected happens.
for registered movers. If you
don’t find your mover on that site,
investigate. If the mover only does
intrastate moves, it may not appear
on the FMCSA website but it almost
certainly will be regulated at the
state level. Either way, confirm that
the mover is licensed and registered
somewhere.

Also, some apartment buildings will
require a certificate of insurance from
your mover to cover damage to the
building during the move. If you use
a mover that can’t or won’t give that
certificate, you’ll need to deposit security with the building.

Check out MovingScam.com and
the DOT website. They’ll have good
info on identifying scams and helpful
suggestions for working with
movers. Also, check with your
local Better Business Bureau.
If complaints appear, move on.

Ask questions up front. What is the
hourly rate? Is it per-person or for the
whole team? If it’s per-person, how
many people will be present? What
other costs (e.g., fuel, waiting time,
packing materials) will you incur, and
at what rates? Make sure you know
and get multiple quotes.

Get an estimate. You need an estimate
based on a walk-through. If the mover
refuses to do so, or insists that you
24

GREENBOOK | SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2014

Consider whether you want to pack
yourself or have the movers pack you
up. If you can afford it you should

have the movers pack; they’ll do a
much better and faster job of it than
you will.
Look at the paperwork. In particular,
look at the bill of lading, which details
everything being moved, the origin
and destination and the costs. It’s your
receipt for the transaction – review it
closely (including the fine print) and
make sure it’s correct. And keep your
copy on file! Movers are required to
provide you a copy of a pamphlet titled
“Your Rights and Responsibilities
When You Move”. Make sure you
get it and read it.
Supervise. Make sure you or someone
you trust is there to watch the whole
process.
Storage. If you can’t move directly
from your old place to your new place,
or if some of your stuff won’t fit into
your new place, you’ll need somewhere
to put it during the transition. Many
movers will offer to store your stuff
temporarily. Check how much the
space will cost, as well as the costs
for moving into and out of the storage
space. Also confirm that your property
is insured while in storage, and check
whether there have been any bedbug
or vermin reports for that storage
space.
When you’re moving out of storage
into your new place, check the bill of
lading for the move into your new
place against the bill of lading for the
move out of your old place. Make sure
all your things arrive!
Gratuity. It’s nice to tip for good
service, but you’re not obligated to do
so. Kindnesses like cold drinks on a
hot day will go a long way. That said,
don’t offer alcoholic beverages. It’s
illegal and many moving companies
will fire employees for having alcoholic
beverages in the moving truck or van.
What to do if you have a problem.
Don’t panic. Try to work it out with
your movers first. If you can’t,
MoveRescue (800-832-1773) is a
good place to start.
Reprinted with permission from
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