Dear Fellow New Yorker,
As someone about to move, the information in this booklet is important to you. You should read it thoroughly so you will know what you may expect from the mover and what the mover expects of you. It
is designed to furnish you with the information necessary to keep you from making mistakes which could
result in loss of your time and money. The Department of Transportation regulates the practices of carriers
of household goods within New York State and requires that this booklet be given to you. You should
contact your mover and/or visit their facility, if you have further questions.
The following are major sources of misunderstanding and difficulty when moving:
(1) Obtaining an Authorized Mover
Every mover authorized by the Department must, in its advertising or soliciting, give its name, certificate
number and address. Be wary of any mover who provides only a telephone number and cannot give you
its certificate number.
(2) Cost of Service
The cost of your move is determined by the rates in the mover=s tariff which is on file with the Department.
Some movers may give you a written statement of probable cost (estimate), after looking over your
household effects. If the final cost exceeds the amount in this statement substantially, the mover must, at
your request, give you 15 days to pay the balance of the excess, as provided in our regulations.
(3) Liability of the Mover
Movers are not liable for the full value of lost or damaged goods unless special arrangements are made.
Have the mover explain what the minimum standard liability is, and how you may get additional protection.
(4) Claims
You must have proof of your claim. The best proof will be written notations on the shipping papers made
at the time of delivery.
(5) Pickup and Delivery Dates
If the mover cannot make the pickup or delivery at the time and date you have agreed upon, the mover
must notify you of the delay and of the new date or period of time when the pickup or delivery will be
made.
To avoid these and other problems, and to help ensure a smooth move, you should carefully read this
booklet which covers, for your benefit and protection, many subjects and questions relating to your
shipment of household goods.
REGULATED TRANSPORTATION
As the result of a law enacted in 1992, all household goods movements within New York State are regulated
by the Department of Transportation, and can only legally be performed by movers authorized through the
Department. Every such mover is required in its advertising, or soliciting, to give you information about its
certificate of authority and company address. These movers are required to obey the law and the rules
and regulations of the Department. One such rule requires them to file with the Department, and have
available for your inspection, a tariff setting forth rates and charges. DO NOT USE AN UNLICENSED
MOVER!
DO...
Read this information booklet in its entirety.
Select your household goods mover with care. To verify that the mover is authorized by the Department of
Transportation, you can contact the Department at 1-800-786-5368 or email nymoving@dot.state.ny.us.
Be sure that agreements between you and mover are in writing and on the order for service and
the bill of lading.
Consider obtaining more than one estimate and be wary of exceptionally low estimates.
If a physical inventory record of your household goods is prepared, examine for accuracy as to
the number of items, condition of furniture, etc.
Make sure you understand the limited standard liability of the household goods movers. Ask the mover to explain this minimum liability and how you can get additional protection.
Schedule your departure and arrival with enough flexibility to allow for unforeseen delays on the
part of the mover.
Notify your building manager prior to moving day if you are moving from or to a residence with
elevator access or limited parking.
Advise the mover of telephone numbers and/or addresses where you can be reached en route,
or at destination, or both. You may designate in writing, someone to act as your representative,
if required.
Consider the arrangement and final placement locations of your furniture in your new residence
before your goods are delivered.
Be certain that everything listed on the inventory, if prepared, is accounted for before the van
operator leaves either origin or destination.
File a claim in writing with the mover if you determine that your shipment has sustained loss or
damage.
Note on the final bill of lading, any missing items or apparent damage.
DON=T...
Fail to read this information booklet.
Believe that any estimate or statement of probable cost given by a mover, except a written
binding estimate, will be the actual cost of your move.
Expect the mover to provide boxes, cartons, wardrobes, or other packaging materials, free of
charge.
Plan to leave your old residence until the moving company leaves. If you are unable to be
present, designate someone to act on your behalf.
Fail to make a final check to be certain all items to be moved have been loaded.
Fail to make arrangements to have available, in cash, or certified check, or money order the maximum amount shown on the order for service unless credit has been arranged for in advance.
This amount may exceed the written statement of probable cost 25 percent on hourly-rated moves and by 10 percent on weight-rated and written binding estimate moves. You have 15 days to pay any unpaid balance over these amounts.
Don=t sign any receipt for your household goods until you are certain no items remain on the
truck.
Expect the mover to provide clean-up service, disconnection and reinstallation of appliances,
fixtures, etc., free of charge.
ORDER FOR SERVICE - WHAT IS IT?
The mover will prepare an order for service which you and the mover must sign before the shipment is picked up. This document must contain the following information:
(1) Shipper=s name, address, and telephone number.
(2) Consignee=s name, address, and telephone number.
(3) Name, address, and telephone number of the carrier=s delivery agent or, if the shipment is to be interlined, the name, address, and telephone number of the delivery carrier.
(4) Agreed pickup time and date and agreed delivery time and date or in lieu of specific dates, the period of time within which pickup, delivery, or the entire move, will be accomplished.
(5) Complete description of special services ordered.
(6) Any identification or registration number assigned the shipment by the carrier.
(7) Amount of probable cost and method of payment of total tariff charges.
(8) Maximum amount required to be paid in cash, certified check, or money order to relinquish
possession of a C.O.D. shipment.
(9) Whether shipper requests notification of charges and the address at which such
communication will be received.
BILL OF LADING DOCUMENT - WHAT IS IT?
The mover will issue to you a bill of lading at time of pickup. This document is important as it serves as a
receipt for your goods and represents the contract between you and the mover. There are three types
of bills of lading, one for each type of move described below.
(1) Hourly-Rated Moves
The driver will ask you to initial the start and finish times. The start time will usually be the time the movers
arrive at your old address and start to load. The finish will be the time they finish the job and leave your
new address. An additional travel time charge will be added to cover the time spent traveling from the
mover=s terminal to your old address, and back to the terminal from your new address. For some movers,
the starting time shown is the time the crew left the terminal to go to your old address and the finishing time
to return to the terminal after finishing the job. In that case, there should be no charge for travel time.
(2) Weight-Rated Moves
The driver should present you with a weight ticket showing the tare weight (the weight of the empty
vehicle) at the start of loading. At destination, the driver should present you with another ticket showing
the gross weight (weight of the loaded vehicle). Your charges will be based upon the difference in these
weights.
(3) Written Binding Estimate Moves
The bill of lading is combined with the order for service to include all services to be performed and covered
by the binding estimate and will be accompanied by a detailed inventory sheet of the goods to be moved.
The bill of lading also sets forth the liability of the mover for loss and damage.
The bill of lading includes a delivery receipt. (Please refer to the section on Filing of Claims page 8)
HOW MUCH SHOULD IT COST YOU TO MOVE?
The cost of your transportation is generally determined in three ways:
(1) For hourly rated moves, the charge is based upon the time it takes to do the job; including travel to
and from your residences. The mover will quote an hourly rate for a van and a number of workers. Factors
such as weather, traffic conditions, moving van accessibility, etc., as well as your own Areadiness@ will
have an impact on the cost of your move. For any additional services, such as packing, rigging, storage,
etc., there will be additional charges.
(2) For weight/distance moves, the charge is based upon the weight of your goods and the distance they
will travel.
(3) For moves of any distance, the mover may, if it has a provision in its tariff, offer a written binding
estimate. This is a written contract covering all of the transportation charges and services agreed to by
you and the mover. Make sure the items shown to the mover at the time of the estimate, are listed
accurately on the table of measurements.
It is important to remember that, with the exception of written binding estimates, the exact cost of your
move cannot be determined until the job is completed on an hourly-rated move, or your goods are loaded
in the van and weighed for a weight-rated move.
Some movers will schedule an appointment and send an experienced estimator to your home prior to
moving day to look over your household effects and give you a written statement of the probable cost
of the move. The estimate will help you to plan your financial arrangements in advance of your moving
date.
It is your responsibility to show the estimator everything you intend to move and what special services
you may need. Conditions at your new location are also a factor in the mover=s estimate. Give the moving
company as much information as possible.
If you have not made arrangements with the mover for credit, the mover will insist on payment of the
actual charge in cash, or by certified check or money order. If the actual charges exceed the probable
cost), you may defer payment of part of the excess as follows:
Hourly-Rated Moves
If the total charges exceed the written probable cost by more than 25 percent, the mover is required, at
your request, to deliver your goods upon payment of the probable cost plus 25 percent.
Weight-Rated Moves
If the total charges exceed the probable cost by more than 10 percent, the mover is required, at your
request, to deliver your goods upon payment of the probable cost plus 10 percent.
Written Binding (Estimate) Moves
If a dispute arises over variances between the actual quantity of goods moved or services performed and
the written binding estimate, the mover is required, at your request, to deliver your goods upon payment
of the amount of the written binding estimate plus 10 percent.
For any type of move, additional monies due the movers must be paid within 15 days. (excluding
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays).
However, if you have requested the mover to pack and move more items or provide more services, than
those included in the estimate, such as destination charges (i.e., long carry charges, shuttle charges,
extra stair carry charges, or elevator charges and others often not known at origin); the mover is entitled
to charge for those added services and collect full payment for them at the time of delivery.
NOTE: IT IS ILLEGAL FOR A MOVER TO OFFER YOU A DISCOUNT OFF ITS TARIFF RATES.
WHO PREPARES YOUR ARTICLES FOR SHIPMENT?
The care with which your goods are packed determines the condition in which they arrive at your new
home. If done correctly, performing your own packing will save money. Should you decide to perform all
or part of your packing, you should do so with care. Use strong containers, which may be obtained from
an outside source or rented or purchased from the mover. Special attention should be given to packing
fragile items such as glass table tops and shelves, lamps, lampshades, pictures, mirrors, electronics, etc.
All items must be properly packed before loading. Should you desire the mover perform the packing, the
mover will supply the containers and perform the packing, unpacking, or both. There is a charge for
containers, and for each container packed or unpacked by the mover. The mover is not responsible for
damage to items you pack unless there is evidence of mishandling.
Certain moving preparations are your responsibility and should be made before the movers arrive, even if
they perform both the packing and unpacking. Electronics, and major appliances such as refrigerators and
washing machines, require disconnecting and special services to protect them during shipment. Other items
which are attached to walls or floors such as draperies, pictures, or tacked-down
