A moving company is a business that provides transportation and relocation of household items or corporate goods from one place to another.
You need to know many things about moving companies before hiring them. Here is a list of some standard terms associated with relocation services so that you can understand the basics before planning your move.
Below are terms you should learn regarding the moving process:
1) Packing and Unpacking Services
The leading service provided by moving companies is packing and unpacking household or corporate goods.
Packing: The process of preparing your furniture and other items for transportation by covering them with adequate packing materials.It includes boxing, bubble wrapping, taping.
Unpacking: Once the moving company delivers your items to their destination, they will unload the truck at a pre-determined location. The unpacking process includes bringing your items inside, removing the packaging materials, and cleaning up the mess left behind by this entire activity.
2) Loading and Unloading Services
Household moving companies charge for their services in two parts – Loading and Unloading. The price is dependent primarily on the weight of your goods and the number of trips required to move your goods.
Loading: The process of putting the items in the moving truck with the help of company employees and securing them so that they do not fall off during transportation. Loading does not include fragile items packed separately by the movers themselves.
Unloading: Once the moving company reaches its destination, it will unload the truck and place your items inside your house – garage, basement, or living room.
3) Transportation and Long-Distance Movers
While moving companies provide all kinds of services for local and short-distance moves, long-distance movers specialize in transportation and relocation over longer distances.
These companies provide different services depending on the number of items you are relocating.
4) Number of Trips Required
Moving companies require a minimum of two trips for local moves and three or more for a long-distance relocation.
Larger trucks are required to accommodate the goods that do not fit into one trip. Also, the number of trips taken by a moving van depends on how heavy your items are. Moving companies charge you accordingly.
5) Insurance Coverage
Household moving companies provide insurance coverage to protect your goods while in transit.
However, you can opt for additional insurance coverage to be completely protected against any damage or loss of goods during transportation.
Moving companies provide different insurance plans depending on whether they are relocating within a city/state/country and the type of services they provide.
6) Transportation Methods
Another standard service provided by relocation companies is transporting your goods from one location to another safely and securely.
Truck: These are the most common vehicles used for moving large quantities of goods. The larger the car, the better the chance of safety. However, this also means more fuel consumption and higher transportation cost.
Train: This is another safe option for transporting large quantities of goods over long distances. Compared to trucks, trains can carry more weight without causing too much damage to the transported items.
Bus: This option is usually used to transport small goods over short distances. Some companies also use this method to move household items from one place to another without damaging them.
In a nutshell, there is a wide range of services provided by household moving companies. Depending on the type of service required and your budget, you can choose an option.