Location Restrictions
Depending on where you are moving to and from, there may be some rules and restrictions to follow. For instance, if you are in a neighborhood with an homeowner’s association, there may be guidelines as to which days or times you can move, what size trucks you can use and more.
Similarly, if you are located in a multi-level structure such as an apartment complex, there may be rules regarding the elevator. Check to see if you need to make a reservation or if there is a particular elevator that needs to be used.
Parking restrictions are also relatively common. Check your city’s website or contact your town hall to see if you need to obtain a permit prior to moving.
Insurance
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, movers are required by law to provide at least two different liability options, also known as valuation coverage. They are known as Full Value and Released Value Protection. Released Value Protection is free to consumers however, it is extremely limited. With this option, the mover is liable for no more than 60 cents per pound per item. For example, if a $500, 20-pound TV was damaged during transport, the company is only obligated to pay you $12.
If you’d like to pay a premium, you can opt for Full Value Protection. This option reimburses customers based on the value of their item, not just the weight. In this case the mover has to either replace or repair the TV or reimburse the full $500 value.
Address Change
With all the different things you have to coordinate and worry about during a move, it’s easy to forget to submit a change-of-address form to the USPS. However, this is an important step, since you don’t want any important mail to be delivered to the new residents. Luckily changing your address is easy with a simple online form. Additionally, don’t forget to change your address for any mail-in subscriptions or upcoming package deliveries.
It’s best to change your address with USPS at least two weeks before your departure date, so there’s plenty of time for staff to input the information and alert your mail carrier of the change. You can choose the exact date for the address switch. It’s an easy process online.
— Dawn Smith, Moving Expert and Forbes Home Advisory Board Member
Licensing and Registration
Like many things, the moving industry is subject to scams. To help avoid issues, it’s important to check that your chosen moving company is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. All interstate moving companies are required to have a USDOT number which you can look up on the FMCSA website. Each state will also have its own requirements for licensing and registration, so be sure to look at your state’s official government website for more details.
Weather
Depending on where you are moving, weather can be an important factor in your planning. While winter is often a cheaper time of year to move, snow and cold temperatures can be a hindrance. Summer can be a convenient time to move, but extreme heat and severe weather can also be a problem. While you can’t control the weather, think about your unique location and try to choose a time of year, where weather issues are less of concern.
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