Empower yourself with the language of insiders. We decipher the arcane terms, epigrammatic abbreviations, and weird words used in the industry.
accessorial services
Any services performed by your movers that are not part of a standard business move: packing, stair carries, piano or
bulky article moving. Can include both extra services you choose and services that are simply required to finish the job.
allowance
The amount of money available to employees being moved long-distance to help them find and purchase a new home.
American Moving & Storage Association (AMSA)
A non-profit trade association for moving and storage companies, good source of residential
moving information and advice.
auxiliary service
If full-size tractor trailers can't get to either your old or new office, you'll need a second, smaller vehicle to transfer
your belongings. Also called "shuttle service," this service carries an additional fee. Also called shuttle service.
bill of lading
An official shipping document that serves as your receipt. Includes all dates, charges, and services performed.
binding estimate
A binding estimate specifies exactly how much the move will cost, regardless of how much the actual weight or time differs from
the estimate. You may wind up paying more or less than your move would call for, but you won't have to worry about the price changing. Of course, if you add
more services or have goods that need to be moved that weren't included in the original estimate, your final cost will change to reflect those additions.
binding not-to-exceed estimate
With a not-to-exceed estimate, the fees will be calculated based on the actual move — up to a ceiling specified in
the estimate. Clearly, knowing the upper limit of what you'll have to pay will help you stick to your office moving budget — but not all movers will provide
not-to-exceed estimates.
build out
The process of setting up a new office, including the construction and configuration of walls, cubicles, and wiring.
bulky article charge
Specific equipment or items can carry additional charges. This includes pianos, large TVs or LCD displays, machinery, and vehicles.
carriage
The service provided by a moving company: transporting materials for a customer.
carrier
Another term for a moving company.
carrier liability
The limit of how much the moving company will pay for any damage to your equipment.
certificate of weight
An official shipping document that specifies the weight of your shipment.
claim
The report you'll file for reimbursement if any of your items are damaged during the move.
clean receipt/clean bill of lading
Documentation that indicated your entire shipment was received with no obvious damage.
concealed damage
Any breakage or other damage that isn't immediately apparent when your items arrive at your new location.
cost-of-living allowance (COLA)
Extra funds offered to employees moving to a location where taxes, housing costs, and other living expenses are higher than in their previous home.
declared value protection
Insurance based on the value you as the owner declare your goods to have.
dunnage
Extra pads, blankets, and other filler material used to prevent damage to your equipment while it's in transit.
estimate
There are several types of estimates you can get from moving companies — "estimate" alone usually refers to a non-binding estimate.
flight charge
A segment of a move that requires movers to carry your items up or down stairs. The more stairs involved, the more you can expect to pay. Also called a stair carry.
FMCSR
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations — the rules that govern interstate moving companies.
indemnification
Protection against loss or damage.
interstate
Moving from one state to another. Requires federal licensing.
intrastate
Moving within the same state. Carriers that handle only local moves do not have to be federally licensed.
liability insurance
Mandatory insurance for moving companies to cover property damage, injuries, and other risks.
local
Moving within a specified area of a town or region. Exact definitions vary, but local moves are always within the same state and can be accomplished in one day.
long carry
If your location requires movers to carry your goods a long way from the truck, you may have to pay a "long carry" charge. Commercial movers
may build this cost into your estimate or list it as a separate fee.
non-binding estimate
The most basic type of estimate. Not just a guess, a mover's estimate is a carefully calculated figure arrived at through inspecting
your premises and the goods you need to move. However the only guarantee a non-binding estimate provides is the rate — per mover and per truck, per pound, or per
cubic foot. Your final bill can vary quite a bit based on your actual move.
pre-existing damage
Any damage to your belongings that occurred before the movers took possession of it.
relocation center
Provides services for businesses and individuals moving to new areas. They ease the transition by providing information, assistance with
finding a home, and other help in adjusting to a new city or region. Often run by moving companies or real estate agencies.
relocation management company
A dedicated company hired to help run corporate relocations. Provides services similar to a relocation center, plus helps
administer corporate relocation policies, buys homes from employees, and provides legal and financial assistance.
relocation policy
Corporate guidelines on reimbursements, benefits, and assistance for employees being transferred to a different location.
shuttle service
If full-size tractor trailers can't get to either your old or new office, you'll need a second, smaller vehicle to transfer your belongings.
Also called "shuttle service," this service carries an additional fee. Also called auxiliary service.
stair carry
A segment of a move that requires movers to carry your items up or down stairs. The more stairs involved, the more you can expect to pay. Also called a flight charge.
stowage
How your goods are packed into the moving truck. Good stowage includes packing so that the items to be moved in first are at the back of the truck, ready to unload first.
tariff
A moving company's price list. Licensed moving companies are required to have tariffs that detail pricing and rules for all services.
van
The industry's term for a moving truck of any size, including tractor-trailers.
van line
Another term for a moving company.
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