Extra Moving Charges You May Not be Aware Of

If you are going to be moving and you need to hire a moving company, you will want to be aware of any additional charges that can be added to your moving cost total, if the following events arise. To prevent being alarmed by sudden charges, here is a list of moving terms that you should get familiar with and try to avoid.

1. Accessorial Charge. An accessorial charge is typically charged by a mover who does not offer full service moving. If you hire a full service moving company like All My Sons Moving & Storage, you can avoid this. All My Sons offers moving packages where you do not have to pack one single item; however, other moving companies do not offer such special, expertise services, so make sure that when you are hiring a mover, you ask those questions first.

2. Advanced Charge. You may be charged an advanced charge if your mover has to hire a third-party company to assist in the moving process, such as a piano mover. Moving a piano is not easy and requires piano knowledge. Knowing to lock the keys (if available; if the piano is older it may not have key locks) and knowing to not tilt the piano on its side, are things you will want to keep an eye on your mover to make sure that they do. If they have to hire a piano mover to help them, you will be charged. In order to avoid being billed for advanced moving charges, do your research and hire a professional moving company that covers piano moving as well.

3. Appliance Service. If your hire a moving company and you are moving appliances such as your washer and dryer, but you do not disconnect them, the moving company may decide to charge you. In order to avoid being charged for appliance services, unplug and disassemble all appliances before your mover arrives.

4. Auxiliary Service. A common occurrence when hiring a moving company is when someone is moving out of an apartment, condo, or townhouse whose parking lot is not large enough for the moving truck that they need. If you live in a house on a narrow road or in a small cul-de-sac, this could apply to you too. If the movers show up and the moving truck is too big to fit in your neighborhood or community, and the mover then has to send for a smaller truck to load your belongings into until they can get out of the community, you will most likely be charged for the delay.

5. Elevator Carry Charge. If you are moving in or out of a complex that requires the use of an elevator to move your belongings, you could possibly be charged. It takes movers a lot of time and energy to move boxes and furniture into an elevator and then onto a truck, so do not be alarmed if you are charged for their extra efforts in the end.

6. Flight Charge. Much like an elevator carry charge, if the moving company that you hired has to carry your belongings and large furniture up or down a flight of stairs, you can be charged.

In order to avoid any or all of these charges, it is best to do your research and know exactly what kind of move suits your needs; your neighborhood, your belongings, and your living and moving situation. Communicate with the moving companies that you are choosing between, and hire the one that offers the services that you are looking for and that will be of the best cost for you. If you are in a situation where you need multiple services from the list above, discuss that with moving companies and try to find a full service, piano moving, professional, local moving company.