Regardless of the destination, moving has its sets of challenges like losing or damaging valuables. The exhaustion of the move can also diminish the excitement of a new experience. From this perspective, it makes sense to hire removal services to deal with the minutiae of the whole process.

After finding the right people to do the heavy lifting, ensure that you are getting the best possible service by signing a contract. A solid agreement with your removals service can guarantee that you don’t encounter unnecessary fees or other problems after completing the move. But what should a typical contract contain?

Obligations

Before agreeing on paper with a moving company, you must have a discussion. A customer must know which responsibilities of the moving process the removal service will handle. Are you doing the packing yourself or are the movers doing it? Will the movers help you settle at your destination?

If you select removals experts wisely, you can get assistance with the settlement. By clearing up these details during the initial negotiations, you can avoid problems on the day of the move. Ensure that everything you agreed on during that discussion is in the contract.

Liability

Liability is always a thorny issue when hiring moving services. It’s possible, though, to prevent disagreements in cases of damages or loss by identifying liability in the agreement. Moving companies carry different kinds of insurance policies, so ask first to know how much coverage your valuables get.

For those with incredibly expensive items, it’s advisable to have separate coverage. An office or a small business, for instance, may need additional protection during a move. Ensure that the names of the insurers are in the contract.

Inventory List

An agreement with your removal service should have a tally of all the belongings being transported. Both you and the moving company should confirm everything on the list. Any defect should be included in the description.

It’s not uncommon to have customers claim that some of their items did not make it to the destination. When everyone is sure about the inventory, then it’s easier to establish liability. You should sign the inventory list before turning things over to the moving service. The movers should provide you with a copy of the list as well.

Other details to check in the contract include the name of the client and service provider, date of the move and the fees. Ensure that every term and conditions appear in the contract. If your removal service is providing storage, make certain that the contract indicates the terms. A well-written contract signed by both parties guarantees transparency during the move and keeps everyone accountable.

Sources

A Guide to Mover Contracts and Paperwork, thespruce.com
The Top 10 Moving Scams, moving.com