Moving Terms Glossary (125 Terms)

A

Access #: How easy it is for movers to get to your home. Good access means the truck can park nearby, wide hallways, and elevators. Limited access (long walks, stairs, tight spaces) usually takes more time and can cost extra.
Accessorial (Additional) Services #: Extra services beyond basic moving, like packing, unpacking, appliance hookup, or special handling. These always cost more.
Adjustor #: The person who reviews your claim if something is damaged or lost during the move.
Advanced Charges #: Costs the moving company pays for you to third parties (like electricians or plumbers), then adds to your final bill.
Agent #: A local moving company that works with a larger national brand. They often do the actual work even if you booked with a big name.
Agreed Delivery Date #: The expected time frame for your belongings to arrive at your new home (usually a range of days).
Agreed Pick-up Date #: When the movers will come to load your items.
Appliance Service #: Preparing appliances (disconnecting, securing, sometimes reconnecting) for the move. Usually an extra fee.
Appliance Dolly #: A strong wheeled tool movers use to roll heavy appliances instead of carrying them.
Assessed Value #: The value placed on your belongings to determine how much protection/coverage you have.

B

Bill of Lading #: The most important contract in your move. It details everything agreed upon: dates, services, costs, and coverage. Read it carefully before signing!
Binding Estimate #: A firm price quote the mover promises not to go over (as long as nothing changes). Great for budgeting.See how we weigh pricing clarity →
Booking Agent #: The person who handles your booking, paperwork, and scheduling.
Bulky Items #: Large or awkward items like pianos, hot tubs, or motorcycles that need special handling and may cost extra.

C

Cancellation Fee #: A fee you might pay if you cancel your move after it's scheduled.
Carrier #: The actual company that owns the truck and transports your belongings.Browse CMR-reviewed carriers →
Carrier Liability #: How much the mover is responsible for if your items are lost or damaged (depends on the coverage you choose).
Claim #: The formal request you make for compensation if items are damaged or missing.
Cash On Delivery (COD) #: Paying the movers when your items are delivered (cash, cashier's check, or money order).
Consignee #: The person receiving the items at the new home.
Consignor #: The person whose items are being picked up.
Consolidation #: Your items sharing a truck with other people's belongings (common for long-distance moves to save money).
Crating #: Building custom wooden boxes for fragile or valuable items like art or antiques.
CWT (Per-Hundred Weight) #: Pricing based on every 100 pounds of your shipment (common for long-distance).

D

Deadhead #: Distance the empty truck travels to reach your pickup location (can affect pricing).
Declared Value #: The value you say your belongings are worth, which determines your protection level.
Delivery #: When your items arrive and are unloaded at your new home.
Delivery Window #: The range of days your shipment might arrive (movers rarely promise one exact day).
Department of Transportation (DOT) #: The federal agency that regulates the moving industry. Check a mover's DOT number for legitimacy.How we verify licensing →
Deposit #: Upfront payment to hold your move date (usually small percentage of total cost).
Destination Agent #: Local helper at your new home who coordinates delivery and final services.
Destination Services #: Help after delivery, like unpacking or appliance setup.
Door-to-Door Services #: Movers handle pickup, transport, and delivery directly (no storage unless added).

E

Essentials Box #: The box you keep with you containing must-haves like medications, chargers, documents, and clothes for the first day.
Estimate #: The mover's calculation of what your move will likely cost.Get a moving cost estimate →
Estimated Weight #: How heavy the mover thinks your items are (based on survey or list).
Exclusive Use of Vehicle #: The truck is used only for your belongings (not shared).
Expedited Service #: Paying extra to get a faster, more specific delivery date.
Extra Pick Up / Extra Delivery #: Additional stops beyond your main home-to-home move.

F

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) #: Government agency that regulates interstate movers. Verify your mover is registered.
Flight Charge (Stair Carry) #: Extra fee for carrying items up or down stairs.
Freight Service #: Basic transport only — you handle packing and unpacking yourself.
Fuel Surcharge #: Extra cost to cover rising fuel prices (common on long moves).
Full (Replacement) Value Protection #: Highest level of protection — mover repairs, replaces, or pays current value if items are damaged.
Full Service Move #: Movers do everything: packing, loading, transport, unloading, and unpacking.
Furniture Blankets / Pads #: Thick protective coverings used to safeguard furniture and floors during the move.

G

Gross Weight #: Total weight of the loaded truck (used to calculate your shipment weight).
Guaranteed Pickup and Delivery Service #: Mover promises specific dates and pays compensation if they miss them.

H

Hauler (Hauling Agent) #: The driver or company that actually transports your items.
High Value Article #: Expensive or special items (jewelry, art, antiques) that need to be listed separately.
Hourly Rates #: Common for local moves: you pay per hour for movers and truck.
Household Goods #: All your normal home items (furniture, clothes, kitchen stuff, etc.).
Hoisting Services #: Using cranes or special equipment to move items through windows or balconies.

I

Individual Shipper #: You — the person whose belongings are being moved and who pays the bill.
In-home Survey #: Mover visits your home to assess the job and give a better estimate.
International Move #: Moving across country borders (lots of extra paperwork).
Interstate Move #: Moving from one state to another.
Intrastate Move #: Moving within the same state.
In-transit #: Your items are currently on the truck between homes.
Inventory #: Detailed list of all your items with their condition noted.

L

Line Haul Charges #: Main transportation cost for long-distance moves (based on distance and weight).
Loading #: Putting your items safely into the truck.
Loading Ramp #: Ramp used to roll items in and out of the truck easily.
Local Move #: Short move within the same area (usually hourly pricing).
Long Carry Fee #: Extra charge when movers have to carry items a long distance to the truck.
Long Haul (Long Distance) Move #: Moving hundreds of miles or more.
Long-term Storage #: Storing your items for over a month.
Low-ball Estimate #: Unrealistically cheap quote that often leads to big surprise charges later. Avoid these!

M

Method of Payment #: How you pay (cash, check, money order, sometimes card).
Motor Carrier #: The company legally responsible for transporting your goods.
Moving Broker #: Company that arranges your move but doesn't do the physical work (they connect you to a carrier).Carrier vs. broker — what our badges mean →
Moving Company (Mover) #: The business that physically moves your stuff.
Moving Cost #: Base price for transport (extras like packing or insurance added separately).
Moving Dolly #: Small wheeled cart for moving boxes and lighter items easily.
Moving Process #: All steps: planning, moving day, and settling in.
Moving Truck / Van #: The vehicle that carries your belongings.

N

Net Weight #: Actual weight of just your belongings (gross minus tare).
Non-Binding Estimate #: Approximate cost that can change based on actual weight and services.Estimate your move cost →
Non-Allowables #: Items movers won't take (hazardous materials, food, plants, pets, etc.).

O

Operating Authority #: Official license allowing a mover to operate in certain areas.
Origin Agent #: Local contact who handles pickup at your old home.
Order for Service #: Document authorizing the mover to proceed with your move.
Order Number #: Your unique move ID for tracking.
Origin #: Where your move starts (pickup location).
Origin Services #: Services done at your old home (packing, etc.).
Overflow #: When items don't fit on one truck and need a second trip (extra cost).
Overtime #: Extra charges for work outside normal hours.

P

Packers #: Professionals who pack and unpack your belongings.
PBO (Packed By Owner) #: You packed it yourself — movers may have limited responsibility for damage inside.
Packing #: Protecting your items with proper wrapping and boxing.
Packing List / Inventory #: Record of everything being moved.
Packing Services #: Full-service packing and unpacking by the movers.
Packing Supplies #: Boxes, tape, bubble wrap, etc.
Pallet #: Platform used in storage for organizing items.
Paperwork #: All documents for your move.
Peak Season Rates #: Higher prices during busy summer months.
Permanent Storage #: Long-term or indefinite storage.
Pick-up and Delivery Charges #: Fees for moving items to/from storage.

Q

Quote (Moving Quote) #: Free price estimate from the mover based on your details.

R

Reasonable Dispatch #: The agreed time window for pickup and delivery.
Released Value #: Basic free protection (very limited coverage).
Reweigh #: Second weighing of your shipment to verify weight.

S

Scale Ticket #: Official weight record from a certified scale.
Self-Service Mover #: You handle packing/loading; mover only transports.
Shipper of Household Items #: You — the owner of the items being moved.
Short Haul #: Medium-distance move.
Shuttle Service #: Using a smaller truck when the big one can't reach your door.
Storage in Transit #: Temporary warehouse storage when your new home isn't ready.
Straight Truck #: Smaller truck for local moves.

T

Tag #: Label on each item matching the inventory list.
Tare Weight #: Weight of the empty truck.
Tariff #: The mover's official pricing rules and fee schedule.
Third-Party Services #: Work done by outside specialists (e.g., custom crating, appliance techs).
Tractor-Trailer #: Large truck for big/long-distance moves.
Transit Time #: How long the actual travel takes.

U

Unpacking #: Movers taking items out of boxes and removing packing materials at delivery.

V

Valuation #: The protection level you choose for your belongings (not traditional insurance).How we assess protection & claims →
Van Line #: Large national company for long-distance moves using local agents.
Vanline Agent #: Local company working under a national van line brand.
Van Operator #: The driver in charge of your shipment.

W

Waiting Time #: Charges if you're not ready when movers arrive for unloading.
Warehouse Handling #: Fees for moving items in/out of storage.
Weight Additive #: Extra charge for bulky but lightweight items that take up a lot of truck space.
Weight Ticket #: Official record of your shipment's weight.

Y

Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move #: Official government booklet explaining mover rules and your protections. Always read it!