Moving your home or office to a new location requires time, energy and money. There a thousand details you have to remember along with packing and unpacking it can turn into a logistical nightmare if you aren’t organized. Then the invoice comes and not only is it more than you expect but you don’t understand what have the charges are for. Here is an explanation of the additional fees your moving company may charge. Armed with the right knowledge you can budget for unexpected expenses, negotiate to have those services included or avoid them completely.
Accessorial Charges: These are a bunch of extra charges that are usually grouped together, and they can include things like packing, unpacking, assembling furniture, and multiple stops along the route such as to a storage unit. In order to negotiate or eliminate these fees altogether find out before you book the move exactly what the policies are. Will they pack or unpack boxes for you, or assemble your furniture? If a storage unit is part of your move then have that organized ahead of time to avoid multiple stops.
Advanced Charges: If you have to move something difficult or unusual, think of a large heavy sculpture or a baby grand piano then the moving company may need to bring in extra help or equipment to get the job done. Anything that is not normal sized furniture or boxes should be brought up with the moving company ahead of time, first to make sure they are up to the job and secondly so both parties are aware of the extra work and charges that will go into getting the move done.
Appliance Service Charges: This one is pretty self explanatory, it is what the moving company charges to disconnect or reconnect appliances. Most appliances are easily reconnected by you and you can do this yourself to save on the cost. If you are unable to disconnect and reconnect your own appliances then try and negotiate this charge by either having it included or reduced. Here is a video on connecting your appliances so you can see just how easy it is.
Auxiliary Charges: Usually you will only see these charges if there is difficulty with parking for large trucks or accessibility to your building needs a smaller truck or the entrance is more than 75 feet away from the truck. If you have a hard to reach building or entrance then talk to the moving company ahead of time to negotiate any auxiliary charges.
Elevator Charges: Yes, some companies will charge extra if you live in a home or apartment building and they have to travel up multiple floors. Always ask in advance about this charge.
Linehaul Charges: You will typically see this charge in long distance moves and these charges are based on the weight of your items and how far they will be traveling. This is one fee you will have a tough time negotiating it is generally a fixed rate.
With the exception of perhaps line haul charges most every other charge is open to negotiation. When it is time to move brush off those bargaining skills and get the best deal you can.