When moving, it can be very frustrating to get to your new home only to discover that your belongings haven’t arrived. Unfortunately, this is something that does happen, especially when you are dealing with an inexperienced or unprofessional moving company. Before you schedule your move, it is a good idea to understand if there are any issues that might impact the timing of a moving delivery so you can avoid these types of situations; legally, a moving company can only hold your belongings for twenty-one days.

According to most McKinney movers, long distance moves can take anywhere from two to three days—sometimes as long as twenty or more days. The time it takes for your items to be delivered depends on many factors, such as the moving company you’re working with, how far the move is, the items being moved, and many other considerations. 

This is why it is also important that when planning your move, you learn about how moving companies work–understanding this is often the first step toward making your move successful. 

NDMS

Check Your Contracts

A moving company is bound by the terms and conditions in your signed contract, including pickup times and delivery dates. In case of delays caused by the movers, a reputable company can offer a moving-day claim or delivery-day claim. Both of these refer to reimbursements for out-of-pocket expenses incurred as you wait for delivery.

Types of Contracts

The first step to understanding how a moving contract can affect you is to know how much it costs to hire a moving company–a reputable moving company will provide you with a quote before your move. After agreeing to the terms, this document needs to be signed by you and the salesperson. The quote can be binding, non-binding, or binding-not-to-exceed.

Binding or Binding-Not-To-Exceed

If your quote was binding or binding-not-to-exceed, and you already paid the estimated costs, the moving company is not supposed to ask you for more money at delivery.

Non-Binding

If your quote or estimate was non-binding, you may need to pay additional amounts if your final weight or service requirements ended up being different than what was expected. However, according to federal law, you only need to pay 110% of the estimated price at the time of delivery within thirty days. If you asked for additional services after the contract was signed, you are responsible for all of the costs.

How Long Can a Moving Company Hold Your Items?

Legally, a moving company can hold your items for up to twenty-one days–this is the amount of time the company can take to deliver your items without having to compensate you. However, in some cases, a professional moving company may still offer some compensation for a delayed delivery that happens outside the promised timeframe.

Timeframe for Deliveries

Movers will provide you with a delivery timeframe or schedule for your move. Some may also offer guaranteed delivery dates, which will give you a greater level of certainty when determining how long your move will take. Nonetheless, there is always the chance that Mother Nature will cause delays with unfavorable weather conditions. Reliable moving companies, such as North Dallas Moving and Storage, will always try their best to stick to the agreed-upon timeframes. In some cases, though, delays are unavoidable.

The Distance You Are Moving

Distance can affect how long your deliveries will take in a significant way. For instance, if you are moving from one end of the country to the other, you can expect longer delivery times. However, if you are moving in-state or to a neighboring state, you can expect your deliveries to arrive on time.

Seasonal Impacts

Even though moving in winter can help you save a few bucks, it can delay deliveries. If you live in a cold climate, snow, storms, and ice can cause delays.

State and Federal Driving Laws

Most people don’t realize that there are driving laws that can also affect delivery times when moving a longer distance. This is because drivers are expected to move at a safe and reasonable pace, take breaks, and check in at certain intervals.

In Conclusion

When moving long distances, there are no shortcuts–you have to go through the entire process, step by step. The moving company you choose will have a delivery schedule for your move and for the moves of other customers; however, it’s important to remember that there are always unexpected factors that can cause deliveries to take longer. 

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