On your moving day, waiting for the movers to show up is the last thing you want to stress about. To avoid delays and have a smooth moving experience, coordinate with everyone involved at your existing and new locations.
Timing is always important because your moving company may have other demands they need to accommodate. While planning and making necessary arrangements for moving, figure out the ideal starting time and share it with all concerned parties so they can agree or share any issues they may have before you get started.
What Is an “Arrival Window” in a Move?
“Arrival window” is a term used in the moving industry to describe when the moving company crew will arrive at your home to help you move out. The arrival window is usually a two to three-hour time slot. It’s a set time block during which time your Westlake movers from Dallas, Texas will come to your location and start packing or loading your personal belongings into their trucks.
Giving you an arrival window is a way to adjust for any unpredictable or uncontrollable factors on a moving day. If, for whatever reason, one time of the day for moving is more convenient for you than another slot, say something. It’ll help your moving company check to see if they’re available and accommodate your preferred time.
Setting Your Arrival Window
After you confirm and finalize the moving date, time, and other necessary details with your moving company, double-check your contract and any other important supporting documents, such as the Order for Service and Bill of Lading. These documents contain details about your move.
To change your arrival window, find the terms and conditions in these contracts. This section will tell you how early you can notify the moving company about any changes in your moving plan to avoid financial penalties. Most moving companies need at least twenty-four-hours notice during peak moving days and seasons.
How Do I Know My Movers Are Late?
Whether your movers come to your home in the first or last minutes of your arrival window, they’re on time, as per your contract.
Different factors, such as traffic or sudden road closures, can cause movers to miss the arrival window. Sometimes, an earlier customer may have more items than they shared with the moving company and the move takes longer than expected—which causes them to be late for your move.
No matter the reason, if your mover is expected to arrive later than your arrival window, the moving company should contact you to tell you about this.
When Should I Be Ready for My Movers?
If your arrival window is between 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, be ready to receive your movers by 3:00 PM. Before the arrival window starts, ensure all your boxes are sealed. If your movers don’t arrive at the beginning of your arrival window, be patient. Utilize the time to do something constructive, such as cleaning or making belongings or boxes more convenient for the movers to reach.
Professional movers will inform you about their arrival when they’re en route to your location through a text or a call to give a more precise time. If you’re done packing, check your moving day checklist to confirm you’ve finished all tasks. This might include making sure children and pets are in a safe space or taking pictures of the home in case movers damage the house.
Arrival Windows for Long-Distance Moves
If you plan a long-distance move, scheduling will be different. You won’t be given arrival windows in terms of hours, but rather in days. This is because the distance traveled is long and includes stops, so accurately estimating the exact arrival window is difficult.
If a shipment travels more than 500 miles, there are laws and regulations about how long a driver can operate a truck or a vehicle. The moving crew will have to take breaks and change shifts to keep everyone safe on the road. Seasonal and weather conditions, such as ice and storms, make it difficult to stay on schedule, too.
For long-distance moving, movers will offer the dates for when shipments will arrive at your destination. They will also inform you twenty-four hours beforehand as to when the truck will be there. Professional movers stay in touch with you every step of the move. Usually, the window for a long-distance shipping move is between six and ten days, depending on the circumstances.
To Wrap It Up
Professional movers rarely miss the arrival window because they want to give their customers the best experience possible. If they are late, they’ll do everything to make the time up. The movers will double their efforts into transporting your belongings safely, or may offer you a discount on your current or next move.
Want to know how much full-service movers cost in Westlake,Texas? Check out our recent article!
