When Will the Movers Deliver My Stuff
It's a common question among people who are moving: When will I get my stuff?
Moving companies will consider a number of factors when they give you expected delivery dates:
- The size of your shipment
- The number of travel days that they will need to legally drive to the new location (the government has set maximum hours per day that a driver can operate a truck)
- If the moving company has other pick-ups or deliveries en route to help lower costs by consolidating moving shipments.
Depending on the shipment distance and time of year, your window of delivery may range from one to several days.
For example, a shipment going 500 miles or less would probably need only one travel day, while a shipment of 1,000 miles, would need two days. An extra day would likely be added for each additional 500 miles. Normally, movers may also add another day or two to allow for unforeseen setbacks such as weather, mechanical problems and other factors.
Season Affects Delivery
Seasonal problems may add days to your delivery window. In the summer, when more people move, your delivery window can be much wider due to a mover's busy schedule (summers are movers' high season). Each company will have its own method of determining this delivery window. You should understand how a mover will determine a delivery window before committing to any one company. Some movers will be able to adjust their schedules to your needs.
Your personal need for a particular delivery date should be expressed in the early stages of your conversation with the moving company, and you should be satisfied that you can work within the window of dates that your mover offers. Generally, a mover will be able to tell you approximately when they plan to deliver on the loading date of your shipment, as they probably have their trip planned at this point.
Be There
The delivery window the moving company commits to in the written moving quotes is a legal obligation for delivery. The last date of the spread is the date that they must deliver before penalty to them, either by a company policy to reimburse you for lodging and meals, or some other sort of monetary penalty. Each company should have a predetermined way of handling their failure to meet the required dates, and you should know that in advance.
Some moving companies offer a guaranteed delivery date at a premium rate. While not all movers provide this service, ask about the availability and cost if you anticipate specific needs at the time your goods are delivered. Most movers will make every effort to meet your delivery needs. However, it's always wise to be completely informed about all possibilities and to make sure that the mover clearly understands your needs and expectations.
Your personal need for a particular delivery date should be expressed in the early stages of your conversation with the moving company, and you should be satisfied that you can work within the window of dates that your mover offers. Generally, a mover will be able to tell you approximately when they plan to deliver on the loading date of your shipment, as they probably have their trip planned at this point.
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