Don't Neglect Your Paperwork

Paperwork is something that all of us hate to have to do. It's the nature of things, I guess. We'd all (well, most of us) prefer to be active rather than sticking our head in a mountain of forms and files and ticking the boxes or answering the questions. But despite our dislike of it, it is often important and when it comes to moving homes, it is vital that all of your moving documents are in order.

But what are the documents that you have to have in order when moving or preparing to move home? There are three principal documents: a written estimate; the order of service; and the bill of lading.

It has been said before that the estimate is of huge importance, so much so that you must get it in writing. This stands to reason as this document states the estimated cost of moving your things, so to avoid any misunderstanding, having the figure written down is vital. Remember, if it is not a binding estimate, the figure can be changed if the weight of the load is less than was actually estimated.

The second document, the order of service, is a clear statement of agreement between you and the moving company. It puts in writing the fact that the company has agreed to move your belongings and that you have agreed that they are the sole company responsible for the move. So, no third parties can be hired.

Last, and most important, is the Bill of Lading which states in far greater detail the agreement between you and the moving company. It identifies the time and date of the move, the destination address and the overall cost of the move. It is a binding agreement so it is important that you read the Bill of Lading carefully before signing it.

These are just three documents that are very important when it comes to making a move. It might all seem very obvious, and it may even seem a little unnecessary, but over the years, I've noticed that it's those who take documentation with a pinch of salt that tend to get the headaches later.

So, my advice is, don't neglect your paperwork and your paperwork won't neglect you!