In general, not many people like doing paperwork of any kind. Whether the paperwork has something to do with work, insurance, or relocation, it’s often overwhelming. If you’re about to arrange a relocation with movers Virginia can count on, there’ll be lots of papers to fill. That’s why Fair Fax Transfer and Storage is here to help. With our guide through the usual moving paperwork, organizing the move and contracts will be easy. It’s in your best interest to understand how relocation paperwork works and what it contains. On top of that, we’ll discuss why it’s important to check your moving paperwork carefully and how to do it the right way. If you haven’t moved with a professional moving company before, this article should clear things up and make them easy. There’s a lot to keep track of, so grab your pen and paper to take notes! Without further ado, let’s go!
What kind of paperwork does one encounter during a move
Knowing your paperwork will not only help during the moving process and on the day of the move. It’ll also help you avoid falling victim to many moving scams and fraudulent movers. For a lot of these moving papers, you’ll want to keep them by your side the whole time. Here are a few examples of moving paperwork that you’ll most likely encounter:
- Estimates: the initial estimated price of your move.
- Inventories: the list(s) of items you plan to move to your new home.
- Bill of Lading: also known as the official receipt or contract between you and the local movers VA had to offer. This paper will include a valuation addendum, insurance details if any are present, and an inventory list. Other things on the list include services, estimated dates, fees, and so on.
- Details about the company. In detail, this is a copy you want to ask your movers for. It should include all tariff details, as well as rules and regulations of your movers’ company.
Remember the number one rule when signing any paperwork and contracts, be it for a move or other occasion. Make sure to read the contract twice and read between the lines. Once you sign the papers, you can no longer change much. You and your movers sign the Bill of Lading either before or on the day of the move. In other words, if there’s something that you don’t agree with or you think is wrong, don’t stay silent. If it later turns out that something doesn’t match the info given in the Bill of Lading, it can make making claims against a moving company difficult.
In our guide through the usual moving paperwork, we also have a helpful tip
The thing about relocation is that nobody likes doing it. Moving to and from Virginia is tedious, long, and can be really pricey. Moving across the street can be a hassle, let alone moving long-distance and such. Some people move on their own to save money, while others hire movers Mount Vernon VA to do the job for them. However, there is a way to get financial compensation after the move using your paperwork. Of course, it can’t really halve your moving expenses or anything of the sort, but it’ll still help you gain back at least a little bit of the money you lost.
If you’re moving for work, you could claim moving expense deductions using IRS Form 3903. In short, the IRS states that these moving expenses must be related to starting work in a new location. On top of that, if you choose to donate items before moving, either because of downsizing or decluttering, you may be able to deduct these charitable donations from your taxes as well. Because of that, you want to save all donation receipts and such, so that you can file them with your taxes. It’s small things like this that can sometimes save you some money. More often than not, it’ll be a modest amount of money, but you’ll feel better for every penny you saved. Perhaps you can go out for a nice dinner with the money you got back after the move!
When moving with reputable Virginia movers, paperwork shouldn’t be an issue
There’s one important thing to keep in mind when it comes to moving paperwork. You might feel silly for not understanding something, but the thing is, there are many other people like you. Contracts, whether they’re for moving or something else, overwhelm many people. Even the most calm and informed person can get confused by all the professional terms and many of the rules and regulations.
If you, for example, hire residential movers in Northern VA, you can always ask them for help. A good, professional moving company will always be there to lend you a hand and explain things when you can’t understand them. If not, you can always find your answers online or ask other people who have experience with moving.
This was Fair Fax Transfer and Storage’s guide through the usual moving paperwork and a few other tips. In no particular order, there are a few key things to single out from this guide. Firstly, remember what the most important pieces of moving paperwork are. Your estimates, inventories, bills of lading, and other details are of great importance. Secondly, paying close attention to what you’re reading before you sign can save you a lot of trouble in the future. Next, holding onto your copies of the moving paperwork can be of use in the future when you want to get financial compensation for the move. And lastly, your movers will always be there to explain everything you don’t understand. Remember this, and your relocation with be smooth and stress-free!
