B2 Moving
Licensed & insured · Family owned
Glossary
Moving terms, in plain English.
The words on your estimate and contract, explained the way we'd explain them across a kitchen counter.
Bill of lading
The contract between you and the mover, signed on moving day. It lists the services, the rate, the inventory, and the protection level. Never let a truck leave without one.
Binding estimate
A quote whose total cannot change, even if the move takes longer than expected. Common for long-distance moves; local moves are usually hourly (non-binding).
CAL-T / MTR number
A California household mover permit number issued by the CPUC. Older permits start with CAL-T, newer ones with MTR. No number on the contract = unlicensed mover.
Cargo protection
Coverage for your belongings while in the mover's custody. Basic protection (60¢/lb per article) is free and required by law; full-value protection is available for a fee.
COI (certificate of insurance)
A one-page document proving the mover's insurance coverage. Many apartment and office buildings require one before allowing movers into the elevator.
Cube sheet
The inventory of your belongings measured in cubic feet, used to estimate truck space and time. Also called a table of measurements.
Double drive time
A California rule: instead of charging for the trip from the depot to your home and back, the mover doubles only the drive time between your two addresses. It almost always saves you money.
Dolly
The wheeled workhorse of every move. Appliance dollies for the fridge, four-wheel dollies for stacks of boxes — all included in our hourly rate.
Full-value protection
An upgraded protection level: the mover repairs, replaces, or pays current value for anything damaged — not just 60¢ per pound. Priced by declared value of the shipment.
Foreman
The crew lead on your move. Your point of contact on moving day: walkthroughs, the bill of lading, and any on-the-spot decisions go through them.
Long carry
When the truck can't park near your door and the crew carries items an extra distance. On hourly moves it simply takes more time — reserve close parking to avoid it.
Long-distance move
In California practice, a move priced by flat rate rather than hourly — typically anything beyond roughly 100 miles, like Bay Area to LA or Tahoe.
MAX 4 tariff
The CPUC rulebook governing household moves in California: how estimates, hourly billing, double drive time, and claims must work. Licensed movers must follow it; it exists to protect you.
Minimum charge
The smallest billable job — commonly 3 hours for a local crew. Even a one-sofa move bills the minimum, so batch small jobs together.
Not-to-exceed price
The best of both worlds: an hourly move with a written cap. If the job runs long, you never pay more than the cap; if it runs short, you pay less.
Shrink wrap
Industrial plastic film wrapped around upholstered furniture to protect fabric from dirt and moisture. Included in our standard rate.
Shuttle service
A smaller vehicle used when a full-size truck can't reach your address — narrow SF streets, gated complexes, steep driveways. Flag tricky access when booking.
Storage-in-transit
Short-term storage between move-out and move-in, when the new home isn't ready yet. Your goods stay wrapped and inventoried in the mover's warehouse.
Tare / gross weight
Long-distance moves priced by weight use two truck weighings: empty (tare) and loaded (gross). The difference is your shipment weight.
Third-party service
Work the mover subcontracts to specialists — disconnecting gas appliances, dismounting TVs, crating art. Ask what's in-house and what's third-party.
Valuation
The declared value of your shipment, which sets the mover's maximum liability. Not insurance itself, but the number your protection level is calculated from.
Walkthrough
Two of them matter: the first with the foreman before loading (point out fragile items), and the final one before the truck leaves (check every closet and cabinet).
Wardrobe box
A tall box with a hanging bar — closet to closet without folding a single shirt. We bring them for free use on moving day.
More terms
Accessorial services
Any service beyond basic transportation — packing, unpacking, long carry, shuttle service, elevator carry, appliance service, crating. Accessorial services are itemized as additional charges on your estimate and bill of lading. Always confirm what is and isn't included in the base rate.
Actual weight
The weighed weight of your shipment, determined by weighing the moving truck empty (tare weight) and loaded (gross weight). On non-binding long-distance estimates, your final bill is based on actual weight, not estimated weight. You may request to witness the weigh-in.
Appliance service
Preparation of major electrical appliances (washer, dryer, refrigerator, ice maker) for safe transport — disconnecting water lines, securing drums, removing glass shelves. Often handled by a third-party specialist. Confirm whether appliance service is included in your estimate or billed separately.
Estimated weight
The mover's upfront estimate of your shipment's weight, used to calculate the estimated cost of a long-distance move. May differ from actual weight after weighing. On binding estimates, the estimated cost holds regardless; on non-binding estimates, actual weight determines the final bill.
Expedited service
A premium service that guarantees delivery by a specific date, rather than within a delivery window. Useful when you have a hard move-in deadline. Costs more than standard delivery windows but eliminates date uncertainty.
Guaranteed pickup
A service where the mover commits to loading your goods on a specific date — not a spread. Eliminates the uncertainty of a pickup window. Available on some interstate moves at a premium.
Inventory
A detailed list of every item being transported, with condition notes. Part of the bill of lading. At delivery, check items off your inventory before signing — note any discrepancy or damage on the spot. The inventory is the basis for any damage claim.
Interstate carrier
A moving company licensed by FMCSA to transport household goods across state lines. Regulated federally and must hold a USDOT number and MC (operating authority) number. Different from intrastate carriers (within California), which are licensed by the CPUC.
Operating authority
The FMCSA license (MC number) that authorizes an interstate carrier to transport household goods across state lines. Verify a mover's operating authority at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. For California intrastate moves, the equivalent is the CPUC MTR permit.
Origin agent
The local moving company that manages pickup at your current address and prepares move documentation. On van line moves, the origin agent is often the company you interact with most before moving day. See also: Booking Agent.
Peak season rates
Higher pricing during high-demand periods — May through September, and end-of-month dates year-round. Moving mid-week and mid-month avoids the worst of peak pricing, even during summer. January and February offer the lowest rates.
Pickup and delivery charges
The component of your transportation charges covering loading at origin and unloading at destination. May appear as a separate line item on long-distance estimates. Distinct from accessorial charges, which cover additional services beyond basic loading and unloading.
Released value insurance
The minimum liability protection, included at no charge. The mover's maximum liability is 60 cents per pound per article — a 10-pound laptop worth $1,200 is covered for $6. This is the legal minimum. You must affirmatively elect full-value protection to get more coverage. Always review your valuation option before moving day.
Relocation consultant
A professional who advises on logistics, cost, and timing of a corporate or large residential relocation. Coordinates moving services, storage, and settlement at the new location. Some van line companies offer relocation consulting as part of their corporate services.
USDOT / MC number
Federal registration numbers assigned by FMCSA to interstate carriers. The USDOT number identifies the company; the MC number is the operating authority to move household goods across state lines. Both appear on the truck and contract. For California intrastate moves, look for the CPUC MTR number instead.
Van line
A large national or regional mover network (Allied, United, Mayflower) that routes moves through local booking agents, origin agents, and destination agents. Provides consistent service standards and nationwide coverage for interstate moves. The local moving company you interact with may be a van line agent.
Vehicle transportation portion
When a vehicle is included in a move, its transport is billed separately from household goods transportation charges. Typically handled by an auto-hauling carrier rather than the household goods truck. A motor vehicle inventory documents the vehicle's condition before loading.
Extra stop
An additional pickup or delivery address added to a move — for example, picking up items from a storage unit or delivering to two locations. Billed as an accessorial service. Disclose extra stops when booking to get an accurate estimate.
Moving terms
FAQ.
What is the purpose of a bill of lading?
The bill of lading is your legal contract with the mover — the document authorizing transport of your goods. It lists the services agreed to, the price, your household goods inventory, and your protection level. It also serves as your receipt. Never allow a truck to leave without one signed by both parties.
What does valuation coverage cover?
Valuation coverage sets the mover's maximum liability for your goods. Released value (60¢/lb per article) is free but minimal — it rarely covers meaningful losses. Full-value protection means the mover must repair, replace, or pay current market value for damaged or lost items. Choose your protection level before moving day; it must appear on the bill of lading.
Is full value protection worth it?
For most moves, yes. At 60¢ per pound, a 10-pound laptop worth $1,200 is covered for just $6 under released value. Full-value protection covers actual replacement cost — worth the additional cost for any shipment with electronics, furniture, or irreplaceable items.
Are movers liable for damage?
Yes, to the extent of your elected protection level. Under released value, liability is capped at 60¢/lb. Under full-value protection, the mover must repair, replace, or pay market value. Always note any damage on the bill of lading before signing at delivery — claims must be filed in writing within nine months.
What are red flags for moving companies?
No CAL-T or MTR permit number, no USDOT/MC number for interstate moves, large upfront cash deposits, vague estimates without itemized services, unmarked trucks, no physical business address, and no written bill of lading. A legitimate licensed mover will provide all of these without being asked.
What is the definition of a long-distance move?
For California intrastate moves, anything roughly over 100 miles is typically priced as a flat-rate long-distance move rather than hourly. For federal purposes, any move crossing state lines is interstate and governed by FMCSA long-distance moving terms — binding or non-binding estimates, delivery windows, and weight-based pricing.
What are movers not allowed to move?
Hazardous materials (paint, propane, ammunition, certain cleaning products), perishable food, and items requiring special permits or crating above a declared value threshold. Your mover's tariff includes a full prohibited items list — ask before packing day.
Who provides a bill of lading?
The mover — specifically the licensed household goods carrier performing the transport. The bill of lading is the mover's document and must comply with California CPUC requirements (for intrastate moves) or FMCSA requirements (for interstate moves). Both parties sign it on moving day.
What are the terminologies used in transportation?
Core moving terminology: bill of lading, binding estimate, non-binding estimate, accessorial services, transportation charges, tariff provisions, shipment weight, household goods, operating authority, storage-in-transit, expedited service, delivery window, valuation coverage, shuttle service, long carry, and peak season rates.