The following four mandatory documents are required for legal protection for a long- distance move in Canada (over 500 miles/244 km). This blog explains the documents you receive when you hire a Certified Canadian Mover.
What is a Canadian Certified Mover?
A Certified Mover belongs to the Canadian Association of Movers. This is the only moving association in Canada that pre-screens movers. They consider their warehouse and office space, trucks and equipment, and their reputation in the moving industry. Each certified mover must agree to abide by a professional code of conduct and industry standards.
Essential Documentation Checklist for a Move:
Written Estimate / Order for Service
Professional movers provide a written estimate based on an in-home survey of the items being moved or an online survey. They discuss all the details of the move, including additional services such as packing and unpacking, crating of valuable items, shipping a vehicle if applicable, storage if required, and valuation coverage for the move.
This written estimate becomes the Order for Service when a customer books their move with the Certified Mover.
Bill of Lading
The Bill of Lading is the legal contract that allows the mover to transport the customer’s belongings. It contains a detailed breakdown of the costs, packing, loading, and delivery dates, the declared value of the shipment, confirmation of purchasing full-value protection coverage, or the customer’s signature if they choose not to purchase extra valuation protection.
In addition, it contains the legal rights and responsibilities of both the mover and the owner of the belongings. Both the customer’s and the driver’s signatures are required on this document after loading and delivery.
Descriptive Inventory Sheet
For a long -distance move (over 500 miles/244 km), an inventory listing is required. The driver lists the items being moved on the inventory before loading them. The driver notes any pre-existing conditions on furniture or boxes. For instance, if there is a scratch on a table, the driver documents both the scratch and its location on the table.
The customer is asked to review and sign this after the driver has completed listing all the items. There are codes the driver uses on this form to shorten the time it takes. These codes are at the bottom of the page with an explanation of what each code represents.
When the shipment arrives at the customer’s new home, the driver checks off the items on the inventory listing as they are unloaded from the truck. Any new damage is noted beside the item. It is recommended that the owner of the shipment be with the driver as they go through the check- off process.
Weighing your Shipment
For a long-distance move, the driver goes to a certified weight scale station to obtain an empty weight. The weight station provides a certified weight scale ticket for this.
Once the shipment is loaded, the driver will go back to the same scale station (if possible) to obtain another weight. The difference between the two weights is the actual weight of the shipment.
A copy of the weight scale tickets will be attached to the Bill of Lading. This is how the mover will determine the final charges for a move.
For more information on what documents you should receive when you hire a certified Canadian mover, and to get a free quote on your move, contact Premiere Van Lines. Premiere has 10 franchise locations across Canada. Each location is a Certified Mover and a trusted agent for Atlas Van Lines.