The earlier, the better. It's wise to give your moving company from four to six week's notice, if possible. The more lead time you can give, the more likely we will be able to meet your preferred delivery schedule.
Your sales representative will make a pre-move survey of your household goods to be transported. A pre-move survey is needed to determine the approximate cost of your move and the amount of van space your goods will occupy. Your representative will compute the approximate cost and give you a written Estimate/Order for Service. An accurate estimate cannot be calculated without a visual survey of the goods to be moved. There is no charge for the estimate.
Please keep in mind that your estimate (survey) is only a guideline. On interprovincial shipments, total charges are determined by the actual weight of your shipment, the distance it travels, and the services that you authorize or which become necessary to handle your shipment.
Charges for local shipments are generally calculated on an hourly basis.
Plants, perhaps. Pets, no. Federal regulations prohibit moving companies from shipping animals in moving vans. If your pets and plants can't travel with you, ask us to help you make arrangements to safely transport them to your new home. Ideally, pets and plants travel best in your own car.
If there is a choice, most moving companies will suggest you select a time other than summer, the end of the month or the end-of-year holidays. The heaviest demands are placed on vans, equipment and personnel during these periods.
However, Comox Moving and Storage believes you should move when it is most convenient for you. Factors involved in the decision may include:
whether the move must be made immediately
moving children during the school term
separation of the family while the move is under way
If the move can be scheduled for a time when vans and trained personnel are more readily available, we´ll be better able to meet your preferred delivery schedule.
In order to keep your costs down; because the furnishings of the average household will not fill a van, it is often necessary for two or more shipments to be loaded on the same van. Each shipment is carefully sectioned off from the others.
The exact cost of your move cannot be determined until after your shipment has been loaded on the van and weighed. If additional services are requested or become necessary after loading and weighing, additional charges will be incurred. Basic transportation charges depend on the actual weight of your goods and the distance they will travel. The total cost will include these transportation costs, any charges for Replacement Cost Protection, plus charges for any "accessorial" services (such as packing and unpacking) performed by Comox Moving & Storage at your request. These charges are based on "tariff" rate schedules (see below).
This is the list of rules, regulations, available services and resulting charges used by all motor carriers which provide interprovincial transportation of household goods.
Accessorial services are any services provided to you in addition to the linehaul transportation. These include crating, packing, unpacking, appliance services, elevator, stair and long carries, or shuttle service if access to your residence is limited and a second, smaller truck is necessary.
Valuation is the amount of a carrier's liability expressed by a dollar value placed on a shipment by the shipper that specifies the carrier's maximum liability in the event of a covered claim for losses or damages. If no value is placed on the shipment, the liability then is controlled by the tariff rate schedule or contract under which the shipment was handled.
When packing a personal computer, these steps will help you prepare it for safe transport. To pack your computer, we strongly recommend that you use the computer's original carton and packing materials. If they are not available, use a box that is both strong and big enough to hold the computer, and pack it with unprinted newspaper. Other things to consider:
Back up your software and data files. These should be taken with you or sent to your destination via insured mail.
Park the hard drive (if applicable). See your computer's instruction manual for instructions. With newer computers, simply turning the power off initiates this safety feature.
Insert cardboard or old disk(s) into disk drive(s).
Unhook all cables and power cords, indicating their position for easy set-up.Pack cords separately with manuals and software.
Use only static-free packing materials like clean, wadded unprinted newsprint (not standard bubble wrap or packng peanuts).
Create a base layer of wadded unprinted newsprint and place computer on top of layer. Then surround sides and top with more wadded unprinted newsprint until firmly packed, and seal carton with packing tape.
It is against the law for Comox Moving to transport flammable and combustible materials. Safely drain or dispose of all combustible and corrosive materials, including: household paints, bleaches, propane tanks, gas cans, and fuel in power equipment.
For your protection, when your household goods are delivered to your new home, your van operator will ask you to check off items as they are removed from the van and sign the inventory of household goods. If any items or cartons are missing or damaged, you must note this on the inventory sheet at the time of delivery. This is known as an "inventory exception."
You can pack your own items and save money, if you wish. However, Comox Moving cannot be responsible for items you pack yourself. If you decide to pack your own belongings, visit our "Helpful Hints" web page. We can also supply you with all the items you'll need to do your own packing, but for just pennies per pound, you can have Comox Moving's trained packing crew pack your belongings for you.
Tariff provisions require that all charges be paid before your shipment is unloaded at destination (unless prior arrangements have been made for later billing).
Payment for your shipment can be made by cash, traveller's cheque, money order or cashier's cheque, Visa or MasterCard. Personal cheques will only be accepted for local moves.
If your actual moving costs exceed the estimate, you will be required to pay no more that 110% of the estimated cost at the time of delivery. Should your actuall costs exceed the estimate by more than 10%, you will be given 30 days after delivery to pay the amount over 110%.
Payment of estimated charges plus 10% does not apply if goods are delivered into storage. If storage at destination (storage-in-transit) is necessary, all transportation charges must be paid at the time of the delivery of the shipment to the warehouse. You will then be assessed storage charges based on the applicable rates set forth in your tariff.
Yes, but how much protection you have and its cost to you depends upon the "valuation" program you choose - Replacement Cost Protection coverage or Released Rate Liability (60 cents per pound per article.)
The valuation option you select determines the basis upon which any claim will be adjusted and establishes the maximum liability of comox Moving. The liability of Comox Moving for loss or damage is based upon our tariffs, as well as federal laws and regulations, and has certain limitations and exclusions. Valuation is not insurance; it is simply a tariff-based level of motor carrier liability. If you desire insurance, you should consult your insurance company representative about available insurance coverages as Comox Moving does not offer insurance.
You must select the valuation program, and you must write your choice in the "Valuation" box on the Bill of Lading in your own handwriting.
If you are unable to take immediate possession of your new residence, your belongings can be stored in our warehouse. However, you are responsible for the storage charges, warehouse valuation coverage and final delivery chages from the warehouse.
If your goods are placed in storage, there will be an additional charge for the valuation or insurance coverage provided for your shipment, as mentioned previously. The type of coverage and cost wil depend upon whether the shipment is led in storage-in-transit (temporary) or in permanent (long-term) storage. Please ask your Comox Moving sales representative for information regarding storage arrangements.
Lightweight clothing - sweaters, shirts, blouses, and lingerie - may be lef in the drawers. Do not fill drawers with heavy items such as books, table linens or sheets, which can damage the piece of furniture during transit. Be careful NOT to leave fragile items, money, jewellry, watches or other valuables in the drawers, as well as anything that might spill or leak.
Most refrigerators, washers, dryers, and other electrical or mechanical appliances require special servicing to ensure safe transportation. Any moving parts such as motors on major appliances, washer drums, ice makers and the pickup arm on a record player should be securely fastened for shipment. Gas appliances need to be serviced and disconnected prior to your move.
It is the owner's responsibility to see that appliances are serviced for shipment before they are loaded on the van. Upon request and for an additional charge, Comox Moving will perform this service, using either our own qualified personnel or an authorized service company.
