What is the difference between a moving contract and a bill of lading?

The contract or estimate sets out what was agreed beforehand. The bill of lading is the contract of carriage you sign when the shipment is picked up, and it governs the transport itself.

Should I ever sign a blank moving document?

No. Every figure and service should be completed before you sign, and you should keep a copy of everything you put your name to.

Does a moving contract need to be notarised?

Household moving agreements are not normally notarised. What matters is that the terms are written, complete and signed by both sides.

Can I use a sample contract as my own?

Not safely. A sample was written without knowledge of your move, your state or your mover. Use it to understand terminology and have your own agreement reviewed by a qualified professional.

Moving Guide

Sample Moving Contracts

Published July 22, 2013 · Written for MovingGuru readers since 2013

The short answer

A moving contract should name the parties, the addresses, the dates, the services, the price and the estimate type, the liability level, and how claims and cancellations are handled. The bill of lading you sign on move day is the contract of carriage, so read it as carefully as the quote. Sample forms are useful for spotting what is missing, not for use as your own agreement.

Sample moving contracts, also referred to as moving contract templates or forms, are pre-prepared written agreements involving a moving situation. They might have once been used by actual movers, or they might simply be templates created to address hypothetical moving situations.

Sample moving contracts can be very useful for three reasons:

Provide you with insight into what to include in your moving contract
Provide you with terminology to use in your moving contract
Allow you to compare the moving contract you were offered with another moving contract

What sample moving contracts cannot do is automatically serve as your moving contract. Why? Because they were written by someone who knows nothing about you, your needs, your moving company, or the laws that apply to your particular situation.

Below are two sample moving contracts. Use them to help create or analyze your own moving contract, but do not assume that they apply to your situation or that are ready to sign as is. Contact an attorney if you have any questions or concerns about your moving contract.

Sample Moving Contracts

Flat Rate:

A flat rate moving contract is, essentially, an agreement to pay a single, set price for a move. Learn more about flat rates and how to get them, or go ahead and check out our Flat Rate Moving Contract Template.

Free PDF version: Sample Moving Contract – Flat Rate

Hourly:

An hourly rate moving contract allows a moving company to charge you a set price per hour or work they do, plus other potential charges. Learn more about how movers charge, or go ahead and check out our Hourly Rate Moving Contract Template.

Free PDF version: Sample Moving Contract – Hourly Rate

Checklist for a moving agreement

Section	What it should say
Parties	Legal company name, address, and its USDOT or state licence number
Move details	Origin, destination, dates or delivery spread, and access notes
Services	Loading, transport, packing, unpacking, storage, assembly, appliance service
Price and estimate type	The figure and whether it is binding, non binding or binding not-to-exceed
Charges on top	Stairs, long carry, shuttle, bulky items, materials, waiting time
Liability	Released value or full value protection, with the deductible stated
Inventory	How condition is recorded at origin and checked at delivery
Payment	Amount, timing, accepted methods and any deposit
Cancellation	Notice required and what is refundable
Claims	How to file, the deadline, and the dispute process

The documents you will actually sign

Most moves produce three or four documents: the written estimate, an order for service, the bill of lading, and the inventory. The bill of lading is the one that governs the shipment. If a term you agreed is not on it, raise that before the truck is loaded, not afterwards. Federal rules describe what interstate movers must give you and when.

Red flags in moving paperwork

A blank or partly completed document you are asked to sign.
No company licence number anywhere on the paperwork.
A large cash deposit demanded before the truck arrives.
An estimate with a single total and no breakdown of services.
A price given without any survey of what is being moved.
Verbal promises that do not appear anywhere in writing.

MovingGuru is not a law firm and does not supply legal documents. For hourly work specifically, the hourly rate contract sample shows the terminology in context, and estimate types explains the pricing clause. If the bill has already arrived and it does not match, disputing a moving company bill and dispute resolution and arbitration pick the story up from there.

The historical sample contracts

The original sample documents that came with this article are still online exactly as published: sample hourly rate moving contract (PDF) and sample flat rate moving contract (PDF). They are educational reference material and nothing more. They were written years ago, without knowledge of your move, your state or your mover, and they are not a valid agreement for every state or every company. Use them to recognise the clauses, then have your own agreement reviewed by a qualified professional. This page is consumer information, not legal advice.

Sources: 49 CFR Part 375, transportation of household goods · FMCSA, Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move · FMCSA Protect Your Move. Rules, programs and prices change, so check the source before you rely on it.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a moving contract and a bill of lading?: The contract or estimate sets out what was agreed beforehand. The bill of lading is the contract of carriage you sign when the shipment is picked up, and it governs the transport itself.
Should I ever sign a blank moving document?: No. Every figure and service should be completed before you sign, and you should keep a copy of everything you put your name to.
Does a moving contract need to be notarised?: Household moving agreements are not normally notarised. What matters is that the terms are written, complete and signed by both sides.
Can I use a sample contract as my own?: Not safely. A sample was written without knowledge of your move, your state or your mover. Use it to understand terminology and have your own agreement reviewed by a qualified professional.

Filed under:Moving Quotes & Contracts

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