Moving day: what to expect at pickup and delivery

Confirm the crew and paperwork

Before loading begins, ask the driver or crew lead to identify the carrier performing the move. Compare the legal name and any identifying details with the carrier you were given. If a broker arranged the shipment and an unexpected carrier appears, pause and contact both businesses using previously confirmed contact information.

Review the bill of lading, which is the transportation contract and receipt for the shipment. Compare it with your estimate and order for service. Check origin and destination details, requested dates or windows, valuation selection, payment terms, and any references to storage or transfer. Ask for corrections before signing and keep a complete copy.

For an interstate US move, you can check the carrier yourself through protectyourmove.gov or the FMCSA mover search. Interstate household-goods carriers need a USDOT number and MC operating authority, and brokers must also register with FMCSA. If the identity at pickup does not match your prior research and documents, do not let urgency substitute for an explanation.

Review inventory and condition

The crew will usually create or confirm an inventory that identifies items and may describe their condition. Walk through it carefully. Standard abbreviations can make serious pre-existing damage look routine, so ask what unfamiliar codes mean and challenge descriptions that do not match the item.

Take photographs before items leave, especially furniture, appliances, electronics, and anything with existing marks. Photograph the property where damage could occur, such as floors, walls, doors, and railings. Keep the images backed up and do not pack the device that holds the only copies.

As loading finishes, check closets, cabinets, storage rooms, outdoor spaces, and any area where items were staged. Make sure goods that should travel with you have not been loaded. Obtain the final inventory and note any item the mover refused or handled under special terms.

Handle changes before the truck leaves

If the actual shipment differs from the estimate, the mover may present a revised inventory, services, or price terms. Ask for a line-by-line explanation before loading. A legitimate addition should connect to a real difference, such as added goods, packing work, or access that was not disclosed.

Do not sign a blank document or a revision you have not read. If the mover says a signature is merely procedural, read the language anyway. Photograph or download every signed page and attachment. A promise that the office will send paperwork later leaves you without the record when it matters most.

If you dispute the change, remain calm and decide whether the move will proceed while the goods are still under your control. Review the cancellation terms you accepted. Keep another person present when possible, and avoid any physical confrontation with the crew.

Understand weight and transit records

Some interstate shipments are priced using weight. In that case, weight tickets document the vehicle's weight before and after loading under the applicable process. Ask in advance how you can obtain or observe the weighing and how the ticket information will connect to the final charges.

Review each ticket for identifying details, dates, locations, and recorded weights. Keep copies with the estimate and bill of lading. If something appears inconsistent, ask for an explanation in writing while the records are still easy to locate. Do not assume a handwritten total is a substitute for the supporting ticket.

During transit, use the contact method in your documents. Delivery windows are not always exact appointments, particularly when shipments share equipment or long routes face changing conditions. Ask for updates at reasonable intervals, record material changes, and make sure the carrier knows how to reach you and access the destination.

Inspect and pay at delivery

Before delivery, confirm the accepted payment method and amount due under the documents. Be alert to changes in recipient or payment method. Ask for an itemized statement when the demand differs from your expectation, and retain a receipt for every payment.

Use the pickup inventory to check goods as they enter. Note missing items and visible damage on the delivery paperwork before signing, and photograph the condition and identifying inventory tags. Do not let the desire to clear the truck prevent you from recording obvious problems, but do not sign statements you know are inaccurate merely to keep unloading moving.

Some damage appears only after unpacking. Preserve boxes, packing material, damaged items, photographs, and the complete paperwork. Follow the carrier's written claim instructions promptly. A delivery notation supports the timeline, but it may not by itself satisfy the formal claim requirements.

Do I have to sign the bill of lading at pickup?

The bill of lading is central to the move, but you should not sign it blindly. Read it, compare it with the estimate and order for service, require agreed corrections, and keep the complete signed copy. If the terms are unacceptable, resolve that before loading.

What if the crew is late?

Contact the operational number in your documents and ask for a written update. Record calls and messages, protect any building reservation, and review cancellation or delay terms before making alternate arrangements. Keep the property and shipment secure while you wait.

Should I tip the moving crew?

Tipping is a personal choice, not a substitute for agreed charges, and it should not be demanded as a condition of service. If you choose to tip, do so based on the service you received and keep contract payments separate.

Can I unpack before documenting damage?

Photograph visible damage and the surrounding packaging first. Keep damaged items and packing materials because the carrier or insurer may request inspection. You can continue unpacking carefully while maintaining a list of box identifiers, missing contents, and newly discovered damage.