What Qualifies As A Bulky Article To Moving Companies?
Moving companies typically assess a surcharge for transporting items that deviate from standard sizes, which can add up to an extra $2,500 to your bill depending on the piece. What qualifies as a bulky article differs from company to company, however, so it can be challenging determining whether or not you'll be charged extra for some of your belongings. However, here are some general questions to ask to help you ascertain which of your items may need special handling.
Is the Item Larger Than Others in the Same Category?
The first question you should ask is whether the item in question is significantly larger than others in its class. For example, a standard king bed measures 76 inches wide by 80 inches long. If you have an extra-large bed—which measures 144 inches wide by 80 inches long—the moving company will likely charge you a fee to handle it since it is so much bigger than the standard.
You can find out what the average dimensions are of particular items and then compare that to what you're trying to move. If there's a big difference (more than a couple of inches) or if it looks like more than two people will be needed to move the item, then it's safe to assume the moving company will consider it a bulky item and charge accordingly.
Is the Item Heavier Than Normal?
Even if the item is a normal size, you may still be charged extra if it weighs a lot. This is because the company will typically need to send extra employees to help move the item onto the truck and, thus, will pass on that increased cost to you. Alternatively—or additionally in some cases—the item may need to be transported in a second vehicle because it'll weigh the moving truck down too much.
For example, a grand piano can weigh up to 1,200 pounds, which may put too much stress on the moving truck when combined with your other belongings and make it difficult to operate the vehicle safely. The company may elect to transport the piece using a specialty vehicle (e.g., a flatbed truck) that is designed to handle very heavy loads. In this case, the surcharge would cover the additional resources needed to move the piano.
A good rule of thumb when determining if something is heavy enough to be considered a bulky item is to figure out how many people are required to move it. If the item needs more than two people or requires special equipment to deal with, you can bank on being charged extra.
Does the Item Require Extra Care?
Any item that requires special care during the move will typically be labeled bulky and charged accordingly. In this situation, it's not the item's size or weight that's triggering the extra fee but how much additional care and resources are required to manage it. For example, a chandelier may be a normal size and weight. However, it's so fragile that it must be packed and moved around extremely carefully to prevent damage. This may result in the movers taking more time to complete the job than expected—hence the fee.
You're more likely to run into this issue when moving valuable or very fragile items, like expensive art and crystal vases. If you have quite a few of these items, it's a good idea to compare the cost of renting a van and moving them yourself versus how many bulk item fees you'll be charged by the moving company.
Many moving companies will have a list of items they'll charge a bulk fee for, so it's essential you ask about this list before making an appointment to have the company move your stuff. For more information about this issue, contact a moving company like Integrity Moving & Storage LLC.
Share