Entrusting all of your belongings to a moving company can be stressful, especially when you are embarking on a longer move and have to trust that your items will arrive at your new location within a certain period of time. If you are planning a move and will need to hire movers for your items, you may be wondering how long a moving company has to legally deliver your items.
Our article answers this question and gives you tips about what to do if your moving company has not delivered your items after the delivery date.
What Can Cause Moving Company Delivery Delays?
Moving is a complicated process, and not all moves go exactly according to plan. According to MoveBuddha, plenty of things can get in the way of a move, including traffic issues, weather delays, and staffing problems; all of these issues can delay the delivery of your items past the expected delivery date.
That being said, a reputable and responsible company will communicate delivery delays with you to ensure that you are up to date with where your items currently are.
Legally, and according to most federal and state laws, your moving company will have 30 days past the expected delivery date to deliver your items to your new location. This time period is given to allow the moving company to account for delays, unexpected travel issues, and weather problems.
If you have not received your items by the end of this 30-day grace period, you may need to start taking action against the moving company.
What Do I Do If a Moving Company Is Not Delivering My Items?
When a moving company is not delivering your items, your first step is to figure out what is causing the delay. This could be something simple such as weather or traffic, or it could be something more concerning, such as the moving company being irresponsible with delivery deadlines.
If your moving company is refusing to deliver your items and refusing to communicate with you about the delivery, this is when you need to start looking into your options for holding the moving company accountable and recovering your items.
Can I Pursue Legal Action Against a Moving Company?
If your items have not been delivered after the 30-day window, or your moving company is holding your items hostage and refusing to deliver them for some reason, you may be able to pursue legal action against the moving company.
You do have rights as a customer that are protected by most federal and state-level laws, though you will need to reach out to a legal professional who specializes in this kind of customer dispute to learn what options are available to you.
How Do I Ensure On-Time Delivery?
While life can get in the way of an on-time delivery, There are several ways to ensure a smooth delivery. You can make sure that your items are packaged and packed correctly, you have an open line of communication with your chosen moving company, and you are aware of any potential things that could go wrong, such as a weather incident taking place when you move.
Be aware of the time that it may take for your moving company to deliver your belongings and make sure you stay updated with your moving company’s progress.
Dealing With Moving Company Challenges
A delay with your delivered items is never something that anyone wants to deal with, as moving is stressful enough without all of your items remaining in limbo for an extended period. However, delivery delays do happen, and your moving company should communicate any challenges with delivering your items to you.
If you suspect that a moving company is holding your items hostage or you are anticipating a delivery delay beyond the expected 30-day window, you may be able to pursue legal action against the moving company. Check with state laws and the agreements you signed with your moving company to learn what your next steps are and how to get your belongings back as soon as possible.
