Legal Rights When Hiring A Mover

By Amy E. Feldman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - With home sales on the rise in 2012 over last year, there are some things you need to know about your legal rights when you hire a mover.

A woman wrote into a website devoted to moving horror stories. She hired movers who showed up three hours late, with handicapped plates on their car. She fired them mid-move.

If you're moving from one state to another, the law requires the moving company to give you a copy of the consumer booklet "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" which tells you about the movers' liability and dispute resolution.

If you've been given a non-binding estimate, the mover can only require you to pay the amount of the estimate plus 10% at the time of delivery and you will have at least another 30 days to pay any remaining charges.

Don't sign off on the inventory until you've checked all your goods for damage - and report any damage immediately. If you notice damage later you have 9 months after delivery to report it, and by law the mover must acknowledge receipt of your claim within 30 days and either deny or settle the claim within 120 days.

But of course your best bet is to make sure that your movers have good references and come fully capable.