Long-distance moves do not run like a package with a tracking number. The truck may carry several households' belongings, weather and road conditions change, and the crew sets out on a route. The spread is the way the industry describes that reality, and federal rules put guardrails around it.
Where the dates come from
Before the move you and the mover should agree on the pickup date and the date or timeframe you need for delivery. Once agreed, the mover must enter those dates on the bill of lading and is contractually bound to the service it describes. Some movers use the term delivery spread for the timeframe, and the shipment may arrive on any day within it. The FMCSA booklet advises against agreeing to pickup or delivery as soon as possible, because the dates should be definite.
The 24-hour notice
The mover must give you at least 24 hours of advance notice before delivery, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and federal holidays. Exceptions apply if the shipment is weighed at destination, if the delivery spans two consecutive weekdays and you agree, or if you have agreed that the maximum payment at delivery is 110 percent of the estimate. When the notice comes, you or a representative you appoint must be there to accept delivery.
If you cannot be there
It is your responsibility to be available on any of the agreed dates. If you cannot accept delivery on the agreed dates, the mover can place the shipment in storage at your expense. If you cannot accept before the first day of the spread, the mover may store it near the destination, must notify you of the warehouse name and address, and carries the cost of redelivery, handling and storage until final delivery. Plan for storage ahead of time with a facility like full-service storage in Sparks if your new home will not be ready.
Early arrival, delays and delay claims
If the mover can deliver more than 24 hours before the date or period on the bill of lading, it may ask you to accept an early date; without your agreement it may store the shipment near the destination at its own expense. If the mover fails to deliver on the agreed date or within the spread and you have extra expenses, you may be able to recover them through a delay of shipment claim. The only excuse recognized is force majeure, such as a severe snowstorm that prevents service. A dated pickup and delivery service is separate and carries its own terms in the tariff.
Planning around a spread
- Keep essentials with you: a first-night box, medicines, documents and chargers.
- Arrange elevator reservations or parking permits to be adjustable across the spread.
- Share a contact number for the person receiving the shipment.
- In winter, allow for Sierra passes. See when to move for seasons and road conditions.