Of the three main moving documents, this is the one with the least official definition. The federal rules in 49 CFR Part 375 do not use the term, so it is carrier paperwork, and each mover's form looks a little different.
What the form usually records
The form turns a conversation into a booking, so every item on it should match what you were told.
- Your name, the origin address and the destination address
- The pickup date or period and the delivery date or period you agreed
- The services you want, such as packing, unpacking or storage
- A reference to the estimate it rests on
- Notes about access, such as stairs or a long walk to the truck
How it connects to the other papers
The order for service sits between the estimate and the bill of lading. The estimate prices the work, the order for service books it, and the bill of lading is the receipt and contract that the driver carries with the shipment. Federal rules require the bill of lading to reference everything on the estimate.
Two dates matter most. Under 49 CFR 375.505(h), the bill of lading must reach you at least 3 days before loading, with a 3-day window afterward to rescind it without penalty.
Check it against the estimate
Read the form for the details that cause trouble later: spelling of addresses, the pickup period, whether packing is on the same day as loading, and any stair or elevator conditions. Anything that differs from the estimate should be corrected while both papers are still open.
Pickup and delivery are normally agreed as dates or periods rather than 'as soon as possible', and FMCSA's booklet advises against open-ended wording.
Booking with O'Brien's
At O'Brien's the booking follows the in-home estimate. The estimator records the details you give, and the office confirms dates by phone at 775-359-6683. An itemized inventory and condition report is made before packing begins.
If your move starts in another state and you book it with O'Brien's, the office coordinates the pickup through the Bekins network, and the paperwork reflects that. Your delivery window comes from your written estimate.