| Check with the Better Business Bureau and other consumer organizations in your area to see how many years of experience the company has in the industry, and if any complaints have been levied against them. You can also call the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Safety Violation and Consumer Complaints hotline and ask them about the complaint history of your moving company.. You may want to choose a moving company that belongs to a local or national trade association. These associations maintain high standards and can give you detailed information about companies' business practices. In many cases, companies that are members have agreed to abide by a strict code of conduct and maintain a fair policy when it comes to settling disputes stemming from losses or damage. Narrow down the list of the movers you've researched, and talk with all of them to compare their services. If their customer service representatives are curt with you or anything makes you feel uncomfortable, listen to your gut, and make sure you are dealing with people you feel good trusting all of your belongings to. Moving companies provide a variety of services for a range of fees, so you'll need to comparison shop. Talk to the different movers about the destination and timing of your move. Ask them about the types of services they offer. The cost of your move is based on a number of factors like weight, bulky items, stairs and elevators, and pick up and delivery dates. In general, there are three different kinds of estimates: Binding, Non-Binding/Hourly, and Not to Exceed. The Not to Exceed estimate is the most reliable price quote to have, because the final price for the move cannot exceed the estimate figure they initially give you. If the move ends up costing less than the estimate, you pay the lesser amount. So, if a mover estimates $1000 and it ends up costing $2000, you still pay $1000. If it only costs $850, then you only pay $850. In a Binding estimate, the mover offers a guaranteed price that can vary due to the items to be moved and the different services performed. A Non- Binding/Hourly rate is not an estimate at all, but rather a price list based on movers' experience on jobs like yours. A good mover cannot give you any estimate over the telephone or the Internet. You should get an exact and dependable estimate from an in-house survey of everything you want to move. A reputable company will send over a professional to provide you with an estimate in writing. If they won't come to your house to do an in-home estimate, find another company who will. Also, remember that the cost of your move is ultimately based on weight. Current laws regarding the moving industry do not cover moves based on cubic feet, so if you get a quote that is priced by cubic footage, that should raise a red flag right away. Finally, find out up front if the company will be doing the move themselves, or if they will be sub-contracting the job. If they won't be moving you, you can cross them off your list. Ask the movers to explain their estimates in detail and to give you a copy. Never, ever sign blank paperwork, and know what you're signing. Get everything in writing: quote of weight, condition of items, pick-up date and delivery date. Ask about and have them document any additional charges that may occur. Read the document, understand it and don't worry about making the moving company wait. You should know that every moving company is required by law to provide you with a "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" booklet. If they don't provide you with this, don't use their company, period. Once you receive all your estimates, carefully compare to see which mover best suits your needs and budget. Unprofessional movers or con artists may offer you an attractive low price for your move - if it seems too good to be true, it probably is! These low-ball initial estimates may increase later with the addition of mysterious charges that were never agreed upon. Don't necessarily choose a mover based on price alone, especially a price significantly lower than other estimates you have received. When you think you've decided on a mover, it's time to discuss the details with them. Make the movers guarantee the time of arrival, and have them provide two time slots: one for the anticipated time of arrival, and one that factors in difficulties like weather, traffic and flat tires. Make sure the mover gives you a date or spread of dates in writing on your bill. If you see words like "in a few weeks after pick-up" or "as soon as possible," make the mover change it to specific dates. If the dates are never solidified in writing, your shipment may be delayed. If you want to insure your items, your best bet is to call your insurance company and discuss it with them. The moving company may offer coverage that many times isn't worth it. You may be paying them extra to reimburse you for their negligence. Read their "insured coverage" section very carefully and decide what you really need. If you feel like you can't trust the movers with all of your items, then you may have chosen the wrong moving company. It's important to communicate with any moving company you choose. Make sure you can establish a contact at the moving company to talk with throughout the process. Make sure you feel comfortable asking them questions and are confident in the answers you receive. By doing your research, you can be a knowledgeable consumer and a successful mover. 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