Organization is the key to an easy move. Plan your move carefully. If you hire a professional mover, choose one with a good track record. Have representatives from several moving companies inspect your belongings and leave written estimates of what they will charge. You should contract for service three to four months in advance, if possible, especially if you plan to move during the peak moving season of June through September.

The Better Business Bureau is a good source of information about moving. It can provide tips on packing and will tell you about any complaints against specific companies.

Ask your mover about the company policy on breakage. Standard moving company insurance pays only a percentage of the cash value of broken items. Full value protection will cost more but may be worth the added expense if you are moving valuable items. Tell your moving company about any special requirements your move will involve. Although trained, the movers may fail to see that your grandfather clock is in delicate condition and requires special handling.

The actual cost of your move is determined by weighing your furniture after it has been loaded into the van plus charges for packing, insurance and other items. If the cost turns out to be higher than the estimate the company will notify you. Expect to pay for your move upon delivery by certified check, cash or money order. Personal checks are usually not acceptable.

Packing takes place one to two days before furniture is loaded into the van. Supervise this and all phases of the move. Do not expect that plants or flammable items will be packed.

You can save money by packing items yourself. The average household needs about 20 boxes, which can be purchased from the moving company. However, the boxes you pack may not be covered by your mover’s insurance.

Develop a floor plan for your new home so the mover can place beds, tables, and other heavy furniture where you want them. Movers will follow your directions on furniture placement. However, this is not the time to experiment. Do not keep changing your mind about where the piano goes.

If you do not hire a professional mover and prefer to move yourself, be prepared to do a great deal of careful planning. Before you rent a truck and call your friends, figure out exactly how much you have to move, where you are going to put it in your new home and if any items will require special attention.

Pay careful attention to details. You don’t want damaged belongings to dampen the excitement of moving into new home.

Before you move, pack a suitcase with a toothbrush, some clothing and other items that you would need if you were going to stay in a hotel for a few nights. Also, pack a box with some bedding, eating utensils and cooking items. With the suitcase and the box, you should be able to cope amid the clutter for an evening or two.

Moving can be very tiring, so don’t feel you must unpack every box the minute the truck leaves. Eventually, all the boxes will be unpacked, all of your belongings will be in their proper places and you will be comfortably settled. Enjoy your new home!

Click on the links below to go to some excellent online moving and packing guides.

Link 1: www.moveout.com

Link 2: www.movesource.com