Hiring a full-service mover. If you can’t afford to spend a lot of time getting from here to there, you’re moving a long distance, or you have a lot of stuff, this is your best bet. Good professional movers have the experience and equipment to move you quickly while avoiding damage to your property. “The first thing we do is protect the property by putting down floor runners, covering railings and doors, and putting down floorboard if we’re moving heavy appliances,” explains Jon Hollander, an owner of Hollander Storage & Moving Company, based outside of Chicago. Many movers will even pack everything for you — a convenience that can be worth the additional cost (20 to 30 percent of the price of your move), especially if you have limited time.

There are bad moving companies. Of the more than 1,100 industries that the Better Business Bureau keeps tabs on, the moving industry ranked 14th in consumer complaints in 2003. So be sure to carefully check out anyone you’re considering (See moving worksheets).

Web Resources
Find out what you can expect to pay for a “you pack and load; they drive” move with a moving calculator.

www.broadwayexpress.net

www.upack.com

Get help determining how many boxes you’ll need for your move.

www.budgettruck.com

www.onlinemovingboxes.com

www.uhaul.com

Research the business practices of the movers you’re considering.

The Better Business Bureau, www.bbb.org

www.movingadvocateteam.com

www.movingscam.com

www.moving.org