Research: Start by researching the moving companies you have collected. Check their websites, read reviews on third-party websites, and ask for recommendations from friends and family who have recently moved. Be sure to incorporate all of the points that follow for specific types of information to make sure you are consistent and do not overlook anything.

Verify they offer the services you need: Be sure to check all their services and prices as you may find you can afford packing services that you might rule out if you didn’t check the costs. There is no need to go beyond this point for any mover if they don’t provide all the services you are looking for.

Ability to Move on your Scheduled Date: If a moving company is not available on your scheduled date there is no reason to continue the research. However, if none of the movers are available on your preferred moving dates, figure out a new date that will correspond with one or hopefully more than one of the moving company options.

Create a Moving Inventory: Take a thorough moving inventory of all items to be moved. Without this inventory you won’t be able to get complete pricing to compare online or otherwise, so go ahead and make it one of your first steps.

Identify Special Items: Start by identifying the special items that require extra care during the move. This could include items such as pianos, antiques, artwork, or electronics.

Categorize Items: Once you have identified the special items, categorize them based on their fragility and weight. This will help the moving company determine the appropriate packing materials and handling procedures.

Provide Detailed Information: When requesting a moving quote, provide detailed information about the special items you have identified. This should include the item’s dimensions, weight, fragility, and any other relevant information.

Ask for Recommendations: Ask one of your potential moving companies for recommendations on how to properly pack and transport your special items. They may have specific procedures or materials that they recommend.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your special items are properly accounted for and that you receive an accurate moving quote.

FINAL NOTE: A reputable moving company will take a thorough inventory of all your belongings either in person or through a virtual survey. Having created your own detailed list, a comparison for accuracy of the two lists will make minimize the likelihood of an unpleasant surprise.

Ask friends, relatives or neighbors for recommendations: Word-of-mouth recommendations can save you plenty of time in research.

Read the company’s reviews and testimonials before contacting them: A reliable moving company will have an online presence with reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google, Facebook, Yelp and MyMovingReviews. If a company has mostly bad reviews, you might want to drop them from the remainder of the selection process.

Price: Compare the online prices of different moving companies. Keep in mind that the lowest price may not always be the best option. Look for a company that offers a fair price for the services they provide. What you will need for a real comparison is a quote, not a price as you may overlook some things that are needed and create apples to oranges comparisons. Once you have at least PRE-QUALIFIED your moving company options for the above steps, you’re ready to dig deeper on the one’s that remain on your list.

Your ULTIMATE PRICE COMPARISON will be based on quotes prepared by the moving company. There is no reason to get one at this point, however, until you have qualified the remaining companies on the points that follow.

Vet the legal and insurance status of the mover: Make sure they are legally and properly insured and registered to provide moving services in your area.

Check your state’s requirements: Regulations and requirements for licensure vary from state to state. You can check out your state’s requirements on the of your state’s consumer affairs agency or state moving association.

Ask for a copy of their COI: Ask the mover for a copy of their COI (Certificate of Insurance) and to see their state and/or federal license.

You can check the company’s licensing status by searching for their US DOT number in the US Department of Transportation’s database.

Verify licensure: If you are moving across state lines, your mover should have federal licensure, meaning the government has signed off on their business. Being licensed requires the movers to follow certain guidelines regarding insurance, safety measures, financial responsibility and so on. If your potential movers will be traveling across state lines, check to make sure they are licensed for interstate moves on this government website.

Learn what type of insurance coverage a professional moving company should normally offer for local home, apartment, and commercial moves. Understand who and what does this mover’s insurance cover.

Full Value Protection: This is a comprehensive insurance plan that covers the full value of your belongings in case of loss or damage during the move. If any of your personal property is lost, destroyed or damaged while in the mover’s custody, the company will repair or replace the item, or make a cash settlement for the cost of the repair or the current market value.

Released Value Protection: This is a basic insurance plan that covers only 60 cents per pound per item. For example, if a 10-pound item is lost or damaged, you would receive only $6 in compensation.

Third-Party Insurance: This is an additional insurance policy that you can purchase from a third-party insurer to supplement the coverage provided by your moving company.

Get a written estimate for moving company comparisons that have made it this far in the process: A written estimate will help you avoid any surprises on moving day ¹.Compare the prices of different moving companies. Keep in mind that the lowest price may not always be the best option. Look for a company that offers a fair price for the services they provide.