The primary concern initially is not how much you need to move, but how far away your destination is. Going for the lowest price is risky.

Here are some pointers to help you before you pack up and go.

• Know that by law your full payment for the move must be made to the moving company before you can have your possessions unloaded at the arrival point.
  
  
• Payment must be made by a cashier's check, traveler's check, money order or certified check. No personal checks allowed. While credit cards may be accepted, a processing fee might get tacked on.
  
  
• Because of this, it's imperative that you get as much of the agreement in writing. Some unsuspecting customers have literally had their possessions held hostage by the moving company because there was a disagreement at the end over the true costs of the move.
  
  
• For this reason, and others, never accept an estimate over the phone. To get a truly accurate estimate, a representative from the company must come to your home to assess the scope of the job, determine if there will be any physical barriers that might delay the job (difficult turns, lots of stairs, etc).
  
  
• Should you pack your things yourself. Well, you'll save money but professional packers will probably do a better job.
  
  
• If you plan to pack yourself, consult with the moving company to see if they have requirements first. Some movers want everything in a box or they won't move it.  You'll either have to scrounge around for boxes or buy some. 
  
  
• Some moving companies have climate-controlled trucks with air-ride shock absorbers the reduce vibration. See if yours does as well. 
  
  
• Now is the time to discard anything you really won't use in the new location. Don't pay to move something you won't use. Sell it or give it away.
  
  
• Your final charges will depend on the overall weight of the shipment and any additional services you want done (packing, crating, materials).
  
  
• Moving companies will also factor in such things as: how much space will the furnishings take up, how large of a truck will they need and how much one mover can actually move in a number of hours.
  
  
• As for insurance, there is "no-cost basic liability". This type of coverage covers goods at 60 cents per pound per item (30 cents on local moves) irregardless of the value of the contents. "Declared value protection" covers the replacement value of an item, minus depreciation. The length of time you have owned the item, the more depreciation will be assigned to it. If something gets damaged, the coverage will only replace it with a like model, not anything upgraded.
  
  
• Then you have "extra ordinary value items" that must be identified by you in writing. This applies only to items that are valued over $100 per pound per article. They get recorded on a "high-value inventory sheet" by whoever estimates the job. If you fail to list such items and they are damaged, coverage is limited to no more than $100 per pound per article.