Making a Good Move

If you are planning to move to a new state, you should take care to hire a reputable mover. Experience has shown you will get little help from federal watchdogs or the courts if things go terribly wrong.

A few tips:

* Get several estimates in writing. Never settle for an estimate over the phone. Consider choosing a binding rather than nonbinding estimate. The binding estimate may cost a bit more but theoretically keeps the mover from jacking up the price. The cost is primarily determined by the distance of the move and the weight of the shipment, but customers also should get a full explanation of charges for packing and unpacking materials.

* Beware of companies that offer to move you for a song--they may have no intention of honoring their low-ball estimate. In some cases, these firms aren’t really movers, but rather unlicensed, Internet-based relocation agents or brokers. They will farm out the move to other companies that you will have no chance to investigate.

* Beware of firms with names nearly identical to those of established movers. This is a common deception by fly-by-night firms.

* Consider hiring a firm from the American Moving and Storage Assn.’s list of 140 certified movers. These companies, which are a subset of the association’s 3,800 members, have agreed to adhere to a set of voluntary standards. To get the names of certified movers, or for information about an AMSA service for obtaining estimates, contact the organization at amconf@amconf.org, by phone at (703) 683-7410, or by fax at (703) 683-7527.

* Consider buying extra insurance. Standard coverage is free but minimal, paying only 60 cents a pound for items damaged, lost or stolen. If a 20-pound precious family heirloom is destroyed, standard coverage pays you just $12.

* Create an inventory and carefully review the mover’s inventory of your goods. Consider photographing or videotaping your belongings to verify their condition at time of pickup. Also at pickup, carefully read the bill of lading, which is your contract with the mover.

* Your mover is required by law to give you a booklet spelling out your rights and responsibilities as a shipper of household goods. Included is your right to binding arbitration for damage or loss claims up to $5,000. Make sure you receive and review the booklet.