1. Ask your realtor, friends and colleagues for moving service referrals.
2. Ensure the mover is properly insured and licensed.
3. Check the mover with the DOT and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
4. Look for complaints through the Better Business Bureau.
5. Be sure you receive an estimate in person instead of just over the phone.
6. Ensure you get a copy of "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move."

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• by Denise Ryan

• Whether you're moving across country or across town, make the move as stress-free as possible by choosing a reputable moving service that will provide reliable service and protect your furniture and belongings from damage. Consider the following points when selecting your movers.

• Instead of choosing the first moving service you discover, get quotes from at least three moving companies to ensure you get the best deal from the best company.Real Estate.com: Steps to Picking a Mover Consider the following places to find additional options.

1. Ask your realtor for local moving services that former clients have used with satisfactory results.Moving Scam: How to Find a Reputable Moving Company
2. Get recommendations from friends or business colleagues who have recently moved.
   • -If the moving company provides customer recommendations, ask if they'll allow you to contact the customers. If they don't, it may be a sign that the testimonials were made up for promotional purposes.
3. Browse through your local Yellow Pages or online Yellow Pages to find moving services that have been in business for several years.
   • -Look for a moving service with a long history to determine its reliability. If the company isn't listed in last year's Yellow Pages, for example, may indicate that it's operating under a new name to dodge previous charges.Long Island Moving and Storage Association: 10 Ways to Spot a Mover You Can Trust
4. Get quotes for reputable moving companies through a service offered by the American Moving and Storage Association.American Moving and Storage Association: Find an AMSA-Member Moving Company
5. Ensure you look for moving services instead of "moving brokers" since consumer protection laws do not apply to Household Goods Brokers.Moving Scam: How to Find a Reputable Moving Company

• Investigate each potential moving company's record to uncover a reputation of outstanding service or a history of fraud, litigation or other problems.

1. When you receive an estimate, collect information on the mover including the company and DBA names, years in business and DOT number.Moving Scam: How to Find a Reputable Moving Company
2. Ensure that the mover has the proper insurance and licensing.Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration: Choosing a Reputable Mover
   • -Contact your state's Department of Transportation to ensure the mover's DOT certificate is current and legal.Long Island Moving and Storage Association: 10 Ways to Spot a Mover You Can Trust
3. Call the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Violation and Consumer Complaints Hotline (888-368-7238) to check for a history of complaints.Moving Scam: How to Find a Reputable Moving Company
4. Check the Better Business Bureau to find a record of complaints against the moving service.Long Island Moving and Storage Association: 10 Ways to Spot a Mover You Can Trust
   • -Reputable moving services will have a satisfactory rating from the Better Business Bureau.
5. Find your state's moving industry association and potential movers' reputation and activity through that source.
   • YouTube Video: Moving Companies (Time: 2:15)

• Before making the final decision, consider a few other recommendations and warnings to help you decide.

1. Avoid moving services that don't give you a copy of the booklet, "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move," since it's required under US Federal Law.Movers.com: How to Find a Mover?
2. Ensure the company will give you an estimate after surveying the items in your home instead of giving you a flat rate over the phone.Moving Scam: How to Find a Reputable Moving Company
3. Be sure the company's sales representative gives you a detailed quote, a clear explanation of services and is always available to discuss concerns and questions.Homefinder.com: How to Find a Reliable and Honest Mover
4. Check out the mover's headquarters in person to ensure they handle moves themselves instead of sub-contracting jobs and have properly labeled trucks and a storage facility.Moving Scam: How to Find a Reputable Moving Company
5. Avoid movers that ask for a considerable deposit or upfront payment before moving day.About.com: How to Choose the Right Mover: Research

• Because you need to move on time and depend on your moving service to pack and transport costly furniture, appliances and personal belongings, it's vital to do a little research to choose the best movers for the task. Although it's one extra task during a complicated move, the results and piece of mind will be worth it when your moving day rolls around.