We are not giving out any prizes to people that can prove that moving is a stressful life event. A big change like that is a stress at the best of times, but it can also be a costly one if you don’t take the time to study the company you are doing business with. Whether this is your first move or your fifteenth, it’s important to shop for experience, security, reputation and cost.

When you’re shopping for a moving company, try to keep these tips in mind:

Most reputable moving companies use a base rate book published by the Household Goods Carriers Bureau. This book, Tariff 400-M, provides estimates for all moving transactions, including packing, storage, transportation, special needs and much more. While this book is a guide only, it’s a guide that most companies follow to the letter, so ask your moving company what they use.

When you get your estimates from each company, take a look at the final price on each. Even if each company is using the guidelines provided by Tariff 400-M, there will still likely be a wide range of quotes in front of you. Here are some questions you should consider before making a decision:

Have your shipment and services been underestimated to make it look like you’re getting a better price than you actually will be getting?

Did you have an experienced estimator for each quote? If you’re unsure, ask. What kinds of discounts were applied and how do they compare to their competitors? Is this a binding, or guaranteed, quote? That is, will the company guarantee this is the final price?

Do you have that guarantee in writing?

Have you done your homework and checked with others who have used the company in recent months? Have they provided references to you, and have you investigated them? Sometimes there are enough unknown factors in a move that a guaranteed price isn’t possible, but if you’re planning in advance and have been open and honest with your estimator, there should be no good reason why they can’t give you a definite price. Always insist on a guaranteed price, in writing, so there are no surprises on the day your shipment arrives. Understand your responsibilities if you are doing the packing and the responsibilities the moving company has agreed to for your move and on the day you should have no problems... with any luck!