Don't hide anything. Throw open all your doors and make certain the movers' estimators see all the belongings you've managed to stash in your garage, attic, and storage spaces.

Discuss your destination. Be specific about how far and where they'll be moving the goods: Is your new place on a narrow, winding road that might be tough for a huge van to get through? Will there be lots of stairs? Talk about these aspects before you get an estimate.

Understand your estimate. Binding estimates guarantee the total cost of your move; charges that occur at your destination may or may not be part of the fixed price bid. A nonbinding estimate is an approximation, and final charges are based on the shipment's actual weight and the corresponding published tariffs-fees paid to the governments that maintain the roadways your moving truck will travel.

Read the bill of lading (the contract for the move) carefully and keep it until all claims are settled. It should document the dates of pickup and delivery and the liability coverage you chose. It also serves as your receipt for your possessions.

Be there when your shipment is weighed, which usually involves following the moving van to the nearest truck scales. If a mover asks for more money than what was estimated, you're required to give only 10 percent more than the estimate at the time of delivery. You have 30 days to pay any remaining amount.

Give the movers a phone number where you can be reached while your goods are in transit, even if you're also traveling. If nothing else, give the number of a friend or relative, and check in regularly for messages.
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