You might choose to rent a truck because it is less expensive than hiring someone else to transport your household belongings. However, rental fees can add up quickly, if you aren't careful. Get quotes from several different companies -- and remember to figure in the cost of gas, tolls, food, and other travel expenses during the trip. Will you need to rent additional equipment -- a dolly, a hitch for your car, or packing supplies? Do you have friends who can help load and unload the truck? If not, you will have to hire helpers -- or risk even more costly medical bills when you throw your back out trying to lift that refrigerator on your own! What if your truck is in an accident? "Do-it-yourself" requires extra insurance coverage for your cargo and any potential damage to the truck. You will also want to ask about additional drop-off fees -- if you are returning the truck to a different location or a low-demand area.

Here's another thing to consider -- while you may be tempted to make your decision based solely on price, there is much more at stake when you are moving than the up-front price tag. You are transporting all of your most valued possessions from one location to another. It may seem like it costs less to have your brother-in-law load your mother's piano onto the truck. But what happens when he overestimates how much weight he can carry and drops it? With professional movers, you not only benefit from their years of experience, but also their insurance coverage. Can you handle loading and unloading large, heavy, bulky items? Are you comfortable driving an oversized vehicle through heavy traffic? Remember, that U-Haul is a tad bigger than your pickup truck! And think about the time and energy you will have to invest if you move yourself. Can you afford to take extra days off from work to load and unload a truck? Do you want to use your precious vacation time toting boxes back and forth? Sometimes, it's just easier (and well worth the money) to have someone else do it for you. Renting a truck is certainly the best option for some people (especially cheapskates and DIY freaks like me) -- just be sure you know exactly what you are getting into before you rule out that handy full-service moving company!

If you do decide to hire a moving company, start by compiling a list of at least 5 potential movers to interview. You can let your fingers do the walking, but it's better to get referrals from friends, your company relocation department, or your realtor. Then ask for a bid from each -- an estimate of how much the move will cost. Be sure that you are comparing apples to apples, and ask each mover up front about any "extra" fees. Will they have to traverse more than one flight of stairs or take furniture up an elevator? Are you moving bulky items or asking for things to be carried an excessive distance from house to truck? Are you expecting the company to provide packing supplies or assemble items once you have reached your destination?

You can also usually expect to pay more for side trips (to pick up items at another location), unusual transportation obstacles (construction, detours), exclusive use of a truck by your household, delivery on holidays or weekends, or the use of the moving company's off-site storage facilities. Whatever you agree to, be sure to get a binding estimate -- that way, if your load weighs more than expected, the company must honor the quoted price. But remember, price is only one of the criteria by which to judge a mover. You should also find out if your belongings will remain on one truck for the entire length of the move. Transferring items from one truck to another increases the chances of damage. Also ask if the company will guarantee your delivery date. If you aren't careful, all of your "stuff" can end up in a storage unit on the other side of the country for months at a time!

Checking Your Mover's Credentials

Most importantly, be sure to check your mover out thoroughly before you sign any agreements -- don't just trust references, because they might not be entirely objective. When moving from state to state, contact the Surface Transportation Board (formerly the Interstate Commerce Commission) to find out if the company is on the up and up. International and intrastate (within the same state) moves are not governed by the STB -- so get in touch with the state department that regulates relocation (transportation, public utilities, public services) for more information about your local movers. You may also contact the Better Business Bureau or Department Of Consumer Affairs in the cities of origin, destination, and the company's headquarters for complaints about their actions or ethics. Your main goal is to find out if your mover:

Of course, look for extensive international experience and strong references when moving overseas. And whether you are moving locally, nationally, or overseas -- make an unannounced visit to the company to get a good look at their operations. Ask lots of questions!