Moving could be a stressful time. Just about everyone has heard the horror stories about movers losing photo albums, damaging TVs, and leaving things behind.

Plus, the expense of moving is usually at least several hundred dollars, and if you’re moving cross-country with a lot of things, it can be as high as $11,000. Well, forget about horror stories. Whether you are scheduled to move next month or in the next half a year, get your boxes in a row with these tips.

Request your estimate be guaranteed.
No one really wants to be bushwhacked by way of a fee higher than the original estimate after the job is complete. Find a mover that will guarantee they won’t exceed their estimate.

Review your mover’s insurance policy.
Movers will most likely insure your items within the moving price. Ask should they calculate their insurance by weight or by the item’s value. Keep yourself well-informed about the various kinds of moving insurance, then ask about insurance policies when you compare your estimates. Moving.com supplies a program to compare estimates.

Check to verify you can find no hidden fees.
Movers may charge and further fee for extremely heavy items, items that should be dismantled, gas lines which have to be disconnected, traveling along flights of stairs, and driveways which are too narrow (the movers have to transport your what to and from the truck instead of pulling around the entrance). Have a discussion with the movers about these issues once you receive your estimate.

Tip the movers. Don’t forget about tipping the movers and providing cold drinks for them. If there are one or two movers, the tip would typically be at the very least $40 to $60. If you can find more than that add $20 per mover.

Compare your estimated value of one’s belongings to the moving company’s.
Review the moving contract for its estimated value of your possessions, and compare that to your estimation. If there’s a big difference, then consider asking for a different contract or dealing with another moving company.

Check the movers accepted payment methods.
Some moving companies accept credit cards – don’t assume your does. Know your options for payment before agreeing to use the moving company.

Get the premium treatment.
Some movers offers you packing materials as part of the cost of the move. Ask if the packing material will be included in the whole package before buying yards of bubble wrap. Many movers are pleased to deliver boxes before the day of your move.

Figure out how to value wardrobe boxes.
Wardrobe boxes have many functions. They’re fabulous for bulky items that don’t weigh a whole lot, like pillows, throws, comforters, and hanging clothes. Before the movers arriving, call ahead to ask how big is their wardrobe boxes. Calculate just how many you will need by measuring the clothes and coats in your closet. Be sure you pack your clothes securely so they don’t move around or fall off their hangers. Also you can add in bulky items like shoe boxes (taped closed) and containers. Don’t make these large boxes overweight.

Check Moving from New York to California .
Check with the Better Business Bureau to be sure the moving company doesn’t have complaints filed against them.

Take charge.
To greatly help with the moving process, assign a color (use colored stickers) for each and every room in your brand-new home and label the boxes with each color so the movers know where you can put them. Designating a location for movers to put the boxes. This helps things move quickly and efficiently which saves money and time, especially if you are paying hourly.