Also, consider the work involved: a houseful of wicker, for example, costs much less to move than a houseful of heavy antiques. (But paying the movers to lift that heavy armoire may be worth the price.) Moving during peak times -- the usual school breaks -- costs more, and homes with minimal access or apartments with lots of steps will add to the final cost.

Allow some leeway in your moving schedule, so you don't end up behind before you pack a single box. Hire a moving company or contract to rent a moving truck at least eight weeks before your planned moving date. If you're planning a summertime move, you may have to move during the week. Weekends are the busiest times for moving, and the equipment you need may not be available.

Using Professional Movers

The simplest way to move is to hire professionals to pack up your household and drive away. If you do this, ask several moving companies to come to your home and give you cost estimates. The estimates are generally not binding, but some movers will give binding estimates guaranteed to be your final cost. Although you will know exactly what your moving costs will be, the binding estimate could actually be higher than the cost based on the weight of your possessions. If, however, your goods end up weighing more than the mover estimates, the mover cannot charge you more.

Packing materials can add quite a bit to the cost of moving. Whether the movers are doing your packing or you are doing it yourself, try to get used boxes from the moving company -- they should cost you about half as much as new. Or visit your local grocery store -- it may have free boxes for the taking.

Although cost estimates are important, give equal weight to the reputation of the mover. Check with local consumer protection groups if you're making a short move. These agencies keep records of complaints that are filed against businesses. The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) regulates moves from one state to another. The agency can provide a summary of the most recent performance reports of the largest moving companies.

If you're moving to another state, the ICC requires the moving company to give you a document entitled "Summary of Information for Shippers of Household Goods." It details your rights and how to protect them. If you're moving within the state, check with the state attorney general for any regulations affecting the move.

Even when you use a professional mover, there are ways to cut expenses. If possible, avoid the peak summer season. Minimize accessory charges -- hooking up appliances and moving heavy furniture up more than one flight of stairs. Also, do as much of the packing as you can (leave expensive and fragile items to the movers for insurance reasons) and don't take expendable items.