Moving is always a difficult and frustrating time for everyone involved. Don't kid yourself into thinking that it's a piece of cake. The anxiety of your move can be greatly diminished if you know of a few things that can possibly help you in the long run. All it takes is being a bit vigilant and be your own advocate. In case you didn't know that statistics of the moving industry, it so happens that the moving industry packs in nearly 60% of its business during the summer months, a hustling time for them. However what this often does is leaves a trail of frustrated consumers in its wake.

First, in the mist of the hectic summer months, a moving company might get so busy that it asks another company to help out with a job. That's fine and actually is a common occurrence in case you didn't know that. But the problem hat arises out of that is the fact that the consumer should be notified in advance of the deal. This is an important question to ask your perspective mover and you should have it stated in your contract for your protection. This is to ensure that all your belongings get on the same truck and it doesn't cost you extra to get the rest of your stuff back.

Second, take 5 minutes of your time and contact the Department of Transportation for current and past complaints against a company you are considering if there are any at all. Did you know that the Department of Transportation receives up to 4,000 household moving complaints annually, mostly about loss and damage, poor service or overcharging? The Council of Better Business Bureaus, meanwhile, reports that complaints about movers have jumped from nearly 3,800 in 1997 to more than 9,000 in 2002. And these days, with millions of Americans changing addresses annually, so with that there's no shortage of moving targets. Just don't make yourself one of them.

Third, this is important to know because it can make the difference of paying out to replace improperly packed items that got broke during your move. . Inexperienced workers are more likely to damage possessions. Even if one company does handle your entire move, don't assume that the movers who show up are actual employees of that company. Companies have been known to hire day-laborers right off the streets on moving day. This is common with smaller moving companies because they often don't have regular crews due to the size of their company.

So now you are aware of the fact that many moving companies contract with independent truck drivers. This is a concern to you only if the movers arrive in an unmarked rental truck. That's a big red flag to you. In addition, it's okay to get estimates from several movers on the internet. If at all possible, swing by the company's offices before you finally selects that mover for the job. If the company does not appear to have its own trucks, do yourself a favor: Cancel the job.