Begin your search for movers immediately after you know the date of the move. This is most important during peak moving times, which falls between May and August.

How do you find a mover?

Check with your Incredible Real Estate Agent. Your agent routinely deals with home sales and can both recommend movers and make suggestions that will cut costs and save time.

Look in the Yellow Pages. There are local subsidiaries of most nationally known moving companies listed among the pages of small and large moving companies in the book. To be a part of such companies these subsidiaries need to adhere to the strict standards the moving giants maintain. These days, most movers have websites and provide information, advise, and contact numbers for both corporate headquarters and local movers.

• Another source, but less reliable, is from friends, relatives, and neighbors.

• When you do get a recommendation, get all the details.

• Were they prompt? Were they courteous?

• Did they choose the shortest route from one place to the other?

• Did they put the boxes and furniture in the places you designated?

• Did they follow directions?

Obtain at least two or three estimates and compare the services offered. Ask for references and call those references, making certain they are "real" people - not friends or relatives of the mover.

Get estimates within the estimate. For example, how much would it cost if the movers packed rather than you? If they pack, will they also unpack and set up beds, bookcases, and other furniture?

If you choose to pack, how much will boxes cost and how many will you need? What kinds of things should go in what kinds of boxes. By this, a small box should hold books, but a large box should be packed with lighter things, such as clothing.

Will they wrap the furniture in bubble wrap, and carefully pack the computers, small appliances, and breakables?

Will they move antiques and pianos, or will you need to find special moving companies for such items? Not all movers are capable of moving a baby grand, so you might prefer to have your piano moved by a licensed piano mover.

You also need to ask if moving items up and down stairs is an extra cost. Or if moving on a weekend or holiday will incur a surcharge

Most estimates are based on hourly costs by a certain number of movers, and, of course, on what needs to be moved. Make sure that you are provided with information on the number of movers needed, the time it will take (including transportation time), and the number of trucks.

Once you obtain all the estimates, check out references, and contact the Better Business Bureau, then it is time to choose a mover. Base your decision on service, not price.

You will need to make a deposit - usually about then percent of the total estimate. Movers usually will not begin unloading the truck until they receive the balance.

That does not mean your work is done.

You or someone you trust needs to be on hand when the move is under way. You need to supervise and double-check and be around for questions the movers will certainly have.

Develop a checklist. Make sure that the movers adhere to the letter of the contract. Do not hesitate to complain to the foreman of the crew or the supervisor at the office if things are not going as you were promised . . . at anytime during the move.

Lastly, have enough money for a tip - probably about $50 per mover per eight-hour move.