Tips on making a smooth move

Tips on making a smooth move Avoid lowball estimates. Get at least three bids. For accuracy, ask that the mover do the free estimate in your home, not by phone. If there are big price differences in the estimates, find out why. Verify the number of movers included. Some states allow actual moving costs to be no more than 10 percent higher than the original bid, but not Minnesota. Ask the mover if there is a maximum amount that the bid can't exceed. Also ask about minimum charges. If your move was estimated to take three hours and it only takes two, you might still get charged for three hours if that's the minimum.

Avoid breakage. You might want to pack and move highly prized, valuable items yourself. However, items that you pack for the movers to take might not be covered by liability if your packing is determined to be inadequate. If you pack a box of dishes, for example, that arrives dented or crushed, mention it to the team leader immediately. Let him open it to determine liability. Ask your mover in advance if the company covers items that customers pack themselves.

Avoid shabby repairs. Ask about repair options before damages occur. Liability generally covers repair, not replacement, of broken furniture. The mover will usually take the item to the repair shop of its choice, not the consumer's. If you're concerned, ask which repair shop the company uses.

Avoid losses from damages. Get supplemental liability insurance in addition to the mover's insurance unless you're OK with getting $30 for your broken 42-inch, 50-pound plasma TV. Mover's liability coverage is 60 cents per pound per article. Breakage during a move is rarely covered by homeowner's insurance, said several local agents. Most homeowner's or rental policies only cover damage if the moving van is in an accident or damaged by perils such as high winds.

It may not be possible to open every box for damages before movers leave, but inspect boxes for exterior dents or punctures and open boxes that "rattle" when moved, said Meyer.

Extended coverage can be an umbrella policy covering all items or a per item policy. For example, the weight of the contents of an average three- to four-bedroom home is 10,000 pounds. Supplemental insurance pays $3.50 per pound for a maximum coverage of $35,000. The cost for that amount of coverage is about $300 at Metcalf Moving in St. Paul, for example. Extended liability coverage works differently from basic coverage. Under basic liability, a 50-pound plasma TV is covered for only 60 cents per pound ($30), but under extended liability the cost of repairing or replacing the same 50-pound TV is taken from the maximum coverage amount of $35,000, not at the rate of $3.50 per pound. Local Motion charges about $5 per $100 of value per item if you want to insure specific items, such as a television.

Avoid delays if you're on a tight schedule. Ask to be the first move of the day if you're on a tight schedule. The chance of delay increases later in the day.