How does one make the right decision? Here are some very important pointers:

Research various local moving companies in the Washington DC metro area through their websites. You can also read about their past history and what kind of services they offer.

Check with the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.gov) to see their rating, and check if the local movers belong to any trade organizations, such as the American Moving & Storage Association. Note: Gulliver's Movers has an A+ rating with the BBB.

Contact friends, neighbors, colleagues and find out if they have had a good experience with a particular moving company. Word of mouth publicity is the best publicity for any company.

Check whether the mover is insured or bonded. Highly regarded moving companies, whether they are local or interstate, will offer to fix the damaged item or offer some kind of insurance. See more about our insurance policy and coverage in our FAQ pages.

One can get a quick estimate on the mover's website or simply call up the company for an estimate. A good moving company will be happy to send a representative, free of charge, to "cube" (overall size) your belongings and supply you with a written estimate. Normally this service is offered to customers moving more than a one bedroom apartment worth of furniture and boxes.

Moving services which do local business charge by the hour only. Keep in mind that your unique circumstances will determine the length and cost of your move. The better organized you are, the faster the move, the cheaper it is.

Unique circumstances include: the floor you presently reside on, the floor you will be moving to, the presence of an elevator on either of the buildings, and the distance to the truck.