Start with a time-honored method of personal references. Ask your friends. If two separate parties refer the same mover, in a city with 500 moving companies, this beats the odds. Don’t take the word of bargain guides, supers or apartment organizers unless you personally know them to be trustworthy.
Adopt a skeptical attitude when using the internet. (The rave e-mails appearing on blogs are sometimes written by the very movers that are being raved about.)
Look for a company that has been in business for ten years or more. There are an infinite number of details involved in a move which can only be learned through experience. As a customer, you do not want to share learning with a new company.
Ask Yourself: Is the company detail-oriented? Has every expense been spelled out? Is the representative willing to discuss fine points? Or do they simply inflict on you a large amount of empty sales talk?
Consider whether the company depends on references or on advertising as their source of jobs. A company that relies on advertising for their work will not be especially concerned about what you tell your friends about your move.
Binding estimates and replacement value insurance were invented to assure the customer peace of mind. Request both, but read the fine print carefully for exceptions.

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