Whether you're moving across town or across country, transporting your household goods can be a complicated process. When you Move Smart, professional guidance can ease the transition to your new location and make the process hassle-free.

Good planning helps make a smooth move. You'll want to contact utilities two weeks prior to your departure for disconnection. Remember to submit change of address forms and mail-forwarding requests to your post office.

Renting a Truck

Renting a truck and getting friends to help can be the least expensive way to move. However, selecting a professional mover can save not only time, but contribute to a hassle-free move. Whichever option you choose, our helpful tips can ease the transition to your new home, helping you save time and avoid costly mistakes.

• Determine the best-size truck to rent for your household. A 4- to 5-room house usually fits comfortably in an 18-foot truck.
• Confirm pickup and drop-off locations with the rental company.
• Review the accessories you might need (dollies, padding, boxes, tape, etc.).
• Inquire about insurance options and physical damage waivers.
• Last, but not least ... be sure to consider your time frame and physical labor involved in packing, loading and unloading your household belongings.

Professional Movers

The luxury of having every item in your house packed professionally and loaded securely offers peace of mind and extra time to focus on other important aspects of your move.

• Your mover will make a list of all your belongings, detailing their condition.
• Refer to your owner's manuals for instructions on moving fragile items. Audio-visual, electronic equipment and computers should be packed in their original boxes when possible.
• Once your goods are on the van, check your home thoroughly to make sure nothing has been left behind.
• Upon arrival, it's best to have two people available to accept your shipment. One checks inventory while the other checks the condition of each piece and shows the crew where items should be placed.

Moving Insurance

Insuring your move is something you'll want to think about. Standard homeowner's policies rarely cover belongings during a move. Review with your insurance company what is covered. Then, talk with your mover about additional insurance needs.

Read your policy carefully for hidden deductibles or limitations. Remember that most policies don't cover jewelry, personal papers, documents and collectibles. Coverage of appliances differs by policy.

In the unlikely event that something is damaged, don't discard it. The insurance adjuster will need to inspect its condition.