Once, years ago, I tried to start an entire moving company that only hired poltergeists. What can I say, it's hard to find folks with experience moving furniture... Okay, jokes aside, I promise I would never direct you to a moving company that hired ghosts - they can't even press the elevator buttons. Instead, what I will do, is show you how to find the perfect moving company for you, based on your unique situation - and what you can do to make the move easier, more affordable, and safer. That's a tall order, I know - but I have a secret weapon in my back pocket. I'd tell you about it... but then you'd have no reason to stick around and read my blog... How about this, here's half of it. You can click here to read the 6 simple steps you need, to make a proper moving inventory- but if you want to know how to get 7 free quotes for your move, you'll have to stick around. Well, or just click "Get Quotes" on their website - but sticking around is better! The first question we need to answer is why you need a moving inventory. The short version is - insurance, but there are other reasons too. In case of an accident, your moving inventory can be given to your insurance company to simplify the claims process for reimbursement. However, you should know that while some insurance companies will offer replacement value for lost or damaged items, most insurance policies are likely to pay out the Actual Cash Value (ACV), which is the cost of the original item, minus any depreciation. It's not just for insurance, of course, it also makes it easy to find anything you've lost in the boxes, gives you peace of mind if you think you forgot something, and makes unpacking a breeze. Plus, if you follow the six easy steps in the guide, you can make your whole inventory in just a few minutes... well, depending on how much stuff you have. Here are a few fast tips, but seriously, check the guide from Movers.com for all the details, because they're the experts. First, don't worry about writing down every single thing, as long as you get the important stuff. You don't need to count, label, and value each individual shirt and sock - but you should for expensive electronics, jewelry, and anything else that has significant value. It's also not a bad idea to take pictures, and label which rooms they were in, which box they're in now, and where they're going. Oh, and don't forget to make a digital backup - even if that just means taking a photo of your list once it's done, just in case. If you have a lot of stuff to move, or if it's spread out over several floors, just double-check the free guide from Movers.com to make sure you followed their 6 steps for a moving inventory, and to get your free quotes. In fact, there are several ways that Movers.com can help you to estimate the cost of your move. Obviously, the easy solution is to use their fast estimate service - you just have to fill in one form with some details about where you're moving from and to, how much you're moving, and other factors that may affect the job, and you'll get 7 free quotes from trusted local professionals, with no obligation, right away. Alternatively, if you're not ready for an official quote yet, you can calculate your own estimate. Of course, it won't be as accurate as the professional quotes - but it's handy for helping you to get an idea of the cost before you even talk to an expert. I can't walk you through the entire process, because there are just too many variables, but if you click these words, it will take you to a ton of free guides that break down everything you need to know. Find the right guide for your situation, and you can estimate the cost including factors like, whether or not your building has an elevator, how far your stuff has to be carried, and how many stairs are involved. Just don't forget that moving inventory. As an expert from Movers.com recently explained, “It’s always prudent to create a moving inventory when you relocate. In the event that your personal property is damaged or stolen, you won’t receive reimbursement for your belongings unless you have proof of its condition beforehand. Don’t make it a long and tedious process - use these tips to make a moving inventory in six steps.” Moving doesn't have to be hard - all you really need are the right professionals. You can find them, the easy way, with Movers.com because they're the one-stop shop for free quotes, customer reviews, comparisons, and just about everything else related to your move. The best part is, it's totally free. Click here for full access to all their free guides, or to get 7 free, no-obligation quotes from local professionals.