The Interstate Commerce Commission used to employ 30 people just to deal with complaints involving shipment of household goods, but it was closed down in 1995. With no federal agency to oversee this area, a growing number of dishonest and slipshod movers have taken advantage of consumers at one of the most stressful times of their lives.

No wonder the Council of Better Business Bureaus (BBB) rates moving and storage companies as one of the most troublesome businesses that they rank. Not exactly comforting news when you're about to turn your whole life upside down.

So how do you find a reliable mover? Here are some tips for you:

1. The search begins . Use the Yellow Pages or the Internet to find large, established firms—and get bids from three different movers for comparison purposes. (We'll talk more about that in a moment.) Check Moverquotes.com ; you plug in your destination and approximate the size of your move, and out comes a list of movers, estimated cost, phone numbers, and insurance coverage. Isn't technology wonderful?

When you find a few likely candidates, check them out with your local Better Business Bureau and the American Moving and Storage Association at 703-683-7410 or at www.moving.org for any complaints. If the mover has a clean record, call them. Ask for referrals from people they have moved a similar distance, with a similar volume of "stuff." Also ask if the company operates under any other names so that you don't make unnecessary calls.

2. The estimate . If everything checks out, call again. Make an appointment to have a representative come to your home and give you an estimate. Never take an estimate over the telephone! The mover has to see what you're moving to come up with a realistic figure. Meanwhile, you want to see what the people who will be responsible for your possessions are like before you make your final choice.

Meet with at least three moving companies to compare rates and services. We always get three quotes—in writing—and usually take the middle price.

Dolan Smart Money Move : Don't choose a mover solely on the basis of price. A good reputation and a business with a long track record are important, too. Incredibly low rates are usually "sucker" quotes: What you save now will be more than made up when you get stuck with having to repair your piano after the movers have dropped it and then disappeared, or at least drawn out the negotiations so long that you get fed up. You don't want to trust your worldly possessions to Joe's Fly-By-Nite.

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3. The Interview . During your initial interview, ask the movers about any extra charges they impose for carrying things upstairs or on elevators, long walks, pianos, valuable antiques, or heavy items.

Dolan Smart Money Move : If your movers do the packing, it will add about 30% to your bill, so we suggest you pack as much as you can yourself. However...