by Lorey Ford To move, or not to move? That is the question. Whether 'tis possible in the pocketbook to suffer the lows of non-existent fortune and take up collections for boxes and bubbles, and thereby your things relocate. For in that move, what unknown costs may arise and give us trouble? Moving can be as complex as understanding Shakespeare. Quotes and estimates are confusing when you don't know the basic language. How do you compare prices and services? What are the hidden costs? Should you hire professional movers or do it yourself? Daunting as these questions are, here's some information to help you weigh your options and make the journey less stressful. Professional Movers Moving companies move by the pound per mile and some of the calculations, surcharges and estimates can leave you feeling like you need a Ph.D. in applied math and a degree in law to move. Before you move, know the facts. These companies give binding or non-binding estimates. A binding estimate is a guaranteed price regardless of the actual weight of your shipment. A non-binding estimate requires payment of the quoted estimate plus 10 percent if the estimated cost was too low upon delivery. Cost is determined by the weight of your shipment, services rendered and distance traveled. Pros: Allows you to insure belongings. Delivers to your door. Costs are tax deductible. Keep your receipts and file Form 3903 with the IRS. Companies give up-front pricing. Provides all packing materials and equipment. Cons: Companies control pickup and delivery dates and may store your things at your expense if you fail to appear within two hours of their arrival. May damage your belongings. Won't move pets or plants. Tack on extra service fees that can range from special handling fees for fragile items to fees for elevators. Costs more. To move a one-bedroom house from Seattle to Austin costs around $4,000. Requires reservations be made months in advance. Tips: Spring and summer are big moving seasons, so move during the fall or winter for cheaper rates. Also, avoid the weekend rush. Schedule moving times during regular business hours. Take inventory of the items you will be taking with you and list the estimated value and condition of each. This list will help you check whether any of your belongings are missing or damaged when you unpack. Sell unwanted items and put the money toward moving costs. Request estimates from three reputable moving companies. Use low estimates or special discounts to bargain. NOTE: Unbelievably low estimates usually mean poor service. Auto Transport Carriers Your first or second most valuable asset is your car. Relocating can be stressful enough without having to worry if your car will make it. Auto transport carriers ship your car without you having to drive it. All transport carriers have different rates and services so it's hard to give you a guideline on what to look out for when choosing a shipper. Check out www.moving.com for a list of auto transport carriers and their websites. Tips: Drain your fuel level to less than half a tank. Most companies charge by weight and draining your gas can save you a few dollars. Prep your car for the climate. Make sure you have anti-freeze and coolant in your car. Don't ship your belongings in the car. Items might be stolen or damaged while in transit and are not insured by the carrier. Drive-Away Services Drive-away services are the alternative to you driving or shipping your car. Companies advertise for drivers to transport your vehicle to your destination. These drivers are always screened and fingerprinted before they are hired but are not necessarily professionals. Pros: You don't have to drive your own car. You can pack some of your belongings in the truck. The cost is reasonably low compared to shipping. Cons: You risk the liability of having another individual drive your car. The time of arrival is not guaranteed. Extra mileage adds to the wear on your car and increases the potential for breakdown. Self Moving This is for the smart, savvy, self-made person who has the know-how to move his or her own things. Not to mention, this might also be an option if a sofa has more cushions than your bank account has zeros. So, you pack everything you need into your Volkswagen, strap your mattress to the top, wave good-bye to your friends and off you go. Moving yourself might be practical for moving across town, but it may not be wise for long-distance moves. Personal elbow grease and ingenuity always cost less than professional services. That is the upside. The downside is that you can overestimate your own ability and resources. Pros: Allows you to handle and organize your own belongings. You arrive with your belongings. It's fairly inexpensive. You can avoid duplicate travel expenses. Cons: Must organize, pack, load, drive and unload yourself. Does not allow you to provide damage insurance. May need expensive car repairs along the way. You'll have additional expenses for loading equipment, packing material, gas, food, lodging and tolls. These items can cost you more than you might guess. Tips: Collect packing materials early. Liquor store boxes are usually sturdier and have pre-made handles. Use newspaper for filler and towels and linens for cushioning more fragile items. Get friends and family to help you load. Refreshments, especially beer, serve as payment. On the flip side, rather than do it all yourself, you can use professional services to offset some of the more grueling work and still keep costs low. Rental Companies Truck companies offer you all the benefits associated with moving yourself with the added advantage of professional moving equipment. You can get all the materials you need from rental companies such as U-Haul or Ryder or let companies like ABF do all the driving and move like a professional without the professional expense. Pros: You get all the do-it-yourself benefits. Relatively inexpensive. To move a one-bedroom house from Seattle to Austin costs $1,068. Cons: You get about five to 10 miles per gallon and only average about 45mph in their large vehicles. You pay for gas. You're charged extra if you exceed their mileage agreement of up to $40 a day and 40 cents per mile. You may underestimate space needed and additional trailers may not be available. You might have a difficult time driving in poor weather and on unfamiliar roads. You're a prime target for theft with the cheap locks on the trucks. Transport Companies Pros: Only pay for the space you use. Costs are comparable to renting a truck. Don't pay for gas, oil or insurance. You can pack and load yourself. You're insured for loss or damage. Cons: Must provide ramps, loading equipment and packing materials yourself. Must secure shipment with ropes or other devices to prevent moving or damage. Should consider that apartment complexes may not allow a 26-foot truck in the parking lot. Must assemble a plywood wall to separate your shipment from others. Rail Companies Under certain circumstance, shipping your things via train as excess baggage may be cheaper than traveling with excess luggage by air. Some companies like Amtrak even offer special shipping services for non-passengers. Pros: Economical. They charge by the weight of your shipment not by the piece. Ship oversized or awkward items from bikes to instruments. Provide pickup and delivery services in select cities. Cons: Companies have size and weight restrictions. Shipping is subject to train schedules and space availability. Do not service every city. Will not transport unboxed items. Bus Companies You can avoid the long tedious ride trying to see around the microwave oven blocking the rear view mirror by going Greyhound. Bus companies provide shipping services similar to rail companies but run more frequently. Pros: Buses run more often than trains or planes and service more cities. They are ideal for shipping those pesky mattresses. Will store your belongings cheaply. They charge around 50 cents per day. Cons: Companies restrict you to space available. Fragile items may be damaged in transit. Expensive. To ship a 100-pound box from Seattle to Austin costs $63 compared to $39 by rail. Public Storage Imagine an enormous box to pack your things in dropped off at your door and then miraculously carried away to storage. Then imagine that same box appearing on the doorstep of your new home without you ever having moved a thing. Public Storage is great for local moves when you don't have the time or space in your car or when you need to rent a truck for the long haul. Pros: They will deliver packing materials and/or storage crate to your door. Provide truck rentals for local and one way moves. Provide affordable storage facilities for your more unnecessary items. You pack your own belongings. Cons: They tack on shipping and handling charges for delivering overpriced packing materials. You get the same disadvantages as renting a truck from U-Haul. Items in the crate may be damaged or stolen. Alternative Shippers If you don't have much stuff and you're willing to part with some of your furniture, the U.S. Postal Service and UPS are great and affordable alternatives. Pros: Both have affordable insurance. Deliver to your door. Give cheaper rates. Cons: Both have size and weight restrictions. May refuse shipment for improper packaging, prohibited contents or incomplete mailing labels. Have long lines at the post office and a three box limit per day. Anyway you decide, moving takes a lot of planning and money. Explore all your options. This is not Oz, and a vicious tornado won't move your home out of state. Once you decide how you're going to move and how much it will cost, you can concentrate on the more important things like packing and daydreaming about sipping a pina colada on your new front lawn.