It’s a sad fact of life: not all moving companies are created equal. Consider the horror story of the man who hired a company to move his belongings from North Carolina to San Diego and set up his things there, only to find them passed out on his couch when he got thereand with the wrong furniture, to boot. This is obviously an extreme case, but if you want to avoid these moving nightmares, there are a few things you can do to make the search for a mover go smoothly.First, make sure you start early. One-to-two months in advance is usually a safe bet, giving you the biggest chance that the company you want will be available on the day you want them. Don’t be surprised if companies charge more for weekends or end-of-the-month datesthese are premium times, and most companies make up for it by offering discounts at other times of the month.If you have no experience with movers, looking at the yellow pages can be an intimidating endeavor. A better option is to check with relatives or friends that have moved recently, and ask them who they recommend. Your local Better Business Bureau (BB) can also inform you about any complaints or disputes that have been directed toward the company. Finally, you can also ask the movers themselves for references.An important consideration to avoid complaints on both sides is to find out any unusual details at your moving destination. For example, will the moving truck be allowed into your new neighborhood, or, if moving to a high-rise, will you need to reserve an elevator? If the moving company is not informed, they’ll likely charge you extra if such problems arise.When you have at least three companies you’d feel comfortable hiring, ask them to come for an in-home assessment. This will ensure that the company is legitimate, and is also the only way to get an accurate moving estimate. After a number of such assessments, you’ll be able to make a more informed decision on which mover is right for you.