If you are moving to a new country, the excitement can sometimes be overwhelming. With so many things to think about, and arranging for the moving day, there are a lot of things you may be worried about. If you are alone and feeling helpless on how to go about moving, then a professional moving company can be of a great help. If you are planning to move around the time of a major holiday, make sure that you book a moving company 6 to 8 weeks well in advance.

Finding a professional moving company could be a challenging task if you don't know where to look. Hiring a moving company requires a lot of research! Each year, thousands of people make complaints against moving companies for not living up to their commitment. Before you hire a moving company, the following things need to be considered:

• References: Reliable references from your neighbors, friends or colleagues will definitely help you find out about various moving companies. Taking references can help a lot as it is always good to know that you are hiring a company that has performed satisfactorily before. Handing your precious possessions to an less-known company can be a little risky.

• License and Insurance: Perhaps the most important thing that anyone should consider before hiring a moving company is to check out whether or not the company is licensed and insured or not. Movers need to register themselves with the Department of Transportation of the state while interstate movers are required to register themselves with the Interstate Commerce Commission.

• Competitive Estimates: The next thing is to collect competitive estimates from three or more companies and compare them. To get best services at the most affordable rates, this is a must. See what kind of services different companies are providing and compare them. Make sure that the estimates are based on in-person assessment of your belongings and space.

• Binding or Non-Binding Estimates: Before hiring a moving company, try and understand the difference between binding and non-binding estimates. Binding and non-binding moving estimates are two general industry categories. A non-binding estimate is typically based on an estimated weight of the cargo and/or an estimated hourly rate. In case of a non-binding estimate, the cost can increase to more than the original estimate. According to American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA) of Alexandria, Virginia, there is no guarantee in case of a non-binding estimate that the final cost will not exceed the estimated cost. On the contrary, in case of a binding estimate, the final cost of moving is predetermined, and is not liable to change at the last minute.

• Extra Fees: Many moving companies charge you extra fees for extra services they provide. When negotiating with the moving companies, ask them what services would come under the moving estimate given and for what all services, extra fees will be charged. This can help you in lowering down the moving cost of your movers.

Selecting the right moving company can make the whole moving experience smooth and pleasant.