People are moving again in larger numbers and it's a good time to take a look at how to hire a reputable mover.

If you're hiring professional movers, the first step is to check the moving company's history. State governments maintain a database of moving company complaints. Make sure they are properly registered in your state and the complaints are at a mimimum.

Then go to Moving.org and look for "ProMover" certified movers. These companies will generally have a vetted dispute process in place should a problem arise with their service.

Before the move, you'll need to purchase optional insurance from the mover that covers replacement value should something go missing or get destroyed. By law, your property is not insured unless you buy this cheap and necessary insurance.

In some state-to-state moves, you have to be particularly aware of some companies that might try to "hijack" your possessions for a large ransom. This happened to a recent caller, who was asked to pay $50,000 to get his household goods back. All the more reason to assure you're working with a reputable firm.

But the most important thing in a state-to-state move is to request a "binding estimate," which is the maximum you will pay for moving your goods. Normally the industry just gives you an "estimate," which means nothing in the end, as they could ultimately charge you anything they want.

Finally, if you need your belongings delivered by a certain date, you need to put a delivery date in your contract with high penalty fees on the mover for every day that your delivery is late. It may make the quote more expensive, but it's well worth it if time is of the essence.

Good luck with your move!