For all New Jersey residents who plan to move in the upcoming summer season, below is an important public service announcement posted by the New Jersey Warehousemen & Movers Association:

All moving companies are required to be licensed. To perform intrastate moving within NJ, movers must be licensed by the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs. If you are moving interstate (from one state to another), the mover must also have a DOT and MC numbers issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. You will find links to each government website at www.njmovers.com where you can check their license and the regulations that apply. If a mover tells you they only need a DOT number to do a local move within NJ, find another mover. The following information pertains to moving within NJ: Don’t become a victim; research the mover BEFORE you hire them to avoid scams. Prices quoted over the phone or Internet are probably their minimum rates. Make sure they have a license, but don't expect a government agency to rescue you if you picked a bad mover (licensed or unlicensed); they will advise you to take the mover to court to try to get some money back, but you will be forced to pay the higher price in cash before they unload the truck. Don’t accept a mover that doesn’t come to your home to give the estimate; use a local, established mover that gives you a written estimate in your home. Have a complete list of items to be moved and show the estimator everything to be moved, all items that you want the mover to pack and any special requests. Discuss your moving dates and if access to your new residence has stairs or elevators or if there is a long walking distance from where the mover's truck can park to your front door.

Movers usually charge hourly rates because, it is difficult to determine the actual amount of time needed to satisfactorily complete each move. Some movers may offer you a binding estimate, but realize that the mover is allowed to increase the price if any items or circumstances change that were not included in the original price. Be sure you agree with any increased price before they start loading the truck. The mover will ask you to sign a document to authorize additional charges; BE SURE IT CONTAINS THE INCREASED PRICE, and retain a copy. Additional charges should be expected if problems arise that were not included in your estimate. Here are some common reasons: (a) You did not get all your packing completed. (b) some items will not fit in the room you planned or around a turn or up flights of stairs. (c) You have added or changed the items to be moved, changed dates or destination. (e) Delays such as waiting time for closing or delivery delays, rearranging your furniture or stacking into a storage space, basement, attic or garage. (f) Storage and redelivery costs if you can't move into a new home. Movers are only responsible for Loss or damages up to $.60 per pound per article unless you purchase additional coverage through the mover, your homeowner’s policy or other insurer at additional cost. Movers do not assume any responsibility for many things such as loss or damage to items packed in cartons by you; please read your advisories. Important! Do not pack or move restricted items that may cause damage to your shipment. This could void all insurance. Be sure you understand what you are signing and make sure you receive a copy of everything you sign; keep documents with you until the move is finished. Finding a good Mover is more important then just getting a low price; You are about to give everything you own to people that you do not know; do research!