What to know when moving long distance to and from the Arlington, Dallas, Fort Worth Texas area.

When moving long distance to and from the Arlington, Dallas, Fort Worth Texas area, it is important to find an honest, reliable and reasonable moving company. There are many to choose from and doing your research is a must. Check multiple companies before making your decision.

1. Always look for and check a mover's MC number which assures you that they are fully licensed to move out of state. Long distance out the state of Texas movers have additional licensing and insurance requirements. There are movers who will say they are licensed when in fact, they are not. This puts your household goods at risk and opens you up to additional unlawful interstate commerce practices.

2. Know when your moving shipment will arrive. Make sure you know if you are working with an individual moving company or a broker company. This will make a difference as to whether your belongings are driven straight to your new location or take a lay over in a warehouse to be unloaded and reloaded with a variable delivery date.

3. Ask clarifying questions. When you get an estimate for a long distance move, it can be done in a few different ways. Some companies will charge by the estimated weight of your shipment combined with distance. If they estimate less than the actual weight, you may be charged more according to the actual weight. Some companies will charge based on the total scope of the move including actual items presented during the in home estimate, total time and drive distance. If the company underestimated and all of your items do not fit on one truck load, you may be charged extra for another truck or need to leave some of your items behind.

4. Confirm what type of truck you will be getting for your move. A standard moving truck is 26ft. Some can be smaller. The largest moving box truck is a 40ft straight truck and there are also up to 53ft moving vans.

5. Do not make full payment up front. Movers should require a nominal down payment only and with remainder due upon the unload. Confirm that your deposit is refundable.

6. Find out if your movers will be the same on the load as they will be on the unload. It is important to hire a company that has movers that will take care of your belongings from start to finish. This also keeps the chain of responsibility intact.

7. A mover's insurance liability is minimal unless additional insurance is purchased. Damage claims would be subject to review and a deductible. If a moving company says they are bonded, note that this is not additional protection for you unless you purchase a bond policy.

8. Go with your good sense. If a price is too low, there may be a reason. If a price is too high, it could be over inflated. Choose a company that matches your moving needs and has a proven community track record. Choose a moving company that you feel comfortable knowing your lifetime of possessions will be delivered safe, sound and on schedule.