Plan Now for a Smooth Summer Move

ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- May is National Moving Month, and more than 40 million Americans -- or about 13% -- will move to a different home this year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. 57 percent will stay in the same county, while 20 percent more will stay in the same state. Only 19 percent will move to a different state.

For anyone ready to get packing, the industry's trade group, the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA), has a suggested timeline to help ensure consumers make a smooth move. One of the biggest mistakes many people make when they move is not planning far enough ahead. You can save yourself time, problems, and maybe some money, by following a practical, straightforward timeline.

The timeline covers the two months before a move and continues through the day your household goods arrive at their destination, and includes taking care of details ranging from conducting a basic inventory to inspecting your belongings upon arrival.

Consumers are especially cautioned to fully-investigate a potential mover they may have found on the Internet. "Virtually anyone with a truck and website can claim to be a mover," warned AMSA President and CEO Linda Bauer Darr, "so if you're looking for a professional, reputable, full-service mover, we strongly urge you to make sure your mover is an AMSA member."

More tips and information on how to plan your move, choose a mover, and move with children and pets are all available at AMSA's consumer website, www.moving.org; and the U.S. Department of Transportation's consumer protection moving website, www.protectyourmove.gov. AMSA represents more than 3,700 companies that provide household and office goods moving and storage services throughout the United States and internationally.

The American Moving and Storage Association, headquartered in Alexandria, Va., is the trade association representing the nation's moving and storage companies, which provide household goods moving services, specialized transportation for sensitive freight such as computers and trade show exhibits, and warehouse storage services. The association has 3,700 members, including more than 300 international members, and offers programs and activities that promote consumer protection, professional development, safety, and operational efficiency.