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DO NOT HIRE "Bob the Mover' or similar weekender types unless you get perfect references from a mature person (not two college kids who moved their big screen).
The movers will have an hourly price for your move. Weight won't be the issue (like most long distance moves) as most of your time will be spent loading and unlaoding.
Good movers will come and assess. They will take their shoes off when the come into your house--or they will have shoe covers so no outside dirt gets on your floors/in your carpets. They will blanket, and then plastic wrap, and maybe encase in cardboard, all of your 'better' furniture. They will carry things smartly (not dragging them across your floors), pack the truck intelligently, and unpack and cart away the packing materials at the new location. They will put your boxes in the designated rooms, as well as set up your furniture...putting your bed together, re-attaching your mirror to the dresser, putting the legs back on the dining room table. They won't cut corners.
You will have things ready when they arrive. The perosnal things which you wish to move yourself will be seperate. Have a pot of coffee and some donuts, and cold drinks during the day. IF they do a good job, give them a little tip (for the size move you have described, maybe $20 each).
Good movers are a pleasure to work with. It's what they do. Each day. Every day. They are not looking to cheat you, or do a lousy job. They are looking to demonstrate that they are good at what they do, and expect you to be happy with the move. Listen to what they tell you; assess whether it makes sense for your move; and act accordingly.
Ht is hard to say what it will cost based on your description, but i would say maybe a few hundred dollars. Maybe a half day move? Two or three guys (no more; they get in each others way). Get receipts/documents. Everything will be labeled and tagged. Keep track.
If your mover doesn't do most of what is listed above, you are likely dealing with fly by nighters and i would have my radar up for lost items, damaged goods, padding of the bill (instead of the furniture) and overall corner cutting.
Moving yourself is a pain. Go with the best you can afford. Get references and check them. A simple way to make the first cut is to drive by the movers premises. Is it neat? Are the trucks modern and clean? Those things tell you a lot.
Be careful, I have read of horror stories (actually saw one on TV) where movers gave one price and then at the destination, before unloading, demanded more money. They wouldn't give the people there stuff until they paid the higher price. So check with Better Business Bureau.
We used one of the big companies, although we had moved everything except the heavy stuff ourselves. They in turn had a small company handle the move. You might call one of the big companies, they might be able to recommend a local company.
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