Of the 42 million Americans who move each year, nearly half do so between Memorial Day in the spring and Labor day in the fall.

Because summer is the peak time for relocating, we asked the pros for tips on making household moves a pleasant trip rather than a horrendous adventure. Our panelists included Beverly Roman of Lower Saucon Township, author of "Moving Minus Mishaps" and other relocation books, Molly Bland, a spokeswoman for U-Haul International in Phoenix, and area moving companies and Realtors.

Tops on everyone's list of advice is to be organized.

Organization is key to saving time and money whether you plan to hire professionals or rent a truck and do it yourself, says Roman, a native of Reading who became an expert from moving 16 times in her first 29 years of marriage. "Planning ahead is best because any time you have to do something at the last minute, you end up spending more money," she says.

Bland agrees: "If you start early and plan your move, you'll be amazed at how easy it will be."

Roman says that as soon as you know you're moving, start making checklists of all the things you have to do, from informing the post office -- you ask for forms via the World Wide Web at http: www.usps.gov moversnet -- bank and other businesses of your new address, to getting copies of your medical and dental records forwarded, to arranging for telephone service at your new home.

Checklists will help ensure that nothing is overlooked or omitted. Besides, you will feel a sense of accomplishment as items are checked off, she says.

If you plan to hire professionals, our experts advise getting at two or three estimates from different moving companies. Be sure to compare services and options such as packing and storage before choosing, Roman says. Be wary of any bids that are considerably lower than the others.

Choose a moving company with a good track record. Ask family, co-workers or your Realtor for recommendations. The Better Business Bureau can tell you about any complaints against specific companies. Some movers specialize only in intrastate, or local moves, while others such as U-Haul in do-it-yourself moves. The major van lines are experienced in cross-country and even international moves.

Long-haul moves are based on the weight carried and distance traveled, says Rick Christ, manager of O'Brien-Glose Moving & Storage in Allentown, an agent for Allied Van Lines. Local moves, less than 40 miles, are based on an hourly rate including travel time and the number of people hired.

A good ballpark figure for estimating the cost of a move is 1,000 to 1,500 pounds per room, says to Ken Greenblatt, of Ware's Van and Storage, an agent for United Van Lines, in Montgomeryville. Or you can figure 10 hours to load and 6 to unload a typical 8 to 10- room house, he says.

"Try to ensure that at least three staff are assigned to your move -- two to load and unload your goods and one to remain with the truck to avoid possible theft," says Loren Keim , of Century 21 Keim Realtors in Allentown.

You can trim costs by shedding any unwanted items before you move. "A garage sale is a good way to clear your present home of unwanted articles before they are packed and moved to the new home," Roman says. Consider giving anything that doesn't sell to charity.

You should book the moving company as far in advance as possible. If you're planning to move on a weekend during summer, you may need to reserve a date or rental equipment as much as two months ahead.

Moving during the week has several advantages, Bland says. "You will miss heavy Friday and Saturday traffic; banks, utilities and government offices are open; and, you don't have to be concerned about the availability of equipment."

Keim adds: "Avoid scheduling your move for the end of the month as this is a busy period for movers. Some movers may offer lower rates at other times of the month."

Before your move, call your insurance agent to review the coverage your homeowner's policy will provide. If items aren't covered for breakage or damage during a move, you can extend your policy or buy coverage from the moving company.

Standard moving company insurance pays only a percentage of the cash value of broken items. Full value protection will cost more, but may be worth the added expense if you are moving valuable items, Roman says.

Roman also advises pointing out any special requirements to your movers. Although they are trained, she says, "they may fail to see that your grandfather clock is in delicate condition and requires special handling."

A day or two before your move, confirm your arrangements with your moving company or rental outlet. "Make sure the mover has specific directions to pick up your goods and for locating your new premises, particularly in the case of a newly constructed home, where the street names and numbers are not easily visible," Keim says.

Before the van leaves, give the foreman a phone number where you can be reached, Christ says. "It's also a good idea to provide him with an alternate contact in case you can't be reached."

If you're moving yourself, recruit helpers, Bland advises. "A helper doesn't need the strength of a super hero; even a child can hold the door open for you."

Here are some additional tips from our experts:

* Never make a move without wardrobe boxes. Not only do they let you move clothes directly from the closet, but also there's room on the bottom of the box for shoes, throw pillows and linens.

* Keep a toolbox handy during a move and pack it with things you're likely to need: first-aid items, tape, scissors, pocketknife, pens and markers, soap, paper towels, rope, a notebook, screwdriver, wrench and hammer.

* Keep both phone and telephone book with you so you can "plug in" immediately at your new home.

* As soon as you know your new address, order preprinted address labels. They make the change-of-address process much easier.

* For in-town moves, ask friends to store items from your refrigerator and freezer for you during your move.

* Keep valuable jewelry in your immediate possession.

* If you have pets, arrange for them to spend moving day with a friend or family. "They can't understand the process and may become confused and frightened," Bland says.

* If your move is going to take more than a day, phone ahead for hotel or motel reservations.

* Most moving companies offer tips on packing and storage -- some even do so on the Internet. Request copies of their moving guides, which often have handy checklists.

* Expect to pay for your move with cash or certified check unless you have previously arranged for credit.