INFO SCIENCE: Lift has posted guidelines for creating a good form. It's a good list of tips for those that can't hire a professional.
Published research and statistics state that a forms [sic] completion time and error rate can be greatly reduced by good design, editorial and consideration of usability. This therefore results in enhancing a customer's experience of an organisations [sic] brand, encouraging retention and building on reputation.
Yes, there are worse evils in the world then unruly forms. But if you're going to bother your users with a lengthy form, do your best to make it usable.