Whether someone is looking at a cross-country move or just a move across town, there’s a fair amount of stress and hassle that comes with packing up, hauling, and unpacking belongings. And while many people have great friends and family members who can help with local moves (if they’re comfortable asking), moving can be easier with the help of one of the best moving companies. It’s helpful for someone who is moving to a new home to let professional movers take on the big job of transporting items using their labor, equipment, and trucks. Or, if a homeowner prefers to DIY the move, they can still use the assistance of trucks and containers built to sustain a move.
Choosing the best moving company can feel daunting for customers since they’re often entrusting their money—and valuables—to someone else. But there are plenty of ways for customers to ensure they choose the right company at the right price. The distance of the move will be a key factor in choosing a moving company, since a 50- to 100-mile move is typically considered local, though customers will need to call and ask about each company’s specific policy. Transporting goods across state lines, even within the local radius, might require a different company who is licensed to haul goods to different states. Beyond that, customers will want to consider factors like specialty items, timing, deposits, insurance, and more. The best moving companies are equipped to handle all types of moves and have great customer service and realistic pricing.
- BEST OVERALL: United Van Lines
- RUNNER-UP: International Van Lines
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: American Van Lines
- BEST MOVING PACKAGES: Mayflower Transit
- BEST MOVING TRUCK RENTAL: U-Haul
- BEST MOVING CONTAINER: PODS
- ALSO CONSIDER: U-Pack
What to Consider When Choosing One of the Best Moving Companies
Moving a household is a complex process. As customers narrow down the specifics that apply to their situation, they can quickly identify a residential moving company for them. Whether they’re looking for a local moving company or an out-of-state moving company, the following considerations will help guide the decision-making process. Most of these factors are applicable to full-service moving companies, but some are still pertinent to self-service moving options.
Local, Interstate, or International Moves
Moving within a 50- to 100-mile radius typically only requires the help of a local mover. Depending on the area, local companies might be able to move the customer fairly quickly, which is helpful if the move was unexpected or the customer’s original plan for help fell through. Those moving to a new state will need to find one of the best interstate moving companies. Federal regulations require that companies transporting goods across state lines be licensed to do so. Since local companies might not specialize in this kind of transport, customers moving to a new state may need to find a larger company who can. Customers who are moving their own belongings won’t need to worry about obtaining such a license.
International moves are a much more complex process that involves extensive paperwork, brokerage or port fees, customs fees, and scheduling shipping or air freight. Moving goods internationally can take weeks to months due to scheduling and transit times. An international moving company is the best option since this is a special kind of move that requires the right licenses and connections to the most reputable companies.
Up-front Pricing
Pricing a move isn’t a cut-and-dried process. Moving a 1-bedroom apartment is much easier and less costly than moving a 4-bedroom house. The size, weight, quantity, and type of items the customer has will influence the total cost. However, there should be transparency about the pricing once the customer has discussed what they’re planning to move and where. Any extras like auto transport or navigating stairs should have a fixed price that’s discussed ahead of time. While it’s not impossible for a fee to be added at the time of the move, it should be clear and fair. For instance, if the customer forgets to mention there is no elevator at their 3-story apartment complex, they’ll likely be charged a fee for the extra labor to use the stairs when the movers arrive.
Also, it’s best for customers to avoid going with the rate that is much cheaper than everyone else’s rates. That’s a red flag that the company could be running a scam to move the customer’s goods to a storage unit and charge them again to remove the items. Obtaining multiple quotes and going with the most reputable company is a customer’s safest bet to avoid being scammed.
License and Insurance
Customers will want to always book with a company who can show their license and insurance papers. Every full-service moving company should carry basic liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance for their employees. Without these, the customer will have no legal recourse should the worst happen. Beyond basic liability insurance, it’s also helpful if a moving company offers the customer full-service insurance to insure their valuables at a higher rate if they own expensive items. If the company doesn’t offer this, the customer can always ask their own insurance company about moving insurance.
Interstate movers must be registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation. Customers can search their DOT number in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration database. The American Trucking Association also has a comprehensive list of the best long-distance moving companies customers can review.
Auto Transportation
Many homeowners have more than one car, but they don’t always have a driver for every car. In this case, the customer will want to look for a moving company that can do auto transportation. Many of the bigger moving companies offer household moving and auto transportation, or the customer can search for a company that specializes in moving cars. If the car is exotic or antique, customers will want to ask about covered transport to keep it protected during the move.
Specialty Item Moving
Customers who own a piano, an antique grandfather clock, or other unusual, valuable, oversize, or delicate items will require specialty moving. If the customer is using a local moving company, they won’t want to just assume the company knows how to lift a piano into a moving truck. It’s not just about the weight; it’s about keeping the piano steady to avoid irreparably damaging the instrument. Using a piano moving company for any piano move is a critical option to prevent catastrophe.
For other items that are large, odd sizes (oversize flat-screen TVs) or have intrinsic value, customers will also want to make sure the movers are capable of properly packing the items and securing them in a way that they will not be damaged during transport. Other examples to consider are things like jet skis, hot tubs, or safes. All speciality items typically cost more to move since they require more packing material, equipment, care, or space.
Cancellation Policy
Customers will want to ask each company for their cancellation policy when they call for a customized quote or book online. It’s best for the customer to know how close to the expected move date they can cancel if necessary, and how much money they’ll get back on their deposit. Unexpected things happen, so it’s best for customers to be aware of their policy and choose the company that offers a lot of flexibility if possible. Customers will also need to ask about the company’s side of the cancellation policy. They likely have a clause about the circumstances under which they can cancel or change a move (it’s rare but can happen).
Deposit
Moving company deposits have a tendency to feel like the precursor to a scam—and for good reason. Deposits are one way that companies have been known to swindle people, but even reputable companies often require deposits. It’s not illegal, nor should it prevent a customer from hiring a moving company. A small deposit is basically held as a warranty to secure the moving dates, as the company schedules their labor and trucks around each move. If the customer backs out of the move, a portion of that deposit offsets the company’s lost earnings on the canceled move.
The key to knowing whether a deposit is a red flag or not is the deposit amount. If a homeowner has a multi-thousand-dollar move coming up, their deposit should be around 20 percent. Large deposits or full deposits are a red flag.
Reviews and Complaints
Reviews and complaints are a customer’s most valuable research tool when researching the best moving companies. Great reviews will share details about up-front pricing, ease of booking, safe handling of valuables, great customer service, etc. Some reviews will complain about lost deposits, making it sound like the money was stolen, but it’s possible those customers were simply unhappy that they missed the cancellation window. While there are plenty of negative reviews for just about everything (that should be taken with a grain of salt), a company with a repeated history of unethical business practices should be avoided at all costs.
Customers will want to look at reviews on more than one website to get a well-rounded picture about the company—good and bad. No company is perfect, but many try their best. If the customer knows someone who recently used a moving company, they can also ask them about their experience. References are a great way to find a moving company. It’s also wise to look up whether a company has had any official complaints lodged through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Our Top Picks
A customer’s decision on which company to choose for tackling a move can be daunting. Choosing the right company builds the customer’s confidence and ensures a smooth transaction. These are our top picks of moving companies that can serve customers across the country.
Photo: unitedvanlines.com
Why It Made the Cut: United Van Lines can handle any moving distance, doesn’t require a deposit, and has a convenient online portal for customers to access details about their move and contract, making it a standout full-service moving company.
United Van Lines’ tagline is they “take care of it all,” and that seems to be true. With over 500 locations throughout the country, United Van Lines can help with local moves, interstate moves, and even international moves. Specialty or oversize items are protected by custom crating to minimize risk of damage. Additionally, the company offers auto transport and a number of helpful add-ons like cleaning or Wi-Fi disassembly, and customers looking for packing and moving companies can rest assured that United also offers packing and unpacking services. Some customers will like that United Van Lines offers discounts for small apartments and tiny homes since there are fewer belongings to handle. A surprising benefit is that no deposit is required to book with United Van Lines.
What really sets United Van Lines above the rest is the MyUnited online portal that customers can use to see the status of their move and contact the mover without having to go through customer service first. This convenience could be why United Van Lines’ customer service support can be slow and difficult to get ahold of, so having the online portal is a helpful perk.
Specs
- Type of move: Local, long-distance, international
- Customer support: Phone, email, live chat
- Auto transport: Yes
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Deposit required: No
Pros
- 500 locations nationwide
- Specialty and fragile items protected with custom crating
- Free cancellation as long as no services have been provided
- Add-on options like cleaning services or Wi-Fi network disassembly available
- Discounts for small long-distance moving jobs for studio apartments or tiny homes
- Checklists, mover contacts, and tracking conveniently located in MyUnited online portal
Cons
- Somewhat challenging customer service experience
Photo: internationalvanlines.com
Why It Made the Cut: International Van Lines can help move people almost any distance, allows cancellation up to 48 hours before the move, and offers discounts to help lower the cost of a move.
International Van Lines (IVL) is a reputable company that’s primarily based on the East Coast, but the company frequently helps people move nationally and internationally, with a presence in over 180 countries. Customers whose moving dates are flexible might receive a discount since it makes scheduling a little easier for the company. Customers will appreciate that IVL offers transparent pricing, specialty moving, and itemized billing. Having the option to cancel for free as close as 48 hours before the scheduled move is also helpful.
IVL does have an online inventory system for customers, but it’s not as user-friendly as it could be. Also, customers will need to pay a 25 percent deposit to reserve their moving appointment. But overall, this company works hard to maintain a great reputation as a top moving company.
Specs
- Type of move: Local, long-distance, international
- Customer support: Phone, email, live chat
- Auto transport: Yes
- Free cancellation: Up to 48 hours before the move
- Deposit required: 25 percent of quoted price
Pros
- Services available in over 180 countries
- Readily available fee and estimate breakdown information
- Discounts available for customers with flexible moving dates
Cons
- Somewhat user-unfriendly online inventory system
- 25 percent deposit required at booking
Photo: americanvanlines.com
Why It Made the Cut: With over 25 years in business, American Van Lines has the experience to move apartments, homes, and commercial businesses with the advantage of fixed-rate service fees, making it one of the best cheap moving services.
American Van Lines has a long history in the moving business, so customers will find that the company offers almost any moving service they need, whether local or international. The company specializes in antiques and pianos, which is helpful as customers won’t have to find a separate company to handle those items. Customers can get a discount for moving between major cities since there’s higher demand. AVL’s sustainability initiative also helps reduce the company’s impact on the environment while moving the customer’s items.
American Van Lines does require a 10 to 50 percent deposit, and free cancellation is limited to 7 days prior to the move. However, these factors haven’t prevented them from helping many happy customers who appreciate their fixed-rate services that allow for more transparent pricing.
Specs
- Type of move: Local, long-distance, international
- Customer support: Phone, email
- Auto transport: Yes
- Free cancellation: Up to 7 days before the move
- Deposit required: 10 to 50 percent of quoted price
Pros
- Discounts for moving between major cities
- Sustainability initiatives that aim to reduce the environmental impact of moving
- Fixed-rate services, even for moving specialty items
Cons
- 10 to 50 percent deposit required
- Cancellation limited to 7 days before the move
Photo: mayflower.com
Why It Made the Cut: Mayflower Transit is a reputable company that specializes in customizing moving packages to meet customers’ specific moving needs domestically and internationally.
Not only does Mayflower Transit offer traditional household moving, but the company also offers military and government relocations, which translates to a large coverage area and an experienced service offering. One of the things that sets Mayflower apart is the company’s flexibility in creating customized moving service bundles from full-service to limited item relocation. It’s also helpful that Mayflower does not require a deposit up front and allows cancellations up to 24 hours prior to the move. Users can access checklists, tracking, and more helpful resources through the MyMayflower online portal. Customers will need to obtain their own moving supplies, as they’re not sold through Mayflower. But as an added bonus, the company’s partnership with Move for Hunger means qualifying leftover food will be donated to a local shelter so the customer doesn’t have to pay to move it (or pack it).
Specs
- Type of move: Local, long-distance, international
- Customer support: Phone, email, live chat
- Auto transport: Yes
- Free cancellation: Up to 24 hours before the move
- Deposit required: No
Pros
- Customizable long-distance moving service bundles available
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the move
- Checklists, mover contacts, and tracking conveniently located in MyMayflower online portal
- Move for Hunger partnership helps customers donate food before a move
Cons
- Customers are required to separately purchase moving supplies
Photo: uhaul.com
Why It Made the Cut: U-Haul is a well-known truck rental company with thousands of locations nationwide, an established reputation, and affordable rates. All of these factors come together to make it one of the best moving truck companies.
Perhaps one of the best-known names in moving truck rental is U-Haul—and it’s for good reason. The company has more than 75 years in the business and boasts some 23,000 locations nationwide, making it one of the largest and most well-established truck rental companies in the country.
The company also has features customers will like, including the ability to pick up and drop off a truck even when the location is closed, thanks to Truck Share 24/7. U-Haul’s trucks feature Gentle-Ride suspension, making them smooth and easy to drive. U-Haul doesn’t require a deposit for customers who pay by credit card, and it also offers gas-efficient cargo vans that get up to 18 miles per gallon (mpg) and are great for smaller moves. While the per-mile rate might not be the most cost-effective for moves over 100 miles, U-Haul is a very affordable choice for customers who are moving 100 miles or less.
Specs
- Type of move: Local, long-distance
- Customer support: Phone, email, live chat
- Auto transport: Vehicle towing equipment available
- Free cancellation: Up to 24 hours before the move
- Deposit required: Not for credit card payments
Pros
- Convenient Truck Share 24/7 self-service available to all U-Haul customers
- 23,000 rental locations nationwide
- Relatively affordable cost for moves under 100 miles
- No deposits required for credit card payments
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the move
Cons
- Per-mile payment structure may not be cost-effective for moves over 100 miles
Photo: pods.com
Why It Made the Cut: PODS is one of the best moving container companies for good reason—the company offers multiple container-size options and flexible content protection plans, and it has a low damage rate.
PODS is one of the original moving and storage companies, and its moving containers and additional offerings still make it a great choice. The company has an excellent track record for handling customer belongings with a less than 2 percent damage rate—well below the 20 percent industry average. The company’s flexible protection plans range from $5,000 to $300,000 in value to ensure adequate protection for the customer’s belongings. PODS offers containers in three different sizes to suit different-size moves. The company also offers unlimited loading time, and it can handle both local and long-distance moves. PODS moving costs can be somewhat high, and customers may be able to get a better rate by opting for a weekday or off-season move.
The company also offers specialized services for those moving in urban areas. PODS works with city dwellers by procuring all the permits necessary to deliver the container. The PODS driver will then stay with the container while the customer loads it to protect against thieves and parking enforcement officers.
Specs
- Type of move: Local, long-distance, international to United Kingdom and Australia
- Customer support: Phone
- Auto transport: Through third party
- Free cancellation: Until 4 p.m. on the day before the move
- Deposit required: Varies by service
Pros
- Wide container size range with 3 options of 8, 12, and 16 feet
- Relatively low 2 percent damage rate
- Flexible content protection plans ranging from $5,000 to $300,000 in value
- Specialized services for city dwellers
Cons
- Prices may be relatively high
Photo: upack.com
Why It Made the Cut: U-Pack is a flexible option for people who prefer to save a little money by doing the packing themselves while leaving the long-haul transport to a pro.
U-Pack will bring a trailer or container to the customer’s house and park it, and the customer will have 3 days to load it with all of their belongings. When it’s ready, U-Pack will pick it up and haul it to the customer’s long-distance destination, where they will have 3 days to unload it. U-Pack doesn’t offer local moves within 50 miles, but it’s a great option for customers who need to hire someone to legally transport their goods across state lines. The system is built to make transit time more predictable and avoid hidden fees since it’s a straightforward pickup and drop-off transaction. In many areas, U-Pack does offer the option to hire staff to load or unload the trailer if needed. Customers can cancel for free up to 7 days prior to the trailer drop-off, and no deposit is required.
Specs
- Type of move: Long-distance only
- Customer support: Phone, email, Facebook Messenger
- Auto transport: No
- Free cancellation: Up to 7 days before the move
- Deposit required: No
Pros
- Customers are limited to 3 days to load belongings
- Moving staffers for packing and unpacking available for hire
- Instant online quote available upon request
Cons
- Moves less than 50 miles away from starting location not facilitated
- Cancellation limited to 7 days before the move
Our Verdict
Great customer support, transparent pricing, adequately covered territory, special services, and a reliable reputation are the key components of the best moving companies. That’s why we selected United Van Lines as our top choice since they have a large service area, plenty of options, a helpful customer portal, and they don’t require a deposit. For customers looking to save money on their move, American Van Lines offers several options to help them do so.
How We Chose the Best Moving Companies
While much depends on the location and distance of move and the quantity and type of goods the customer needs to move, there are a few elements that stood out to us when reviewing the best moving companies. We evaluated companies that have local, statewide, nationwide, and international moving options to provide the coverage needed for any homeowner or renter. We also looked for self-service moving truck and container options for customers who prefer to handle a move themselves. We evaluated the websites of each company and took the overall customer reviews and experiences into account to make sure most customers enjoyed a satisfactory or pleasant experience. We also reviewed factors such as cancellation policies and deposits, as well as the ability to track and monitor shipments. All the companies on our list are nationally known and have been in business for several years with an overall reliable reputation.
Before You Hire One of the Best Moving Companies
Before hiring a full-service moving company, customers will need to consider whether they’re moving locally, within the state, across state lines, or even internationally. Some companies cannot offer some moving services if they aren’t licensed to transport across state lines. Local companies are great for local moves as long as they have a solid reputation, but customers will likely need to find a national moving company they trust to move greater distances.
Most importantly, hiring a moving company is best for people who are willing to entrust their goods to other people. It’s a helpful service that can help people who are unable to pack, carry, and transport their items, but it does come at a price customers need to be willing to pay. Customers will want to make sure they choose a company that is licensed and qualified to handle their specific needs whether it’s extra services or distance. They’ll also want to ask movers lots of questions, get written estimates so they can compare details, and always do their research to evaluate reviews from several sources.
Cost of Hiring One of the Best Moving Companies
The cost to move is a moving target since no two moves are the same, and the costs for professional movers will be more than DIY or self-service moves. For moves traveling less than 100 miles, the average cost is $1,710 with a range of $911 to $2,514, but moving out of state could cost up to $4,823 on average. Comparatively, the cost to rent a moving truck is around $20 to $100 per day, but the customer is responsible for the labor.
Many moving companies offer an online estimate or calculator that can help estimate the cost, but customers of full-service moving companies may also need to do a walk-through in person or virtually to have the most accurate assessment and avoid unexpected costs.
Full-service moving companies calculate costs based on weight, but that’s determined by the size, volume, and type of items being moved. There are basic average estimates for the number of rooms being moved that can be used initially, but any specialty items like pianos, cars, safes, hot tubs, etc., will require extra consideration and cost. Additionally, the distance the customer is moving will affect the total price since they’ll be charged for the driver’s time, fuel, and mileage.
Customers can expect to pay $25 to $50 per hour per mover, and the amount of belongings will determine how many employees the company will send to the house. For instance, a small apartment usually needs two employees who work for 2 to 3 hours. Additionally, customers might be charged extra if access is difficult, there are numerous stairs, or they have lots of heavy items. Moving in the summer or on weekends or holidays is always more expensive and can be hard to schedule, so customers will want to opt to move in the middle of the week if possible.
The Advantages of Using One of the Best Moving Companies
Moving is a hassle, even though relocating to a new city can be an adventure. Relieving the stress and strain of moving are popular reasons for using a moving company, even though it can feel like an expensive venture. But the benefits of using a moving company help offset the costs.
- Relieves stress. Worrying about loading, transporting, and unloading items within a short period is stressful, so leaving that to the pros can reduce unnecessary and unhealthy stress.
- Avoids injury. The customer might already have a bad back, cause a hernia, smash fingers, or worse if a serious accident happens while moving heavy, unwieldy furniture.
- Saves time. If the customer doesn’t have time to pack up and move, they can hand over the entire job to a full-service moving company.
- Keeps belongings secure. Sometimes people have a period of time between moving out of one home and into a new one. In this case, the moving company or a moving container company can safely store the customer’s goods until they’re ready to be moved in.
- Insures your valuables. If someone accidentally breaks a priceless heirloom during a DIY move, the owner might not have any recourse if it wasn’t insured. However, moving companies must have liability insurance and often offer full coverage for an extra fee, meaning any broken items will likely be covered.
- Proper packing. Professional movers are adept at carefully packing and securing belongings, both small and large. They can carefully load the trailer in a way that will keep all the goods secure for a long move for more peace of mind, whereas that might not be as natural and easy for the person moving.
FAQs
While the information above puts customers in a good position to start getting quotes from moving companies, they may still have lingering questions that they want answered before moving forward. What follows are some of the most commonly asked questions about hiring a moving company that can help guide the decision-making process.
Q. How much do moving companies charge?
There’s no set rate that moving companies charge for a move. Moving costs are made up of several factors like distance, time, weight, and type of items. Local movers might charge a flat rate based on the number of rooms being moved, but long-distance moves typically need customized quotes that may include fixed-rate fees. Customers can get initial estimates online from many major moving companies, but it’s advisable for them to talk to someone about their needs to get an accurate quote. On average, local moves cost $1,710, but national moves can cost between around $4,800.
Q. Do you tip moving companies?
Tipping is not required, but it’s considered polite. Yes, the moving company is already charging the customer to do the job, but in reality, the movers are doing them a huge favor and potentially saving them from injury, too. Offering movers a tip is a way for the customer to express their gratitude for their manual labor, especially if they do a great job, show up on time, are friendly, and handle the items with care. The recommended amount to tip movers is to estimate 5 to 10 percent of the total cost or to tip $4 to $5 per mover per hour. Some people consider tipping movers as they do tipping waiters, so customers could also tip 10 to 20 percent of the total cost if they are happy with service and able to tip that amount.
Q. Do moving companies provide boxes?
It depends on what the customer is hiring them to do. If the movers are only being paid to load, haul, and unload the customer’s belongings, then they won’t be doing any packing, which means they won’t provide boxes. If the customer is hiring them to pack their items or do a full-service move, then the cost of all boxes, tape, bubble wrap, etc., will be included in the price.
Some moving companies do offer boxes for purchase if needed, and many will also bring some moving supplies in case the customer’s items aren’t properly secured. Customers will be charged for whatever the movers use that was not in the original contract, such as moving blankets for a TV or furniture bags or protective sheets.
Q. Do moving companies assemble furniture?
Some moving companies offer this as an extra service if customers ask ahead of time. They usually charge the same hourly labor rate as for moving. Disassembling and assembling furniture can be extremely helpful for customers to add on to their moving costs if they have children or if the task is beyond their physical capacity. If the moving company does not offer this service, a customer can hire one of the best furniture assembly services.
Sources: HomeAdvisor, MoveBuddha, You Move Me
