Moving day is an exciting, stressful, and emotional day for most people. So, it’s best not to compound such a charged time with the complication of heavy lifting, careful planning, and awkward maneuvering. For this reason, smart consumers hire one of the best rated moving companies to do the heavy lifting for them (literally). From local movers to the big-name long-distance moving companies, here's everything you ought to know about the different moving services out there, including prices to expect (and which are the cheap moving companies you can rely on), important questions to ask, and some reviews of the best moving companies in the industry.
Here's our list of the best moving services that we tested and ranked:
1. Best overall: International Van Lines
2. Best for local moves: American Van Lines
3. Best for long-distance move: Big Ben's Moving Company
4. Best for packing services: Angie's List
5. Best for military moves: U-Pack
6. Best for truck rental: U-Haul
An In-Depth Look the Best Rated Moving Companies
- 1
Angie's List
excellent9.6- Consumer EngagementChosen by 1674people in the past 30 days9.7
- Customer FeedbackCollecting Data- -
- Brand ReputationBased onweb analytics7.4
- Features & BenefitsProduct Review9.4
![Angie's List]( "Angie's List")
Moving services merchant networkRead Angie's List Review- Main services coveredPacking, local, long-distance, antiques, pianos
- Participating statesY
- Online quote toolY
Angie's List is a moving services network that allows you to find the best local movers or long-distance moving services to suit your moving needs. The beauty of this type of agency is that it personally reviews each of the moving companies in its network. So, you don't need to do the legwork of checking into companies, vetting services, etc. Angie's List has done all of that for you.
The other benefit to finding moving services through Angie's List is that you get a wider range of moving companies vying for your business. This translates to competition between moving companies, i.e., lower prices for everyone! So, you get a good price, put in less effort, and have a better variety of moving services to choose from. That's what we call a package deal!
Pros- Wide range of moving services and companies
- Competition-based pricing
- Angie’s List guarantee
Cons- Not working directly with the moving companies
- Guarantee has terms and conditions
- 2
uShip
excellent9.0- Consumer EngagementChosen by 870people in the past 30 days8.1
- Customer Feedback- -
- Brand ReputationBased onweb analytics8.2
- Features & BenefitsProduct Review9.6
![uship]( "uship")
Shipping marketplace for competitive pricingRead uShip Review- Main services coveredVehicle transportation, shipping for businesses+
- Participating statesAll states
- Online quote toolYes
uShip is a transport marketplace that makes finding and closing on great deals for shipping a cinch. With a network of tens of thousands of service providers, all backed by thousands of user-generated feedback valuations, customers can easily select a professional moving service to get the job done well. And with competitive pricing and multiple bids per shipment, uShip customers can get the best price for their move.
uShip offers insurance, helpful moving guides, and convenient online payments for a variety of moves, including pet transport, auto transport, heavy furniture, and specialty item moves. The company even has a tailored turnkey solution for Etsy shop owners. And if you’re into doing things on the go, the uShip mobile app (good for Android and iOS devices) will be a natural choice for you.
Pros- Online booking and payments
- Competitive marketplace pricing
- Helpful customer service, insurance, and policies
Cons- Extremely overwhelming until you get to know the system
- Not your typical moving company
- 3
U-Haul
very good8.9- Consumer EngagementChosen by 560people in the past 30 days7.5
- Customer Feedback- -
- Brand ReputationBased onweb analytics9.7
- Features & BenefitsProduct Review9.7
![UHaul]( "UHaul")
Reputable moving services for lessRead U-Haul Review- Main services coveredTruck rental, storage, moving services
- Participating statesY
- Online quote toolY
U-Haul is a household name around America, and that’s not hard to understand. A family-run business that’s based on values like promoting a healthy life-work balance, higher education, and customer satisfaction, U-Haul has been delivering moving services for close to a century. And the moving company boasts some impressive stats (our favorite is that the amount of mileage put on U-Haul trucks each year is enough to go to the moon and back 9.9 times a day for an entire year!).
U-Haul is as professional as it gets when it comes to moving companies. It offers competitive rates for local and long-distance movers. U-Haul fleets include trucks, trailers, towing, cargo vans, pickups, and containers. So, it’s a good fit for any size and type of move. And the moving services vary from self-storage and packing to full service moving help. That includes packing you up, loading and unloading the truck, and unpacking your belongings neatly, efficiently, and professionally.
Pros- Huge range of moving services
- 30-days free storage
- Really good prices
Cons- Most moving services are add-ons
- Pricing isn’t as clear as advertised
Why Do I Need a Moving Company?
Most people have the same response when it comes time to move? Why do I need to hire a mover when I can do the work myself? There are many reasons why people choose to hire professional moving services. For example:
- Peace of mind
When you're moving house, there are a million and one things that only you can take care of. Moving isn't one of them. It's a lot easier to let someone else take care of the hauling, moving, and transporting. And it'll free you up to take care of the more important, technical details that only you can do.
- Reliability
What’s more, professional moving companies will have some sort of insurance on your stuff. So, if something breaks during the move, it’s covered. If you break something while moving it yourself, you’re out of luck.
- Time savings
What’s even more valuable than money? Your time. Hiring local movers can help you save a load of time. Sometimes, that’s worth the investment.
- More efficient
Everyone's good at something, but few people are good at EVERYTHING. You might be really good at what you do. But you know what the best moving companies are good at? That's right, moving. They'll know how to pack up, haul, and unload your stuff in the fastest, most efficient manner possible. So you can get on with your life and start living in your new home sooner.
- It’s safer
Moving can be hazardous to your health for many reasons. But one of the biggest ones is the strain you'll put on your body. Professional long-distance moving companies know how to move large, bulky, and heavy items without hurting themselves.
How Can I Find a Moving Company Near Me
Bottom line, it's a good idea to hire one of the professional local or long distance moving companies out there, but make sure that you are working with someone that services your area. This is easily done by looking at their website to see the coverage area. Local movers will have a smaller coverage area than the major long-distance moving companies. But the coverage area doesn't have to be large. It just has to include you.
Check on the moving companies' websites for a section like moving companies near me. You'll put in your address or zip code, and see what areas they cover. You can also search Google for "movers near me." Choose from the list to ensure you're getting a mover that works within your area.
How to Choose a Mover
The best moving companies will offer value-added services, good reputation, and insurance for your belongings. Here are a few important features you should look for during your quest for good and cheap moving companies:
- Reputation
Check out reviews online, ask around, and see if the moving company is legitimate and has a Better Business Bureau accreditation. A fair amount of good reviews will tell you that this company is worth investing in, will treat you well, and will get the job done right.
- Type of move
Are you moving locally or far away? Depending on the type of move, different moving companies will be more suitable for the task. If you're just moving around the corner or a few blocks away, local movers will be more price-efficient. On the other hand, if you're looking for a long trek, long-distance moving companies will offer you the most professionalism, along with the ability to move you farther.
- Amount of stuff
You also want to consider how much stuff you actually have to move. If you only have a small amount, 1 or 2 smaller appliances, etc., then you can opt for one of the cheap movers on your list. On the other hand, if you've got quite a bit of belongings to move, along with multiple major appliances, a more reputable moving service with insurance, is a safer bet.
What Is the Best Moving Company?
The best moving companies are the ones that fulfill your requirements, offer affordable pricing, and will work within your moving area. Those are the only things you really need to look for. It's also a good idea to check out the customer support experience. While this isn't always a necessity, it's nice to know that there's someone you can reach out to in case you have questions or in the event that something goes wrong before, during, or after the move. It is typically an excellent idea to read online reviews and hear what others have to say about a service, as well. This gives you an indication of the general quality of service you can expect from a moving company.
What is the Cheapest Moving Company?
Cheap moving companies are not unheard of. You just have to know where exactly to look. Start by getting a few online quotes. These are usually free, so don't pay for a quote. Once you've compiled a list of cheap movers, compare the different rates you received to find the most cost-efficient one.
But don’t just look at the price tag. After all, the best moving companies will offer added value on top of a standard price. That means they may be offering you more bang for your buck in the form of additional services, better coverage, or more flexible terms. So, don’t just pounce on the cheap moving companies. Weigh what you’re getting in the equation.
Also, bear in mind that cheap movers may not provide you with insurance. Often, the more professional movers will charge more because they come with the insurance and quality guarantee. If you're only moving a few items, insurance might not be that important to you, in which case, you should go with a cheap mover. But if you are moving valuable or expensive things, it's worth the investment to have an insurance policy in place.
