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 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. Happy moving day!
The Best Moving Companies - An In-Depth Look
- 1
International Van Lines
Pro national and international moving services
![International Van Lines]( "International Van Lines")
- Main services coveredLong-distance, international, auto transport
- Participating states50+
- Online quote toolY
International Van Lines is a major moving company that offers moving services across the United States and even internationally. Thinking of every detail, International Van Lines makes it fast and easy to pack up, move house, and settle into your new home no matter where that is in the world. Customers can purchase packing supplies, calculate moving costs, and even cross all the T’s with the handy moving checklist on the website.
You'll get a comfortable 100% return policy for up to 48 hours of the scheduled pickup date, that's an impressive offer. And what's more, International Van Lines has an incredible virtual quote tool. You can take a video of your belongings, and International Van Lines will give you a quote based on that video. You don't even need to speak to a representative. That's convenience at its best.
Read International Van Lines ReviewPros- Virtual price quote
- Full refund with 48 hours cancellation
- Moving services across the country and world
Cons- Not suitable for local moves
- Full insurance is extra
- Main services coveredLocal, long-distance, corporate
- Participating states50+
- Online quote toolN
American Van Lines is another one of the major moving companies you might not have heard of. It services all 50 states, plus international moves across the world. American Van Lines provides more specialty moving services as well, including piano and antique moving services and business or corporate office moves.
You can rent storage units directly from American Van Lines. These are private storage facilities and are available for long and short term use. Additionally, American Van Lines holds environmental sustainability as one of its highest regards. It is constantly taking actions to minimize its carbon footprint and preserve important natural resources. So, if you’re looking for a long-distance or local mover that you can get behind, American Van Lines is a good option.
Read American Van Lines ReviewPros- Long and short-term storage
- Local, international, and specialty moving
- Environmental and sustainable
Cons- Site is a bit outdated
- No online quotes available
- Main services coveredCross-country, long-distance, military
- Participating states50+
- Online quote toolY
U-Pack is the user-friendly way to move house. You can get an online quote for free, have the packing materials delivered straight to your door, and get your belongings delivered to your new abode quickly and efficiently. U-Pack is also super flexible. You can pay for additional units on the spot, pick your moving day, and schedule things according to your own budget (like scheduling a move during off-peak times to get a better rate).
U-Pack also offers additional services like packing and loading help and storage trailers that are weather-proof. We also like that you can pay for faster transit time with U-Pack. Just select the U-Pack Guaranteed plan to expedite moving services. Finally, U-Pack has flexible and fair pricing plans. You won’t get charged for space you don’t use or for a minimum weight requirement that you don’t need.
Read U-Pack ReviewPros- Packing supplies delivered to your door
- Flexible, easy moving cost calculator
- Expedite delivery times
Cons- Packing and loading costs extra
- No local mover options
- 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.
Read U-Haul ReviewPros- 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
- 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!
Read Angie's List ReviewPros- 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
- Main services coveredFull service, self-service, auto transport
- Participating statesVaries based on providers
- Online quote toolVaries based on provider
Home Advisor is another moving services network that helps people who need movers find the right moving companies for their needs. You tell Home Advisor a little bit about what you’re looking for (for example, the size of your home, where you’re moving from, where you’re moving to, etc.). Then, Home Advisor will match you with professional moving services in your area. You’ll receive quotes from local movers that work with the type of move you’re looking for. Home Advisor also provides lots of information about moving costs, home improvements, and other useful tidbits.
The nice thing about Home Advisor is that all moving companies in the network are prescreened, so you know you’re getting reliable service no matter which one you’re recommended. Home Advisor also gives you up to 4 quotes that are non-commital, so you get the information you need to figure out a realistic ballpark figure of how much your move is going to cost without any commitment on your part.
Read Home Advisor ReviewPros- Wide national network of the best moving companies
- Up to 4 quotes quickly and without commitment
- Convenient mobile app
Cons- Not a direct moving service
- May receive multiple offers continuously
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 company 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.
