Summary
How to select the suitable company for your moving
A mover must choose either cost or time-consuming, or sometimes both. Moving can be a stressful and time-consuming process, meanwhile hiring an expert on moving business can help to ease many of the challenges and difficulties that come with it.
Expertise, tool and equipment is all necessary factors that a moving company offers to secure efficient moving and relocation. Additionally, when considering expense and convenience, you may question if hiring expert movers is worthwhile. Using moving services can save time and effort, and peace of mind too, as moving companies carry insurance to protect your belongings and secure all of the logistics process.
How to select a Relocation Company
Choosing a moving company can be a difficult job, but there are steps you can take to ensure you locate a reputable and trustworthy company. Here are some pointers for selecting a relocation company:
Look for the Experts You Require
One critical consideration is whether you prefer a full-service or self-service moving company. Pay careful consideration to the services that each mover offers. Here are some important services to understand when looking for a moving company:
- Â Â Â Full-service mover: A full-service moving company will attempt to take care of as much of your relocation as possible. Furniture dismantling, packaging, loading, transit, unloading, unpacking, and reassembling furniture are all service choices. In return this can be a costly option.
- Â Â Â Self-service mover: A self-service moving business will usually deliver containers for transportable storage that fill with items that you have also packed. The business will still transport your belongings to your new residence, but you will be in charge of unloading and unpacking within the time period agreed upon.
- Â Â Â Local mover: Moving companies will only relocate you within the same city or a neighboring city, never across state borders. These businesses generally charge hourly rates and must abide by state rules.
- Â Â Â Long-distance mover: Long-distance movers transfer house goods between towns of any size. Long-distance movers do not always work across state borders, even though the terms are frequently used interchangeably with interstate movers.
- Â Â Â Interstate mover: Interstate movers follow the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) rules to relocate household goods. These movers can lawfully move you to nearby states or across the US.
- Â Â Â International mover: International moving companies can transport your possessions to nations all over the world. And each international movers has a distinct service region, and some might subcontract services to international freight services.
Research reputation
A great way to evaluate a moving business is to look into its name on famous customer reviews sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Yelp. If you have acquaintances who have used a specific moving in the past, ask them about their experience. These channels provide insight into each company's client care experience.
The Better Business Bureau is a private nonprofit membership organization that provides free help to consumers who seek to secure business reputation or prevent scam.
Licensing Checking
To make sure you're dealing with a reputable moving company, you can check their USDOT number and find out if they're registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This information will let you know if the company is a legitimate transporter, broker, or both.
Make sure of the availability of the service in your location.
It's always ideal to choose a moving company that will perform well in your area. Making certain that moving services are accessible in your area entails researching and calling moving companies in your area to confirm that they provide the services you require and are available on the days you require them.
Get quote
Once you've decided on the sort of move you want and whether a business piques your interest, contact them to request a free quotation, ideally a written estimate. A binding quote allows you to lock in a price that will not alter on moving day unless significant things are added or removed from your inventory. To obtain a binding quote, you'll usually need to perform an in-person or virtual survey with the moving company.
List of moving companies
International Van Lines
Quick summary
Model of services: Full service- State accessibility: 50 states
- Requirement for Deposits: Yes
- Have some special services: Yes
Model of services: Full serviceBusiness introduction
International Van Lines is an exceptional choice for long-distance or international moves. The business was established in 2000 as an international logistics company, and it still specializes in worldwide relocation services to 180 nations, which is more than any other provider in our evaluation.
For all foreign moves, IVL serves as a singular point of contact and primary carrier. It helps with air freight delivery, which is the quickest method to get your goods from point A to point B. High-end or uncommon cars can be transported by ocean freight in enclosed containers to safeguard them from the elements and possible harm from other vehicles. IVL also offers local moving services, though these may be handled by a partner agency. In addition to normal full-service choices like packing and loading, the business provides several add-ons to meet the wider requirements of its customers.
Cost
You can get a more exact binding estimate by filling out an online quotation form and conducting an in-home or virtual poll with a customer service agent. It would cost $2,500 to $3,500 to transport a car in an enclosed ocean freight container.
-    Sample quote: $8,250–$12,100
- Â Â Â Deposit requirement: Varies.
- Â Â Â Options for payment:Â Varies
Services Provided
Depending on your desires, IVL's full-service moving package includes complete packing help or fragile-only packing. It will manage bulky goods and include an extra charge, and you can choose between long-term and short-term storage options. IVL offers full-service alternatives for both foreign and domestic moves. To safeguard your cargo, IVL also provides a variety of contents coverage and insurance choices.Â
Websites: International Van Lines (theinternationalvanlines.com)Â
American Van Lines
Quick summary
Model of services: Full service- State accessibility: 48 states (except Alaska and Hawaii)
- Requirement for Deposits: Yes
- Have some special services: Yes
Model of services: Full serviceBusiness introduction
While some providers serve as both transporters and middlemen, occasionally working with local businesses in their networks, American Van Lines handles all transfers directly, always using its own vehicles and personnel. American Van Lines concentrates on recruiting and keeping full-time, seasoned carriers with an average of ten years of experience. American movers must finish ongoing education as well as yearly training at the company's on-site training centers. This training covers how to move difficult objects like grandfather clocks, antique credenzas, musical instruments, leisure equipment, and fine art securely. In reality, American Van Lines has moved entire art collections from individuals, antique shops, and institutions with great success.
Cost
American Van Lines uses written quotes solely for flat-rate, precise pricing. American performs an in-person or virtual survey of your house and goods to provide equivalent rate.
- Â Â Â Sample quote: around $7600
- Â Â Â Deposit requirement: 10-50% of total payment
- Â Â Â Options for payment:Â Cash, credit, or checks
Services Provided
As a full-service moving business, American Van Lines will handle all aspects of packing and loading your domestic items. When the vehicles reach your new house, its experienced movers will also unload and unpack, ensuring a stress-free transfer. Other services provided by American include temporary and permanent storage, GPS monitoring for all packages, and full-service military relocation help.
Websites: American Van Lines – Moving Company | Long Distance & Local Moving
DocShipper
Quick summary
Model of services: Full service- State accessibility: 50 states
- Requirement for Deposits: Yes
- Have some special services: Yes
Model of services: Full serviceBusiness introduction
DocShipper is a professional and reliable moving services provider with extensive experience in helping individuals and businesses relocate their goods locally and internationally. DocShipper Group has demonstrated expertise in the supervision of each step of the logistics process (the Door-to-Door relocation): Packing service, pick up at your site, export procedure, worldwide transportation, customs clearance, and final delivery.
Cost
DocShipper provides binding estimates based on a self-reported inventory or a video poll. This fee includes full packing and loading assistance. DocShipper can also conduct an in-home assessment to ensure the quote is as accurate as possible.
- Sample quote: Varies
- Deposit requirement: Varies
- Options for payment: Varies
Services Provided
DocShipper provides full services in relocation, including full-service packaging, lifting, unloading, and unpacking. They have their reputation in international relocation services. Additionally, DocShipper can arrange specialized services of pet or vehicle relocation or custom clearance.
Websites: Local and international Moving services - 🥇 DocShipper Moving - 🥇 DocShipper Moving
Moving APT
Quick summary
Model of services: Moving broker.- State accessibility: 50 states
- Requirement for Deposits: Yes
- Have some special services: Yes
Model of services: Moving broker.Business introduction
Moving APT is dedicated to offering national relocation services, collaborating with over 2,500 vetted moving partners. It has sole power as a broker and outsources all relocation services. However, one feature that distinguishes Moving APT is its open communication, which allows customers to talk immediately with available partners before scheduling a move. Moving APT works with both long-distance and neighborhood movers, giving you more options for the services you can plan. The Moving APT website also provides comprehensive information about its associates, whom it believes to be the finest movers for a variety of moving jobs.
Cost
- Sample quote: around $8,250-12100 (4 bedroom move from San Francisco to Denver)
- Deposit requirement: Varies.
- Options for payment: Varies.
Services Provided
APT's full-service partners provide complete packing services, while its self-service partners, such as PODS, use portable container storage choices that you will fill. Depending on your requirements and tastes, you will be able to select from big national movers or more localized companies.
Moving APT can organize a variety of specialized services, such as car shipping, foreign relocation, storage choices, and custom crating.
Websites: Moving APT - America's #1 Cross Country Movers
Safeway Moving Inc
Quick summary
- Model of services: Full service
- State accessibility: 50 states
- Requirement for Deposits: Yes
- Have some special services: Yes
Model of services: Full serviceBusiness introduction
Safeway is an excellent choice for families with big floor plans and inventories, as they have extensive experience relocating houses four beds and larger. The business is also familiar with HOA and COA laws and can assist you with those types of transfers without causing you unnecessary stress.
Safeway, with a primary emphasis on long-distance relocation, can provide complete packing help anywhere in the nation. It also aids in the coordination of foreign movements. Safeway's online marketing material shows support for senior citizens, and it claims to devote extra resources to seniors transferring houses.
Cost
Based on a self-reported inventory or a video survey, Safeway gives binding approximations. This price includes complete packaging and loading help. You can also request an in-home survey from Safeway to guarantee the estimate is as precise as feasible. The business provides one month of complimentary storage.
- Â Â Â Sample quote: Varies
- Â Â Â Deposit requirement: Fix 40% of total cost
- Â Â Â Options for payment: Cash, credit card, wire transfer, and several additional options
Services Provided
Long-distance transfers with Safeway include full-service packaging, lifting, unloading, and unpacking. It offers both short- and long-term storage choices, as well as bespoke crating for clients who are concerned about fragile or high-value goods.
Websites: Get a Quote | Safeway AD (homeservice-quotes.com)
JK Moving Services
Quick summary
- Model of services: Full service
- State accessibility: 50 states (local moves exclusive in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.)
- Requirement for Deposits: Yes
- Have some special services: Yes
Model of services: Full serviceBusiness introduction
Since 1982, JK Moving has been committed to delivering exceptional client service. You'll collaborate with a personal moving planner to design a unique full-service moving package and add-on services such as car transportation and specialized moving of vintage furniture, artwork, pianos, and Pelotons.
All full-service deals from JK Moving include full-replacement value security. This moving insurance coverage is based on the real worth of your possessions and is the amount you will be reimbursed if items are lost, damaged, or stolen while in transport. Not to fear, JK Moving has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and has gotten only seven FMCSA complaints in the last three years.
Cost
For bigger homes, the business needs an in-person or virtual walk-through to provide a binding quote. During this time, your personal moving planner will take a complete inventory of your domestic items, identify any possibly difficult-to-move items, and evaluate architectural characteristics that may burden your move, such as curving stairs. This procedure enables JK Moving to determine the appropriate number of movers to send as well as any special tools required on your moving day.
- Sample Quote: $7,500Â
- Deposit requirement: $250
- Options for payment: Credit card, cash, or check
Services Provided
JK Moving provides customizable full-service packing, with several levels of DIY packing and thorough help. The business has years of experience organizing corporate moves and streamlines the moving process for both domestic and commercial customers. JK Moving excels in long-distance and foreign moving services, with limited availability for intrastate moves.
Websites: Residential Moving Services | JK Moving Services
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North American Van Lines
Quick summary
- Model of services: Full service
- State accessibility: 50 states
- Requirement for Deposits: Yes
- Have some special services: Yes
Model of services: Full serviceBusiness introduction
North American Van Lines (NAVL) has over 85 years of moving expertise and provides services nationally through its extensive network of 500 local moving partners. NAVL organizes and supports all associate moves, ensuring you have full access to its elite services, add-on options, and moving resources.
Packing, lifting, hauling, offloading, and unpacking are all included in standard full-service moving packages. If you have high-end appliances, NAVL is a particularly smart choice because the company will detach, move, and reattach these items, reducing the time it takes to get them to your new house.
Cost
For houses with four or more beds, online quotes are not accessible. You can perform an in-person walk-through or use NAVL's mobile app to complete a virtual evaluation of your house, create a digital inventory, and keep your essential moving papers to get a customized quotation and signed estimate for a bigger home.
- Sample Quote: $8,480–$9,380
- Deposit: None required
- Payment Options: Cash, credit card, or certified check
Services Provided
NAVL has extensive expertise organizing business relocation services in addition to its full-service options for domestic moves. Employee relocations can be planned with the assistance of the company's relocation experts to fit within your company's budget and optimal moving timetable.
NAVL provides short- and long-term storage of your household items in climate-controlled facilities. In addition to offering in-house services, NAVL works with local movers and long-distance moving experts through its national network of moving agents.
Websites: Affordable Moving Company | North American Van Lines
Allied Van Lines
Quick summary
Model of services: Full service- State accessibility: 50 states
- Requirement for Deposits: Yes
- Have some special services: Yes
Model of services: Full serviceBusiness introduction
Allied Van Lines, founded in 1928, is one of the oldest moving businesses in the United States, operating in all 50 states and more than 130 nations. Allied, like JK Moving, gives a moving coordinator to each client for a more personalized customer care experience. You'll also have access to assistance via the company's mobile app and user-friendly website, which includes a moving blog and tools like a moving checklist.
Cost
For houses with more than three beds, Allied Van Lines will not provide an online or phone quote, but will provide a binding estimate following a virtual or in-home assessment. The entire cost of your move will be determined by factors such as the general distance, the size/weight of your shipment, and the date of your move.
- Sample Quote: $8,513–$9,415
- Deposit Requirement: None required.
- Options for payment: Cash, credit card, or certified check
Services Provided
Allied's business relocation services include full-service packing choices, allowing families to relocate due to job obligations. Allied offers packaging materials in its convenient moving kits to customers who desire to do some of their own packing. Vehicle transportation is another common Allied service, and many of its auto transport services are performed using its own trailers.
Allied also provides movable moving bins, which can be used for small moves or as handy short-term storage on your own property if you need to clear out a room's worth of possessions during a home makeover.
Websites: Allied Van Lines - Ranked One of the Best Moving Companies
1-800-PACK-RAT
Quick summary
- Model of services: Self-service
- State accessibility: 30 states and Washington DC
- Requirement for Deposits: Yes
- Have some special services: No
Model of services: Self-serviceBusiness introduction
1-800-PACK-RAT is the smart choice for self-service relocation. The business provides receptacles in sizes of 8-foot, 12-foot, and 16-foot. These can be kept with you for 30 days after initial arrival, making them an excellent choice for those who prefer to pack at their own speed or who only require short-term on-site storage.
ACK-RAT will transport to your house a waterproof, steel, portable storage receptacle. Following the loading of your container, the business will pick it up and transport it to your new home. If it takes you longer to prepare, or if you choose to use prepare-RAT as a storage option—for example, to house your college-age child's possessions while they're home for the summer—you can buy more time at a flat rate.
 Cost
- Sample Quote: $8,872
- Deposit requirement: No require
- Payment Options: Credit card
Services Provided
PACK-RAT is a self-service provider, and you will be responsible for filling and unloading its portable storage containers with its fundamental options. The business does, however, collaborate with Hire A Helper to provide clients with complete packaging and loading help as needed.
Websites: Portable Storage Units | Moving Containers | 1-800-PACK-RAT (1800packrat.com)
uShip
Quick summary
Model of services: Full service- State accessibility: 50 states
- Requirement for Deposits: Yes
- Have some special services: Yes
Model of services: Full serviceBusiness introduction
uShip, an online portal that connects consumers directly to over 800,000 shippers, can assist with transporting big, single goods such as automobiles, jet skis, and valuables. You set up an account on the uShip platform and publish shipping employment postings online. You can take an offer from the carrier who best meets your requirements after uShip suggests five-star couriers who can transfer your item.
Cost
uShip costs a service fee that is calculated based on the overall weight of your shipment.
- Â Sample quote: $706-890 ( For shipping car with an enclosed carrier from San Francisco, CA to Denver, CO)
- Â Deposit requirement: Varies
- Â Options for payment: Debit or credit
Services Provided
Because uShip is a marketplace, the services provided will be primarily determined by the shipper vying for your services. uShip, on the other hand, makes it simple to locate the services you require by offering several groups to choose from when beginning your move request. You can ask for help with house transfers, workplace changes, pet moving, and much more.
The car relocation choice is uShip's main service. Select an enclosed carrier to keep your uncommon or antique vehicle safe from the weather while in transport. Its simple mobile software allows you to monitor your cargo using GPS and contact your carrier directly.
Websites: uShip Moving | Movers Bid for Your Business For Free
Comparing moving companies
The recommendation for moving companiesÂ
Overall, we highly recommend our first three moving companies: International Van Lines, American Van Lines and DocShipper. International Van Lines is our best choice for a full-service relocation business. In addition to a reputation for excellent customer service, the business provides a broad range of customized relocation services. North American Van Lines is an excellent choice if you need to relocate high-end equipment. DocShipper will be the smart choice for clients if use international relocation services.
