How to Choose Best Moving Companies

How to Find the Right Moving Company for Your Specific Needs

Every move is unique. Some moves might require a large truck and full-service capabilities, while others might only need loading and unloading assistance. You’ll need to consider your individual needs, and the services offered by various moving companies when choosing the right mover for you. Here are several things to ask yourself:

How large is your move? First and foremost, how large is your move? If you’re moving a small studio apartment, you may want to consider renting a truck or using a moving container before hiring a traditional, full-service moving company. If you’re moving a large household, make sure the mover has a truck large enough to hold your belongings. In addition, if you have a specialty item that needs moving (think: a car or piano), make sure the mover is capable of transporting this item with care.
Are you on a tight budget? If you’re moving locally, you may want to pass on hiring an expensive full-service interstate mover. Then again, it may be worth the splurge if saving time and energy are your top priorities. Small, local moving companies and labor-only services that charge hourly will likely be cheaper than hiring a large, full-service moving company.
Are you looking to move on a certain date? You’ll need to check whether the moving company is available during the time frame that works for you. Check to see if they offer guaranteed pickup and delivery dates. Keep in mind that if you can be flexible with moving dates, you’ll likely get a better rate.
Do you need packing supplies and packing assistance? If you’re looking to hire professional packers and need packing supplies, then hiring a full-service mover is the way to go. Large moving companies typically offers boxes and moving supplies for purchase.
Will you need storage-in-transit? If you need any kind of storage during the moving process, make sure the moving company offers secure storage facilities.
How far are you moving? If you’re moving across state lines, you will need to hire an interstate mover who is licensed and insured, as well as one who specializes in long-distance moves.

After asking yourself these questions and researching various moving companies, you should be able to narrow down the list of movers who best meet your needs. Make sure to get at least three moving quotes from three different moving companies, so you can compare prices and offerings.

How to Find the Right Moving Company for Your Specific Needs

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for in a moving company?
To avoid scammers, make sure the moving company is licensed and insured. Read our tips for how to know if a moving company is legitimate. We also recommend looking for good reviews and ratings from customers. A successful track record and a good reputation are two important qualities that shouldn’t be overlooked. In addition, make sure that pricing is transparent, and that services offered meet your individual needs.
How do I check if a mover is licensed and insured?
If it’s a long-distance moving company, you should be able to look up the USDOT number on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s website. Any moving company that operates a commercial vehicle transporting passengers or hauling cargo in interstate commerce must obtain a USDOT number.
What is the difference between a broker and a carrier?
A carrier is a moving company that owns its own trucks and warehouses. Moves are carried out directly by the carrier’s fleet of trucks and movers. A broker is an intermediary that arranges transportation with for-hire carriers to carry out the actual move. According to the FMCSA, “brokers do not have moving trucks or professional movers. Brokers for interstate moves are required to use only movers that are registered with FMCSA.” Of course, some moving companies are both carriers and brokers, which means they do both – provide moves with their own fleet of trucks and movers as well as outsource moves to other agencies.
How much will my move cost?
Moving costs depend on a wide range of factors. For an estimate, use our free Moving Cost Calculator. Simply enter your origin ZIP code, destination ZIP code, move size (in terms of the number of bedrooms), any packing services needed (none, partial or full), and move date. Click “Show Cost Estimate” to see the estimated cost range and estimated distance of your move. Attached to this estimate, you’ll see a place where you can enter your contact information so that our vetted professional moving companies can reach out to you via phone and/or email to schedule a moving survey. Learn more about our step-by-step process for obtaining moving quotes.
How many moving quotes should I get?
We recommend obtaining at least three moving quotes from three different moving companies. This should give you a good idea of how much your move will cost.
Why should I choose a moving company in Moving.com's network?
Choosing a trusted moving company to handle your relocation ensures that your move will be carried out in the most efficient way possible. It also frees up valuable time and energy that you can spend on other important to-do list items. All movers in our large network are licensed and insured. Reviews are available through our moving company directory as well.
Do I need moving insurance?
Whether or not you purchase additional moving insurance from a third party is up to you. We always recommend looking at your existing insurance policy to see whether it covers household belongings while they’re in transit. Interstate moving companies will provide you with Released Value Protection, which is automatically included in your move. This valuation coverage is not insurance, and only gives you minimal protection (60 cents per pound per item). Many moving companies also offer increased coverage options, including Full Value Protection. This liability coverage offers considerably more protection. If you’re moving items of extraordinary value, you may be able to purchase more valuation coverage as well. We should note that all five of our “best moving companies” offer Full Value Protection.
What am I not allowed to pack?
Moving companies will have their own list of non-allowables. You can expect hazardous, flammable and perishable items to be on that list. In addition, most moving companies discourage customers from packing items that are extremely valuable or sentimental on the truck.
When are the cheapest times to move?
In general, rates tend to be highest during the peak moving season, which takes place from May to September. Demand for movers also tends to be highest on weekends, so aim for a mid-week move if you’re looking to save money. Read more information on the best times to move.

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Methodology

We conducted in-depth research, comparing multiple moving companies. We have found that these five moving companies have services and qualities that set them apart from the competition, including large fleet sizes, wide availability, solid reputations, accurate websites, and a variety of customer-friendly moving services. We are confident that any of these companies will be able to meet the needs of your next move.

When assessing and comparing moving companies we looked at many key factors, including:

Services offered — We looked at the complete range of services offered by the company.
Availability — How many states and countries does the moving company operate in?
Valuation coverage options — Does the company offer full value, along with the released value? Is the full-value coverage customizable?
Price transparency — Are the prices for the services the company offers easily obtainable upon request?
Customer service — What is the average customer service experience with this provider? Are the customer reviews overwhelmingly positive?
Website accuracy — Does this company have an up-to-date website that’s easy to navigate? Does it provide the information you’ll need to decide whether you want to use their services?
BBB ratings and overall reputation — What’s the company’s standing with the Business Better Bureau (BBB)? Are there any alerts, pending lawsuits, or red flags?
Moving quote process — How easy is it to get a quote? Is there an option to do it online? By calling? Both?
Costs — What is included in the estimate? What isn’t? Is financing available? Is a moving deposit required?
Types of estimates offered — Does the company offer binding estimates? Fixed rates?
Shipment tracking abilities — Does this moving company have GPS or online tracking options?
Fleet size — Does the company have a range of container sizes and trailers to offer?

After conducting in-depth research and comparing multiple interstate moving companies, we found that these five movers have services and qualities that set them apart from the competition, including large fleet sizes, wide availability, solid reputations, accurate websites, a myriad of moving services and customer-friendly offerings. We feel confident that these movers check all the boxes and are the best of the best.