Compare the Best Moving
Companies of 2023

Moving is a constant necessity for many, especially if your job requires changing location. While the process can be fun and adventurous, packing and moving into your new house can be overwhelming, physically and mentally.

Company Company Name Local and Long Distance Offers
Auto Shipping
Rating Details
Allied Van Lines
Yes
Yes
4.8
North American Van Lines
Yes
Yes
4.7
Bekins Van Lines
Yes
Yes
4.4
American Van Lines
Yes
Yes
4.3
Arpin Van Lines
Yes
Yes
4.1
Author: Helen McKenzie
January 19, 2023

Writer & Researcher

8 Min Read

Why Should I Hire a Moving Company?

Most people opt for assistance from moving companies to transport their household equipment safely. As a result, hiring a moving company is becoming more popular. It saves time and prevents possible personal injury or damage to items while moving. Top professional moving companies strive to provide you with a hassle-free experience in a day’s work.

There are many solutions to pick from when it comes to moving companies. Below are the different types of moving companies to help you make an informed decision.

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What Are the Different Types of Moving Companies

Here’s a quick overview of the various types of moving companies. It’s important to consider your personal needs and budget before making a decision.

1. A Full-Service Mover

Essentially, a full-service mover does everything for you including packing your belongings. They can help you estimate what you need to move and plan how long it will take. They’ll come in and pack up your entire home or just certain items, get all the required boxes and supplies, load them onto the truck, drive them to their new location, unload them upon arrival, and even unpack your items. Some moving firms even go the extra mile of furniture assembly and disassembly. 

The crew packing your belongings will be experienced professionals who use the best top-quality materials and methods. You won’t have to worry about property destruction as most moving companies that offer this service usually also provide insurance on any damages during the move. If you have a tight schedule and look to save time during your move, you should consider a full-service mover.

Full-service movers tend to charge by the hour and the number of movers needed. If you’re making a local move, it could be more cost-effective than renting a truck yourself and paying for gas—especially if there’s no one around to help with loading and unloading!

2. A Self-Moving Service

If you’re an experienced mover and want to save some money on your relocation expenses, you may want to consider self-moving. Self-moving services deliver a moving truck to your house or apartment that facilitates ample space to pack your belongings into the vehicle, and then drive it to your new residence. Then, you unload the car and unpack the items yourself.

Self-moving is typically less expensive than hiring complete movers because you do most of the work yourself. This can be a substantial advantage if you don’t have a lot of valuables and are not moving far away from home. However, self-movers mainly service local moves; if you plan on driving more than three hours for your relocation, then self-moving is probably not for you.

3. Independent Movers

Independent movers are the ideal solution if you’re looking for an affordable way to move. These individuals work without paying a commission to a moving company and operate their moving business out of their own homes. They typically do not have central offices or maintain large warehouses, which helps them keep costs down. Try a quick Google search or check Craigslist for professionals who have made listings there to get in touch with one.

Independent movers are often less expensive than big-name companies because they don’t need to cover any costs associated with running a business: no advertising, no uniforms, no vehicle maintenance, etc. As you might expect with this less expensive service, they can be good and bad—though many single movers are great at what they do.

It’s important to note that independent movers may not be insured like other companies, so you’ll want to consider their workers’ compensation coverage before choosing one as your mover. Another thing to consider is the mover’s experience in business; check to see if they have been in the business long enough before deciding whether they’re suitable for you!

4. Vehicle Transportation Service

A vehicle transportation service is one of the many options you have to move your car, truck, or motorcycle. This method involves hiring a company specializing in transporting vehicles instead of relocating whole households. This can be an option for people who don’t want to drive long distances and don’t mind leaving their car behind.

Some benefits of this option are:

  • Your vehicle will not accrue any additional mileage during the move; a great benefit for those looking to preserve mileage on a new car or classic ride
  • You can save money by having multiple cars shipped at once; some companies offer discounts if you ship more than one vehicle

Drawbacks of this option include:

  • The cost of shipping your vehicle might be higher than driving it yourself, especially if you’re moving multiple cars; read up on standard pricing models so you know what to expect
  • While there are ways to track vehicles during transit, no one will be able to see where your car is until it arrives at its destination; this means if there are any issues or delays along the way, they may not be discovered until much later

5. Portable Storage Units (PODS)

PODS are portable storage containers. With PODS, you can pack your belongings at your own pace and then have PODS deliver the container to your new home. It’s an excellent option for those who require more time than a traditional moving truck offers.

You’ll want to compare the price of a PODS container with other types of moving companies before making your decision. There are many options for moving companies, and it’s essential to choose the right one for your situation.

If you’re planning on moving into a small one-bedroom apartment with few possessions, find someone with a pickup truck you can pay hourly, like a friend. If you’re moving an entire house’s worth of stuff, a company with trucks and employees will be more helpful. This option would include loading your belongings into their vehicle, driving them to your new home, unloading them, and providing the muscle to get everything where it needs to be.

What to Consider When Selecting a Professional Moving Firm

Picking the best company depends on your unique set of needs. Once you understand your needs, it is advisable to contact the various moving companies on your list to counter-check the terms and conditions. Alternatively, requesting quotes from the different companies and comparing their services to each other is also a wise move to help you make a suitable decision.

The following are important factors to look out for when you choose a professional moving company to work with.

1. Price and Modes of Payment

As expected, budgeting is the most important step when making a decision that involves finances. Whereas the cost of the move depends on aspects like service quality and distance, you should prioritize the most cost-effective way.

Most companies charge fees according to total hours worked, the volume of your household items, and the number of movers involved. Other services like assembly and disassembly may also require digging deeper into your pocket.

2. Full-Service vs. Self-Service

The service model offered by the company provides you with a platform to choose what you want. For example, self-service moving companies are the best pick for people who prefer the DIY approach to move to a new house.

On the other hand, full-service companies will provide you with a hassle-free moving experience if you want to save time. Their services include furniture disassembly and assembly, loading and unloading, and packing and unpacking. You should also ask if the companies offer storage solutions.

3. Licenses and Insurance

A licensed and insured company is most likely reputable and experienced. Be sure to verify your mover’s insurance with legal companies like Better Business Bureau (BBB). Checking your company’s license is the easiest and most certain way to determine a company’s legitimacy in service provision. The new building requires you to show proof of the licensed company for corporate and commercial moving. Insured companies provide a cover for your items in case of damage or theft of your items during moving. 

4. Customer Reviews and Ratings

Reviews found on the company’s website are tell-tale signs of a successful track record. You will also get to know their details in operations like punctuality, customer relations, rates, and handling style of fragile items.

Moreover, basing your choice on other customers’ experiences is only an exercise to build trust with your target company. Make a choice on a company based on what suits your tailored personal needs.

5. Mover Qualifications

Professional companies with experience can save you time and mistakes while moving. A company with a reputable mover qualification will provide services with breathtaking professionalism and courtesy. Most reputable companies are gauged by their years of experience, as the workers will know how to handle different unique situations when they come up. 

Reputable companies are a go-to for people who have pianos and other priceless items like jewelry.

Tips on Making Your Move Smoother

If you’re wondering where to begin when preparing a good checklist, look no further! Proper planning makes even the hardest of tasks seem like child’s play. This guide will prepare you in anticipation of the moving day. Keep reading for more information and tips for easy moving.

1. Pack Heavy Items in Small Boxes

Nothing is as cumbersome as heavy items in big boxes. Dumping items in the box without considering their weight forces you to ask for an extra pair of hands during lifting and carrying. It is also best to separate heavy and light items to avoid damaging fragile items due to heavy pressing of surfaces.

2. Label Your Things

The easiest way to save time unpacking items in your new home is by labeling the boxes before putting them in the truck. Alternatively, you can use different colored tape and wrapping material for boxes with items for different rooms.

3. Items From the Same Room Should Stay Next to Each Other

Packing items this way comes in handy, especially if you plan to unpack your items slowly over several days. This way, you can conveniently unpack kitchen items for meals like breakfast and dinner — mainly because you’ll know what item to pull out and where to pull it out from.

4. Furniture Should Enter the Truck First

An inventory based on item dimensions and measurement is essential while moving. Make sure you have a clear knowledge of the item measurements to avoid damage to door frames on your way out of your old house. 

Furniture and large items like fridges, ovens, and washing machines should enter the truck first to avoid them from shifting or toppling over inside the car. 

5. Sell or Donate Unwanted Items

Moving makes you realize how much you need to get rid of unwanted items lying around the house for years. Selling and donating the items is an excellent way to ease up your luggage while simultaneously fulfilling the donation pledge you declared earlier. Junk removal companies specialize in offering countrywide solutions for offloading unwanted items.

6. Cancel Your Bills and Change Your Address

It is the most basic yet most forgotten step in planning to move. Ensure you update your new address and cancel water, electricity, and utility bills.

Frequently asked questions

How Much Do Moving Companies Cost?

Different factors determine the price of hiring a moving company, including the distance and your business or house size. For example, a local move can cost you $1,200 on average, and prices can range from $300 to $1,500. Additionally, a long-distance move can range from $2,500 to $5,000. Therefore, it’s essential to obtain a free estimate from different companies to get the average expense of your move.

Author: Helen McKenzie
January 19, 2023

Writer & Researcher

8 Min Read

Helen McKenzie is a writer with more than 10 years of experience. She has always loved writing and started writing for her school newspaper and eventually became a staff writer for a major metropolitan publication. More recently, Helen has been a member of the iMove Research Team, where she seeks to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information about products and services available to consumers. In this role, she has conducted extensive research on topics such as moving companies, storage solutions, and real estate.

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