Moving can be exciting and yet stressful at the same time. The well-being of your belongings during a move can be significantly better by working with an experienced moving company. However, there are so many options when hiring professional movers that choosing the best can be challenging.
To help you make this important choice, we’ve compiled a list of the seven best moving companies. So keep on reading to find out which company might be the best for your next move.
Best Moving Companies
1. U-Haul
In addition to being the most widespread moving truck rental company, U-Haul is among the most affordable.
As far as moving truck rental companies go, U-Haul is the only one with a household name. They are the industry leader in accessibility and choice for customers, boasting more than 21,000 locations with a more comprehensive range of moving trucks than almost any other company.
Their prices are among the most affordable, with only a few companies offering services at a lower price. U-Haul charges an average of $38.70 + $0.99/mile for a local move of 100 miles or less. On the other hand, the industry-wide standard is $169.65 + $0.73/mile. U-Haul charges an average of $1,945.68 for long-distance moves.
While U-Haul’s rates aren’t the lowest on the market, they have been continually below industry averages.
U-Haul does not require you to purchase moving insurance when you rent a truck from them, but it is available for an additional fee. However, if you decline insurance, you’ll be responsible for any damage to the truck or your possessions. The company offers a variety of coverage options so that you can tailor your policy to fit your needs.
2. True Friends
Nashville, Tennessee, is home to the True Friends Moving Company, specializing in local moves. It has a second branch in Tampa, Florida, and offers services in the southeastern United States. They provide residential, commercial, and professional moving services, perfect for moving across town or across the country.
True Friends is licensed and insured. Customers can select from a variety of liability options. Actual cash value is a service that tells you the cost of repairing an item to its pre-move state or the item’s market value at the time of the move. Additionally, in the event of a repair or replacement, you’ll receive the full replacement value. The released value includes coverage up to $2,000 at $0.60 per pound per article. You can get a free estimate from True Friends without any obligation.
True Friends Moving Company’s website does not provide pricing details, such as a range, but it does state that it charges a flat rate. In addition, their site states that moving costs are affected by the distance and number of boxes being moved.
The company’s ultimate goal is to provide its customers with a reliable and stress-free experience.
3. MovingPlace
MovingPlace combines the ease of a full-service move with the affordability of renting a truck from the company. You pack, the company drives, and you, the customer, save time and money in return. So get in control of your move and have peace of mind while you’re at it.
When MovingPlace delivers a truck to your house, most service locations have a loading ramp, a bulkhead wall, and a dolly in their trucks readily available to make loading and unloading easier. The employees will load the trucks with your boxes and transport your belongings to your new residence.
Some options allow three days for loading and unloading. Compared to full-service moving, their moving truck services are straightforward and affordable.
MovingPlace can handle any size shipment, from a few boxes to a full tractor-trailer, anywhere in the contiguous area.
You should expect to pay about $2,500 for a local move using MovingPlace moving containers. However, keep in mind that the cost can be affected by the size of the container, the type of service you select, and the distance.
4. Budget Truck Rental
With Budget Truck Rental, you can rent a reasonably priced moving truck for your local move. The company offers a wide range of services, is widely available across the country, and has the lowest prices for local rentals for those moving on their own.
That being said, Budget Truck’s rivals do offer lower rates on long-distance rentals and big rental trucks from time to time. So consider getting several price quotes from various companies before making your final decision, especially when moving a long distance or requiring a large truck.
Budget Truck’s actual cost for moves less than 100 miles is $27.60, with a mileage rate of $0.47 per mile. Their local rates are an absolute bargain compared to the industry average of $169.65 and a mileage rate of $0.75 per mile.
For long-distance travel, Budget Truck is slightly different. Their average price for longer than 100 miles moves is $2,080, while the industry average is $2,771. In other words, their long-distance rates are about average.
It’s difficult to guess in advance how much their moving truck will cost until you receive an offer because rental rates vary every day based on supply and demand. There are, however, a few things that will always have an impact on your cost. These are the move date and when you book the truck, rental deposit, taxes, add-ons, mileage, and moving insurance.
If you return the truck dirty, damaged, or after the allotted time, you’ll forfeit your $150 deposit. However, it’s best to plan ahead because your bank account may not receive the deposit for weeks at a time.
5. International Van Lines
In 2000, International Van Lines was founded as a domestic & global moving service. The company’s headquarters are currently located in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, but it has a few other locations across the country where it serves customers.
In addition to standard moving services, International Van Lines provides packing services for the average home. The cost of moving with them varies from one client to another. It’s possible to get a free assessment on their website or by calling their number.
Many factors will be considered when determining the final price. For example, the number of your belongings, moving distance, moving date, etc.
Alternatively, you can use the company’s online Moving Cost Calculator on their website to get a sense of how much you’ll have to spend. However, this number is based on some basic information, and it may not be as reliable as actually talking with customer service.
A 25% deposit is required at the time of service to keep your moving date with International Van Lines. Then, on the day of pickup, you’ll pay another 50% of the total cost, and then the remaining balance will be due when your belongings arrive at your new residence.
Depending on the weight of the shipment, the company provides a limited liability insurance policy of $0.60 per pound. However, if you think that this level of coverage is insufficient, you can upgrade to a higher level of protection for your belongings. When requesting a quote for services, ask a consultant about moving insurance.
6. Allied Van Lines
Packing and unpacking services, as well as moving supplies, are all available through Allied Van Lines, the nation’s largest full-service moving company. Moving pianos or expensive artwork, for example, can be a time-consuming and challenging process. This company’s specialty moving services and fragile-only packing options come in handy in these situations.
Allied Van Lines is a rare find in the moving industry because it offers its own movers and a wide variety of trucks for transportation.
Local and long-distance moves are no problem for Allied Van Lines, with agents in every state. Their international moving services also cover over 130 different countries.
According to their website, a long-distance move with the company costs on average $3,500. This is based on a 7,000-pound weight estimate, corresponding to about seven rooms’ worth of belongings. Chicago to Dallas is roughly 1,000 miles away, which is the approximate distance for this quote.
Allied Van Lines charges are based on your move’s total weight and mileage. A mover’s price will go up if additional services are requested, such as the use of crates or the transportation of vehicles.
7. North American Van Lines
North American Van Lines is a full-service moving company offering comprehensive insurance plans and an easy-to-follow claims process. This makes them an excellent choice for those who need to transport valuables.
Full-value release plans from North American Van Lines allow customers to obtain coverage and compensation based on the value of their possessions. In addition, a separate customer service line is available for making a claim and a detailed claims process if something unexpected happens.
According to North American Van Lines, moving a two-bedroom house with a medium-sized load from Chicago to Houston would cost anywhere from $5,343 to $6,105.
A virtual or in-home survey, similar to those offered by Allied Van Lines, can yield binding estimates. Combining this with North American Van Lines’ insurance coverage and claims process would give you even more financial security.
Have a Safe Move
Hiring a moving company will make the whole moving process more manageable. Additionally, it will give you a sense of security, especially with one of these best moving companies offering various moving coverages.
Moreover, it’s common for moving companies to serve as a helpful reminder for moving-related tasks, such as booking time off work and purchasing moving boxes.
In some cases, moving companies will provide you with a moving checklist, while others will provide you with personal movers. However, it’s always important to compare the prices of different companies and their services to decide which one is the best for you and your future move.