When you hire a moving company, you want to ensure your belongings are in good hands. It’s important to shop around and request multiple quotes before selecting one company. The best movers in the industry offer a variety of add-on services, such as full-service packing, storage, vehicle transportation and international moving. They also have a variety of options for insurance coverage. However, not all insurers are created equal. For example, some insurance companies only cover up to 60 cents per pound, while others offer higher levels of protection. The type of coverage you choose depends on your needs and budget.
There are approximately 7,000 licensed, active moving companies in the U.S., and many of them belong to large, national van lines. A few of the largest residential moving companies include North American Van Lines, which has earned high customer reviews for its streamlined claims process and full-service moving packages, and Safeway Moving, which has some of the best reviews of any long-distance mover.
While it’s important to research a moving companies and read its reviews, you should also take the time to talk to a representative to get a better sense of how each company operates. Ask questions about whether or not a company requires a deposit to reserve a date, how it handles cancelations and whether or not it offers binding pricing. Additionally, it’s a good idea to find out about any additional fees that may not be included in a quote, such as tolls, long carries for walk-up apartments and heavy item transport.
If a company declines your request for a discount, politely ask to speak to a manager or other higher-up. You might be able to score a deal if another customer cancels and your moving company is desperate to fill the slot. Additionally, some companies will offer discounts if they know you’re shopping around and may be willing to price match.
For our 2024 ranking of the best movers, we looked at the overall experience and quality of service each company provides. We awarded points based on the types of moves a company can handle, including local, interstate and international; whether it is a full-service or broker mover; and what extra options are available, such as storage, shipment tracking, container shipping and furniture assembly.
A big part of what makes a great moving company is the customer experience, which is why we awarded significant weight to customer reviews and ratings. We also ranked each company based on its rates, ancillary charges, cancellation policy and the availability of special deals and discounts. We also looked at a company’s online presence and whether it offered transparent pricing, such as flat-rate or all-inclusive packaging costs. In addition, we considered the number of years a company had been in business and its BBB rating. We excluded franchises from our rankings, such as Two Men and a Truck, PODS, All My Sons Moving & Storage and College Hunks Hauling Junk, since they are individually owned and operated rather than managed by a single parent company.