Most people who move into self-storage envision themselves holding their things in a storage unit for only a short period of time. However, when the time comes to actually clear out your storage space, you might find that things are a little more complicated than you originally anticipated. As you plan to clean out your stored items, you don’t only need to consider where you’ll put your household items in your new home — you’ll also likely need to find labor assistance to make the cleanout process easier. Attempting to empty a storage unit on your own, especially a large unit, can make the process significantly more time-consuming than when you have assistance.
4.5
One month of free storage included with your move
Provides moves in all 50 states
Offers air & ocean freighting
4.0
Flat rate pricing for all moves
Offers price matching
Expedited moves between big cities
4.2
Top-notch packing services
Nationwide partner network
Comprehensive moving calculator
While you can enlist friends and family members to help with your move, you can enjoy a truly stress-free moving experience when you work with one of the best moving companies providing storage clean-out services. Professional movers know how to load and unload your things without causing damage to your household goods or sustaining injuries. But which moving company should you trust with your stored items?
The 7 Best Storage Unit Movers
Our top recommended storage unit movers for 2023:
Compare The Best Storage Unit Movers
The table below outlines data for the best moving companies on the market. We constantly update these ratings and price estimates to reflect industry changes. Continue reading in-depth reviews of several top providers.
Company | Best For | Our Rating | BBB Rating | Local Cost | Long-distance Cost |
 | Best Full-Service | B | $650–$1350 | $2,100–$5,400 | |
 | Most Transparent Pricing | B- | $550–$1,100 | $2,550–$5,700 | |
 | Best Cost Estimation Tools | B | $700 - $1,250 | $1,800 - $4980 | |
 | Best Flat-Rate | Not Rated | Not available for local moves | $2,200–$5,500 | |
 | Most Moving | B | Call for a quote | $2,750–$5,200 | |
 | Most Customizable | A+ | Call for a quote | $2,750–$6,000 | |
 | Best Vehicle | A+ | $800–$1,500 | $2,000–$5,000 | |
 | Best Pricing | A+ | $800–$1,500 | $2,000–$5,000 | |
 | Best Technology | A+ | Call for quote | $2,000–$5,000 | |
 | Best Container Service | A+ | Not available for local moves | $1,350–$2,400 | |
 | Best Valuation Coverage Options | A+ | $1,200-$2,750 | $3,100-$8,400 |
*Quote and cost data are updated and monitored continuously.
International Van Lines
4.5
Our Rating
International Van Lines (IVL) is a full-service storage moving company that has moving services all over the country, including Alaska and Hawaii. They can also move your storage unit items to more than 150 countries worldwide.
International Van Lines consistently wins Newsweeks’ Best Customer Service Award for its competent and friendly customer service representatives, who are always standing by to help you work through any problems you run into on the road.
As a response to the pandemic, IVL developed its own virtual walkthrough system. This means that you can get an accurate moving quote straight from your phone without scheduling an in-person walkthrough. International Van Lines has been in business for two decades, and they help an average of 20,000 families and companies move each year. They can take everything in your storage unit, load it up, transport it to your new home, and then unload it upon arrival. You can even get them to unpack your items for you when you arrive, providing a stress-free moving experience.
One of the reasons why we love International Van Lines is because the company offers full-service processes for your move. This means that, instead of only loading and transporting your things, you can also schedule a range of additional services to make your move easier. If you move with IVL, you can currently add the following add-ons and options to your move.
- Packing and unpacking services
- Loading and unloading services
- Furniture disassembly and reassembly
- Crating
- Specialized packing services for fragile items
- Long-term storage
- Short-term storage
- Packing supplies
- Auto transportation services
IVL offers residential, commercial, and military moving services.
When you move out of a storage unit, most movers bill you based on two primary factors.
- Distance traveled (the further your journey, the more you’ll pay)
- The total weight of the items in your storage unit (if you have a larger home and you’re storing more items, you’ll pay more for your move)
To help you get a better idea of how much you might pay to move out of your storage unit, we’ve collected pricing data from past IVL customers. Check out the table below to learn more about what you might pay for your moving services with IVL.
| <250 miles | 500 miles | 1,000 miles | 2,000 miles | |
| Two-bedroom home | $1,400 to $4,400 | $1,900 to $4,900 | $2,100 to $5,100 | $2,400 to $5,400 |
| Four-bedroom home | $3,200 to $6,200 | $5,100 to $8,100 | $5,700 to $8,700 | $6,200 to $9,200 |
American Van Lines
4.0
Our Rating
American Van Lines works in the contiguous 48 states, specializing in long-distance full-service moves. American Van Lines offers storage for all moves upon customer request; the first month is free, and the facilities are equipped with 24/7 camera surveillance to protect your property. Some of American Van Lines’ moving plans are more expensive than competitors’ plans, but they do have a price-matching guarantee, so you can get the best of both worlds if you find a cheaper quote.
American will individually wrap each of your belongings in your storage unit and do an itemized inventory before transport.
One thing that sets American Van Lines apart is that they have flat-rate pricing. What you see on your invoice is what you will pay, with no hidden fees added later down the line. Each mover has an average of 10 years of moving experience. American Van Lines work to make your storage move as stress-free as possible.
American Van Lines is a full-service moving company offering the following add-ons:
- Packing and unpacking services
- Storage unit arrangement
- Specialty packing services for items like pianos and antiques
- Furniture disassembly and reassembly
- Crating for large items (like pianos)
- Moving supplies
They also accommodate small office movers, corporate relocations and military moves.
Browse the table below to learn more about pricing from American Van Lines.
| <250 miles | 500 miles | 1,000 miles | 2,000 miles | |
| Two-bedroom home | $1,700 to $4,700 | $2,300 to $5,300 | $2,600 to $5,600 | $4,200 to $7,200 |
| Four-bedroom home | $4,800 to $7,800 | $5,600 to $8,600 | $7,400 to $10,400 | $10,800 to $13,800 |
Moving APT
3.9
Our Rating
Moving APT is the only moving and storage services broker on our list. They work all over the nation brokering long-distance moves, interstate moves, storage unit moves, and corporate relocations.
Moving APT has facilitated over 500,000 moves in its existence, and it offers discounts for short-distance and senior services.
When you move with Moving APT, all you need to do is let them know the date of your move, your origin and destination, and the services you need. Moving APT will then look around in your area and book a moving service from its list of partnered carriers. This system helps you to find the best moving services for your budget without spending hours on the phone comparing quotes. This model works for you because they can find you the best deals and save on your moving cost, and it works for Moving APT because the company charges moving companies a small commission for finding your business. You can use them for your next storage move to skip the hassle of doing it on your own, and you can even use them to set up short-term storage or other storage needs.
Some of the most commonly scheduled add-on services issued through Moving APT include:
- Piano moving
- Auto shipping
- Packing services
- Packing supplies (included for some moves)
- Appliance connection services
- Limited furniture disassembly and reassembly
Remember that, because Moving APT is not the company providing the physical labor for your move, the specific services you’ll have access to may vary by partner and location. In addition to residential moves, they also cover military and corporate moves.
Unfortunately, Moving APT does not offer general pricing information online because it has a price matching policy that many customers take advantage of. This makes it more difficult to accurately estimate what you’ll pay for service based on past prices. As a general idea of what Moving APT charges, you can expect to pay around $7,800 to move a four-bedroom home 1,000 miles. This is about in line with other movers, but be sure to claim your free quote with the link below to see what you specifically might pay.
JK Moving Services
4.2
Our Rating
Whether you’re downsizing and need to move extra unwanted items out of your storage unit (or if you need a long-term storage plan), JK Moving Services can help you.
They have a reputation for being the moving company with the most customizable service packages, which can make the company a great option for anyone looking for a truly hands-off moving experience. Although they might be a little more expensive than their competitors, JK Moving Services offers financing on all of their services. This financing is available with rates from 0% APR and breaks your total moving cost into more manageable monthly payments.
When you first contact JK Moving Services, the company’s first order of business will be to set you up with your own personal moving coordinator who will help you plan your storage unit move from beginning to end. Through JK’s own mobile app, you can communicate with your personal move coordinator, track your shipment, and contact customer service anytime.
JK Moving Services offers an impressive range of add-on services, including the following:
- Packing and unpacking services
- Loading and unloading services
- Long-term and short-term storage unit arrangement
- Transportation and delivery
- Freighting
- Crating
- Furniture disassembly and reassembly services
- Specialty services for items likes antiques and pianos
- Archive services
- Auto relocation services
In addition to residential moving services, JK Moving is also able to accommodate commercial, office, military, and even government moves. They also have packages available for specialized workspace and fragile equipment (like customer data and hospital tools).
JK Moving Services is best known for its range of moving package options that allow you to fully customize your experience. Because each move is so personalized, JK Moving Services requests that potential customers get a quote from their team instead of relying on past pricing data. As a general statement on pricing, you can usually expect to pay between $2,500 and $5,500 when you move a two-bedroom home 500 miles from your current location. Though this data point indicates that JK Moving Services is more expensive than its competitors, you should still click the link below to get personalized pricing information.
JK Moving Services is best known for its range of moving package options that allow you to fully customize your experience. Because each move is so personalized, JK Moving Services requests that potential customers get a quote from their team instead of relying on past pricing data. As a general statement on pricing, you can usually expect to pay between $2,500 and $5,500 when you move a two-bedroom home 500 miles from your current location. Though this data point indicates that JK Moving Services is more expensive than its competitors, you should still click the link below to get personalized pricing information.
Allied Van Lines
4.2
Our Rating
Allied Van Lines has been helping with local, interstate, and long-distance moves for almost 90 years. They have a long list of services available, and they can tailor them to fit your moving and storage needs.
Allied provides you with a personal relocation consultant to make your moving experience as smooth as possible, which can be a relief for those moving for the first time. If you need them to do a full-service move of your storage unit, they can do everything from packing to unpacking at your destination.
You also have the option to sign up for a newer service Allied Van Lines offers called “Allied Express.” This is an affordable moving container service that puts you in control of moving your things but still offers an enhanced level of assistance. If you pack all the household items in your storage unit up yourself, all you have to do is schedule a pick-up day with Allied. They will load everything into the container and transport it for you. If you need to ship a vehicle, Allied has many different options to do so, including custom crating for motorcycles and other smaller specialty vehicles. If your car or truck is late arriving at your new home, Allied will even provide you with a rental car free of charge until your vehicle gets to you
Allied Van Lines is a full-service moving company offering the following add-ons:
- Packing services and unpacking services
- Fragile-only packing
- Storage for in-transit items
- Arrangement of long-term storage units
- Shipment tracking
- Furniture disassembly and reassembly
- Auto and boat transport
- Basic liability coverage
- Full-value coverage
The company also offers military and corporate relocation options.
Browse the table below to learn more about what past Allied Van Lines customers paid for their moving services.
| <250 miles | 500 miles | 1,000 miles | 2,000 miles | |
| Two-bedroom home | $1,800 to $4,500 | $2,400 to $5,400 | $2,700 to $5,700 | $4,400 to $7,400 |
| Four-bedroom home | $3,300 to $6,000 | $5,700 to $8,700 | $7,500 to $10,500 | $10,900 to $13,000 |
U-Pack
3.5
Our Rating
U-Pack is a great option for you if you’d like to skip hiring a moving company for the entire process of packing, loading, and moving your storage unit and instead get more hands-on to save money. As the name suggests, U-Pack is a storage container company that will transport your items for you after you pack and load.
When you book with U-Pack, you can choose to rent one or more portable moving containers, which resemble storage units, or a moving truck. Pricing is available instantly online, and you can book your entire move without once speaking to a sales professional should you choose.
Once your moving date arrives, your U-Pack driver will deliver the moving container to your current storage space. You can then fill it with your belongings at your leisure. When it’s time to pick up, the driver will return to get your containers and take them to their destination, where you’ll handle unpacking and unloading. If you do need any extra services, like you’d rather someone else load or you have some delicate items, you can use U-Pack’s network of laborers called Moving Staffers to find the people you need.
U-Pack currently offers the following services on moves that total more than 200 miles in distance.
- Long-distance moving container services
- Offsite storage
Keep in mind that U-Pack does not currently offer local moving processes. Consider a competitor like PODS if you’re moving fewer than 200 miles.
U-Pack’s quote process is exceptionally convenient, allowing most customers to see pricing data instantly online after entering a few personal details. We recommend everyone get a quote from U-Pack using the link below, even if they believe the service might not be their final choice simply because the process is so easy and fast. If you’d like to browse past pricing data from U-Pack customers, check out the table below.
North American Van Lines
4.0
Our Rating
North American Van Lines has 89 years of experience relocating families and companies all over the country and to many destinations internationally. They specialize in long-distance moves, and it’s no wonder since they were the first moving company to traverse the vast Alaska Highway.
One of the most notable features offered by North American Van Lines is its unique pricing options. You can choose how your move is priced to ensure that there are no surprises when the bill arrives. For example, you can request “not to exceed” pricing that puts a strict cap on the cost of your move.
North American offers a variety of services, including packing, loading, appliance installation, furniture disassembly and reassembly, and storage. After all, they’re both a moving and a storage company, so their employees know the ins and outs of both industries. If you have fragile items like antiques in your storage unit, they can help you pack and move those with professional movers so you don’t have to worry about breaking anything yourself.
North American Van Lines currently offers the following add-on processes.
- Full-service packing
- Fragile-only packing
- Boxes and moving supplies
- Appliance disconnection and reconnection
- Furniture disassembly and reassembly
- Custom crates
- Loading and unloading
- Crane vans for large items
- Storage
- Auto transport
- Basic liability coverage
- Full-valuation coverage
They can also accommodate commercial or office moving needs of all sizes.
Browse the table below to learn more about North American Van Lines’ past pricing.
| <250 miles | 500 miles | 1,000 miles | 2,000 miles | |
| Two-bedroom home | $1,800 to $4,500 | $2,400 to $5,400 | $2,700 to $5,700 | $4,400 to $7,400 |
| Four-bedroom home | $3,300 to $6,000 | $5,700 to $8,700 | $7,500 to $10,500 | $10,900 to $13,000 |
What To Look for In Storage Unit Movers
You might be moving all your household goods during a full-service storage unit move, which means that you might be hiring a company to move everything you need for daily life. You may simply need your stored items relocated, whether that be because you’ve decided to switch your self-storage facility or maybe you’d like to change to a smaller or larger unit. Whatever the reason, if you’re looking to hire a storage unit mover to help you, it’s worth the time to also check out our review of 1-800-PACK-RAT and weigh all of your options so that you can properly look for a trustworthy choice that will serve your needs.
Here are a few things to consider when you select a company for your storage unit move.
- Customer reviews: See what others have said about the storage unit mover you’re looking into. It’s best to talk to people you know who have used their services before, and if no one you know has used them, you can use third-party blogs and review sites. You may find reviews on the moving company’s site itself to be helpful at first, but of course, they only want to keep the stellar ones, not any negative ones. Independent review sites like the Better Business Bureau and Yelp can provide you with a more uncensored look at what customers thought of each moving company.
- Services offered: Do you need a company to do the heavy lifting of your stored items? Maybe you just need help with parts of the moving process, like transportation, appliance installation, or even specialized services for gun safe transportation. Whatever your needs, make sure that the company you’re looking at can meet all of them. This is especially important when moving out of a storage unit due to location constraints. Speak with your storage company and ask questions about the logistics of parking a moving vehicle close enough to the space that carrying all of your things doesn’t pose a safety hazard.
- Customer service team: Several of the movers on our list have won awards for their customer service from various publications. Customer service professionalism isn’t everything, but it is an indicator of how far above and beyond a company is willing to go for its customers. Can you contact the customer service team easily? Are they helpful and responsive? What have previous customers said about the level of customer service? Look for a moving company that’s courteous and proactive when you contact them.
What Costs Are Involved with Storage Unit Movers?
Many moving companies offer a service called “SIT,” which is short for “storage in transit.” This is storage in an interim space between the origin and destination. SIT is provided by moving companies in the event that your goods cannot be delivered to the agreed-upon destination for any reason. While some moving companies may provide complementary services, most charge extra for SIT. Having a plan for your unloading process can help you avoid SIT charges.
Besides this monthly expense you may incur when moving your storage unit, let’s take a look at some more costs you could possibly encounter.
- Free storage expired: Many moving plans include one month of free storage, either locally or at one of their sites near your destination. Keep on top of the dates so that you can cancel your storage services when the time comes if you don’t need them past one month.
- Portable storage: You might opt to rent a portable storage container, like the ones U-Pack or PODS use to transport items. The longer you keep your portable storage unit on your property, the more you’ll pay for services. Know how long your moving and storage container company will allow you to keep your unit to help avoid excess charges. For example, PODS’ pricing offers you one month of free onsite storage with the price you see when you get a quote. However, when you move with U-Pack, you only have three days to load and three days to unload before added fees apply.
- Extra services: If you pack and load the items in your storage unit yourself, you shouldn’t have a problem with extra fees for add-on services popping up. However, keep in mind that in every moving plan, things like packing materials, specialty items (antiques, art, instruments), and heavy items cost extra to use and move.
Final Thoughts
Moving out of a storage unit can feel overwhelming, even if you don’t have a ton of items in storage. The best way to ease your stress before moving day is to know that you’re going into the process with a team of professionals. It’s worth the effort to get a quote from as many moving companies as possible before you book your move to be sure that your family is receiving the most competitive rate in your area.
FAQs About Storage Unit Movers
How much does a self-storage unit cost?
When considering price, know that you have multiple storage options, including long-term, climate-controlled, short-term, and various sizes. Of course, the larger units will cost more per month, but you can get a four by ten unit for as little as $20 to $30 per month. This is good for a studio or college dorm. However, a larger unit, like one that is 20-by-20 feet, can be anywhere from $75 to $200 each month, depending on the location and whether or not you opt for climate control.
How do I know my moving quote is legit?
First of all, you should choose a company with plenty of legitimate reviews and vetting with the Better Business Bureau. When getting a moving quote, it’s helpful to get at least three so that you can compare them and get a baseline for a reasonable quote. Three quotes should be plenty to make your decision and be sure that you’re working with a reputable company.
How much do portable storage units cost?
To rent a large portable storage unit (16 feet long up to 20 feet long), your total cost for delivery, pick up, and one month of storage is likely going to be between $350 to $450, depending on your company.
Can you pay month-to-month for a self-storage unit?
You can usually pay month-to-month with most self-storage companies. However, some only let you have plans starting at three months and then they go from there. Some facilities have contracts, some don’t. You just have to find one that checks all your boxes and works with your needs, wants, and budget.
What items will movers not move?
Movers will not move hazardous chemicals and items, including but not limited to gasoline, paint, lighter fluid, old car batteries, nail polish remover, oxygen tanks, propane tanks, and matches. You should also move important documents and small, expensive electronics yourself to make sure they aren’t lost or damaged during the move.
Today's Homeowner Rating Methodology
At Today's Homeowner, our primary goals are to be a reliable source of information and to be totally transparent to our readers. With that in mind, we’ve developed the following formula to render objective ratings – on a scale of 10 points – for the moving companies we review.
- Transparency (3.0): Communication and being fully straightforward regarding company policies and licensing are incredibly important. A given mover’s willingness to display these, to supply quick quotes, and to provide clearly-worded moving contracts all factor into the three points within this single rating criteria.
- Cost (2.5): A mover’s cost relative to industry averages, as well as accessibility to cost data play a role in the customer experience as much as anything else. We know that being sure of what you’re paying – and being confident that you’re not overpaying – will ultimately make for a positive move. We’ve weighted cost factors accordingly in our ratings.
- Customer Service (2.0): Establishing an easy line of contact with your movers during the booking process or during the move itself is a huge asset for any moving client. The stress of moving, in general, can be greatly eased by knowing you can talk to a licensed professional whenever you need to, which is why we’ve listed this as a key rating category. This is where customer reviews come into play; since the majority of complaints stem from poor customer service, feedback from BBB, Yelp, Google, and other review platforms factor into this criteria.
- Services Offered (1.5): This rates lower on our priority list than many would think, simply due to the fact that many movers provide a similar line of services. However, breadth of service offerings does still vary to a degree.
- Customization Options (1.0): Having the autonomy to fully customize your move should rate highly on any moving checklist. Here, we’ve taken moving package customization ability, as well as pricing for more involved add-ons. Steep pricing for such services can provide something of a soft barrier for clients looking to add to their move, and we’ve taken this into consideration.
