As an evaluator of home services, transparency to you, the reader, is always our chief concern. You’ll only be able to make the right decision regarding your upcoming relocation if you’re equipped with the right information. We’ve made it a priority to provide you with the latest industry data in order to make your selection process and moving experience a positive one. Read our affiliate disclosure for more information.
Moving is a difficult process. It is consistently rated as one of life’s most stressful events, for good reason. You’ll be uprooting your entire life and, if you’re moving across the country or across town, you’ll find it hard to devote energy to anything else throughout your relocation. Whether you’re a renter or a homeowner, our moving content is designed with you in mind.
We use a defined system to rate all moving companies. If you’re looking for a hassle-free full-service mover, or are thinking of attempting a DIY move, all movers you’ll find here have been evaluated on the same ten-point scale, split among five key categories. Within that, we’ve broken our rating system down into 24 sub-categories and points of evaluation which are aimed to render the most comprehensive mover ratings that you’ll find.
All of the movers whose services we evaluate are fully registered, insured, and carry requisite customer review profiles to be recognized at a national and worldwide level. Beyond being able to legally operate in a given state or locale, or to provide basic service, we’ve broken down our rating methodology into the following categories.
We’ve listed each main parent category, with all relevant data points and subcategories. We hope that this makes our rating process more accessible and straightforward so that you can book your next move with confidence when using our recommendations.
If you or a friend or family member have hired professional movers, then you’ve likely heard about some moving-related horror stories related to poor communication, or total lack thereof. We consider a mover’s full disclosure of all policies, insurance coverages, and relevant documents prior to carrying out any relocation to be of the utmost importance. We’ve listed different components of moving company transparency here.
No matter your individual state’s moving company registration or insurance requirements, all movers you deal with should be able to readily produce proof of these during the estimate or quote process. For most companies currently in operation, this will amount to a dedicated website page that lists all pertinent information. Movers who readily supply this information rate highly for transparency by our standards. For long-distance moving companies, you can easily look up registration status and complaint histories through this link, by using their MC and USDOT numbers.
In the modern moving industry, all companies you have any kind of direct interaction with should have their own websites, with a dedicated webpage for all relevant moving policies. These include lists of banned items to pack in moving trucks, stated rates or state tariff regulations, and more.
Many moving companies are either developing or have implemented quick quote tools for moves of different sizes. While these ballpark estimates shouldn’t be taken as replacements for binding visual estimates, they make shopping around far easier for clients in a hurry.
All moving contracts should have clear and concise wording regarding what is to be covered in the base cost of your move, versus what will cost extra. Binding estimates and contracts should all have a clear delineation of all services to be rendered, with defined prices listed. Clients should be informed that any additional services will increase their bottom line for the move.
Moving is a costly endeavor. We’ve analyzed move data from more than 1,000 different relocations of varying lengths by our top providers and beyond to help ensure that you’re well-informed. All of the movers we evaluate are judged according to the pricing data that we’ve collected.
You’re sure to pay elevated rates during peak moving season in the warmer months. However, higher or exorbitant rates should not be the norm year-round. Our proprietary cost data is used to evaluate every moving company based on current industry averages. We know that having accurate cost data going into a moving quote can help you to save money on your upcoming move.
Here are the average costs for moves of different sizes, for reference:
| 1 BR | 2 BR | 3 BR | 4 BR | |
| Local | $1,200 | $1,500 | $2,000 | $2,750 |
| 250 mi | $2,750 | $3,800 | $5,100 | $6,000 |
| 500 mi | $3,100 | $4,100 | $6,000 | $6,700 |
| 1000 mi | $3,500 | $4,500 | $6,400 | $8,400 |
| 2000 mi | $4,300 | $4,900 | $6,800 | $9,000 |
| 2500 mi | $4,800 | $5,100 | $7,100 | $10,000 |
| 3000 mi | $5,100 | $6,000 | $8,750 | $11,250 |
Especially for long-distance moves, binding or fixed estimates should always be on the table. Under this cost model, your move cost will not change unless your move inventory or service requirements do between the receipt of your estimate and moving day.
This is not a universal offering, but movers who provide this place themselves in an excellent position to build trust with clients. You’ll most commonly see sample cost figures listed for local movers, as average pricing is more reliable for short moves.
In short, this subcategory is meant to keep movers accountable for their estimate practices, within the context of our rating system. Movers rate well by this metric when they consistently provide clients with succinct bottom-line pricing quotes after estimates. All estimates should ideally be given to clients via email, with all charges thoroughly laid out.
Any estimates you’re given should define your basic included services clearly. This same language should be reflected in your moving contract as well.
Moving is a service-based industry. As such, front-facing personnel and customer service representatives are incredibly important to the success of any provider. We’ve taken customer reviews from BBB, Yelp, Google, and social media into account when evaluating this category.
Simply put, customer reviews are the most important single resource you’ll have when determining a mover’s ability to handle your relocation. If you have any doubts about a given provider’s practices or pricing, then these reviews should be a key indicator of quality.
If you have to contact your moving company due to a pressing issue during a move, you’ll want easy access to a live representative. Movers who adhere to their posted reachable hours via phone, and have a solid track record of quick responses to customer emails, rate highly for this quality.
No matter how good your movers are, there is always a chance of damage or loss of goods during a move. A common point of contention between movers and clients is the process through which damage claims are resolved. All goods are covered at a base rate of $0.60 per pound, per item, which aligns with industry standards. Beyond that, certain movers offer valuation options for the full value of all goods handled during moves.
Whether movers reimburse clients after they’ve caused damage can sometimes be a different story. Timely claims resolutions are a key component of any mover’s customer service provisions. Ideally, any mover with a quality workforce will have minimal complaints lodged against them. However, the movers we’ve ranked well have positive histories regarding dispute resolution.
Mobile apps and associated perks are usually associated with larger van lines, but this feature is becoming increasingly more mainstream. Many movers are using these to optimize the moving experience, as such apps provide a central hub for accessing move information, contracts, GPS functionality, a customer service portal, and more. Such features can give you the ability to effectively communicate or feel in touch with your move, even during off-hours.
The more diverse a given mover’s service profile is, the greater the number of moving needs and clients they can assist.
Broadly speaking, these are the three main types of moves clients will be on the hunt for when looking for relocation help. Many of our partners offer all three, which makes for incredibly diverse service profiles.
Very few moves are totally straightforward. You’ll find that each relocation will come with a varied set of required specialty services. This includes piano moving, vehicle shipping, shuttle services for tough-to-reach homes, and far more. Hiring a moving company that is equipped to handle all that your move entails will make for a stress-free experience.
Military and government moves can, on occasion, require specific clearances from moving companies involved. This can include employing only background-checked workers, carrying special registrations, or similar requirements. Being able to provide high-clearance service factors into our rating process for any mover.
Few moves are totally straightforward. You’ll likely want your mover to help with packing, storage, crating, debris removal, or a series of similar add-ons. Movers who offer the most diverse array of services rate highly on our best mover lists for the ease with which they’re able to cope with varied customer needs.
This is an aspect of customer service but deserves its own category within any moving rating methodology. Many moving companies view themselves as customer service professionals who are working in the moving industry, which means that client needs come first. Versatility in the face of varied client needs will make for a quality mover.
Even if a mover provides a great number of added services, exorbitant rates for these can make customers feel hemmed-in during the booking phase of the moving process. Reasonable rates for packing are as follows:
| Home Size | Price of Packing Supplies |
| 1 or 2-Bedroom Apartment | $150 – $200 |
| 3-Bedroom Apartment | $200 – $250 |
| 3-Bedroom House | $300 – $400 |
| 4-Bedroom House | $400 – $500 |
| 5-Bedroom House | $500 – $625 |
| Home Size | Price of Moving Labor |
| 1 or 2-Bedroom Apartment | $500 – $600 |
| 3-Bedroom Apartment | $600 – $650 |
| 3-Bedroom House | $750 – $800 |
| 4-Bedroom House | $1,000 – $1,100 |
| 5-Bedroom House | $1,500 – $1,600 |
The most highly-regarded moving companies in the business allow clients to have full autonomy when picking and choosing the services they need. Having the ability to fully customize any move makes our shortlist for desirable traits in any mover.
At House Method, 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.