Movers near you

When looking for reputable moving companies, make sure you complete the following steps: 

• Verify their license and insurance: To find a reputable moving company, start by verifying that they carry appropriate CDL licenses to drive large commercial vehicles. Some states may also require movers to obtain a license from the department of public safety. For interstate moving, movers should have an interstate license from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Lastly, the movers should carry a comprehensive insurance policy for not only their equipment and workers but also their belongings in case of damage or an accident.

• Get several estimates: Estimates should contain itemized costs for packing materials, labor to move items, any large-item handling fees, costs for transportation from your old location to the new one and, if needed: costs for storage.

• Read their reviews: Before hiring movers, check reviews to see that others had a pleasant, timely experience without delays and that their items were safely packed, loaded, transported and unloaded. Be cautious of companies with reviews that are riddled with complaints about tardiness, carelessness or a lack of professionalism.

• Look at their portfolios: Look for services like long-distance moving, moving large furniture, piano moving or other specialty services you may need.

• Find out if they have warranties: Moving companies should offer a guarantee or protection plan for damage during the moving process. Be sure to read the fine print.

• Ask important questions: Ask how they handle cancellations or delays in case something affects your initial timeline. See if they offer storage options in case of delays and whether there are any restrictions on how many boxes or how those boxes are packed.

For more tips, visit Thumbtack’s Smart Hiring page. 

Here are a few tips that might help you save money when hiring professional movers:

• Compare and negotiate rates: Get quotes from multiple local moving companies, and ask if they can match lower offers. Some companies may offer discounts for flexible dates.

• Move during off-peak times: Rates are generally lower in fall and winter. Mid-week and mid-month moves may also cost less.

• Reduce the load: Declutter, donate or sell items to reduce the weight and truck space needed.

• Avoid extra fees: Always ask about stair, long-carry and fuel charges up front to avoid surprise costs.

Book movers at least two months in advance for a local move and at least four months in advance for a cross-country move. If you’re moving during the off-season, it’s best to book movers about four to eight weeks in advance. Factor in an extra two to three weeks if you have antiques or valuables that are difficult to transport.

May through September is considered peak moving season, according to the American Moving & Storage Association. If you’re moving during this time, hire movers as far in advance as possible.

Your homeowners or renters insurance policy may or may not protect your belongings if they get lost or damaged during a move. If you’re moving valuable items, or if you’re moving a great distance, it could be a good idea to invest in moving insurance.

Interstate movers are required to offer you full value protection and released value protection to help reimburse you in case of damage or loss. If you’re moving within your state, check with your state’s consumer affairs agency to see if your state has rules and requirements regarding moving insurance and valuation coverage.

Many movers typically offer the following services in addition to loading, transporting and unloading your belongings:

• Packing: For an added fee, most movers can provide packing materials and pack your belongings for you.

• Storage: Some moving companies offer storage if you anticipate a delay between moving out of your current location and into your new one.

• Unpacking: Some movers will help you unpack, but it will cost you an additional fee

• Disassembly and reassembly: For an extra cost, some movers will disassemble and reassemble furniture.

• Disposal: Once complete, movers may remove any empty boxes or packing materials they provided.

There are a few services that movers typically do not offer, including :

• Waste disposal or furniture removal: While movers may remove packaging and packing material they provided, they usually won't dispose of unwanted items.

• Handling perishables: Most movers won't pack, transport or store food and plants or other perishable goods.

• Handling hazardous materials: For safety reasons, movers generally won't pack, transport or store hazardous or flammable materials like lighter fluid, pressurized air tanks, cleaning supplies, batteries and/or fireworks.

Yes, many movers offer single-item or in-home moving services. Here's what you need to know:

• Single-item moves: Some movers offer small-load services, usually with a minimum time requirement. This is useful for large, heavy or fragile items such as pianos, safes or refrigerators, which are difficult to move alone or require special handling.

• In-home moving: Many movers can also rearrange furniture for renovations, staging or accessibility needs. Some also help assemble or disassemble furniture.

Availability and pricing vary, so check with local moving companies for details.

In many cases, it’s best to hire a moving professional. When deciding between DIY vs. hiring professional movers near you, consider the following: 

• Equipment and packing materials: Moving your items safely from one location to another takes more than a few boxes. Some of the tools and materials you’ll need if you decide to DIY include a truck, boxes, packing tape, labels, markers, a dolly, moving blankets and straps. While you would need to buy or rent these items, a pro will have this equipment, usually free of charge.

• Your safety: A DIY move means you’ll be responsible for moving every item. Professional movers are comfortable transporting delicate, heavy or awkward furniture, and know the safest and best way to do so.

• Protection: Hiring a licensed and insured professional mover rather than doing it yourself can also provide you with protection. They will often insure fragile items, reimbursing you if an item is damaged during the move.

• Variety of services: Moving companies may offer different levels of service based on your needs. For instance, you can choose an à-la-carte service that charges for loading, driving and unloading your items, or opt for a comprehensive white-glove service that handles every aspect of the move.

When accounting for moving costs, you can generally expect to pay around $30 to $50 per mover, per hour. However, these costs could change and you should compare movers in your city to estimate the true cost of your move.

Moving companies usually provide a team of at least two individuals depending on the size of the job and the objects to be moved. This hourly rate also changes with driving distance. And, moving specialty objects such as pianos can also drive up the cost. Some moving companies may provide a free estimate even offer a flat rate if the job.

For more information on moving costs, read Thumbtack’s cost guide on movers.

Book movers at least two months in advance for a local move and at least four months in advance for a cross-country move. If you’re moving during the off-season, it’s best to book movers about four to eight weeks in advance. Factor in an extra two to three weeks if you have antiques or valuables that are difficult to transport.

May through September is typically considered peak moving season. If you’re moving during this time, hire movers as far in advance as possible.

Local moves are among the most common moves. Unlike a long-distance move, a local move is typically less than 50 miles and does not cross state lines. Generally, a local move only takes one day, and movers tend to charge by the hour. 

The definition of a long-distance move may vary depending on the moving company. Generally, a long-distance considered to be any move of 400 miles or more. However, some say a long-distance move is over 50-100 miles. 

Interstate moves require additional legal preparation and will incur additional costs for distance, the amount and weight of your items, the preparation required and various other factors. Moving companies tend to do an initial weighing of the truck, which you should be present for.

A move that crosses state lines is considered an interstate move or an out-of-state move. Contrast this with an intrastate move, which begins and ends in the same state, but is typically above 50 miles. 

To determine whether your move is local or long-distance, contact the best movers in your area.