Moving to a new home can be an exciting time, but it can also be stressful. After all, you have a lifetime of memories to pack up and move to your new location. Most of us can’t fit all of our possessions in the back seat of our car. Working with one of the best moving companies in Alabama can help make the experience a breeze. If you choose the right moving partner, in-state, interstate, or international moves don’t have to be complicated.
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
We scored each of the five moving companies on this list on things like basic services, customization, reputation, and transparency using a scale often. During my secret shopping, I also collected some moving quotes based on a move from Mobile, AL, to Dallas, TX, for a two-bedroom home so you can get an idea of how much a similar move would cost you. In addition, I carefully researched each company’s website and reviews, highlighting why each one made my top five list.
If you’re planning a move in or out of state or just from Mobile to Huntsville, I highly recommend starting with our top selections for the best moving companies in Alabama.
Top 5 Alabama Moving Companies
- For anyone moving within Alabama, I highly recommend American Van Lines. The brand has an extremely informative website that can make your quote process and move much more straightforward. AVL also has excellent reviews and offers a majority of the services the average homeowner is looking for in a moving company. For customers who need a bit more in their move, I’d recommend JK Moving Services. JK Moving covers all the bases, including car shipping, international moves, and junk removal, which are services that AVL doesn’t offer.
- Alabama residents have been victims of moving scams, so it’s important to know what to look for when opting for a moving company. Always check that the brand you partner with has the correct credentials, registrations, and insurance coverage before signing a contract.
- Homeowners in Alabama can save money by moving at the right time. Spring and summer are the most common times for moves, so opting for a fall or winter move can potentially save you hundreds of dollars (or more). If a spring or summertime move is unavoidable, booking as soon as possible or asking about discounts can save you some cash.
Read our full Moving Methodology for more details.
My Expert Recommendation
My top choice for a moving company in Alabama is American Van Lines. The company offers a majority of the moving services an average homeowner may need and has outstanding reviews across a number of review sites, including a 4.2 on Google, an A+ on BBB, and a 4.3 on Trustpilot (at the time of writing). The website also features a number of useful resources, like sample pricing and general moving advice, to help make your experience as stress-free as possible. However, for those who need a bit extra, AVL may not be the best choice. It doesn’t offer services outside of the continental United States or offer customization options like car shipping or junk removal, which are options many other companies have.
For those moving out of the country or customers looking for more out of their moving service, I’d recommend JK Moving Services. Their quoting process took slightly longer, but the representative delivered helpful emails right away, detailing what to expect when working with the brand. They also contained useful advice on making the move easier. Like AVL, this moving company also comes highly reviewed, with a 4.45 and an A+ on BBB, a 4.5 on Google, and a 3.5 on Yelp as of this review.
Alabama Moving Companies I Didn’t Include
Although many moving companies operate in Alabama, I simply couldn’t include them all. One company I didn’t include that has national recognition is Allied Van Lines. One reason for this exclusion is the fact that it’s very difficult to get an estimate from the brand. Customers interested in working with Allied need to schedule a home visit with a representative in order to get a quote. This may not be convenient for everyone, especially if you’re in the early days of shopping around, but it’s designed to get you a more accurate quote. In addition, nailing down Allied’s reputation is difficult, and many of the reviews you can find aren’t flattering.
I excluded North American Van Lines from this list for similar reasons. Although they offer a virtual walkthrough in addition to a home walkthrough, it’s difficult, if not impossible, to get even a ballpark estimate over the phone. Their reviews are also somewhat concerning, as the majority I could find were 1-star.
Compare The Highest Rated Moving Companies In Alabama
| Company | Rating | BBB Rating | Cost | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
A |
$1,400–$9,200 |
VISIT SITE | |
|
A+ |
$1,700–$13,800 |
VISIT SITE | |
|
B |
$1,250 – $8,500 |
VISIT SITE | |
 |
C |
$3,000–$11,200 |
VISIT SITE | |
 |
A+ |
$1,200–$11,250 |
VISIT SITE | |
 |
B |
$1,200–$11,250 |
VISIT SITE | |
 |
A+ |
$600–$5,100 |
VISIT SITE | |
 JK Moving Services |
A+ |
$3,000–$6,000 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of publication.
Our Reviews of the Best Moving Companies in Alabama
American Van Lines
4.0
Our Rating
Overall, American Van Lines landed squarely at 8/10. If you’re looking for a straightforward, simple move, AVL is definitely my top choice. The brand handles a majority of the services most people will need when moving within the continental United States, and the company website does a fantastic job of breaking down these options. Customers can read the site to walk away with a solid understanding of what they can expect during their move and working with the brand.
In addition, AVL has stellar reviews across a number of trusted review sites. With a 4.2 for their headquarters in Pompano Beach, FL, on Google, an A+ on BBB, and a 4.3 on Trustpilot, they’re one of the highest-reviewed moving companies in Alabama as of this writing. Customers talk time and time again about the professional crew, the helpful customer service, stellar packing services, and responsive communication before and during the move.
However, while AVL is a top choice, the company isn’t going to fit everyone’s needs in Alabama. For those looking to move out of the country or even just to Alaska or Hawaii, AVL isn’t going to be an option. They only operate in the lower 48 states. In addition, they don’t offer the number of customization options that other brands do. Going without these services, such as car shipping, can make your move a bit more complicated. You might have to go with someone else if you need any of these specialty options.
American Van Lines reviews are a major highlight — one of the top reasons I chose this moving company in Alabama. In fact, AVL has some of the best reviews of any other company on this list. When you see so many nightmare scenarios with other brands regarding missing items, broken property, and major delivery delays, this can be comforting and take away some of the stress you might be experiencing before you pack up.
Another area where American Van Lines shines is its website. It’s chock full of information any homeowner could need, including breakdowns of the company’s expertise, costs, services, and even a blog highlighting cities throughout the United States and what makes them unique. It’s a one-stop-shop if you’re looking for advice ahead of your move.
American Van Lines falls short when it comes to services. While they offer a number of basics, if you need something beyond just a move from Point A to Point B, you might not find it with this brand. For example, they don’t operate outside of the 48 lower states. If you’re looking to move to Hawaii, Alaska, or another country, you’re out of luck here. They’re also lacking in customization options, as they don’t provide car shipping, junk removal, or home staging.
American Van Lines earned a 9 out of 10 for Basic Services. The only place they lost points was international moving, which they don’t offer. It’s also important to note that while the company does offer long-distance and interstate moving services, it doesn’t operate in Alaska and Hawaii (moving companies typically consider these international moves.
However, the company does offer everything else as a full-service mover, including local and interstate moving, packing and unpacking, and loading and unloading. AVL also has private storage units available, which are in fireproof and stormproof buildings with 24-hour security surveillance cameras.
| Service | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Local Moving | Yes |
| Long Distance/Interstate Moving | Yes |
| International Moving | No |
| Packing and Unpacking | Yes |
| Loading and Unloading | Yes |
| Storage Services | Yes |
Cost
I found it very easy to get a quote from American Van Lines over the phone. The representative I spoke to was very helpful and quick to answer any questions I had about what to expect and their services. I also received an email that detailed what was included in the quote, but it didn’t break it down as much as other companies did (such as Safeway Moving). The email explained that the quote included disassembly and reassembly of standard furniture, furniture padding and wrapping, loading, unloading, taxes, tolls, and fuel.
For a 2-bedroom home and an estimated 2,898 pounds moving 588 miles between Mobile, AL, and Dallas, TX, I was quoted:
- Self-service option: $3,513.99
- Full-service option: $4,459.59
Editor’s Note: The cost data provided in this article is based on Today’s Homeowner’s standardized sample moving scenario from Mobile, AL, and Dallas, TX, for a single-family home and a move date set 8 weeks away. Please be aware that these estimates may vary depending on factors such as additional services required and market fluctuations. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Discounts
American Van Lines actually offers promotions at various times of the year. For example, when I called regarding a move in late April or early May, I was told they were running a spring promotion. When calling American, it’s a good idea to ask the representative about these seasonal deals or other ways you can save money on your move. Additionally, their website lists special offers when moving to specific cities in the United States.
AVL’s weakest area is definitely customization, coming in at a 7 out of 10. While the brand does offer white glove service for moves, it doesn’t offer everything a person could need. We took some points off due to the lack of car shipping, junk removal, and home staging add-ons. However, AVL did get points for offering assembly, disassembly, packing materials, piano moving, antique moving, and custom crating. In addition, AVL offers valuation coverage in Alabama. The email quote I received stated that it was $0.60 per pound per article for valuation coverage with a zero deductible.
| Customization Options | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Assembly/ Disassembly | Yes |
| Sells Packing Materials | Yes |
| Offers Valuation Coverage | Yes |
| Piano Moving | Yes |
| Car Shipping | No |
| Special Item/ Antique Moving | Yes |
| Custom Crating | Yes |
| Junk Removal | No |
| Home Staging | No |
American Van Lines has an amazing reputation across a number of reputable review sites, including the BBB, Trustpilot, and Google. Even in bad weather, customers state that they had an excellent experience with the brand from start to finish.
Reviews on all three sites speak of constant communication, hardworking and professional moving crews, and accurate quoting processes. On Yelp, however, over half of the reviews for AVL are just a single-star. Here, previous clients explain that items to be moved were left behind, property was damaged, and there were extensive delivery delays.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | A+/4.07 | Customer Reviews are not used in the calculation of BBB Rating |
| Trustpilot | 4.3 | 49 |
| 4.2 | 884 | |
| Yelp | 2.2 | 438 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing
Most Common Praise for American Van Lines
Many of the reviews regarding AVL talk of the professionalism and helpfulness of every person they talked to who represented the company. Representatives were quick to answer any questions or concerns over the phone, and crews that showed up on moving day were quick and efficient. One customer on Trustpilot stated that “there were plenty of curve balls and even 6” of snow on the ground, yet the entire experience was smooth from start to finish.”
Most Common Criticism for American Van Lines
Yelp contains a majority of the negative reviews for American Van Lines. The common criticism seen across a number of these statements is that their items weren’t taken care of and, upon delivery, many pieces were damaged or completely broken. One review said that their antique mantle clock arrived with the glass shattered. It’s also worth noting that while AVL responds publicly to positive reviews on these sites, they don’t seem to respond to negative ones.
Unlike many other moving companies I talked to, American Van Lines actually lists sample pricing on their website. The company has an entire page devoted to moving examples and what a customer could expect when getting a quote. AVL clearly breaks down how moving costs are estimated and how you can go about getting your quote. They also post customer service hours on their site.
AVL falls slightly short on transparency as they don’t clearly list additional fees homeowners can expect on its website. However, the email I received with my quote did list those fees, which included extra specific costs for things like excessive walking distances, multiple stops, storage, ferry charges, and waiting services. AVL scores an 8.7 out of a possible 10 and is our choice for “Most Transparent Pricing.”
Safeway Moving
4.1
Our Rating
Calling Safeway Moving provided a lot of information about what I could expect if I hired this company. The representative was extremely helpful, walking me through the quoting process and detailing what was included in the price. The follow-up email I received was also informative, listing exactly what was expected to be included in the move, how they arrived at the total price, prices for additional services, and the contract I’d be signing if I worked with the brand. As our choice for “Best Flat-Rate Pricing,” Safeway definitely showed the brand deserves that title during my interactions with the company.
However, without making this call to Safeway as I did, customers would be in the dark regarding prices, services offered by the company, and what to expect during their moving experience. Their entire website is one page with little to no information regarding basic services, customization options, and costs. If you have questions or concerns, you’re going to have to call or email to get up-to-date information, and even then, I found contradicting details between the website, the phone call, and the email. This can make it confusing if you’re trying to nail down the specifics of what you’re getting with your quote.
Unlike American Van Lines, Safeway Moving bases its prices on space rather than weight, which can make the quoting process a lot more straightforward. Weight estimates I received from the brands I contacted significantly varied, which can make it difficult to pin down exactly how much you can expect to pay. Customers who come with a well-detailed inventory list and measurements stand to walk away from the initial conversation with a more accurate quote thanks to this approach.
The representative I talked to during my secret shopping was also very forthcoming about what I could expect working with Safeway and was sure to highlight the storage services that are included in the quote I received.
When it comes to finding out information about Safeway Moving online, you might discover it’s a bit difficult. The website lacks a lot of the tools and information other companies feature on their websites. For example, the site doesn’t have a FAQ section and provides very little detail beyond the basics of what they offer. For customers shopping around, it looks like Safeway doesn’t offer that much. The website leaves a lot to be desired.
In addition, Safeway Moving only operates as long-distance movers. They don’t handle local moves, so you will have to go with another brand if you’re only moving a city or two over.
Safeway Moving does offer a number of services when it comes to moving, but they fall short in just one area: They don’t offer local moving services. If you’re looking to go from Birmingham, AL, to Tuscaloosa, AL, you’ll have to go with another moving company.
For everything else, though, Safeway has you covered, which is why we scored them an 8 out of 10. Safeway’s basic services include storage services — they state on their website that up to 30 days of storage are included with your quote. This is where the contracting information comes in for me. Over the phone and in my quote, I was informed this is 45 days. However, at the bottom of the email, it again states that storage is only available for 30 days. For customers working with Safeway who need storage, getting a clear answer to this in your contract is essential to avoid added fees.
| Service | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Local Moving | No |
| Long Distance/Interstate Moving | Yes |
| International Moving | Yes |
| Packing and Unpacking | Yes |
| Loading and Unloading | Yes |
| Storage Services | Yes |
Cost
Safeway Moving’s quote is extremely informative, breaking down the price so you can see exactly what you’re paying for. For example, my quote included a breakdown of the basic estimate price, fuel surcharge, full packing service, origin/destination fee, and packing materials. Free storage, re-delivery, and basic valuation protection are all included in this price.
For a move of 588 miles between Mobile, AL, and Dallas, TX, for a 2-bedroom home, I was quoted:
- Self-packing option: $4,030.19
- Full-service option: $4,826.69
Editor’s Note: The cost data provided in this article is based on Today’s Homeowner’s standardized sample moving scenario from Mobile, AL, and Dallas, TX, for a single-family home and a move date set 8 weeks away. Please be aware that these estimates may vary depending on factors such as additional services required and market fluctuations. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of publication.
Available Discounts
Safeway’s website isn’t clear on whether or not it offers any discounts to veterans, AAA members, or other groups. However, the company does include a first-time customer discount for new customers in their quote. I also found when talking with Safeway that simply asking for a further discount can result in one.
For customization, Safeway Moving earned a 9 out of 10, as they offer almost any additional service a homeowner could need except for home staging. It’s worth noting, though, that very few companies actually offer home staging to their customers. Finding information about these services, like car shipping and antique moving, will require a call to the company. Safeway’s website lacks details about these add-ons.
However, the quote I received explained that assembly/disassembly of standard furniture is included in the price and packing materials can be purchased depending on what you need. A box for a treadmill, for example, costs $150.
| Customization Options | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Assembly/ Disassembly | Yes |
| Sells Packing Materials | Yes |
| Offers Valuation Coverage | Yes |
| Piano Moving | Yes |
| Car Shipping | Yes |
| Special Item/ Antique Moving | Yes |
| Custom Crating | Yes |
| Junk Removal | Yes |
| Home Staging | No |
At the moment, Safeway Moving isn’t accredited by the BBB, but they do have a B- and a 3.7 out of 5. On Trustpilot, in particular, the moving service in Alabama has glowing testimonials with customers bringing attention to reasonable pricing, an easy move experience, and a professional customer service team. On Yelp, while the company does have some 5-star reviews, Safeway does tend to get more 1-star reviews. Customers here complain about damaged belongings, ill-prepared crew members, and lengthy delays. Due to their lower BBB rating, we rated the company an 8 out of 10 for reputation.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | B-/3.7 | Customer Reviews are not used in the calculation of BBB Rating |
| Trustpilot | 4.3 | 39 |
| 3.7 | 157 | |
| Yelp | 1.5 | 69 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Most Common Praise for Safeway Moving
Clients that leave praise for Safeway Moving highlight the fact that the entire experience was stress-free and professional from beginning to end. Some customers claimed they could even reach their moving consultant at any time, day or night, which can be a great fact to know if you’re worried about your upcoming move and have pressing questions outside of normal business hours.
Most Common Criticism for Safeway Moving
Those who didn’t have great experiences with Safeway claim that their items were improperly handled. These customers experienced broken furniture, scratched property, and smashed boxes. Some also point out that Safeway Moving actually hired out the move to a subcontractor.
Safeway, according to our criteria and what we look for in a company’s online information and moving experiences, only earned a 7 out of 10 in transparency. This is largely due to the fact that the moving company has barely any details beyond the basics on its website. The site doesn’t have sample prices, and while they do have a GPS tracking option, it’s only available for some moves. However, Safeway is forthcoming about fees (their website claims they have no extra charges), lists customer service hours (24/7), and offers a quick quote feature.
JK Moving Services
4.2
Our Rating
For a homeowner who’s inexperienced with moving, JK Moving Services works hard from the beginning to make your move as stress-free as possible. Their informative emails can be extremely helpful to customers who haven’t had to move before or are worried about their property. I received a PDF on what you shouldn’t pack (for safety and legal reasons), video inventory examples for more accurate quotes, guides to JK’s valuation process, and more.
JK Moving also has some great reviews across a number of review sites, which can instill confidence, especially when you look at competitor brands and discover that numerous customers reported that their items arrived damaged. Customers talking about this brand discuss top-notch packing services, exceptional crews, and responsive customer service.
JK Moving Services lost some points when it comes to transparency. The company’s website and initial emails are highly informative, but lack the main detail many customers are looking for: How much is this going to cost me? Even with a call, you can’t really get an estimate right away.
JK Moving Services’s emails were extremely informative after my call to the company. The representative sent a wealth of information on moving tips, what I could expect working with JK Moving, packing guides, and so much more. The brand definitely goes above and beyond to make the starting steps of your move as simple as possible.
JK Moving also has some great reviews, coming out with an A + and 4.45/5 on BBB, a 4.5 on Google, and a 3.5 on Yelp at the time of writing. Customers on these trusted review sites talk about how they’ve used the moving company several times, and each time, their experience with the crew is professional, courteous, and knowledgeable.
As informative as their emails are, the quote process took some time. I was unable to get an estimate over the phone during my initial call but instead had to wait until I received follow-up emails later in the afternoon. At this point, I was given a short questionnaire to complete, where I answered some of the same questions I had answered over the phone. I got my quote about 24 hours after my initial call.
JK Moving Services offers everything the customer could need when it comes to their basic services, earning them a 10/10. A carrier and a broker, the brand operates its own trucks and services but also outsources some of the work to partner brands. As a result, the company is equipped to handle local moves, long-distance and interstate travel, and international moves to more than 170 countries around the world. Plus, this brand has customizable storage solutions, like climate controlled options, video surveillance, motion sensors, and fire suppression systems.
| Service | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Local Moving | Yes |
| Long Distance/Interstate Moving | Yes |
| International Moving | Yes |
| Packing and Unpacking | Yes |
| Loading and Unloading | Yes |
| Storage Services | Yes |
Cost
It was a bit difficult to get a quote from JK Moving Services. It took a call and a back-and-forth email process to have an estimate in my inbox. I answered questions about where I was moving to, when the move was planned for, what services I was looking for, what was important to me during the move, and whether or not I was shipping a car. After I received a ballpark estimate, I was advised that I would need to complete a self-survey and take 30-60 videos of my home in order to get a more accurate quote. It’s important to note, too, that JK Moving Services bases their quotes on weight rather than space.
For a 2-bedroom home move from Mobile, AL, to Dallas, TX, a distance of about 588 miles, I was quoted:
- Self-service option: $7,522
- Full-service option: $9,388
Editor’s Note: The cost data provided in this article is based on Today’s Homeowner’s standardized sample moving scenario from Mobile, AL, and Dallas, TX, for a single-family home and a move date set 8 weeks away. Please be aware that these estimates may vary depending on factors such as additional services required and market fluctuations. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Discounts
JK Moving Services offers a few ways customers could save money. For example, they offer financing options to approved customers starting at 0% interest through their partner Enhancify, which could save you cash in the long run. In addition, they offer 2% discounts to Brookfield Residential (a home builder company) customers.
JK Moving Services only falls short in one category under customization (they don’t offer home staging), which is why we gave them a 9. This brand offers full-service packing as well as fragile-only packing, which includes packing supplies. For customers who want to do the packing themselves, JK Moving also offers DIY packing kits and guidance to help protect items from Point A to Point B. I was also informed that the quote I received includes valuation coverage up to $24,000. In addition, customers can opt for piano moving, car shipping, antique moving, crating, and junk removal with this company.
| Customization Options | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Assembly/ Disassembly | Yes |
| Sells Packing Materials | Yes |
| Offers Valuation Coverage | Yes |
| Piano Moving | Yes |
| Car Shipping | Yes |
| Special Item/ Antique Moving | Yes |
| Custom Crating | Yes |
| Junk Removal | Yes |
| Home Staging | No |
JK Moving Services is another brand that I recommend that has high reviews on trusted review sites like BBB, Google, and Yelp. It’s BBB accredited, where it has an A+ and a 4.45/5 from customers. For their headquarters, JK Moving has a 4.5 on Google and a 3.5 on Yelp. The only reason we took off a point, which resulted in a 9/10, is due to their lower Trustpilot score. Their Trustpilot is also unclaimed and only has a single review. Do note that JK Moving is responsive to both positive and negative reviews on many review sites.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | A+/4.45 | Customer Reviews are not used in the calculation of BBB Rating |
| Trustpilot | 3.6 | 1 |
| 4.5 | 1,322 | |
| Yelp | 3.5 | 374 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Most Common Praise for JK Moving Services
Across the board, previous customers of JK Moving Services talk about the standout customer service they received from the initial quoting process to the delivery at their new home. Crews were careful with these customers’ property, representatives were responsive to any questions they had, and quotes were on point.
Most Common Criticism for JK Moving Services
Although many customers say their property arrived at their destination in perfect condition, other clients didn’t have the same experience. Their furniture was damaged during the move, and these clients had particular trouble in getting claims paid out. One reviewer who had damaged furniture stated that “due to an accounting error, they wouldn’t receive payment to cover the damages.” JK Moving did respond to this customer, asking them to reach out to the Customer Care Team.
Transparency is where JK Moving Services comes in the lowest. Although the website does have a quick quote feature for customers willing to enter their information, it doesn’t feature any sample pricing or clearly list additional fees you could be paying. The brand isn’t forthcoming about its status as a broker/carrier. This means when you hire JK Moving, you could actually be working with one of their partners, and this is always a bit of a gamble — customers are left to wonder if the outsourced mover is as good as JK Moving.
However, the company does get points for offering GPS tracking to some customers, having customer service hours clearly posted on its website, and delivering binding estimates to its clients.
U-Pack
3.5
Our Rating
U-Pack is a self-service moving company, and self-service moves are its bread and butter. The representative I spoke to was straightforward about the services available, the quoting process, and what a customer could expect during the moving experience. While the brand doesn’t offer international moving, it does have moving services to all 50 states, so whether you’re moving out of Alabama to Texas or Alabama to Hawaii, this company is a solid choice — as long as you’re willing to handle the heavy lifting.
Another plus that comes with U-Pack is the fact that it’s free to make a reservation and free to cancel. In fact, you can cancel up to one business day before your container is scheduled to arrive without paying a thing. If you want to lock in a quote or are worried about over or underestimating the amount of property that needs to be moved, this can be extremely beneficial to planning the financial side of things.
However, customers thinking about using U-Pack need to be aware that you’re going to be handling a lot of the heavy lifting yourself. They do partner with a team, Moving Staffers, to handle loading and unloading, but these add-on services will cost you a bit of extra cash. For those who can’t do the loading and unloading themselves, this brand probably isn’t the best option.
U-Pack has one of the simplest approaches to quotes of any moving company I’ve talked to. The representative explained exactly how the prices worked and what I could expect on moving day.
U-Pack doesn’t require a deposit to secure your container, and you only pay for the space you use. If you use more space than you expected, you’ll know exactly what you’ll owe ahead of time. And if you use less space than you expected, you’ll know how much money you’re saving. In my case, it was $97 for each additional foot or $97 off for every foot of the initial quote I didn’t use. When many customers talk about moving companies increasing moving quotes at the last minute, having this information in your back pocket can prove invaluable for your budget.
U-Pack, for the most part, is a self-service option. They’ll handle the transportation for you, but that’s about it. Unless you’re willing to pay extra fees on top of your quote, you’re going to have to do all the unloading, loading, packing, and unpacking yourself. You’re also not going to get all the bells and whistles with his brand. U-Pack doesn’t offer car shipping or custom crating, and their capabilities to move fragile items, like antiques and pianos, are limited.
When it comes to basic services, the company services all 50 states and can aid with long-distance moves as well as local moving, but the company doesn’t currently offer international shipping at this time. We also docked some points due to the fact that U-Pack itself doesn’t offer loading, unloading, packing, and unpacking themselves. Instead, it’s offered through a partner company, Moving Staffers, and it’s not readily apparent whether this service is available all over the country. However, U-Pack does offer storage services for up to 120 days if your new home isn’t quite ready yet.
| Service | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Local Moving | Yes |
| Long Distance/Interstate Moving | Yes |
| International Moving | No |
| Packing and Unpacking | Yes* |
| Loading and Unloading | Yes* |
| Storage Services | Yes |
*U-Pack works with third-parties for these services.
Cost
Getting a quote from U-Pack is extremely simple. Over the phone, customers can detail what they’re moving and where they’re moving, and U-Pack can quickly come back with an estimate. This company’s prices are based on space the customer uses rather than weight, which can make it an excellent option for smaller moves or people with heavier items.
I did some secret shopping for a quote for a move in late April or early May. For a 2-bedroom home moving 588 miles between Mobile, AL, and Dallas, TX, I was given the following estimates:
- 14ft of space: $2,166
For every additional foot after the 14ft, it would be an additional $97. For every unused foot of space, I would subtract $97 from the price. So, for 13ft of space, the total price would be $2069. For 15ft of space, it would be $2,263.
Editor’s Note: The cost data provided in this article is based on Today’s Homeowner’s standardized sample moving scenario from Mobile, AL, and Dallas, TX, for a single-family home and a move date set 8 weeks away. Please be aware that these estimates may vary depending on factors such as additional services required and market fluctuations. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Discounts
U-Pack only charges you for the space you use on moving day, even if they quoted you for more space over the phone when you booked. If you can manage to tightly pack your boxes, you could save hundreds of dollars. U-Pack doesn’t offer discounts for AAA or AARP members, but moving consultants from the company can advise you on the best ways to lower your moving costs. The representative I talked to advised me to book as soon as possible for spring and summer move dates as the rates were only going to increase as we got closer to those seasons. Both seasons are the most popular time for moves.
This is the area where U-Pack falls short, as it doesn’t offer much in the way of customization, landing at a 5 out of 10. The company doesn’t offer custom crating, home staging, or car shipping, and options to move pianos, special items, and antiques can be limited.
You may have to work with another moving company in Alabama to move any specialty items. Through their partners, however, U-Pack does offer assembly/disassembly and junk removal. The company does have carrier negligence liability coverage and catastrophic liability coverage, but there isn’t any coverage available for damages caused by improper packing and loading, even if you hired their partner company for this work.
| Customization Options | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Assembly/ Disassembly | Yes |
| Sells Packing Materials | Yes |
| Offers Valuation Coverage | Yes |
| Piano Moving | Yes |
| Car Shipping | No |
| Special Item/ Antique Moving | Yes |
| Custom Crating | No |
| Junk Removal | Yes |
| Home Staging | No |
U-Pack is one of the most highly-rated moving services in Alabama that I’m including on this list. The closest U-Pack office to Mobile, AL, is in Pensacola, FL, and that particular office has a 3.8 on Google and a 4.8 on Yelp as of this writing. Customers discuss amazing experiences with representatives during the quoting process (which I can attest to), ongoing updates during the move, and competitive rates. Customers that were unhappy with U-Pack, however, detail broken items and a poor experience with the brand’s packing and unpacking service partner.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | A+/4.32 | Customer Reviews are not used in the calculation of BBB Rating |
| Trustpilot | 2.6 | 221 |
| 3.8 | 19 | |
| Yelp | 4.8 | 10 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Most Common Praise for U-Pack
Customer service is a positive when working with U-Pack. Customers on trusted review sites detail how they were updated every step of the way, from receiving accurate quotes over the phone to text messages explaining where their items were at any given time.
Most Common Criticism for U-Pack
A common criticism I noticed when looking at reviews for U-Pack, especially on Trustpilot, is the amount of damaged items upon delivery. One customer, in particular, highlighted the fact that “all of their property was damaged after an accident with the truck.” Due to the lack of coverage for damaged property through U-Pack, the customer had little in the way of recourse.
Even for their lack of customization options, U-Pack shines when it comes to transparency. The website highlights sample pricing, features a quick quote feature, and makes it very easy to book your container. We did take some points off due to the brand’s lack of clearly listed additional fees. Another area in which U-Pack falls short is its difficult-to-find customer service hours. I did manage to find in their FAQ section that the company is available 24/7 for quotes and reservations but has limited hours for customer service during the actual move (7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CST on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays).
Mayflower Moving
4.1
Our Rating
Calling Mayflower Moving to get a quote when moving out of Alabama was a simple process. I detailed where I was moving from, where I was moving to, and my estimated amount of items to be moved. The representative was able to get me a quote in just a couple of minutes. Next, Mayflower detailed exactly how the rest of their process works and explained I could opt for a free in-person assessment or a virtual survey to determine a more accurate quote, including how much it would be for the company’s crew to pack up all of my belongings. The representative was helpful, kind, and straightforward, happy to answer all of my questions.
However, when you look into the reviews of Mayflower Moving, things get a little less straightforward. The company doesn’t have a great reputation online. With a 2.4 on Trustpilot and a 1.29 on BBB (both out of 5), a majority of Mayflower’s reviews are just 1-star. The brand also has one of the highest number of complaints on the BBB on this list, coming in at 176 in the last three years. Although this isn’t the highest (that honor, surprisingly, belongs to American Van Lines), it’s up there.
When moving within the continental United States, Mayflower Moving has a very straightforward quoting process. The representative was able to give me a ballpark estimate over the phone and explained that the next steps would involve a free in-person or virtual assessment of what needed to be moved. The company’s website even takes it a step further, detailing how you will work with a coordinator, how their virtual survey app works, and what’s included in the quotes.
Reviews for Mayflower Moving can be difficult to find. The brand is owned by parent company UniGroup, and also operates as a broker/carrier, so, depending on where you live, you might just be working with an agent of Mayflower rather than Mayflower itself. The BBB rating for UniGroup and its subsidiaries is not all that inspiring, either. While the company does have an A on the BBB, on the review side of things on the accreditation site, it only comes in at a 1.29 out of 5.
We gave Mayflower Moving a 10 out of 10 for its comprehensive list of basic services. Whether you’re moving to the next city over, interstate, or to a different country, Mayflower Moving and its agents can provide a wealth of services to meet your unique moving needs. The brand is able to offer door-to-door solutions in over 150 countries, including customs clearance management, full packing, loading and unloading, and storage.
| Service | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Local Moving | Yes |
| Long Distance/Interstate Moving | Yes |
| International Moving | Yes |
| Packing and Unpacking | Yes |
| Loading and Unloading | Yes |
| Storage Services | Yes |
Cost
Mayflower Moving usually does its quoting process through its app, over a call, or in person. However, the representative was more than happy to provide me with a ballpark number during my secret shopping. They also informed me that Mayflower bases their quotes and estimates on the weight of the property to be moved and that the company was unable to give me a true estimate on packing services without an assessment.
For a 588-mile move between Mobile, AL and Dallas, TX, for a 2-bedroom home, I was quoted:
- Transportation without packing: $2,000 to $2,900
Editor’s Note: The cost data provided in this article is based on Today’s Homeowner’s standardized sample moving scenario from Mobile, AL, and Dallas, TX, for a single-family home and a move date set 8 weeks away. Please be aware that these estimates may vary depending on factors such as additional services required and market fluctuations. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Discounts
At the moment, Mayflower Moving doesn’t offer discounts to seniors or veterans. I recommend calling as soon as possible to get a quote, as the longer you wait to call a moving company in Alabama, the more you’re going to pay. Getting a quote early and locking in that price with a deposit can potentially save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in the long run. Being as accurate as you can with your property can also help ensure that the quote is accurate and doesn’t bring any last-minute surprises to your bill with Mayflower.
Mayflower Moving, as a whole, offers a lot of customization for their moving services, but not all of Mayflower’s agents offer the same options. For example, Mayflower does sell packing materials, but not all of its agents do. Junk removal also can depend on who you’re working with on moving day. In addition, Mayflower and its partners don’t offer home staging at all, which moved them down a rung, but they do provide assembly/disassembly, piano moving, car shipping, custom crating, and other options. Considering all of this, we scored them a 7.7 out of 10.
| Customization Options | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Assembly/ Disassembly | Yes |
| Sells Packing Materials | Yes |
| Offers Valuation Coverage | Yes |
| Piano Moving | Yes |
| Car Shipping | Yes |
| Special Item/ Antique Moving | Yes |
| Custom Crating | Yes |
| Junk Removal | Yes |
| Home Staging | No |
Mayflower Moving falls slightly short on the reputation side of things. The brand does have a BBB profile through its parent company, UniGroup, and has claimed UniGroup’s Trustpilot profile, but finding positive reviews on trusted review sites is a bit difficult. Customers discuss damaged furniture, broken fragile items, and higher-than-expected quotes. On their website, however, they do highlight some testimonials they’ve received that discuss proactive communication, smooth processes, and attention to detail.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | A+/1.29 | Customer Reviews are not used in the calculation of BBB Rating |
| Trustpilot | 2.4 | 6 |
| N/A | N/A | |
| Yelp | N/A | N/A |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Most Common Praise for Mayflower Moving
Mayflower Moving has several customer testimonials featured on its website. Customers here discuss professional crew, exceptional assistance from beginning to end, easy processes, and solid coordination of all the moving parts that go into actually moving.
Most Common Criticism for Mayflower Moving
Other customers on trusted review sites had less than stellar experiences with Mayflower. These clients explain that they experienced issues with damaged furniture, lack of customer service, and high costs. One client on TrustPilot detailed that the movers actually damaged their new home, which was luckily covered under their home warranty.
Mayflower Moving comes in at a 7.3 for transparency. The company lost a few points because they don’t have sample pricing or clearly listed fees on their website, which can make it difficult to compare prices when you’re shopping for a moving quote in Alabama.
The brand did get points for its quick quote feature, which can at least get you started with the quoting process. They also received points for disclosing their status as a broker/carrier, offering binding estimates, and clearly listing their customer service hours online. Finally, Mayflower and many of its agents offer GPS tracking as an add-on, which can be helpful when you’re stressed about your move and property.
What To Look for in a Reputable Moving Company in Alabama
All moving companies in the United States must be registered with the US Department of Transportation (USDOT), the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and have a USDOT number. An Alabama Public Service Commission (APSC) registration number is also required for brands that operate in the state of Alabama.
Customers should check that the moving company has the applicable licenses and registration for the state or country they are moving to. It’s a good idea to carefully review accepted payment methods, insurance coverage options, testimonials, and contracts before signing anything. Reputable moving companies will accept other payment options beyond cash, have insurance coverage, and have strong reviews.
How To Avoid Moving Scams in Alabama
According to a recent study, Alabama is one of the states with the highest amount of financial damages when it comes to moving scams. Coming in at an average of over $2,300 lost per scam, Alabama is only behind Kansas ($2,700) and Nevada ($2,435).
Keeping an eye out for the most common scams and knowing what to look for can help customers avoid them. Common moving scams in Alabama include:
- Change of address scam
- It’s free to change your address with the United States Postal Service (USPS) in person and $1.10 to do it online. Movers that state you have to pay an exorbitant fee to change your address aren’t being honest.
- No-show
- In this scam, “companies” take the deposit and simply don’t show up on moving day. These scammers will often only accept cash. Paying with a credit card or debit card can offer more protection to customers.
- Mover fraud
- Mover fraud is committed when fake movers are posing as real brands but lack proper licenses. By checking licenses and reviews, customers can avoid these so-called moving companies.
- Ransom or hostage load
- Scam moving companies will hold your property hostage after it’s been loaded onto a truck, demanding you pay an additional fee in order for it to be released. This is, in fact, illegal. Checking credentials ahead of time can help customers avoid this scam.
Alabama Moving Company News
A recent study found that more people are moving into Alabama than out. In fact, it came in 8th in a list of the top 10 inbound states of 2023. This is a jump up from 2022 when they were 12th. Top destinations within Alabama included Dothan, Mobile, and Montgomery. Popular reasons homeowners cited for the move included work and family.
In 2023, there was also an acquisition of Motivated Movers, which operated in Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, and Georgia since 2008, by Waypoint Investments. Waypoint Investments’s other Alabama moving brands include New Latitude Movers, which is based in Birmingham, and Admiral Movers, from Montgomery.
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
FAQs
How Much Does a Moving Company Cost in Alabama?
The average cost of a moving company in Alabama is around $3,936.44, but every home and move is different. The size of your home, your location, and the distance of your move can affect your final cost, but there are ways to negotiate lower costs with your moving company.
Should You Tip Movers in Alabama?
Yes, you should tip movers in Alabama. The recommended amount is 10 to 20% of your total moving bill, but you can also opt to pay at an hourly or day rate.
Are Moving Companies in Alabama Worth It?
A moving company is worth it in Alabama for most homeowners, especially for those who want assistance with packing, don’t want to do the heavy lifting, or don’t want to tackle the disassembly and reassembly of furniture. However, for some, it may be worth it to do it yourself and go with a self-service moving option.
