DIY packing and moving, whether local, interstate, or international, is difficult and burdensome in the best of circumstances, but you don’t have to settle for doing all the grunt work yourself. There are numerous fantastic moving companies out there that can help you pack your goods, move them to wherever you plan to call home, and unpack them. They’ll work with you to coordinate all aspects of your move, from providing packing materials and assisting in disassembly to storage and unloading at your destination. From cars to RVs, pianos to antiques, moving companies can move anything you need safely and securely, giving you peace of mind and much-needed space to concentrate on all the other details.
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
At Today’s Homeowner, we’ve developed in-house review standards to assess moving and packing companies across four major categories and numerous subcategories to help you decide which company is right for you. To that end, I’ve chosen five companies that represent the best of the moving and packing industry’s offerings. With these companies, you should find any service you need or want to move whatever you want, however far and at a reasonable cost. My recommendations are based on dozens of hours of research, numerous quotes, and many discussions with sales representatives and moving coordinators with the aim of providing you with an accurate assessment of their services and choices that you can be confident in.
The four major metrics we measure in our review standard are services, customization, reputation, and transparency. We strive to ensure companies we recommend offer a wide variety of options to the customer and that they adhere to a high standard of service and professionalism. Moving isn’t cheap, and most people rightfully expect quality service for their money. The five companies on this list are among the best moving companies for moving and packing I’ve found in the entire industry. Let’s take a look at each and see if we can’t find the right one for you.
Top 5 Moving and Packing Companies
- Allied Van Lines and International Van Lines are your best choices if you’re moving internationally. They both offer top-notch packing services and numerous other services to facilitate moving internationally, including storage, coordination, and tracking.
- Avoid scams by thoroughly vetting potential companies and checking with your state attorney general’s website for any alerts about moving scams in your area.
- Prepare to spend upwards of $4,000 for most average-sized interstate moves.
Read our full Moving Methodology for more details.
My Expert Recommendation
It’s tough to choose just one of our top five companies because they each have outstanding features. However, JK Moving Services would be my choice for an all-around, whatever-you-need moving and packing company. While I think others on the list do a bit better at certain services, like vehicle shipping or international moving, JK Moving Services is the best generalist domestic mover on the list. Whether you’re moving across the state or the country, I’m confident you’ll be happy with their service. They place a high priority on professionalism, as evidenced by their in-house employee training, and generally hit an extraordinary level of excellence.
Moving and Packing Companies I Didn’t Include
College Hunks
While it’s a useful service, College Hunks didn’t make the list because it lacks some key customizations and services its competitors have. Not everyone needs services such as international moving and storage, but they’re commonly offered across the industry, so not offering them puts College Hunks at a disadvantage. They also fall short on moving specialty items such as art, antiques and pianos. Though they’re great for short, small moves such as cross-town moves, they’re outclassed by companies on this list for larger moves over longer distances.
Compare The Highest Rated Moving and Packing Companies
| 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 and Packing Companies
International Van Lines
4.5
Our Rating
International Van Lines (IVL) is my personal choice for best vehicle shipper. While they’re a very competitive full-service mover, the amount of options they have for vehicle shipping makes them stand out from their peers. They can ship cars and trucks anywhere in the country, using your choice of open or enclosed carrier. The difference is that enclosed carriers provide better protection from potential road debris and weather, like gravel or hail, which makes it especially suitable for moving classic or luxury vehicles. IVL can also ship boats of any size, from small fishing boats to large yachts. For RVs, they have a couple of different shipping options, like flatbed, drive-away, or tow-away. So, for the person who has nonstandard vehicle shipping needs, IVL would be one of the first companies I consider.
Beyond that, IVL is a well-rounded moving and packing service. As the name suggests, they specialize in international moving, though they can certainly do domestic moves as well. They offer a full range of standard moving and packing services, from loading and unloading to packing and disassembly. Another nice perk is one month of free storage at the pickup location, so if you need to move out of your old home before you can move into your new one (say, for scheduling reasons), it’s something to keep in mind.
Check out this video for a closer look at IVL’s services:
My only gripe with IVL is that they occasionally contract moves to third parties for uncommon routes or when they don’t have enough of their own trucks available. It’s not a fatal flaw, but it does make some people uncomfortable to have a company they didn’t hire show up to move their goods. However, IVL does work with reputable third parties, and it doesn’t happen often, so I wouldn’t be too anxious about it. At the end of the day, it benefits the customer. The alternative is for them to delay your move during busy periods or refuse to do it at all for uncommon routes. It’s a situation in which I think a compromise is acceptable, even if it isn’t ideal. As a bit of reassurance, I’ve read many reviews of IVL, and I haven’t found one that complained about this practice or reported having a bad experience with a contracted third party.
IVL is a reputable, professional company that I don’t think you can go wrong with. I’d suggest anyone with vehicle shipping needs pencil them in as a consideration. While there are other great vehicle shippers on this list, IVL has an edge. With the number of shipping options they have, from open and enclosed carriers to being able to move yachts and motorcycles, they really have the vehicle enthusiast covered.
If you need to move internationally, IVL might not be my top pick, but it would definitely be a contender. Their history and reputation were largely built on international shipping, so they’re certainly no slouch. They offer coordination and storage services to alleviate some of the burden and complexity of international moving and bring years of experience to the table. It gives them an advantage over many run-of-the-mill moving and packing companies that technically do international moves but have less experience with it.
IVL offers all the industry standard moving services, giving them a perfect score in this category. I’ll make special mention of their international moving service, which is their specialty. But they’re perfectly capable of and suited to domestic moves as well, so don’t let their name deter you.
| 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
Secret shopping with IVL was a good experience. While I think one or two experiences with other companies were slightly better, I wasn’t disappointed. My experience echoed most reviews on third-party websites in that IVL representatives were courteous and helpful. They thoroughly answered all my questions and explained anything I wasn’t clear on. They also had one of the best turnaround times for quotes. I got my quote within 24 hours of talking to them. If you’re less inclined to talk on the phone, they’ll also accommodate fully online and email quotes. It’s uncommon for moving companies to do that, so I was happy to see it. Even if you don’t mind talking on the phone, sometimes life is hectic, and it’s easier to do things through email and text.
As for cost, IVL was just above average, which was reasonable considering its reputation and the broad array of services and options it offers. This was my itemized quote for a 1,400-mile, two-bedroom, single-family move:
- Basic Estimate Price: $4,295.10
- Origin/Destination Charges: $561.00
- Full Packing Service (including material and labor): $0.01
- Basic Valuation Protection: $0.00
- Total Estimate: $4,856.11
Editor’s Note: The cost data provided is based on Today’s Homeowner’s standardized sample moving scenario from Denver, CO, to Chicago, IL, for a single-family home, with a move date set eight 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
The only standard discount IVL offers is a 15% senior discount. However, discounts may be available at the discretion of their sales representatives, so it’s worth asking them if you qualify for any.
IVL’s customization options are in line with those of other companies on the list. The only service it omits that’s included in our review standard is home staging. However, not many companies offer this service, so it doesn’t put IVL at much of a disadvantage compared to other companies on our list. I think their standout service here is their vehicle shipping. They offer numerous options to accommodate almost any vehicle type, land-based or seagoing.
| 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 |
IVL has a solid reputation with the Better Business Bureau and with its customers. I found complaints to be fair but not indicative of a bad company or broken culture. I saw no pattern of failures, mistakes, or poor behavior. Reviewers were generally positive about their experiences and praised numerous aspects of IVL’s service. Notably, reviewers commonly praised company representatives and crews for being diligent and professional.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | A+ / 3.48 out of 5 stars | 181 |
| Trustpilot | 4.1 out of 5 stars | 66 |
| 4.1 out of 5 stars | 960 | |
| Yelp | 1.4 out of 5 stars | 45 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Most Common Praise for International Van Lines
Reviewers are very pleased with the professionalism of company representatives, sales staff, and coordinators. They report that they’re prompt, professional, and helpful. This confirms my experiences with IVL representatives, who were always polite and helpful. Reviewers also praise the moving crews and drivers for being hardworking and courteous.
Most Common Criticism for International Van Lines
Hidden costs are a common criticism in reviews, but one that’s often rooted in a misunderstanding of the moving process. Moving companies can increase costs if they find more goods to be moved on moving day than the customer initially declared on the written inventory. This misunderstanding leads to a lot of complaints, not just against IVL but also many moving companies. Other than that, I found no pattern of complaints against IVL. Instances of poor service seemed to be the exception, not the rule.
Transparency is an important marker of a reputable business, and IVL does well on that front. Compared to its competitors, it’s among the best for transparency, ticking all the boxes we want to see in our review standard. It does well disclosing broker/carrier status, offers GPS tracking, clearly posts customer service hours, and provides sample pricing.
Safeway Moving
4.1
Our Rating
I had a great customer service experience with Safeway, probably the best among professional movers on this list. The representative and I ended up having a 30-minute conversation about the moving industry and how it works. He turned me on to an invaluable resource called the Safety and Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER) System from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), which lists licensing information about all USDOT and MC (Motor Carrier) number holders. I walked away from the experience more knowledgeable and confident about the moving industry than I was going in. He also thoroughly explained what set Safeway apart from other companies — no representative from any other company I talked to made a pitch as compelling as his. I was very pleased with the experience.
Safeway is a well-rounded moving and packing company, and a notable feature is its use of climate-controlled trucks to move pianos. Pianos are sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity, so climate-controlled transport helps to ensure that these instruments remain in optimal condition and avoid any potential complications from sudden changes in the environment.
Safeway lags behind on GPS tracking, which gives an edge to their competitors. A company representative informed me that while some of their trucks were GPS-enabled, not all were, and the company was in the process of converting their entire fleet. So, for the customer who wants or needs GPS tracking, one of the other companies on the list might be a better option.
Safeway’s website is also lacking compared to those of their competitors. While I found it sufficient for my secret shopping (a relatively simple move from one single-family home to another), for those with complicated moves, it might be lacking. Because of how internet-centric the world has become, it seems like a miss on Safeway’s part. Having the ability to browse a full range of prices, options, and services is valuable when everyone has busy schedules. As it stands, you’d probably be better off to call them directly to ask questions and get details on particular costs and services.
I have a soft spot for Safeway Moving. It’s veteran-owned, and the customer service experience was stellar for me. Their representatives were engaged, informative, and easy to talk to. I came away from the experience feeling like a better-informed customer with a better understanding of the moving industry. And sure, they were there to sell a product, and they tried. However, their pitch didn’t feel pushy, overbearing, or aggressive. The representatives made an argument for their company and tried to close the sale. I certainly can’t fault them for that.
Moreover, of all the companies I dealt with, Safeway was the best about not spamming emails, texts, and phone calls. In fact, I don’t think I received anything but a simple, open-ended follow-up after receiving my initial quote. The moving industry is, frankly, awful about spam communications, so I appreciated that.
As for shortcomings, there aren’t many. The lack of guaranteed GPS tracking is the most relevant one for some customers. I don’t find it to be a deal-breaker for me. Safeway is a reputable company. I haven’t heard of a case of them losing or misplacing someone’s goods, so I’m inclined to trust that, even without tracking, they’ll get the shipment to its destination. But I acknowledge it may be a deal-breaker for some, so in that case, one of the other companies on the list is probably more suitable.
Safeway loses a couple of points for not doing local moves (short-distance moves, like from one side of a city to the other). That aside, they offer a range of quality services, including packing and unpacking.
| 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
I had a great experience quoting with Safeway Moving. Their customer service was excellent. The representative I talked to was affable and informative. He thoroughly explained the quote and how Safeway Moving estimates according to volume instead of weight and how that ensures a more accurate and concrete quote. Cost-wise, the quote was very competitive, skewing toward the low side compared to other companies on the list.
Here’s my quote for a 1,400-mile move from one single-family home to another:
- Basic Estimate Price: $3500.00
- Fuel Surcharge: $175.00
- Packing Materials: $100.00
- Total Moving Estimate: $3775.00
- Total Moving Estimate with Full Packing Service: $4275.00
Editor’s Note: The cost data provided is based on Today’s Homeowner’s standardized sample moving scenario from Denver, CO, to Chicago, IL, for a single-family home, with a move date set eight 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
Safeway Moving offers discounts to veterans, students, first responders, and teachers. To get the best price, book two to three weeks in advance of your move date, which is also generally good practice when planning a move. You’ll often get an even better price if you provide a moving window rather than a specific date. Giving the company some flexibility helps them with scheduling and translates to savings for you.
Safeway has a good variety of customization options and only loses a point for lacking home staging. I’ll give a special mention to their piano moving service, which uses climate-controlled vehicles. This ensures pianos aren’t subject to sudden changes in temperature and humidity, which could negatively affect them.
| 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 |
Reviews for Safeway are among the most positive on the list. Customers are broadly satisfied and praise numerous aspects of Safeway’s services. The only weak point is their Better Business Bureau rating. To be clear, they have a good rating. It’s just that their competitors almost all have very good ratings also.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | B- / 4.33 out of 5 stars | 215 |
| Trustpilot | 4.3 out of 5 stars | 61 |
| 4.3 out of 5 stars | 394 | |
| Yelp | 1.5 | 79 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Most Common Praise for Safeway Moving
The most common praise for Safeway I read about in reviews related to timeliness and seamlessness. Representatives are quick to respond and resolve issues, and Safeway’s process is efficient and headache-free. All of that squares with my experience with Safeway. Their representatives were some of my favorites to talk to.
Most Common Criticism for Safeway Moving
Mishandling of fragile items and damaged items was a common complaint. Having read through a hundred or more Safeway reviews, positive and negative, I wouldn’t go so far as to say it was a pattern. Most of Safeway’s reviews are positive and better than those of most companies on this list. The damage complaints I read didn’t appear to stem from negligence but rather from the inevitable risks of moving goods over the road. Roads are bumpy, which, even with the most careful packing, can sometimes lead to dings and dents.
Safeway loses a few points for lacking guaranteed tracking. The company representative I spoke to informed me that some of their fleet was GPS-enabled, but not all of it. He said they were in the process of bringing the rest of the fleet up to speed and getting them GPS enabled, but as of writing this article, they aren’t there yet.
JK Moving Services
4.2
Our Rating
JK Moving Services aspires to a high standard of professionalism in all aspects of their business, which is evident in everything from the website to their charity work to their employee training programs. Customers appreciate that commitment to excellence, especially in an industry where services command a price tag in the thousands of dollars. JK Moving Services has numerous industry awards and accreditations, like FIDI (International Federation of International Movers) and IAM (International Association of Movers), which further underscores their dedication to quality service.
My favorite service from JK Moving is their financing service, which seamlessly matches customers to lenders. Paying thousands out of pocket is a big ask, so having the option to get financing for a move and defer those costs can really help when you’re on a tight budget. Even if you do have the money on hand, it’s still nice to have the option to reserve it. Standard rules still apply — namely, credit approval and interest — but nonetheless JK saves you the hassle of having to find a lender on your own. Financing may not be for everyone, but offering it sets JK Moving apart from its competitors. Of all the companies I’ve researched, they’re the only one to offer a financing service.
It was genuinely hard to find anything to criticize about JK Moving. They’re the most consistently quality company I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing and researching. In an industry fraught with less-than-scrupulous companies, they were a refreshing surprise.
JK Moving Services earns my personal recommendation. Of all the companies on the list, it’s the first one I’d call. I’m impressed by their level of professionalism and dedication to excellence. Pound for pound, I don’t know that there’s a better moving and packing company out there. They have the best customer reviews of any company on the list, which further demonstrates their quality and commitment. Having read through more than a hundred of them, I found very few criticisms, which is amazing considering how critical Internet customer reviews can be.
Comparing JK Moving’s services to those of the other companies on the list, it firmly holds its own. While I think some companies have a bit of an edge for certain services — such as International Van Lines with vehicle shipping — I don’t know that it’s enough of an edge to warrant a switch in most cases. For anyone doing an average in-home move from house to house or apartment to apartment, I think you’d be very happy with JK Moving.
Lastly, I have a soft spot for charitable work, which JK Moving does plenty of in the form of JK Black Oak Wildlife Sanctuary and JK Community Farm. It’s wonderful to see a company that treats its customers well and gives back to its community.
JK Moving hits all the marks for a perfect score in this category. The most notable thing here is the in-house training that JK Moving crews go through for packing and loading, which ensures that your goods are properly and securely packed and stowed for transport. No other company on the list has formal training for their crews, so it certainly makes JK Moving stand out.
| Service | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Local Moving/Local Movers | Yes |
| Long Distance/Interstate Moving | Yes |
| International Moving | Yes |
| Packing and Unpacking | Yes |
| Loading and Unloading | Yes |
| Storage Services | Yes |
Cost
I was unable to get a quote from JK Moving Services. They (as well as a few other moving companies) require a physical survey of the goods that need to be moved. As a secret shopper, I’m less than comfortable asking a company to do that much work knowing I don’t actually intend to buy the product. While that throws a bit of a wrench in my article research, it’s a great sign for any potential customer. Many companies allow customers to fill out the shipping inventory lists themselves, which, while easier and more convenient, also lends itself to mistakes. Having filled out a dozen or more myself, I can attest to them being, at times, confusing and unclear. JK Moving circumvents the problem by doing the inventory themselves based on a physical survey. But don’t worry, they don’t actually need to come to your house. Physical surveys can be done through a video call that just requires you to walk them through your house and show them all the things you need to be moved.
Available Discounts
JK Moving doesn’t have any standard discounts, such as for seniors or veterans. However, you’ll get better pricing by booking two to three weeks in advance of your move and providing them with a delivery window rather than a specific day. This gives the company flexibility with scheduling and translates into savings for you.
JK Moving has good customization options that are on par with those of its competitors. They only lose a point for lacking a home staging customization, which isn’t uncommon. Beyond that, they should be able to take care of all your needs.
| 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 |
Customer reviews for JK Moving are genuinely fantastic for a moving company. Most companies I’ve reviewed across multiple moving articles suffer in some areas, but JK Moving has consistently good reviews across multiple third-party review sites. Even Yelp, which is often the most critical review site, rates JK Moving strongly. Couple that with an A+ rating and accreditation with the Better Business Bureau, and there’s nothing for me to criticize.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | A+ / 3.97 out of 5 stars | 77 |
| Trustpilot | 3.6 out of 5 stars | 1 |
| 4.5 out of 5 stars | 1,374 | |
| Yelp | 3.5 out of 5 stars | 384 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Most Common Praise for JK Moving Services
Professionalism is the standout quality in reviews of JK Moving, which, based on my experiences with the company, doesn’t surprise me. Perhaps the most notable praise from reviewers is adhering to schedules. The entire moving industry seems to have a difficult time on this front, so it’s noteworthy that JK Moving seems to be the exception.
Most Common Criticism for JK Moving Services
Among the relatively few criticisms I read about JK Moving Services, I didn’t find any pattern of complaints. If I had to choose, mention of damaged items probably occurred the most. However, I didn’t find the complaints to be too serious. It was mostly a ding or a dent here and there, which is, unfortunately, an unavoidable risk when shipping over the road. I didn’t see any reason to believe those instances were the product of negligence or improper packing.
This is JK Moving’s weakest category, mostly due to the fact that they don’t disclose their broker/carrier status anywhere (such as their website or paperwork). JK Moving is a carrier, which means they own the physical trucks and directly employ the drivers (as opposed to brokers, which contract third-party trucks and drivers.) I chalk it up to an innocent oversight. Most people want to know broker/carrier status because they want to avoid brokers. JK Moving isn’t a broker, so they have nothing to lose and everything to gain by disclosing their status. That’s why I’m of the opinion it’s probably just an oversight on their part.
Allied Van Lines
4.2
Our Rating
Allied is my top pick for an international moving and packing company. They have an excellent tracking system, GlobeCom, that allows you to track your shipment throughout the entire international moving process, including while it’s at sea or in the air. They also have moving coordinators in countries across the world, ensuring that you have support in your country of origin and destination. Lastly, they can organize storage in either location in case you run into scheduling difficulties that don’t allow for a seamless transition from old home to new. That kind of robust support and services are invaluable when moving internationally, as it greatly simplifies the complex, multistage nature of international moves.
While Allied is a carrier, it doesn’t disclose its status as either a broker or carrier (or both), which is a missed opportunity. This disclosure is important and features in our review standards because some customers want to avoid brokers, which are moving companies that contract out the actual work of moving to third parties. In essence, they match customers to movers and charge a fee for their service. Carriers, on the other hand, are movers who own trucks and employ drivers. So, when you hire a carrier, you can be sure that your goods won’t end up being moved by a different company that you didn’t personally hire. While carriers can technically contract out moves in certain cases, it’s not common practice, so you shouldn’t have to worry about it. All that said, it makes Allied’s choice not to disclose their broker/carrier status confusing. Being a carrier is a good sign to the vast majority of customers, so it doesn’t make sense not to let potential customers know that.
I have a generally good opinion of Allied. They’ve been in business for decades doing every kind of move under the sun. Their moving and packing services are right in line with those of their competitors, so you can expect a good quality of service. When it comes to service and customization offerings, they’re one of the most complete in the industry, even offering home staging. So whether you’re doing a small, local move or a large home move across the country, Allied has you covered.
I think Allied’s strongest service is their international shipping. Their GlobeCom tracking system is among the best in the industry for international moves. It allows you to keep updated on your shipment, whether it’s on land or at sea, in the country of origin or the destination country. Their global support staff of moving coordinators is also very helpful, especially considering laws and regulations are different in each country. Having company representatives who can help you navigate them alleviates a huge part of the burden of moving to a new country. Allied is one of my top recommendations to look into if you’re moving internationally.
The only criticism I have is the failure to disclose broker/carrier status. In Allied’s case, because they’re a carrier, it’s not a huge deal, and plenty of customers don’t care either way. However, per our review standards, it’s a transparency issue. We want and hope that companies are forthright about these kinds of things for the customers who do care. All told, though, it’s a minor criticism, and I wouldn’t let it turn you off of Allied.
Allied gets perfect marks here. They offer all the services we want to see in our review standard. A special mention goes to their top-notch international moving service. Their tracking system and global staff of moving coordinators is a huge asset for customers moving internationally.
| 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
I was unable to get a quote with Allied, as they require a physical survey of goods to get a quote. While this is a disadvantage for me writing this article, it’s an advantage for customers. Physical surveys are required to ensure an accurate inventory and, through that, an accurate quote. In many cases, moving and packing companies will let you fill the inventory out yourself. While this is admittedly convenient, it also has the potential to introduce errors if you don’t properly declare your items. That can mean unexpected changes in cost, even after you’ve received your quote and even if it’s a binding quote. I’ll spare the legal ins and outs of that process and just say that Allied’s physical survey will ensure that your quote is accurate and the cost won’t change. If you’re anxious about an in-house survey, don’t worry — surveys are almost always done through video calls these days. You can request an in-person survey if you want, but a video call is quicker and easier. Based on that survey, Allied will create an inventory list and send you a quote.
Available Discounts
Allied offers only a standard discount for seniors. For everyone else, the best way to get a good price is to book well in advance of your move (two to three weeks). Also, giving the company a delivery window, as opposed to a specific day, will net you a few hundred in savings.
Allied does perfectly in this category, even offering the ever-elusive home staging customization. This means they’ll help you unpack and stage your furniture in your new home. It’s a great, white-glove service for those who want it.
| Customization Options | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Assembly/ Disassembly | Yes |
| Sells Packing Materials/Packing Supplies | Yes |
| Offers Valuation Coverage | Yes |
| Piano Moving | Yes |
| Car Shipping | Yes |
| Special Item/ Antique Moving | Yes |
| Custom Crating | Yes |
| Junk Removal | Yes |
| Home Staging | Yes |
Allied is respectable in this category and definitely in the top half of the list for customer feedback. They have a perfect rating with the Better Business Bureau and strong reviews across multiple sites.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | A+ / 1.14 out of 5 stars | 56 |
| Trustpilot | 2.1 out of 5 stars | 13 |
| 4.5 | 95 | |
| Yelp | 3.1 | 20 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Most Common Praise for Allied Van Lines
Reviewers praise the professionalism of Allied sales representatives and moving coordinators, reporting that they’re friendly and efficient. They also praised the professionalism of the moving crews and drivers, mentioning good communication about pickup and delivery times. According to Angie Drysdale on Google Reviews: “They scheduled and confirmed the delivery time a few days in advance. They called 30 minutes prior to the delivery. Upon arrival, the gentlemen worked efficiently to unpack and place the items exactly as we had requested. We were very pleased with their service.”
Most Common Criticism for Allied Van Lines
As with most moving companies, a common complaint among Allied’s infrequent criticisms was damaged items. I have no reason to believe these complaints stemmed from failures on Allied’s part. Dings and dents are an unavoidable risk when moving goods over the road. While I sympathize with customers, I also acknowledge that Allied (or any moving company) can only do so much to try to mitigate that risk.
Allied falls a bit short here, mostly for failing to disclose their broker/carrier status. Some customers are averse to brokers, which is why we include this factor in our review standards. Allied is a carrier, so that shouldn’t be a problem for most customers. However, for reasons known only to them, Allied chooses not to disclose that, so they lose a few points in this category.
Mayflower Moving
4.1
Our Rating
Mayflower Moving has been in business for nearly a century, which inspires a lot of confidence in its service and reputation. Longevity is one of the things I look for in a company because with it comes a wealth of industry knowledge, expertise, and experience. On that front, Mayflower far surpasses the competition. Most of the companies on this list are twenty to thirty years old.
One of the features I like most about Mayflower is that full professional packing services are included with all international moves, which is a huge contribution to a smooth and easy full-service move. But they don’t just do international moving. Mayflower built its reputation doing domestic interstate moves, specializing in long-distance moves, so you can rest assured that they can move you anywhere in the country with efficiency and professionalism.
Finally, we gave Mayflower our “Best Technology” superlative for their incredibly helpful MyMayflower online portal and mobile app. These tools personalize your move experience and put managing it at your fingertips, whether you’re at home or on the go. You can book your move, track its milestones on a timeline, access a trove of moving resources, manage your list of move contacts, and more.
Though it’s a minor gripe, Mayflower doesn’t have sample pricing on their website. It’s not a big deal, but it helps to get an idea of how much a move might cost, especially if you haven’t moved before. Thankfully, quotes are pretty quick and easy to get, so you shouldn’t have much trouble securing an accurate estimate on your move.
Mayflower is a great choice for your next move, domestic or international. They offer a gamut of services, from packing to storage solutions. Compared to their peers, I didn’t find them lacking in any regard. I think other companies have a competitive edge in certain services, but most customers probably won’t need to take advantage of the minor differences. Wherever you’re moving, I don’t think you can go wrong with Mayflower, and the MyMayflower portal and app just make the experience all the more manageable and transparent.
Their storied history is probably their biggest selling point, which may not seem overly exciting, but you shouldn’t underestimate the impact it has on the service you receive. It’s not easy to be competitive and please customers, so doing so consistently for a century is no small feat. Decades of lessons translate into streamlined services, processes, dispute resolution, and overall quality of service. I can’t say Mayflower would be my first choice, but they’d certainly be in the top three. I don’t think you’d go wrong considering them.
Mayflower does perfectly here. They have all the services that their competitors do and with a little depth, too. They offer packing included for all international moves, and they have robust offerings for storage services. You should have no problem finding whatever you need with them.
| 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 is another one on the list that I was unable to get a quote from. They require a physical survey of the goods that need to be moved, so I was unable to complete the quoting process. Don’t think I’m criticizing them for that, though. In fact, quite the opposite. Requiring a survey of the goods is a great practice that ensures the customer gets an accurate quote and isn’t subject to any surprise changes to cost during the move. Mayflower can also do the survey over video call, so you don’t have to fuss with scheduling a representative to come to your home. All they need is a quick visual survey and identification of everything you need to have moved, after which they’ll put together a quote and send it over to you.
Available Discounts
Mayflower doesn’t offer any standard discounts, but they do occasionally run promotions. These are usually found with membership organizations such as the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) or occasionally on couponing sites. For the best total cost, without a discount or promo, book two to three weeks in advance of your move and provide them with a delivery window of a week. That flexibility will help ensure you get the best deal possible.
Mayflower is in line with its competitors for customizations and should be perfectly adequate for your needs. The only customization they lack is home staging.
| 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 |
For a moving company, Mayflower doesn’t do too badly on customer reviews. While 2-star scores may look less than ideal, based on my experience reviewing many companies, they’re relatively respectable. A perfect Better Business Bureau rating also bolsters their reputation.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB* | A+ / 1.29 out of 5 stars | 34 |
| Trustpilot | 2.4 | 6 |
| 4.2 | 153 | |
| Yelp | 2.1 | 91 |
*Mayflower’s BBB ratings fall under those of their parent company, UniGroup.
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Most Common Praise for Mayflower Moving
The common praise in reviews is that Mayflower representatives are courteous and professional. Another common theme is hardworking crews and punctual drivers. Generally, positive reviews note that the company is professional and efficient.
Most Common Criticism for Mayflower Moving
I didn’t find any specific trends in review criticisms. Some reviewers seemed to have a bad experience — others seemed to be having a bad day. There was mention of damaged items (a common complaint across the industry) and the occasional missed deadline. It’s hard to say if criticisms were indicative of poor or inconsistent service from Mayflower or honest mistakes.
Mayflower does pretty well in this category and only really loses a couple of points for lack of sample pricing on their website. Considering it’s relatively easy to get a quote, that shouldn’t be a problem for most customers. And if you’re completely in the dark about how much moving costs, there are plenty of web articles that go over average costs so you know what to expect.
What to Look for in a Reputable Moving and Packing Company
Finding a reputable moving company is the single most important factor in a seamless, stress-free move. An unprofessional company can turn an otherwise straightforward move into a massive headache of missed deadlines, fraught communications, and unexpected costs. The best way to avoid that situation is to thoroughly vet potential companies and do some basic research into the moving process so that you know what to expect.
When vetting potential moving and packing companies, the standard rule applies: If something seems fishy about the company, it probably is. Intuition and gut feeling is the first and best line of defense, so always trust your instincts, ask questions, and press them on anything that seems unclear. Nothing in the moving process, up to you signing the bill of lading, binds you to any action or obligation, so you can walk away at any time. Once you sign the bill of lading, though, you’ve signed a legal contract and all the burdens and obligations that come with it. So, the best time to ask questions and press for details is during the quote/estimation process, which occurs before you’re presented with a bill of lading to sign. While almost all moving quotes these days are binding, they’re only binding after the bill of lading is signed, so don’t worry that merely receiving a quote obligates you to anything.
Here are some green flags to look out for that signal you’re working with a reputable, above-the-board moving and packing company:
- The company has a USDOT and MC number listed on their website as well as all their official documents, like quotes and bills of lading. You can look up their USDOT and MC numbers in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s SAFER database, where you can find the company’s legal and licensing information.
- The company should conduct itself in a professional manner. Representatives should greet you on the phone with their name and the name of the company. The email address should feature the company name, not something generic like movingcompany@yahoo.com. Quotes should be itemized and have a professional header, as well as legal information and disclosures. They should accept multiple forms of payment.
- There should be online evidence of the company outside its website. That means things like customer reviews from sites such as Google or Yelp. It also means professional reviews like this one. Most moving scams revolve around fictional companies created specifically to steal from and defraud people, so finding outside evidence that the company exists and does legitimate business is important to avoid becoming a victim.
How To Avoid Moving and Packing Company Scams
Scams are an unfortunate reality of the moving industry. The most common type of scam is hostage loads, wherein the perpetrator acts like a legitimate business until it gains physical possession of your goods, after which it takes them hostage and demands a ransom for their return. In many cases, the perpetrator doesn’t return the goods at all, even when they receive payment. The deception is based on gaining the confidence of the victim, who often doesn’t realize they’re being scammed until it’s too late, which makes it an especially effective and deceptive scam.
There are ways to avoid ending up in this situation, though. Before you begin shopping for a moving and packing company, check on your state attorney general’s website to see if there’s any notice of ongoing scams. State attorneys general and their offices do a good job of keeping the public abreast of any ongoing criminal trends, so they’re a valuable safety resource for the public. As with safety anywhere, knowledge and awareness are your first and best lines of defense.
Here are some red flags to watch out for when vetting moving and packing companies:
- They have generic or nonspecific communications. That might mean a generic-sounding company name or answering the phones with something vague, like “moving company” rather than a proper company name. It may also mean an email address that doesn’t look professional. For example, an address with seemingly arbitrary numbers like movingcompany_329@yahoo.com.
- They don’t list a USDOT or MC number on their website or official documents, or if they do, the company’s information doesn’t match what’s listed in the U.S. Department of Transportations SAFER database.
- The company doesn’t accept multiple forms of payment or demands large payments up-front. While most companies have some minimal up-front costs, they shouldn’t exceed a couple hundred dollars. A legitimate company collects the bulk of payment upon delivery of the goods.
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 and Packing Company Cost?
The cost of moving and packing varies widely and depends on how much needs to be moved and how far, so it’s impossible to say exactly what it will cost in your case. That said, however much it costs, there are a few tips and tricks to get the best moving price possible.
Do You Need a Moving and Packing Company?
No, but moving and packing companies do a lot of the work of moving, making your life easier and less stressful.
Are Moving and Packing Companies Worth It?
Yes, for those that have the budget for it, moving and packing companies are a great service that eases the stress and burden of moving. The difference between a DIY move and a professional move is significant, so it’s important to research how they differ to know what to expect.
Other Resources for Prospective Movers
- Best Moving Companies
- Best Long-Distance Moving Companies
- Best Cheap Moving Companies
- Cheapest Moving Truck Rental Companies
- Best Interstate Moving Companies
- Best Moving Truck Rental Companies
- Best Moving Companies for Small Moves
- Best National Moving Companies
- Best International Movers
- Best Apartment Moving Companies
- Moving Quotes Online
- Best Moving Container Companies
- Cheapest Moving Container Companies
- Best Moving Companies for Seniors
- Best Apartment Movers
- Best Pet Shipping Companies
- Best Junk Removal Movers
- Best Piano Moving Companies
- Best Full-Service Moving Companies
- Best Antique Moving Companies
