Our Moving Review Methodology

To fairly assess the best moving companies, our team uses a mix of research methods, including customer surveys, expert interviews, and a national cost analysis. We also contact companies directly to get quotes and evaluate service firsthand. The insights we gather help us score providers based on an objective rating system that looks at service, transparency, and overall performance.

Moving Research Process

Our process focuses on checking available data for different moving companies, such as customer reviews and licensing information, as well as researching the overall moving experience and interviewing experts firsthand.

Customer Insights

We go beyond company websites to understand real customer experiences. Through three national surveys, we gathered insights from more than 3,000 individuals who had recently moved. Respondents shared detailed feedback—both positive and negative—highlighting the factors that contributed to a successful relocation or led to complications.

In addition, we read thousands of customer reviews from Google Reviews, Trustpilot, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). We look for patterns like common complaints, standout service moments, and how companies handle problems. These reviews offer a real window into how movers treat customers once a contract gets signed.

Verifying Credentials

Before recommending any moving company, we make sure the provider is properly registered and operating legally. We check every mover’s U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) number and look into its Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) profile. This process helps us confirm if a moving company is licensed, insured, and up-to-date on safety standards.

Secret Shopping

We also experience the quote and booking process ourselves, just like you would when moving. We visit company websites, fill out quote forms, call customer service representatives, and ask detailed questions. We pay close attention to how helpful, transparent, and responsive each company is, whether online or on the phone. We also use quotes from our consumer surveys to compare costs.

Industry Experts

As part of our research process, we spoke with 15 professionals in the relocation industry, including agents, brokers, and industry insiders who have worked closely with moving companies. Their experiences help us understand which companies consistently show up for their clients and which ones might cause headaches, as well as some of the common misconceptions and misunderstandings that occur in the moving industry.

Factors We Evaluate When Comparing Moving Companies

When evaluating professional moving companies, we use a thorough and balanced system that reflects what truly matters to customers. To do this, we developed a 100-point scoring framework, grounded in real data, customer feedback, and industry best practices.

Each company is rated across six major categories: customer service, reputation, value, service offerings, item protection, and scheduling. These categories are broken down into 20 individual factors, each weighted based on its importance to the customer experience. The final score for each company is converted into a 5-star rating scale.

Below is a breakdown of how we assess each category and why each factor is essential to ensuring a smooth, trustworthy, and professional move.

Customer Service

Customer service plays a critical role in a successful move. It influences how smoothly everything runs, from your initial quote to the final box being unloaded. Our evaluation includes third-party customer ratings, like those from the BBB and Trustpilot, as well as feedback from our nationwide moving survey. We also review each company’s website to assess how easy it is to find key information and request a quote. Finally, we look at how companies interact with customers and how satisfied those customers were with the support they received.

Reputation

A mover’s reputation is earned through years of reliable service, regulatory compliance, and attention to safety. Companies that score highest in this category not only meet industry standards but also go above and beyond by prioritizing customer safety and trust at every step of the process.

We review multiple indicators of professionalism and operational quality to determine which companies stand out in this category. We verify license status through the USDOT and review safety data from the FMCSA, including truck out-of-service rates. We also note whether companies clearly disclose their use of background-checked movers, which serves as an additional indicator of trust and accountability.

Value

To compare average price points across providers, we gathered quotes for a standard three bedroom move with a distance ranging from 500–800 miles. We consider movers offering rates below $2,750 as the most affordable, while rates between $2,750 and $4,499 falling within average moving costs. Higher rates above $5,500 may still offer good value if they include premium features or exceptional service.

We also assess whether companies provide flat-rate or binding estimates, which lock in final costs and protect customers from surprise fees. Movers that offer these upfront earn higher marks for pricing transparency.

Additionally, we evaluate the payment process. Companies that accept a variety of payment methods, like credit cards, certified checks, or financing options, score higher for flexibility. We also award points to movers that don’t require large upfront deposits, offer general or military discounts, or price-match competitors.

Service Offerings

We give higher scores to companies that clearly and consistently offer flexible, comprehensive services beyond the basics to meet a wide range of customer needs. Movers that provide full-service packing and unpacking in addition to loading and unloading earn higher marks for convenience and completeness. We award extra points to providers that offer additional services like furniture disassembly and reassembly, piano moving, junk removal, office relocations, and vehicle shipping.

We also evaluate whether companies sell or provide packing materials like boxes, tape, and padding. While small, these details improve customer convenience and help streamline moving day prep. In addition, we assess the availability of portable storage containers or other hybrid services that allow for more control and flexibility. This is especially helpful for customers who want to pack on their own schedule or need short-term storage before the move.

Item Protection

We look closely at how each company protects your belongings through both liability coverage and preventive care. The best movers offer transparent moving insurance options and take proactive steps to avoid damage during the move.

We give higher scores to companies that offer full value protection with clear plan explanations, so customers understand their coverage before signing a contract. We also evaluate whether movers use physical safeguards like furniture padding, shrink wrap, floor runners, and door frame protectors. Companies that use these tools consistently demonstrate a commitment to preventing damage.

Scheduling

We look at how easy it is for customers to contact moving companies, request quotes, and manage their moves from start to finish. Movers that make it easy to communicate and stay organized earn top marks in our review.

Companies that offer multiple contact options, like phone, email, live chat, and text, score higher in accessibility and responsiveness. We evaluate the quote process, giving preference to movers that offer quick, transparent estimates online or by phone, without requiring lengthy calls or in-home visits. We also review available mobile apps and assess how well they support the moving experience.

In addition, we determine whether companies provide secure online customer portals that allow users to log in to view quotes, sign documents, make payments, or track their move status.

Factor Weights for Rating Moving Companies

Here’s how we weigh each factor in our rating system:

How To Interpret Company Ratings

We consider companies that score between 90 and 100 out of 100 points in our review as top-tier providers. These providers offer solid service quality, strong reputations, transparent pricing, and a wide range of reliable moving services. These movers also stand out for showing professionalism, responsiveness, and attention to protecting your belongings from start to finish.

We also consider companies scoring between 80 and 89 points as very strong choices. These providers may fall slightly short in one or two areas, like offering fewer specialty services, slightly higher average prices, or less flexible scheduling, but still provide overall value. For many customers, these movers can deliver a smooth, worry-free experience.

Scores between 70 and 79 points indicate a company performed fairly well in our review but may have notable trade-offs. These movers may lag behind in areas like customer satisfaction, pricing transparency, or service offerings. While these companies don’t typically make our top recommendations, customers may still find them worth considering, especially if their services or pricing align with specific moving needs and budgets.

How To Choose the Best Moving Company for You

Even with rankings and reviews, the “best” moving company really comes down to what fits your personal needs. What works for someone doing a full-service cross-country move might not work for someone moving across town with a rental truck and a few large items. Once you’ve narrowed down your options, here’s how to zero in on the right mover for your specific situation:

• Ask about equipment and crew standards: Find out whether the company conducts background checks on its movers and uses well-maintained trucks and professional-grade equipment. These factors can impact the safety, reliability, and overall smoothness of your move.
• Check pricing transparency: Reputable moving companies should provide flat-rate or binding estimates that outline all expected costs upfront. Watch for vague quotes or hourly rates that don’t clearly explain potential add-on fees.
• Review licensing: Any company handling an interstate move must have an active USDOT number. You can verify this through the Department of Transportation’s website to confirm the company is registered correctly.
• Evaluate service offerings: If you need help with items like pianos, appliances, or want full-service packing, confirm the provider offers those services. Make sure to ask how each service is priced so you can compare quotes accurately.
• Look into customer reviews and complaint history: Platforms like Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and Trustpilot can provide insight into customer experiences. Pay special attention to how the company responds to negative feedback.
• Pay attention to communication: A top-rated moving company is considered responsive, clear, and helpful from the start. If representatives are hard to reach, vague, or unprofessional during the quoting process, it could end up being a sign of bigger issues down the line.
• Understand cancellation and rescheduling policies: If your plans change, it helps to have a mover with flexible policies that won’t leave you paying extra.