Sean Donnelly is a writer for USA TODAY Homefront. His content draws on more than three years of experience in the moving industry. He started as a laborer and was quickly promoted to moving crew leader. Sean also served as a move coordinator, where he conducted in-home and virtual estimates for customers. During his time in the industry, Sean assisted more than 500 clients with their relocation needs. Thanks to his years of hand-on experience, he understands all aspects of moving — from proper preparation to the quote process to effective packing techniques. Sean studied English literature and creative writing at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and is still located in the greater Springfield area. When he isn’t writing, Sean is a cohead coach of the boxing team at his alma mater.
Editorial note: Homefront (defined in the Disclosure below) may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured on our site. This commission does not influence our editors’ opinions or evaluations.
Between surprise packing costs and crating fees, the invoices for full-service long-distance movers can be staggering — $13,833 on average for a three-bedroom, 2,880-mile move, according to quotes from 10 nationwide moving companies we called. That’s why taking a deep dive into the best cheap moving companies should be on your agenda if you want to stick to a budget.
We did the legwork and called for personalized quotes, plus read hundreds of customer reviews, to help you book moving services from a full-service or container mover. By choosing a top budget-friendly mover, you can avoid running into surprise fees or dealing with logistical hurdles such as missed delivery dates and miscommunication on moving day.
To avoid that nightmare, here are our top picks for affordable (and reliable) moving companies:
Here are our top picks for budget friendly and effective moving companies to make your move easier and worry free:
Finding cheaper yet quality moving companies will require reading reviews and getting personalized moving quotes. Professional movers should supply you with a written estimate as well as all relevant registrations on their moving trucks and moving contracts.
The following cheaper movers are qualified to handle a comprehensive range of services with efficiency and care.
Mayflower is one of the country’s oldest moving carriers, providing service since 1927. Services include local and long-distance moves at flat rates with full-value protection. Such coverage offers added protection for goods beyond the industry minimum but can lead to slightly elevated rates. You have the option to decline such coverage, but we find that having it included in your initial quote provides security if you’re moving with high-value items.
What we like
Mayflower’s valuation coverage options for costly household goods and transparent pricing help clients stay on budget. Their flexible service options cater to moves of varying sizes — from one-bedroom student relocations to full-home moves.
What we don’t like
Negative reviews mention slow claims processes, which is a common customer complaint when dealing with larger moving companies. In addition, you’ll have to ask for a quote without valuation coverage included to get the lowest rate possible with this mover. Added valuation coverage leads to higher rates for any move, but this is not typically communicated.
Mayflower offers comprehensive services for both residential and commercial moving clients. It also provides expedited service for smaller moves via its Snapmoves by Mayflower service packages. Such moves include labor, full-value protection and guaranteed delivery dates for anything from a single item to a small three-bedroom apartment. Other add-on services include:
We called Mayflower and requested a quote for a 2,880-mile, three-bedroom move with basic service and no packing, unpacking or storage services. Since this was not an in-depth consultation of full inventory via a video call, the representative gave us a ballpark quote between $11,600 and $12,900.
Mayflower is available in 46 states, with no service options in Delaware, Hawaii, Rhode Island or Virginia.
Mayflower has a BBB customer review rating of 1.15 out of 5 stars. Customers considering Mayflower shouldn’t see this as a sole indicator of this mover’s quality, as the reviewer sample size is small.
One trend worth noting is that some negative reviews mention Mayflower denying full payment for damaged items. This is coupled with claims that the company only offers released liability coverage, rather than the full-value protection it advertises. Positive reviews for individual locations mention professionalism and care by the movers involved.
JK Moving Services is a carrier and broker that provides experienced moving crews and full-value protection for all household goods. This combination offers moving clients added peace of mind. Some negative reviews report inflated pricing due to the coverage it includes, but we found that the company representative provided an agreeable price when we called for an estimate.
JK’s movers are all trained in a unique on-site facility that includes a fully furnished house. This helps all workers get real experience before they’re sent to pack up your home.
Some reviews mentioned increased total charges for their move upon arrival at their delivery location. However, these customers failed to mention whether they had added inventory between quote day and moving day.
JK offers limited local moving and comprehensive long-distance services. These move packages can include the following:
We called JK’s customer service line for a long-distance move quote. The representative quoted us $10,700 for a three-bedroom, 2,880-mile move. Full-service packing for the entire home cost an extra $2,400, which brought the total to $13,100. A $250 deposit is required to secure a specific move date. Once you’ve paid your deposit, this amount is subtracted from the final total when you pay the movers.
JK provides long-distance service to all 50 states and local moving assistance for customers in Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland.
JK is one of the highest-rated moving companies. Its BBB customer review rating is 3.91 out of 5 stars. It has 4.5 out of 5 stars on Google reviews based on nearly 1,300 ratings. These reviews reflect the quality of this moving company’s in-house training methods for movers — many reviews praise crew members by name, emphasizing JK’s quality care from start to finish. Any negative reviews summarized typical hiccups that come up with nationwide moving companies, such as miscommunication regarding services to be rendered and changes to the price due to added inventory on moving day.
United Van Lines is among the best movers for clients with home offices, high-value tech items, such as computer monitors, and even home theater components. It provides full-value protection for all moves, although some reviews mention claims representatives denying compensation for more expensive damaged goods, such as computers and TVs.
United’s dedicated small-move service options make it a great pick for customers with smaller homes or single-item shipping needs. Its combination of valuation coverage offerings with home office installation services makes it a top choice for customers who work from home.
United’s negative customer reviews, especially on BBB, mention a lack of compensation for damaged or lost items. While the company advertises full-value protection for each move, pay extra attention to fragile and valuable goods.
United offers dedicated assistance for clients with tech items and home offices. This includes the breakdown and installation of computers, office furniture and similar goods in your new home. Aside from this specialized extra service, it also provides expedited small moves via Snapmoves by United Van Lines. Clients can book the following add-ons with this provider:
For a three-bedroom, 2,880-mile move with United, the customer service representative we called provided a baseline price range of $11,300 to $12,500, without add-ons. We received this ballpark estimate over the phone. No deposit is required to book with this mover.
United has locations in 46 states and is currently unavailable in Delaware, Hawaii, Rhode Island and Virginia.
United’s BBB page is consolidated with that of its parent company, UniGroup; it has a customer review rating of 1.3 out of 5 stars. The complaints focus on poor responses from customer service teams regarding damaged items and antiques. United advertises valuation coverage as something that is included in all moving quotes, but some reviews don’t reflect that.
If you’re looking to save money on a move and don’t mind DIY packing and labor, then U-Pack may be your best option. Moving costs with this container and truck provider are significantly lower than those offered by full-service movers. While the three-day loading and unloading windows are shorter compared to other container providers, it still offers most clients enough flexibility to get the job done. If you require a longer loading period, then a provider like PODS may be a better choice.
U-Pack offers clear and concise pricing online and allows clients to easily book trailer and ReloCube rentals. Simply input your basic move information online, including approximate trailer space requirements and move distance, and you can get an all-inclusive rate. It requires no deposits to secure booking and offers an easy-to-use moving labor portal for hiring help at any stage of your moving process.
U-Pack’s strict three-day loading and unloading windows can be a deterrent for some clients. This feature doesn’t offer the same flexibility as competitors such as PODS or 1-800-PACK-RAT. The company only offers long-term storage for items transported in its ReloCubes; trailer moves do not have the same storage option.
U-Pack exclusively services moves of 150 miles or longer. The company rents out 7-by-6-by-8-foot ReloCubes (for single rooms and studio apartments) and 27-by-8-by-9-foot trailers (up to a three-bedroom home) for long-distance moves. It also provides easy access to moving labor and packing supplies for clients who need them, along with additional coverage for damaged or lost items.
We got an online quote for a 2,880-mile, three-bedroom move within minutes. The $7,665 quote included no labor and required 23 feet of trailer space. This price is far cheaper than that of any full-service movers we researched.
U-Pack does not require a deposit for booking. However, you must cancel at least seven business days before moving day to avoid a $50 cancellation fee. Same-day cancellation incurs a $150 fee. The 2,880-mile move is estimated to have a transit time of eight to 10 days from pickup to delivery.
U-Pack is available throughout all 50 states with some delivery options in Canada and Puerto Rico.
U-Pack has a customer review rating of 4.38 out of 5 stars on BBB. Customer complaints are minimal but mention lack of adherence to delivery dates. This is a common complaint among customers who book with container providers. The overwhelmingly positive reviews cite the ease of booking with U-Pack as well as satisfaction regarding its lack of a deposit requirement to reserve containers or trailers.
Safeway Moving Systems Inc. is a carrier and broker that operates throughout the United States. While it provides direct service for clients closer to its home base in Florida, it brokers out many of its moves to other carriers elsewhere. This can lead to spotty service. According to some reviews, some moving crews behaved unprofessionally and damaged goods in transit.
Safeway offers flat-rate pricing for all moves. This makes it easy for customers on a set budget. Calling a Safeway customer service representative confirmed that all of its Florida movers are hired full-time and are trained before they’re sent out to a job.
This mover conducts a fair amount of its business as a broker through other carriers. While many of its partner companies are quality options, you are not guaranteed to work with a full-time mover that was trained directly by Safeway. Some reviews point to price inflation on moving day and broken items upon delivery. When you work with brokers, this can often be a concern, as partner companies may add to the quoted cost. In these scenarios, you should always refer back to the moving contract you were issued during the quote phase.
Safeway provides long-distance moving assistance. However, it does not advertise many add-on services. Items include the following:
Its partner companies may have more expansive offerings in some locations, but this is not guaranteed. Disclose add-on service requests with your move coordinator during the quote estimate process, especially if you need specialized assistance with antiques or other valuable goods.
Safeway quoted us a rate of $10,333 for a three-bedroom, 2,880-mile move, including full packing and 30 days of storage at the destination. Of the six moving companies we researched for this article, Safeway customer service was the most thorough. The representative spent 50 minutes going through my inventory by phone to provide the most accurate price. There is a $2,000 deposit to book, but it is fully refundable if you cancel within seven days of your move date.
Safeway offers long-distance moving services in all 50 states.
Safeway has customer ratings of 3.56 out of 5 stars on BBB and 2.8 out of 5 stars on Google reviews. Its positive reviews mention attentive customer service and claims representatives. Since it is primarily a broker, negative reviews describe a lack of communication regarding inventory lists and poor quality of brokered companies.
Moving APT partners with 2,500-plus independent moving companies. Since it is a moving broker – meaning it doesn’t provide direct service for any moves it takes on – Moving APT is prone to service quality variance in different locations. The breadth of its partners allows it to offer local and long-distance service to customers in all 50 states.
Moving APT’s broker status allows for flexibility when booking moving services for container moves and full-service relocations. It provides company bios for top movers in prominent urban areas online. This allows you to learn which company will actually handle your move. In addition, Moving APT offers a price-match policy when you provide lower quotes you received from competitor companies.
Booking with a moving broker can lead to overbilling by the partner companies that ultimately handle your move. This is a complaint that is highlighted in some negative reviews. To avoid surprises, ask your Moving APT representative about the company that will actually handle your move and ensure this company won’t inflate charges on moving day.
This broker offers local and long-distance service. All of its long-distance moves come with 30 days of free storage, loading and unloading, and released liability coverage. Add-ons include the following:
After spending 20 minutes on the phone with Moving APT’s representative and a move coordinator from a partner moving company, we got a quote of $9,000 for a three-bedroom, 2,880-mile move, not including packing services, which would add $1,600 to the total cost. The reps told us about Moving APT’s price-matching policy, stating that if we found a better quote from a competitor they would give us the lower rate. All long-distance moves come with 30 days of free storage. This provider charged a $3,200 deposit upfront.
Moving APT has more than 2,500 partner companies throughout all 50 states.
Moving APT has a customer review rating of 3.53 out of 5 stars on BBB. Negative reviews mention issues such as unprofessional moving crews, tardiness and inadherence to scheduled start times. Positive feedback includes attentive move coordinators and quality service.
Low-end costs for a 2,880-mile, three-bedroom move fall between $9,000 and $12,900. The average total moving cost for the same move is $13,833 when add-on services are taken into account. The moving company quotes we requested were for cross-country moves, which are substantially more expensive than local moves. Per our proprietary survey, 154 respondents who moved within 25 miles reported an average cost of $1,802.
Tipping is never a requirement. Most moving companies state this in the FAQ section on their website or in their moving contract. However, if your movers went above and beyond or made the relocation a stress-free experience, consider tipping. A good rule of thumb is $5 per mover per hour for local moves or $40 to $50 per mover per day for multiday moves.
All reputable moving companies should present proof of licensing upon request. Local moving companies will carry local and statewide registration, while national or interstate movers must carry federal registration with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Any quality mover will also have multiple customer reviews.
The best way to save money with the cheapest moving companies on a move of any size or length is to downsize before moving day. Getting rid of nonessential goods and old furniture will lower your shipment weight and can reduce movers’ labor hours.
Here are five more tips to help you find the most cheap moving company.
Before you get any quotes, walk through your home and list your inventory. Write down all the goods you plan to move and those you plan to dispose of or donate. You should also make a list of any add-on services you might need, like packing or unpacking. Keep this list available to guide your discussion with a move coordinator.
Most moving companies offer a range of basic services with each relocation package. These typically include loading and unloading, basic furniture protection, and released liability coverage for damaged or lost items. Consider which items might need add-on packing services or crating and whether the upgrade is worth it. For instance, that $200 glass-top coffee table might come with a $300 crating cost; consider wrapping it yourself with a $20 roll of bubble wrap.
All moving companies must comply with applicable state and federal licensing. Aside from being registered within its home state, any of the best interstate moving companies have to comply with federal registration requirements. This involves listing active U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers, which will be displayed on a company’s moving trucks and moving estimates. You can use these numbers to look up a mover’s registration status in the FMCSA’s database.
Do your homework. Requesting multiple moving quotes — at least three — before you decide to book a mover is always a good idea. Doing so can help negotiate the price and flag a moving company that is overcharging.
Any reputable moving company should have numerous customer reviews. These can be found on Google, Yelp, Trustpilot, BBB and social media. Customer feedback is the best way to get a glimpse into a given mover’s business practices beyond what is listed on their website. Look for both positive and negative comments. Since you’re in the market for cheaper movers, bad reviews that highlight added fees or overcharging might deter you from booking with a company whose rates seem too good to be true.
All moving companies provide released liability coverage with any moving package. This mandatory minimum coverage provides 60 cents per pound per item in reimbursement if goods are lost or damaged during the move, and is included with any base moving quote. This level of coverage is sufficient for basic moves with durable furniture and few breakable items and won’t cost you any extra money.
Most moving companies provide additional coverage, called valuation coverage or full-value protection. This insurance will provide you with $6 or more per pound per item in coverage. Your added cost will be between 3% and 5% of the total dollar value of your protection. While this is a significant added cost, it is a worthwhile consideration if you’re moving high-value items such as antiques, heirlooms, or expensive TVs and tech items.
We recommend getting at least three quotes before deciding on a moving company. Doing so will help you to accurately assess your costs and set a moving budget before your move date. Get a quote from Mayflower here since they offer binding rates which help clients stay on budget. The carrier also has a presence in 46 states, catering to clients nationwide.
Antiques and high-value items are best handled by JK Moving Services. Its mover training program makes it a top choice for moves that include antique or fragile goods. Finally, if you work from home or have a home theater setup, United Van Lines’ tech installation and breakdown service offerings may make it a good fit for you.
Each of these three movers feature minimal deposit requirements, meaning your money won’t be tied up. This is especially useful if you’re already waiting to get your deposit back from a landlord or need to invest in furniture or home improvement repairs in your new home. Remember to get copies of any quote as well as a copy of your moving contract when you book.
Our moving recommendations are all backed by our detailed rating methodology. To fairly assess both interstate and local movers, we have tailored two sets of review standards for long-distance and intrastate movers.
Both sets of review standards assess factors including reputation and customer satisfaction, availability and range, services offered, pricing and quote practices and customer service. We rate each moving company out of 100 possible points; that total is then translated into our 5-star rating we use in our reviews.
BBB and Google review information is current as of April 2024.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
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