3 Best Moving Companies | How We Chose | Best Overall | Best for Trusted Reputation | Best for Range of Services | Cost of Movers | Avoiding Scams
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If you're searching for a mover in Indianapolis, you have a lot of options. The city has 28 full-service movers rated 4 stars or above.
Local full-service movers such as My Movers and Stuart's Moving and Storage pack up all of your belongings, load the truck, and deliver it to your new home. They'll then unpack everything. Local movers can move you across town, while some movers like Colt Moving provide long-distance moves.
We researched 126 moving companies in Indianapolis and ranked the top three so you know where to begin your search.
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3 Best Moving Companies in Indianapolis (at a Glance)
| Company | What We Like | Avg. Customer Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Colt Moving | Best Overall | 4.7 (880 reviews) |
| My Movers | Best for Trusted Reputation | 4.8 (380 reviews) |
| Stuart's Moving And Storage | Best for Range of Services | 4.6 (28 reviews) |
How We Chose the Companies on This List
Our team spent over 100 hours researching moving companies across the United States. We started with a list of more than 25,000 moving companies, then narrowed it down by eliminating companies that:
- Were not registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA)
- Had fewer than 10 customer reviews
- Didn’t have a website
- Had a relatively high number of safety and service violations according to the FMCSA
The remaining companies were ranked based on the following metrics:
- 5x: Average customer rating across all platforms (Yelp, Google, Angi, etc.)
- 4x: Total number of customer reviews (more reviews indicates a more reliable average rating)
- 3x: Total count of out-of-service violations (as indicated by the FMCSA)
- 2x: How many drivers a company has on staff per vehicles it has registered
- 1x: Whether a company is full-service or only offers labor services
Each metric was normalized and then graded on a 100-point scale. The combined weighted average of the scores determined the final ranking score.
We also mystery-shopped to gather quotes from more than 150 moving companies and surveyed our team members — who have moved more than 300 times collectively — on what was most important to them when choosing a moving company.
Who Should Use a Full-Service Mover?
We recommend full-service movers for people who can budget at least $300 for a one-bedroom apartment and at least $1,600 for a three-bedroom home.
Full-service is helpful if you have large, complicated things to move, can’t carry heavy stuff, or have a busy schedule (which may include closing on your new home). Likewise, if you don’t have friends and family available to help, hiring experts can make your move much quicker.
Full-service moving typically includes:
- Packing your items
- Disassembling furniture
- Loading the truck with your items
- Delivery to your new home
- Reassembling furniture
If you feel comfortable doing some of the heavy lifting and driving yourself, consider DIY moving or using labor-only movers who help you load your rented truck. DIY will certainly save you money (but maybe not your back).
3 Best Moving Companies in Indianapolis
1. Colt Moving: Best Overall
Colt Moving is the best overall mover in Indianapolis because of its great reviews and wide range of services at below-average pricing.
In company reviews, satisfied customers mentioned skillful handling of their items and competitive pricing. The occasional negative review mentioned poor communication and damaged items.
Colt offers local residential moves and loading, packing, and bin rental services. It also offers out-of-state moves, so Colt can help even if you’re moving to the other side of the country. Scheduling your move shouldn't be a problem because Colt Moving has one registered driver for each of its two vehicles — making it a medium-reliability company.
We should also note that Colt’s estimate of $1,360 for a three-bedroom move within Indianapolis was below the area average of $1,481.
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⚡ Quick Tip: We recommend getting custom quotes from independent moving brokers. These services are free to use with no obligation and make it easy to compare multiple options to find the best fit and value. Get instant quotes here. |
2. My Movers: Best for Trusted Reputation
My Movers has very good ratings, averaging 4.8 out of 5 stars with 380 reviews. In company reviews, happy customers mentioned fair pricing and great communication. The rare negative reviews mentioned damaged items.
This company offers a wide selection of services, including local residential and commercial moves, packing and unpacking, loading and unloading, and large item moving. It can even provide you with various moving supplies. My Movers operates within Indiana.
My Movers received a medium reliability rating from us since it maintains more than one registered driver for each of its five vehicles. This means that, even during peak times, it’ll likely be able to accommodate your move.
3. Stuart's Moving And Storage: Best for Range of Services
Stuart’s Moving and Storage offers a wide range of services, including local residential moves, art and antique moves, full-service packing, and secure storage.
Stuart’s also has good reviews, averaging a 4.6 out of 5 rating based on 29 reviews. Satisfied customers mentioned competitive rates and professional movers, and many reviewers were repeat customers.
Stuart’s Moving operates in the Indianapolis area, generally within 100 miles. However, Stuart’s Moving did earn a low-reliability rating from us, since it employs less than one driver for each of its nine vehicles. This low driver-to-vehicle ratio can severely limit scheduling possibilities, especially during peak times.
Next Steps: Compare Moving Companies in Indianapolis
How Much Do Movers Cost in Indianapolis?
On average, full-service moving in Indianapolis costs about $350 for a studio apartment and $1,481 for a 3-bedroom home. A 5-bedroom house costs $2,549 to move. Moves to another state or outside of the city will cost even more.
Full-service moving rates can vary depending on the specifics of your move, so reach out to a moving company for an accurate quote.
Typical Cost Breakdown
The cost of your full-service move depends primarily on four key factors:
- Size of your home
- Number of movers and hours you’ll need them
- Driving distance from door to door
- Charge for use of truck (if not included in hourly rate)
At base, most companies charge an hourly rate per mover, then tack on additional fees for other factors.
| Don’t forget to tip 💸
It’s common courtesy to tip your movers 10–20% of the total cost. For a three-bedroom home, that could be upwards of $300. |
Other Things That Could Increase Your Cost
Circumstances and challenges specific to your move could cost you more money.
| 🕰️ Timing |
Companies often charge higher rates for weekends, holidays, and jobs that require movers to work overtime. |
| 🎹 Specialty items |
Moving pianos or other heavy and awkward pieces might require additional time and movers. |
| 🧳 Packing supplies |
Extra bubble wrap for fragile items, large wardrobe boxes for clothes, and other packing supplies can add up. Save by providing your own. |
| 📦 Unpacking service |
Some companies offer unpacking as part of full-service moving. You can save money by doing this yourself. |
| 🏢 Difficult circumstances |
Stairs, narrow hallways, elevators, and distant parking can incur additional time and fees. |
| 🗝️ Storage |
If your new home isn’t ready, you’ll need to store your items until you can move in. |
| 🛡️ Insurance |
If your renters or homeowners insurance policy doesn’t cover transport of your possessions, you can buy insurance from your moving company or a third party. |
How to Get a Quote
You can get a quote from most movers by calling or filling out an online form to provide details about your home.
For the most accurate estimate, ask the mover to stop by your home in person or virtually to take a look at your belongings. This will allow the mover to take note of more complicated items, such as antique furniture or extra heavy items.
Alternatively, a moving broker can do the work for you, providing a quote from a carrier in your area.
How to Avoid Moving Company Scams
Check your mover’s Federal registration. You can check the company’s registration, violations, and complaint history by searching on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website.
Look for complaints on the Better Business Bureau website. Searching the company’s BBB profile can give you an idea of what kinds of complaints have been filed against the company and how the business resolved them.
Understand your rights and responsibilities. By law, every interstate mover must provide documentation about your rights as a consumer and the mover’s responsibilities. Make sure you read it carefully!
Know about your insurance options. If you’re moving within the same state, your mover may offer you coverage, or you can purchase a moving insurance policy independently. According to Federal law, interstate movers must offer two different types of valuation coverage: full value protection and released value.
If you notice one or more of these red flags when researching a moving company, it's probably best to avoid it.
How Far in Advance Should I Reach Out to a Mover in Indianapolis?
If you're moving locally within Indianapolis, look for a moving company about one month before your move — or two months ahead of time if you plan to move during the peak season of May through August. For interstate moves, start looking two to three months out, depending on the season.Sources
We drew from the following sources to write this article:
- “What is the Cost to Move in Indianapolis,” moveBuddha
- “Here’s How to Determine How Many Movers You Need for Your Next Move,” Angi
- “How Many Movers Do I Need?” moveBuddha
- “Liability and Protection,” Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
- “Spot the Red Flags,” Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
