3 Best Moving Companies | How We Chose | Best Overall | Best for Trusted Reputation | Best for Moving on a Budget | Cost of Movers | Avoiding Scams
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Looking for a mover in Raleigh? You have plenty of options to choose from. There are 64 full-service movers rated 4 stars or above in the area.
Local full-service movers will pack up all of your belongings, load the truck, and then deliver everything to your new home, where they'll unpack. If you're moving out of town, some companies offer long-distance and interstate moves, as well.
We assessed 221 local moving companies in Raleigh and ranked the top three so you know where to begin your search.
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3 Best Moving Companies in Raleigh (at a Glance)
| Company | What We Like | Avg. Customer Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Athens Moving Experts | Best Overall | 4.8 (960 reviews) |
| Taylor's Moving Company | Best for Trusted Reputation | 4.9 (43 reviews) |
| Rent A Mover | Best for Moving on a Budget | 4.7 (266 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 Raleigh
1. Athens Moving Experts: Best Overall
Athens Moving Experts earned the title of best overall mover in Raleigh by having excellent ratings (4.83 out of 5, based on nearly 1,000 company reviews), competitive rates, and a wide range of moving services.
Satisfied reviewers mentioned Athens’ expert handling, fast work, and great attitude. The very occasional negative reviews mentioned damaged items and final charges that exceeded the estimate.
Athens Moving Experts offers residential and commercial moving, loading and unloading services, packing and unpacking services, single-item moving, and specialized services for items like pianos, gun safes, fountains, and gym equipment.
While this company is based in Raleigh, it offers long-distance interstate moving, too. Overall, Athens Moving Experts earned a medium reliability rating, as it employs five registered drivers for its five-vehicle fleet.
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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. Taylor's Moving Company: Best for Trusted Reputation
Taylor’s Moving Company holds an excellent 4.83 out of 5 rating based on 43 reviews. In company reviews, satisfied customers tended to mention reasonable prices, accurate estimates, and fast work. The very rare negative reviews mentioned poor communication and damaged items.
Taylor’s Moving Company specializes in local, in-state moves. It offers packing and unpacking services, loading and unloading services, shrink wrapping, furniture disassembly and assembly, and a guaranteed price ceiling.
Taylor’s earned a high reliability rating from us, as it employs six registered drivers for its two-vehicle fleet. This high level of staffing ensures there’ll be a driver available whenever a customer wants to schedule a move.
3. Rent A Mover: Best for Moving on a Budget
Rent A Mover deserves a long look if you’re moving on a tight budget. Its estimate of $1,283 for a three-bedroom move within Raleigh was significantly less than the area average of $1,750. This company also has great reviews, with satisfied customers singling out Rent A Mover’s great communication and time management. The very rare negative reviews tended to mention unexpected upcharges on the back end.
Rent A Mover offers standard services like local residential and commercial moves, as well as more specialized services like packing, junk removal, and in-house moves. The company also offers long-distance interstate door-to-door moves with no middlemen or brokers and guaranteed delivery dates.
Finally, Rent A Mover earned a medium reliability rating from us, as it employs one registered driver for its single vehicle.
Next Steps: Compare Moving Companies in Raleigh
How Much Do Movers Cost in Raleigh?
Hiring a full-service mover in Raleigh will cost you about $356 for a studio apartment and $1,750 for a 3-bedroom home. Larger homes will cost even more — moving a 5-bedroom home will cost about $3,066. If you're moving out of Raleigh or out of the state, expect additional charges on your moving bill.
Full-service moving rates can vary widely 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 Raleigh?
If you're moving locally within Raleigh, 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 Raleigh,” 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
