3 Best Moving Companies | How We Chose | Best Overall | Best for Long-Distance Moves | Best for Trusted Reputation | Cost of Movers | Avoiding Scams
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Looking for a full-service mover in Scottsdale? With 202 companies rated 4 stars or above operating in the city, you have plenty of options to choose from.
Local full-service movers pack up all of your things and load them in the truck before delivering them to your new home, where they'll unpack everything. Our reviews focus mainly on local movers, but companies like Creative Moving & Packing will move you long distance as well.
We assessed 577 local moving companies in Scottsdale and ranked the top three so you know where to begin your search.
3 Best Moving Companies in Scottsdale (at a Glance)
| Company | What We Like | Avg. Customer Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Camelback Moving | Best Overall | 4.7 (1574 reviews) |
| Creative Moving & Packing | Best for Long-Distance Moves | 4.9 (732 reviews) |
| Just-In Time Moving and Delivery | Best for Trusted Reputation | 4.9 (1475 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 Scottsdale
1. Camelback Moving: Best Overall
Camelback Moving is the best overall local moving company in Scottsdale because of its 15 years of experience and wide range of services. Positive reviews praise the company for providing exceptional services and professionalism. While it has negative reviews for damage claims on items, its customer service team has been diligent in responding and attempting to rectify the situation.
Camelback Moving offers full-service residential, commercial, and long-distance moving throughout Arizona. The company also provides labor-only services and storage solutions.
It also has a high ratio of drivers to vehicles, which is why we gave it a high reliability score. It should have no problem scheduling your move during peak times.
Take note that Camelback Moving's services are on the more expensive side. We were quoted $1,750 to move a 3-bedroom home, which is higher than the city average of $1,538.
2. Creative Moving & Packing: Best for Long-Distance Moves
Creative Moving & Packing is a local moving company in Scottsdale that we recommend for long-distance moves. In reviews, former clients highlight their stress-free moving experience thanks to Creative's efficient and professional moving team. It has a few negative ratings due to damaged items.
Creative Moving & Packing services Scottsdale and the surrounding areas. For long-distance moves, it charges a flat rate based on labor, material, distance, and space/weight needed in the truck. It can handle full-service residential and commercial moves, as well as packing and storage services.
We gave Creative Moving & Packing a medium reliability rating because it has a one-to-one ratio of drivers to vehicles. This means that an absent employee could cause potential delays.
Creative Moving & Packing's rates are a bit more expensive than the city average. It quoted us $1,755 for a 3-bedroom move — a few hundred dollars higher than Scottsdale’s average of $1,538.
3. Just-In Time Moving and Delivery: Best for Trusted Reputation
Just-In Time Moving and Delivery is our primary recommendation for Scottsdale residents looking for a highly rated mover, as it has an average of 4.9 out of 5 rating in online reviews. Former clients rave about its stellar customer service team and its efficient and careful movers. However, some left negative ratings warning others of damages and item losses.
Just-In Time Moving offers residential, commercial, and long-distance moving to residents throughout the Phoenix metro area. It can also perform packing services and storage solutions.
While a trusted service with numerous vehicles, we gave it a low reliability rating for a 0.95-to-1 ratio of drivers per vehicle. This could lead to potential scheduling conflicts.
How Much Do Movers Cost in Scottsdale?
On average, full-service movers in Scottsdale will cost $259 for a studio apartment and up to $1,538 for a 3-bedroom home. A 5-bedroom home will cost around $2,756. Interstate and long-distance moves will have additional costs.
Full-service moving rates can vary widely depending on specifics like how far and how much stuff you're moving, 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 Scottsdale?
If you're moving locally within Scottsdale, 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 Phoenix,” 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
