3 Best Moving Companies | How We Chose | Best for Trusted Reputation | Best for Range of Services | Best for Moving on a Budget | Cost of Movers | Avoiding Scams
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Searching for a local full-service mover in Tacoma? You have plenty of options to choose from β there are 198 movers rated 4 stars or above in the city.
Full-service movers in Tacoma like Eco Mover's Moving and Adam's Moving & Delivery Service will pack up all of your belongings, load everything into the truck, and deliver it to your new home. If you're looking for a mover that will move you across Washington or to another state in the Pacific Northwest, Kangaroo Movers provides long-distance moves.
In total, we researched 408 movers in Tacoma and ranked the top three so you know where to start looking.
π Ready to get moving? Compare top moving companies near you, get custom quotes, and see all available discounts. 100% free with no obligation. Get started now! |
3 Best Moving Companies in Tacoma (at a Glance)
Company | What We Like | Avg. Customer Rating |
---|---|---|
Eco Movers Moving | Best for Trusted Reputation | 4.8 (1561 reviews) |
Adam's Moving & Delivery Service | Best for Range of Services | 4.7 (1628 reviews) |
Kangaroo Movers | Best for Moving on a Budget | 4.8 (1271 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
- Didnβt 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 β who have moved more than 300 times collectively β 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 donβt 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 Tacoma
1. Eco Movers Moving: Best for Trusted Reputation
Eco Movers Moving holds a 4.75 out of 5 rating with over 1,500 reviews. Customers praise how punctual the company is, along with its flexibility when scheduling and reliable packing and preparation. Negative reviewers complained about damage to large or valuable items.
We like Eco Movers Moving's range of services. It offers residential and commercial moving, rentable moving boxes, warehouse storage, rush moves, and loading and unloading services. It's also dedicated to environmentally friendly green practices β meaning your move could be more eco-minded than with other companies.
Eco Movers covers the entire Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area, but it can't help with cross-country moves. However, it does have a high reliability rating because it offers two registered drivers per moving vehicle β meaning you shouldn't have a problem scheduling your move.
β‘ 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. Adam's Moving & Delivery Service: Best for Range of Services
Adamβs Moving & Delivery Service has an impressive range of services. It offers typical full-service moves, along with labor-only or packing-only moves and specialized moves with large furniture items.
In reviews, customers praise the company's punctuality and willingness to go above and beyond. Some customers even noted Adam's Moving removed their doors, completed small repairs, and helped with box staging. Negative reviews note that fees can sometimes be high and some large items were damaged during the move.
Adam's Moving & Delivery Service provides services throughout Washington, so it's not a good choice for interstate moves. For local moves, we gave Adam's a medium reliability rating since it has 10 registered drivers for its 10-truck fleet. One driver per truck means you should have a good chance of scheduling your move when you want.
Adam's Moving & Delivery Service also offers cheaper-than-average moves. It quoted us $2,280 for a three-bedroom move in Tacoma. That's less than the area average of $2,582.
3. Kangaroo Movers: Best for Moving on a Budget
Kangaroo Movers offers the greatest bargain in Tacoma. The company gave us a quote of $1,305 for a three-bedroom move, which is far less than the area average of $2,582.
Even with lower prices, the company still maintains excellent reviews. Customers praised the value for the price, friendly service, and good communication. A few negative reviews did mention surprise upcharges.
Kangaroo Movers provides Tacoma residents with plenty of moving services, including residential and commercial moving, packing and unpacking, and long-distance moving. If you're looking to move across the Pacific Northwest, Kangaroo is the only one of our top three picks with a service radius that large.
We gave Kangaroo Movers a medium reliability rating because it only has four drivers for its fleet of four vehicles. Still, that's enough where you should be able to book your move even during peak season.
Next Steps: Compare Moving Companies in Tacoma
How Much Do Movers Cost in Tacoma?
The average cost of a full-service mover in Tacoma is $503 for a studio apartment, $2,512 for a 3-bedroom home, and $4,412 for a 5-bedroom home. If you're moving to or from another city or state, your move will be more expensive.
The specific cost of your move depends on the details, so contact a local mover 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 youβll 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.
Donβt forget to tip πΈ
Itβs common courtesy to tip your movers 10β20% 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.
π°οΈ Timing |
Companies often charge higher rates for weekends, holidays, and jobs that require movers to work overtime. |
πΉ Specialty items |
Moving pianos or other heavy and awkward pieces might require additional time and movers. |
π§³ 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. |
π¦ Unpacking service |
Some companies offer unpacking as part of full-service moving. You can save money by doing this yourself. |
π’ Difficult circumstances |
Stairs, narrow hallways, elevators, and distant parking can incur additional time and fees. |
ποΈ Storage |
If your new home isn’t ready, you’ll need to store your items until you can move in. |
π‘οΈ Insurance |
If your renters or homeowners insurance policy doesnβt 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 Tacoma?
If you're moving locally within Tacoma, look for a moving company about one month before your move β 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 Tacoma,” 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