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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.
According to U.S. Census Bureau data, more than 46,000 new residents moved to Delaware in 2022 — a sizable amount of incoming moving activity for such a small state. So whether you’re booking local or long-distance service, we recommend getting quotes at least six to eight weeks before your move date to ensure you book with your preferred mover.
For a long-distance Delaware move, we recommend JK Moving Services. Its relatively close headquarters in Sterling, Virginia, offers warehousing space for long-term storage, and its movers are some of the best-trained in the industry.
We recommend one of Delaware’s Two Men and a Truck offices for a local move. Its Wilmington and Camden offices each provide speedy quotes and consistently well-reviewed service.
All local and national movers reviewed here passed our rigorous grading process with high scores. We rate all the movers we review on customer review scores, service offerings, coverage area and more to help determine the best moving companies in all 50 states. Here are our picks for Delaware.
Each of the following moving companies received high marks on our proprietary rating scale and offers excellent service within Delaware.
Long-distance:
Local:
We rated dozens of movers against our proprietary rating scale. Below are our overall picks for the best movers across the country. See how they compare:
Based on our research, the following national providers are the best movers for a long-distance relocation to, from or within the First State.
JK Moving Services is a mover based in Virginia that offers quality long-distance service to Delaware moving clients. Its movers are trained at an on-site facility where they practice loading and unloading the contents of a fully furnished house. This level of training can offer peace of mind to clients with antiques and fragile items.
Service area: 50 states
Base services:
Add-on services:
Storage: JK offers short- and long-term storage options at its large warehouse.
Quote type: JK offers binding estimates for all long-distance moves.
Pricing: All long-distance moving quotes are set by move distance and total shipment weight.
Sample cost: We called JK for a three-bedroom, 1,800-mile moving quote. In all, we spent about 15 minutes on the phone discussing our basic move details and inventory. Our estimate for a basic move was $8,500, while full-service moving with packing would cost around $11,000.
Deposit: $250
Payment methods: This mover accepts cash, credit cards and certified checks.
Valuation coverage — which protects your items at their full value — is included in every basic moving quote from this provider, but you can opt out of this coverage after your initial quote. If you want to keep valuation coverage, ask your move coordinator to explain this protection and its parameters and limitations.
This mover’s headquarters in Virginia has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews. Most of the 1,000 customer reviews are positive, mentioning attentive moving crews and speedy service. Negative reviews cite slow response times for damage claims.
Allied Van Lines is a moving carrier with 400 locations servicing all 50 states. This includes a highly rated office in Newark, Delaware, that offers local and long-distance service. You can book moving packages that include packing, custom crating, in-house vehicle shipping and more with this provider. It also offers a moving container service plan called Allied Express, which provides labor, full-value protection and transportation for smaller moves at a bottom-line rate.
Storage: Most Allied locations provide short- and long-term storage options.
Quote type: All long-distance moves are assigned binding estimates.
Pricing: Long-distance moves are priced based on move distance and shipment weight.
Sample cost: We called Allied for a 1,800-mile interstate relocation for a three-bedroom home. In all, our company representative spent about 15 minutes on the phone with us and gave us a ballpark rate based on our declared inventory. Basic service would cost around $7,000, and full-service packing would increase the total to $10,000.
Deposit: None required
Payment methods: Allied accepts cash, money orders, certified checks and credit cards.
Aside from released-value protection, Allied offers Extra Care Protection (ECP). If you opt for ECP, you and your move coordinator will determine a dollar amount of coverage for your entire shipment. The added cost will be a percentage — around 5% — of this declared dollar amount.
Allied’s Newark branch has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews. These included testimonials citing smooth moving experiences from the quote phase through the actual move. Clients note that moving crews were polite and efficient.
International Van Lines (IVL) is a moving carrier and broker that offers Delaware clients long-distance service to the rest of the country. It offers fast quotes and transparent rates for add-on services such as piano and bulky item moving.
Storage: IVL offers short- and long-term storage options.
Quote type: This mover supplies binding estimates for all long-distance moves.
Pricing: Binding quotes are based on move distance and shipment weight.
Sample cost: We called IVL and got a ballpark rate for a three-bedroom, 1,800-mile relocation. We spent around 15–minutes on the phone discussing move details and inventory. Our approximate rate for basic service would be $6,276. Full-home packing would increase that rate to $7,158.
Deposit: This mover requires 20%–25% as an upfront payment.
Payment methods: IVL accepts cashier’s checks, money orders, credit cards and business checks.
Aside from released-value protection, IVL offers full-value protection at an additional cost. Purchasing this will require a discussion with the representative who provides your quote. The exact added cost will depend on the value of your inventory.
This moving carrier and broker has a rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars on the Better Business Bureau (BBB). As with any long-distance nationwide provider, this mover has negative reviews reporting damaged items, failures to deliver within expected time frames and slow claims responses.
Good reviews far outweigh the bad, however. Many customers note the well-trained moving crews and mention punctuality and adherence to promised delivery dates.
The following providers are among the most trusted local moving companies in Delaware, according to their customer review scores and ratings on our grading scale.
Two Men and a Truck is a widely franchised moving company with locations nationwide. This includes two Delaware branches in Dover and New Castle that feature positive ratings on Google Reviews and offer local service via house-trained crews.
Service area: This mover services the entire state of Delaware.
Quote type: This mover offers ballpark quotes for local moves.
Pricing: Hourly rates for local moves are set by the number of movers and trucks assigned to your move.
Sample cost: We contacted Two Men and a Truck for a ballpark rate for a three-bedroom move within Delaware. We spent a few minutes entering our inventory online and received an email that a representative was working on our quote. We have not heard back regarding pricing as of this writing, but most Two Men and a Truck branches have given us pricing within the same business day.
A similar local moving quote from one of this mover’s South Carolina branches yielded a ballpark rate of $1,735. This included an hourly rate of $230 for three movers and a truck. However, such rates will fluctuate depending on your location. You should plan to set aside time for an in-person consultation or video call to review your inventory.
Deposit: This mover will often require a deposit totaling a couple hundred dollars, which will count toward your final move bill.
Payment methods: This mover accepts credit cards for payment.
All initial quotes from this provider include valuation coverage. The cost of this protection will depend on your total estimated inventory value. You can opt out of full-value protection after you receive your estimate — you’ll still get the complimentary released-value protection of 60 cents per pound per item.
This mover’s Dover location has a rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews. One recent negative review complained about unprofessional conduct by a company representative during the quote process. However, most positive reviews outweigh this, as the moving crews are consistently praised for punctuality and treating customers’ items with care.
College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving is a nationally known local moving company and junk removal service provider. It has more than 200 locations that offer a full range of local moving services including junk removal and packing.
Quote type: This mover offers ballpark rates for local moves.
Pricing: Local move pricing is based on the number of movers and trucks assigned to your move.
Sample cost: We completed a basic quote form on this mover’s site. Our three-bedroom quote request for a move within Wilmington got us an immediate reply stating that a company representative was working on our quote. As of this writing, we haven’t received a formal quote. However, most of our quote requests with other College Hunks locations resulted in same-day pricing information.
Deposit: This mover didn’t mention a deposit requirement in its email reply.
Payment methods: College Hunks accepts all major credit cards.
College Hunks provides released-value protection at no added cost. It also offers valuation options at an increased rate. To determine your coverage needs and exact additional pricing, you’ll have to ask your move coordinator about it during the quote phase.
This mover’s Dover, Delaware, location is one of the best-reviewed local moving companies in the state. It now has over 800 reviews and a rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews. The reviews are mostly positive, with moving crews highly praised for basic and specialized services such as large item moving. Negative reviews, such as this one from Jose, cite poor communication and a lack of punctuality regarding proposed job start times.
Keep It Moving & Labor LLC is a local moving provider based in Camden. It offers a full range of basic and add-on services, including appliance moving, packing, home staging and more. Its high customer review score across hundreds of individual testimonials and service range make it one of the state’s best options for local moves.
Service area: This mover primarily operates within the Kent County area but has licensing for moves throughout the state.
Pricing: Local moves are priced based on the number of movers and moving trucks assigned to your move.
Sample cost: We contacted this mover for a three-bedroom quote within Dover. We received a prompt email stating that we would have to call and conduct a comprehensive or in-person rundown of our inventory. You should plan to set aside a half hour to an hour of your time for this.
Deposit: No deposit is mentioned on its site and none was cited in its email reply.
Payment methods: This mover accepts cash and all major credit cards.
Keep It – Moving & Labor LLC only offers released-value protection. It also states that it has a maximum damage claims amount for electronics of $250 per move. Both coverages are listed on the sample moving contracts on its site.
This highly rated mover scores 4.9 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews. These testimonials mention prompt service, including friendly last-minute moving assistance. Both moving crews and customer service staff were equally praised on this platform.
Delaware may be small, but moving is a big undertaking. Keep the following factors in mind before gathering quotes to help you book with the best moving company for the job.
A primary step in the moving process is determining your exact service needs. All movers offer loading and unloading, released-value protection and transportation of goods as a part of their base service rates. Most additional services cost extra. These can include the following:
Create a full-home inventory to determine your service needs. Go through your home room by room and write down everything you plan to take to your new place. Note any services you think you’ll need and pursue quotes from movers that offer those add-ons.
Be aware of your mover’s service model before you book. Full-service movers operate under two basic service models: carriers and brokers.
Moving carriers directly handle all moving services they book, while moving brokers operate as middlemen between clients and carriers. Brokers usually take a large upfront fee as a deposit. They also do not assume liability for lost or damaged property during a move.
Before booking a mover, ensure that they are properly licensed. Different moving companies must comply with different regulations depending on their location and service area.
All interstate and long-distance moving companies are federally regulated and must carry two separate registrations. Active United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers are required for interstate commerce. You can use these identifiers to look up a mover’s registration status on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) database.
Delaware moving companies are not regulated by a centralized state governing agency. Instead, all moving companies in the state must carry USDOT numbers and basic business licensing according to the laws within their locale or county.
Depending on your move type, you could encounter a few pricing structures on a written estimate.
Long-distance and interstate moving costs are determined by your total move distance and shipment weight. These factors and additional service needs are used to determine your “line-haul fee,” which is an all-inclusive bottom-line rate. Such moves are eligible for binding estimates, which means the cost won’t shift unless your inventory or service needs do between quote day and your move date.
Local moves are billed at hourly rates set by the number of movers and trucks assigned to your relocation. Hourly rates can vary greatly depending on your location and the time of year.
Often, local moving companies assign minimum charges to any move or moving labor work order they book. These help ensure workers are paid well regardless of how long a move takes. They usually equal two to four hours at your set hourly rate.
All moving companies must provide a basic amount of moving insurance for lost or damaged goods during moves. This federally mandated coverage is called released-value protection. It comes at no additional cost and provides 60 cents per pound per item in reimbursement for damage or loss.
Beyond this, most movers provide full-value protection at an additional cost. This allows you to set a dollar amount of maximum coverage for your move and pay a percentage of this with your move bill.
We recommend getting quotes from JK Moving for any long-distance moving need in Delaware. Similarly, Two Men and a Truck’s multiple locations in the state offer highly rated service for most local moving needs. These branches are independently owned and offer some interstate service, too.
We recommend you get at least three quotes from reputable licensed movers before choosing one to be sure you stay within your budget and ideal time frame.
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. We then divide the final score by 20 to obtain the 5-star rating we feature in our reviews.
BBB and Google Reviews ratings are accurate 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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