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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.
When scheduling a North Carolina move, we recommend booking during the spring or fall, if possible. This will help you avoid moving during the hot summer months and secure a lower rate for service.
If you’re planning a long-distance move to or from North Carolina, we recommend starting with quotes from JK Moving Services and Allied Van Lines. Both providers feature nationwide service areas and trained moving teams that can offer basic and specialized assistance for anything from modern furniture to antiques, fragile items and more.
For a local move, we recommend Little Guys Movers in Raleigh, North Carolina. This locally owned mover offers clear pricing and prompt responses to quote requests, which can help you stay on budget and schedule.
Our team has rated each featured mover below against our proprietary grading system. We evaluate each one’s service area, add-ons, pricing practices, customer reviews and more.
The following moving companies offer the best local and long-distance moving services in North Carolina. Our top long-distance movers provide nationwide service via their North Carolina locations, and our local moving company picks have cultivated excellent reputations for in-state service.
Long-distance:
Local:
The following movers rated well on our grading scale’s key factors, including customer satisfaction and coverage area. See how they compare to our top movers in North Carolina.
We listed the best long-distance movers with a presence in North Carolina here.
JK Moving Services is a Virginia-based mover that provides long-distance service throughout North Carolina and the rest of the U.S. It has provided premium service for clients since its founding in 1982 and now offers both residential and commercial moving services.
Service area: 50 states
Base services:
Add-on services:
Storage: JK offers short- and long-term storage options.
Quote type: JK offers binding estimates for long-distance moves.
Pricing: Binding quotes are based on shipment weight, move distance and add-on service requirements.
Sample cost: We called JK for a quote for an interstate three-bedroom move. In all, we spent 15 minutes on the phone. During that time, our move coordinator recorded our move details and asked questions about our inventory. We were quoted $8,500 for a 1,800-mile move with no packing included. Packing would increase our total to $11,000.
Deposit: $250
Payment methods: JK accepts cash, credit cards and certified checks.
This mover provides the mandatory released-value protection for all moves. This 60 cents per pound per item comes at no added cost. JK also offers full-value protection at an additional price. Consult its policy forms or speak with your move coordinator for more information.
JK Moving’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) page rates the company 3.9 out of 5 stars. Positive reviews mention minimal hassle for local and long-distance services and efficient moving crews. However, one recent negative review mentioned a dramatic overcharge for a long-distance move. JK has yet to respond to this review from January 2024, which is not typical for this provider.
Allied Van Lines is a national moving carrier with 500 offices and local agents spread through all 50 states. This includes many locations within North Carolina, namely Greensboro, Raleigh and Fayetteville.
Storage: This mover offers short- and long-term storage options in most locations.
Quote type: Allied provides binding quotes for long-distance moves.
Pricing: Long-distance quotes are based on estimated shipment weight and move distance.
Sample cost: We called Allied for a quote for a 1,800-mile, three-bedroom move. We got a ballpark rate from our customer representative since we could not schedule an in-home estimate. They all estimated our relocation would cost $7,000 with no packing. Full-service packing for a three-bedroom home would increase our cost to around $10,000.
Deposit: None required
Payment methods: Allied accepts cash, certified checks, credit cards and money orders.
Aside from released-value protection, Allied offers Extra Care Protection. With this plan, you can select a maximum dollar amount of coverage, and if anything is lost or damaged, you can file a claim for compensation up to this dollar amount. The added cost for Extra Care Protection will be a percentage of the total coverage amount, determined by your local branch.
While Allied has a low rating of 1.1 out of 5 stars on BBB, many of its local branches are well-reviewed. For example, its Raleigh location has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews.
Comments laud its comprehensive in-home estimate process and highly professional moving teams. Negative reviews report damage to belongings and slow response times to filed claims.
North American Van Lines (NAVL) is a mover with more than 500 locations spread throughout all 50 states. These 500-plus branches offer comprehensive local and long-distance services. In addition, NAVL offers “bottom-line” and “not-to-exceed” pricing structures to help you stay on budget.
Storage: NAVL offers short- and long-term storage options at many locations.
Quote type: This mover provides binding estimates for long-distance moves.
Pricing: All quotes are based on shipment weight and move distance. Add-ons, such as packing and custom crating, will add to the overall cost.
Sample cost: We called NAVL for an interstate three-bedroom moving quote. Our customer service representative said they would forward us to a local agent for a more personalized estimate. However, we could not schedule an in-person consultation. This prevented us from getting a quote.
Payment methods: NAVL accepts cash, money orders and certified checks.
Like all moving companies, NAVL offers complimentary released-value protection with all moves. It also provides full-value protection at an additional price. You’ll have to coordinate this with your company representative when you get a quote.
This mover’s BBB rating of 1.1 out of 5 stars is countered by positive customer reviews for local branches on Google. This includes a Raleigh location with 5 out of 5 stars and a Charlotte branch with 4.5 out of 5 stars. These branches offer local and long-distance moving throughout the state and receive reviews mentioning pricing consistent with quoted rates and quick communication at all stages of moves.
We rated each of the following local North Carolina moving companies highly on our grading scale. Each one had responsive customer service staff and a solid reputation.
Little Guys Movers was founded in 1992 and operates in eight states, including North Carolina. It provides interstate and local service in these areas and features excellent customer reviews.
Service area: This mover offers statewide service for local and long-distance moves.
Quote type: This mover provides ballpark estimates based on hourly rates for local service.
Pricing: Hourly rates are set by the number of movers and trucks assigned to your move. Depending on your location relative to its offices, this moving company also charges mileage fees for travel.
Sample cost: We contacted Little Guys Movers for a sample quote for a three-bedroom, 20-mile move within the state and received a prompt email reply. While they couldn’t give us a defined total estimate, they quoted an hourly rate of $195 for three movers. If we required a fourth mover, our rate would be $260 per hour. Our mileage fee for this move would be $161.
Deposit: This mover did not mention a deposit requirement in its correspondence with us and did not mention deposits on its website.
Payment methods: This mover accepts checks, cash and all major credit cards.
Little Guys Movers provides released-value protection for all moves. If you require added protection for fragile items or antiques, we recommend asking your company representative about your options when you call for a quote.
Little Guys Movers’ Raleigh location has 4.9 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews with more than 700 customer testimonials. Most recent reviews are 5-star ratings with comments on the quick quote process and added care for fragile goods and antiques.
Dogwood Moving Co. is a locally owned and operated mover in the Raleigh area. Dogwood hires qualified and trained movers to provide full-service moving assistance for local and long-distance clients statewide.
Service area: Dogwood services all of North Carolina, focusing on the Raleigh area.
Quote type: This mover advertises no hidden fees and charges hourly rates for all local moving packages.
Pricing: Hourly rates are based on the number of movers and trucks assigned to your move. If you need moving and packing supplies, Dogwood offers transparent rates for these materials on its website.
Sample cost: Dogwood’s hourly rate for three movers and a truck is $215 during the week and $225 on weekends.
Payment methods: This mover accepts cash, checks and credit cards. However, all credit card transactions incur a 3% fee.
This mover provides two levels of insurance coverage. It provides released-value protection at no added cost, but it also offers full-value insurance at a set rate of $300 per truckload. For this price, you can get fully reimbursed for damaged or lost items during your.
Dogwood Moving Co. has 5 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews through more than 1,500 individual reviews. A common theme among reviews is the peace of mind Dogwood’s moving crews provide. Customers also report an easy booking process, from receiving their free quote to signing the moving contract.
You Move Me Movers’ Charlotte location is one of the highest-rated providers in the state. Its qualified teams offer smooth moves for both local and long-distance clients. The company features responsive customer service teams and eight moving trucks operated in-house.
Service area: This mover offers service to the entire state of North Carolina.
Quote type: This mover offers ballpark quotes based on hourly rates for local service.
Pricing: Hourly rates are based on the number of movers and trucks needed for your move.
Sample cost: We contacted You Move Me for a quote and got a prompt email reply from a representative. They stated that they could give us an hourly rate for service but would require a video call or in-person inventory review to ensure accurate pricing. They did not include an hourly rate in our email correspondence.
Deposit: This mover doesn’t mention deposit requirements on its website’s FAQ page.
Payment methods: This mover accepts credit cards at all of its locations. Some locations accept cash and checks.
You Move Me provides released-value coverage for all moves. Beyond this 60 cents per pound per item, it may also replace or repair damaged items at its discretion. However, any such claims must be filed within 10 days of your move to be honored.
You Move Me has 4.9 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews. This mover receives positive remarks about its crews and customer service staff for local and interstate moving packages.
Before you start the quote-gathering process, consider the key factors we’ve outlined below.
Determine your primary moving service requirements before you call for quotes. To do this, conduct a thorough walk-through of your home and compile an inventory list. Break the list down by room and only include the goods you plan to take to your new home.
This inventory will inform you and the movers you call of the basic and additional services you may need. These can include the following:
Be aware of your moving company’s service model before booking. Movers operate under two basic service models: brokers and carriers.
Carriers directly provide moving services. Brokers, on the other hand, are booking agents who act as middlemen between clients and movers. They match you with qualified carriers and book your move — taking a large convenience deposit upfront — but don’t provide services.
All moving companies must comply with state or federal regulations, depending on their service area.
All long-distance and interstate moving companies are federally regulated and must carry active United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. You can use these to check a mover’s registration status via the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) database.
North Carolina moving companies must carry state Utilities Commission numbers. These NCUC numbers must be displayed on all moving trucks a provider operates and any official documents, including estimates and moving contracts.
Your moving estimate structure depends primarily on your move distance. We’ve outlined the key differences between local and long-distance estimates here:
Move distance and shipping weight determine long-distance moving costs. You can typically request a binding estimate for relocations farther than 50 miles. These estimates will not shift unless your inventory, service needs or move distance change between quote day and moving day.
Local movers charge hourly rates for service. The number of movers and trucks assigned to your move determines these rates.
Local moves typically also include minimum charges ranging from two to four hours at the hourly rate your movers set for your relocation. For example, if a mover has a minimum charge of four hours, you’ll have to pay them for that time even if your move only takes two hours.
The federal government requires all movers to provide released-value protection at no added cost. This coverage provides clients with 60 cents per pound per item in reimbursement if goods are lost or damaged during a move.
Beyond this, most movers provide full-value protection at an additional cost to cover the total replacement value of any item. Under these protection plans, you’ll be able to set a total dollar amount of coverage for your shipment. You’ll then pay a percentage of that dollar amount as your fee for protection.
All providers on our list of the best movers in North Carolina rate well on our respective state and national grading scales for quality, services and pricing. However, two stand out as our top picks.
We recommend starting your North Carolina moving process with quotes from JK Moving Services and Little Guys Movers. JK Moving Services provides some of the best moving crews in the industry with years of experience and training in an in-house facility.
If you’re seeking a locally owned mover, consider Little Guys Movers, whose customer service team and movers receive high marks for quality and care for all relocation needs.
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 Review 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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