North American Van Lines and Gorilla Movers of Wisconsin are our picks for the best moving companies in Wisconsin. North American Van Lines’ not-to-exceed pricing model makes budgeting for your move easier. This national mover also has highly rated locations throughout the state.
Gorilla Movers of Wisconsin has more than two decades of experience facilitating Wisconsin moves and earned a solid reputation during that time, according to the hundreds of customer reviews we read.
Wisconsin’s population continues to climb, increasing during 11 out of 12 years from 2010 to 2022, according to USAFacts. Whether you’re relocating to a city such as Milwaukee or a scenic spot along northern Lake Michigan, America’s Dairyland doesn’t lack moving company options.
Our team researched and compared movers using our proprietary review process. We contacted movers for personalized quotes and to learn more about their pricing structures. We also spoke with move coordinators to gather first-hand insight into each company’s customer service quality. Here’s what you need to know about our list of Wisconsin’s six best moving companies.
Top moving companies
Wisconsin’s best local and long-distance moving companies have impressive customer reviews, competitive pricing and customizable service options.
Long-distance:
Compare top choices for Wisconsin moving companies
We’ve listed our top choices for long-distance Wisconsin moves for comparison below. Each scored highly thanks to their availability, reputation and more.
Best national long-distance movers in Wisconsin
Here are our choices for Wisconsin’s best long-distance and interstate movers.
North American Van Lines
Allied Van Lines
International Van Lines
Best movers for a local Wisconsin move
The following local Wisconsin movers scored impressive marks on our grading scale. These three moving companies have overwhelmingly positive reviews from customers and a wide selection of service offerings for your move.
Gorilla Movers of Wisconsin
A1 Movers of Sauk Prairie
Madison Smooth Moves
A guide to professional movers: Making an informed choice
To be confident that you’re booking the right moving company, verify the mover holds proper licensing, provides the needed services and fits within your budget. Try to secure your ideal moving date at least one month ahead of time to increase the likelihood of mover availability. We suggest securing the date at least six weeks in advance during busy seasons such as spring and summer.
Moving services
Add-on services can take some of the hassle out of moving. Many moving companies offer the following services for an additional fee:
- Packing supplies
- Packing and unpacking
- Crating
- Cleaning services
- Debris removal
- Storage options
- Vehicle shipping
- Piano moving
- Safe moving
Carriers vs. brokers
Moving companies operate under two basic models: carriers and brokers. This decision can impact your overall moving experience, so it’s crucial to understand a company’s business model before you book. Some movers will be licensed as both a carrier and broker to widen their service area.
Carriers are directly responsible for providing moving services. Unlike brokers, carriers own and operate moving trucks, employ professional movers and have authorization to transport your belongings.
Brokers are not movers. They act as intermediaries, arranging the connection between clients and for-hire carriers. In other words, they sell your move to the moving company with the winning bid. While brokers can streamline the process by connecting you with a reputable carrier and managing the booking, they typically require an upfront convenience fee and do not handle your moving services directly.
Moving regulations
Movers must follow certain state and federal regulations depending on the types of moves they provide.
Regulations for interstate and long-distance movers
All interstate and long-distance moving companies are subject to federal regulations and must hold active U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. Check a moving company’s registration status via the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration database before you book.
Regulations for intrastate and local movers
Wisconsin requires a local cartage number for moving companies in the state. The Wisconsin Movers Association provides information on additional moving regulations and consumer rights.
Moving costs
Your inventory volume and move distance significantly affect your overall moving cost. Below, we discuss the key difference between long-distance and local moving costs.
Long-distance moving costs
Move distance and shipping weight determine the cost of a long-distance move. We recommend getting a binding estimate if your move exceeds 50 miles. With a binding estimate, your invoice shouldn’t exceed your estimated price unless you change your service needs, inventory or move distance between your quote day and moving date.
Local moving costs in Wisconsin
Local moves are typically charged at an hourly rate. Your rate will depend on the moving company and the number of movers assigned to your job. Some companies will charge additional fees for fuel and truck rental. Our estimates for a local Wisconsin move fall between $159 and $205 per hour for two movers and $270 per hour for three movers.
Moving insurance
All moving companies are required to provide basic insurance protection at no cost. This free coverage is called released-value protection and typically covers 60 cents per pound per item. This coverage is generally included in all moving packing and is mandated by federal law.
Consider full-value protection if you want additional protection. Under most full-value plans, you’ll specify a declared value for your shipment and pay a premium based on a percentage of that value before your move. This option can guarantee full reimbursement for any damaged or lost items.
Final take: Trust your Wisconsin move to North American Van Lines or Gorilla Movers of Wisconsin
After extensive research, we believe North American Van Lines and Gorilla Movers of Wisconsin are the best choices for your Wisconsin moving needs. NAVL’s bottom-line pricing makes figuring out your move budget easier, and its Wisconsin locations have positive reviews. Gorilla Movers of Wisconsin has the quality experience and customer satisfaction to put your Wisconsin move in good hands.
Try to book your moving company at least four to eight weeks in advance for better scheduling choices. We suggest getting at least three quotes before making your final booking decision. This approach will make finding the right mover for your new home easier.
Our rating methodology for moving companies
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 June 2024.
Top local moving companies in Wisconsin
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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