10 best movers in Binghamton, New York

The best interstate mover for relocating out of New York is International Van Lines. For a local move in the Binghamton area, use the filters below to find other moving companies that meet your needs.

Long-distance movers in Binghamton

A long-distance move means relocating more than 50 miles away or to another state. Hiring a moving company with the necessary federal licensing is crucial if you're crossing state lines. Interstate movers are required to have United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. Input these numbers or the mover's name into the FMCSA's database to confirm a carrier's licensing status.

The reliable and experienced long-distance moving services below are actively licensed. They can help get you and your belongings safely and efficiently to your new home.

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4.7

Our Rating

Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.

• Includes one month of storage with long-distance moves
• Lists add-on service costs online
• Services all 50 states

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4.7

Our Rating

Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.

• Operates exclusively as a carrier
• Runs shuttles for moves between major cities
• Offers storage for high-value items and antiques

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3.7

Our Rating

Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.

• Offers flat rates for all long-distance moves
• Has secure storage facilities with 24/7 surveillance
• Includes packing and storage in all quotes

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Why is moving so expensive?

While moving can be an expensive process, the average hourly rate for moving services in Binghamton is lower than the national average. Although the cost of living in Binghamton is higher than 25.4% of the country, moving prices in the area are lower than expected.

Moving costs add up quickly, as there are various factors involved. Here are some common moving costs:

• Supplies
• Professional labor
• Packing
• Junk removal
• Storage
• Fuel

These additional considerations can cause your final moving bill to climb even more:

Transporting specialty items

When hiring professional movers, you may have to pay more for moving valuable, fragile or very bulky items. The following items can be more expensive to move:

• Safes
• Artwork and sculptures
• Pianos
• Family heirlooms or antiques
• Heavy pieces of furniture or technology

When vetting movers, ask if they move these items and charge extra for them.

Tipping your movers

While tipping your movers isn’t required, it’s a common practice if your movers got your belongings to your new home safely and efficiently. Consider tipping each mover $5–$10 per hour for local moves and $20–$40 per day for long-distance moves.

Unexpected delays

Traffic, bad weather, limited supplies and transportation emergencies can all delay your move and increase the time and cost. Although delays are unpredictable, you can prepare for them by keeping a flexible schedule and budgeting 25% more than your movers quote you.

How to save money on moving costs

The following tips can save you money on moving in Binghamton.

Be communicative

To avoid unexpected charges on your moving day, be communicative with your movers, especially about items you add to your inventory after getting an estimate from the movers.

Small items may not pose a problem, but make sure they know about large additions such as new furniture or appliances. Additional fees may apply for large items, and your movers won’t begin the move until you’ve agreed to the charges.

Have a flexible schedule

Moving in the off-season or during the week can reduce costs and ensure you reserve your preferred moving company.

Movers are busiest between May and September. Consider moving outside of those months if you have a flexible schedule, as there may be less competition or lower moving rates.

Consider alternatives to professional movers

If you can’t find an affordable moving service that works for you, there are alternative routes you can take.

One alternative is moving on your own. Consider the amount of labor required and the following costs when deciding between professional movers and moving on your own:

• Fuel
• Packing supplies
• Moving truck rental

Your friends, family or neighbors may also need to help you move, especially if you have heavy items such as furniture. If you don't have the time or support system required for a DIY move, hiring movers is worth it.

Another alternative is to hire movers on service marketplaces such as Thumbtack or Fiverr. Hiring hourly help can cost less, but freelance service providers may not have proper licensing or insurance.

FAQ about moving in Binghamton

What’s full-service moving?

Full-service moving means the movers tackle every part of the moving process, including supplying packing materials, packing your belongings, transporting them and unpacking them.

Full-service moving is pricier than services that only include loading and transporting your items, but it can be worth the extra cost considering the time, labor and packing supplies you'll save. Additionally, full-service moving may offer better insurance coverage compared to self-packed items, which are generally only covered up to 60 cents per dollar. Getting a damage claim approved for self-packed goods can also be difficult.

How do you know a mover is licensed?

Legitimate moving companies will show proof of registration on all trucks, documents and facilities. Interstate moves mandate USDOT and MC numbers, so be sure to inspect their registration completely before hiring movers by visiting the official FMCSA website. Moving companies in New York are also required to have a license from the New York Department of Transportation.

How does moving insurance work?

You should also look into a mover's insurance policies. Released-value coverage applies to all moves, which insures 60 cents per pound per item. However, you may want to inquire about full-value protection, which most movers offer at an extra cost, if your belongings include high-worth items.

When is the best time of year to move?

The hotter months of May through September is best time to move, leading to limited availability of movers and inflated costs for moves both sizable and small. For good reason, the high-costs might discourage you from a summer relocation. However, you may want to steer clear of a winter move, too, as New York's icy roads and snowy weather are far from ideal conditions for a move.

We advise moving in the springtime or early autumn so that you have optimal weather conditions and more affordable pricing for services.

What things should I leave to the movers, and what should I transport myself?

For peace of mind, move items like identification documents, financial records and photo albums in your own car. Similarly, load up your vehicle with any high-end electronics that you wouldn't want lost or damaged.

Moving companies often restrict insurance coverage on high-value items, like jewelry and heirlooms. Carry irreplaceable and valuable belongings in your own car if you're concerned about loss or damage.

Most movers refuse to transport certain items, including the following:

• Compressed tanks or gas
• Toxic chemicals or cleaners
• Flammable chemicals of any kind
• Perishable foods and produce
• Batteries
• Fuel sources
• Plants
• Fertilizers
• Aerosols

Our methodology for selecting moving companies

The Homefront Local team employs a proprietary scoring algorithm that evaluates companies based on key factors you value, such as average customer review ratings and trustworthiness indicators. Our method for determining trust involves a comparative analysis of the number of reviews a company receives compared to its local competitors. This leads to companies that have earned more trust from your local community being awarded a higher score.

We review national moving providers against our full moving methodology. We score movers based on reputation and customer experience, service availability, cost and pricing practices, insurance options, customer service and communication.