10 best movers in Cookeville, Tennessee

International Van Lines is the best mover for interstate moves. For a local move in the Cookeville area, use the filters below to find other companies for your move.

Long-distance movers in Cookeville

A long-distance move is when you relocate to a different state or over 50 miles away. Hiring a moving company with the necessary federal licensing is especially important if you're moving across state lines. Interstate movers are required to have United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. To verify a carrier's licensing status, you can input the MC number, USDOT number or mover's name into the FMCSA's database.

The experienced long-distance moving services below have an active license. They can help get you and your belongings safely and smoothly to your new home.

Featured

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?

Moving is an expensive process, but the average hourly moving rate in Cookeville is lower than the national average. Despite the cost of living in Cookeville only being higher than 42.8% of the country, moving prices in the area are lower than expected.

Moving costs add up fast depending on what services you need. Here are some typical moving costs:

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

These extra considerations can bring up the cost of your final moving bill:

Transporting specialty items

Moving companies may charge more to move certain belongings, especially those that are valuable, breakable or particularly large. Some common items that can be more expensive to move include these:

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

If you have to move any of these items, ask potential movers whether they charge extra for them.

Tipping your movers

Tipping your movers isn’t mandatory, but it’s common if your movers handled your belongings with care or made your move stress - free. Consider tipping each mover $20–$40 per day for long-distance moves and $5–$10 per hour for local moves.

Unexpected delays

Delays can happen for a variety of reasons such as bad weather, limited supplies, traffic and transportation emergencies. These issues may increase the time and money required. Prepare for delays by adding 25% more than your movers quote you to your moving budget and having a flexible schedule.

How to save money on moving costs

Keeping these ways in mind can save you money on moving in Cookeville.

Be communicative

Avoid surprise charges the day of your move by communicating with your movers as much as possible. Be especially transparent about items you’re adding to your inventory after a virtual or in-person walkthrough with your movers.

Small items may not pose an issue, but inform them of large additions such as new appliances or furniture. 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

Schedule your move in the off-season or on a weekday to lower the cost and book your movers of choice.

Most people schedule moves between May and September. If you have a flexible timeline, you may want to move outside of those months, as there may be less competition or lower rates.

Consider alternatives to professional movers

If you can’t find a budget - friendly moving service that works for you, there are alternative routes you can take.

You can handle the move on your own, but consider the labor required and the following costs:

• Packing supplies
• Moving truck rental
• Fuel

Enlisting help from friends, family or neighbors for moving bulky or heavy items such as furniture can make your move faster and easier. Hiring movers is beneficial if you lack the time or anyone to help you move.

Hiring movers on service marketplaces such as Thumbtack or Fiverr is another alternative. Hiring hourly help can be more cost-effective, but independent contractors may not have proper licensing or insurance coverage.

FAQ about moving in Cookeville

What’s full-service moving?

When you opt for full-service moving, your hired movers will take care of the entire moving process. This includes supplying packing materials, providing packing services for your belongings, transporting them and unpacking them.

Full-service moving is pricier than standard moving services, which typically only cover the loading up and transport of your belongings. The price can be justified, considering the time and labor packers spare you, in addition to covering the cost of packing materials. Additionally, full-service moving can offer more comprehensive insurance coverage, as self-packed goods are typically only protected up to 60 cents per dollar, and it can be challenging to get a claim accepted for self-packed damaged goods.

How do you know a mover is licensed?

All legitimate moving companies will display proof of registration on their moving trucks and on paperwork such as estimates and contracts. As stated above, you should check a company’s USDOT and MC numbers when planning an interstate move by checking the official FMCSA website. Moving companies in Tennessee are also required to have a license from the Tennessee Department of Revenue.

How does moving insurance work?

You should also look into a mover's insurance policies. All movers should offer released-value coverage, which pays 60 cents per pound per item. If you're moving high-value items, inquire about your mover's full-value protection policies. However, you may want to ask 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 ideal time to move spans from May to September, leading to much higher demand and pricing for moves both large and small. The high summer rates could understandably deter you from moving at that time of year.

We recommend moving in the spring or early fall seasons when you can expect more favorable weather and lower costs.

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 valuable keepsakes in your own car. Similarly, load up your vehicle with any high-end electronics that you wouldn't want lost or damaged.

Many moving businesses put limits on insurance coverage on high-value possessions, like jewelry and family heirlooms. Keep these yourself, as well as any other irreplaceable possessions, if you're worried about potential loss or damage.

There are certain goods and materials that movers aren’t allowed to move. These include the following:

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

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.