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Sean DonnellyHome Improvement Reporter
Sean informs readers of all the issues that moving clients may encounter during any relocation....
Updated Jun 22, 2024
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We've ranked the top 10 moving companies that operate within 50 miles of Denver. We base our ranking off average customer ratings weighted against the number of reviews. For more information, check out our full methodology.
The best moving company for moving out of Colorado is International Van Lines. Use the filters below to find other moving companies for a local move in the Denver area.
Below are additional moving companies that didn’t make our top picks based on their distance, ratings or service offerings.
A long-distance move means moving over 50 miles away or to another state. Make sure the moving company you hire has the proper federal licensing when moving across state boundaries. Interstate movers are required to have United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. Input the MC number, USDOT number or mover's name into the FMCSA's database to verify a carrier's licensing status.
The experienced long-distance moving firms below are actively licensed. They can help get you and your belongings safely and smoothly across state lines.
Interstate movers in Colorado must have both federal and state licensing. Colorado movers are regulated by the Department of Public Utilities (DPU). The DPU maintains an alphabetical list of licensed movers in the state on their website.
The average hourly moving rate for relocating within or out of Denver is greater than the national average, making itrelatively costly. The higher moving rates make sense as the cost of living in Denver is above 92.7% of the country.
Moving expenses add up quickly, as there are various factors involved. Common moving expenses include the following:
Your final moving bill may also be impacted by these extra considerations:
Professional movers may charge more to move certain items, especially those that are breakable, valuable or oversized. These items typically cost more to move:
Ask potential movers whether they move these items and if so, whether they charge extra.
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. For long-distance moves, a typical tip is $20–$40 per mover per day. For local moves, tip $5–$10 per mover per hour.
Delays happen. Limited supplies, bad weather, transportation emergencies and traffic can all make your move more expensive and take longer. Prepare for delays by budgeting 25% more than your movers quote you and having a flexible schedule.
Experts Ready to Help
Consider these ways to save money on moving in Denver.
Avoid surprise charges the day of your move by communicating with your movers as much as possible. Tell them about additional items that weren’t included in the initial inventory.
For example, your movers can likely add small items to the truck without a problem, but large items — like new appliances or furniture — need to be discussed before the move. The movers may need to adjust their estimate for these additions, and they’ll need your consent to these fees before starting the move.
Schedule your move in the off-season or on a weekday to reduce costs and reserve the movers you want.
The busiest moving period is 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.
If you can’t find a cheap moving company that meets your needs, there are alternative routes you can take.
Move yourself is one option. Before choosing this route, consider the following costs along with the labor required:
You may also need to get help from family, friends or neighbors for moving bulky items such as furniture. Professional movers provide significant value if you don’t have the time or support to commit to self-moving.
Another option is to hire movers on service marketplaces such as Fiverr or Thumbtack. While hiring hourly help can be more cost-effective, these freelance service providers may not have the necessary licensing or insurance.
When you opt for full-service moving, your hired movers will handle the entire moving process. This includes providing packing supplies, providing packing services for your belongings, transporting them and unpacking them.
Full-service moving is more expensive than services that only include loading and transporting your belongings, but it can be worth it considering the time, labor and packing materials it saves. Additionally, full-service moving can offer more comprehensive insurance coverage, as self-packed goods are generally only protected up to 60 cents per dollar, and it can be challenging to get a claim approved for self-packed damaged goods.
All legitimate moving companies will show proof of registration on their fleet vehicles, as well as on paperwork like estimates and agreements. If you're coordinating an interstate move, verify the company's USDOT and MC numbers on the official FMCSA website. Moving companies in Colorado are also required to have a license from the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (Public Utilities Commission).
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. Also consider full-value protection coverage if you're transporting high-worth goods — just know that these plans cost extra.
The warmer months, May through September, are the best time to move, which results in increased demand for moving companies and substantially higher rates across the country for moves of all sizes. This may steer you away from a summer move due to the higher cost. However, you might also want to avoid a winter move, as the frigid weather and potentially snowy conditions that Colorado winters present can be less than desirable for a move.
We recommend moving in the spring or early fall seasons when you can expect more favorable weather and lower costs.
Load up your car with anything too important to lose, such as photographs, financial records, identification documents and electronics.
Moving companies often restrict insurance coverage on costly items, like jewelry and heirlooms. Bring irreplaceable and valuable possessions in your own car if you're worried about loss or damage.
There are certain goods and materials prohibited for transportation by movers. These include the following:
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.
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. Go back to top
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