10 best movers in Fairfax, Virginia

The best long-distance moving company for relocating out of Virginia is International Van Lines. For a local move around Fairfax, use the filters below to find other local movers that meet your needs.

Long-distance movers in Fairfax

A long-distance move is when you move over 50 miles away or relocate from one state to another. Make sure the mover you hire has the necessary federal licensing when crossing state boundaries. Interstate movers must have United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. To verify a carrier's licensing status, you can input the USDOT number, MC number or mover's name into the FMCSA's database.

We've confirmed that the long-distance moving companies below have an active license. They can help get you and your belongings to your new home safely and efficiently.

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?

Relocating within or out of Fairfax is fairly expensive, as the average hourly moving rate is higher than the national average. The higher moving rates make sense because the cost of living in Fairfax is above 98.8% of the country.

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

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

These extra factors can cause your total cost to rise even more:

Transporting specialty items

When hiring professional movers, you may have to pay more for moving breakable, valuable or oversized items. These items often are more expensive to move:

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

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

Tipping your movers

While tipping movers isn’t mandatory, it's customary to tip if they provide good service. For long-distance moves, a typical tip is $20–$40 per mover per day. For local moves, tip $5–$10 per mover per hour.

Unexpected delays

Limited supplies, transportation emergencies, bad weather and traffic can all delay your move and add to the time and cost. Be prepared for delays by budgeting 25% more than your movers quote you and having a flexible schedule.

How to save money on moving costs

Consider these ways to save money on moving in Fairfax.

Be communicative

Be communicative about any modifications to your schedule or inventory, especially when adding items they have to move.

For example, your movers can likely add small items to the truck without issue, but large items — like new appliances or furniture — need to be discussed in advance. 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

Move in the off-season or on a weekday to reduce costs and reserve your movers of choice.

The busiest moving period is from May through September. If you have a flexible timeline, moving during less busy months may result in lower rates or less competitionfor services.

Consider alternatives to professional movers

If you have difficulty finding an affordable relocation service that works for you, there are several alternatives to consider.

One alternative is handling the move yourself. Consider the amount of labor required and the following costs when deciding between professional movers and moving yourself:

• Fuel
• Packing supplies
• Moving truck rental

Getting help from family, friends or neighbors for loading and unloading large or heavy items such as furniture can make your move faster and easier. If you don't have the time or support system needed for a self-move, hiring movers is valuable.

Hiring movers on service marketplaces such as Fiverr or Thumbtack is another alternative. Hiring hourly help can be cheaper, but gig workers may not have proper licensing or insurance.

FAQ about moving in Fairfax

What’s full-service moving?

Hiring full-service movers means they will take care of every part of the moving process, including providing packing supplies, packing your belongings, transporting them and unpacking them.

Full-service moving is more expensive than standard moving services, which typically only include loading and moving your belongings. The price can be worth it, considering the time and labor packers save you, in addition to the packing materials costs it covers. Full-service moving may also offer better insurance coverage. Self-packed items are typically only insured for up to 60 cents per dollar, and damage claims for these goods can be difficult to get approved.

How do you know a mover is licensed?

Legitimate moving companies will show proof of registration on all sites, trucks and documents. Interstate moves require USDOT and MC numbers, so be sure to vet their registration completely before hiring movers by visiting the official FMCSA website. Moving companies in Virginia are also required to have a license from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.

How does moving insurance work?

Check what insurance policies your movers provide. All movers should offer released-value coverage, which pays 60 cents per pound per item. If you're moving high-value items, ask about your mover's full-value protection policies. Also consider full-value protection coverage if you're moving valuable goods — just understand that these plans cost extra.

When is the best time of year to move?

The peak moving time is from May through September, creating limited availability and inflated costs countrywide for both large and small moves. Understandably, you might hesitate to make a move during the summertime.

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 restrict insurance coverage on high-value items, like jewelry and family heirlooms. Hold onto these yourself, as well as any other irreplaceable possessions, if you're worried about possible loss or damage.

There are certain goods and materials prohibited for transportation by movers. These include the following:

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