10 best movers in Farmington Hills, Michigan

The best moving company for relocating out of Michigan is International Van Lines. For a local move in the Farmington Hills area, use the filters below to find other moving companies that meet your needs.

Long-distance movers in Farmington Hills

A long-distance move means moving more than 50 miles away or from one state to another. When crossing state boundaries, check that your moving company has the proper federal licensing. Interstate movers must have United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. You can use the MC number, USDOT number or mover's name to confirm a carrier’s licensing status in the FMCSA’s database.

The long-distance moving companies below are reliable and actively licensed. 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?

The average hourly moving rate for moving within or out of Farmington Hills is higher than the national average, making itrelatively expensive. This makes sense given that the cost of living in Farmington Hills is higher than 87.7% of the country.

Numerous factors are involved in moving, leading to expenses adding up quickly. Here are some typical moving costs:

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

Your final moving bill may also be impacted by these extra factors:

Transporting specialty items

When hiring a moving companiy, you may have to pay extra for moving breakable, valuable or oversized items. The following items can be more expensive to move:

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

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

Tipping your movers

While tipping movers is optional, it's customary to tip if they provide good service. For long-distance moves, a standard tip is $20–$40 per mover per day. For local moves, tip $5–$10 per mover per hour.

Unexpected delays

It's common for a move to be delayed due to issues such as traffic, transportation emergencies, inclement weather and a lack of supplies. These can inflate your moving costs and prolong your timeline. Although delays are unpredictable, you can prepare for them by having 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 Farmington Hills.

Be communicative

Avoid unexpected charges the day of your move by being as communicative with your movers as possible. Tell them about additional items that weren’t in the initial inventory.

For example, your movers can usually add small items to the truck without issue, but large items — like new furniture or appliances — need to be discussed ahead of time. The movers may charge more for those items and won’t begin your move until you’ve consented to the additional cost.

Have a flexible schedule

Dependable, budget-friendly movers are in high demand. Consider moving in the off-season or on a weekday to reduce costs and still book your preferred moving company.

Most people schedule moves between May and September. You may find lower moving rates and less competition if your timeline is flexible and you can plan your move outside of those months.

Consider alternatives to professional movers

Consider taking an alternative route if you can't find a cheap mover that meets your needs.

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

• Moving truck rental
• Fuel
• Packing supplies

Your friends, family or neighbors may also need to help you move, especially if you have large items such as furniture. Professional movers are a worthwhile investment if you don’t have the time or support to commit to moving yourself.

Another option is to hire movers on service marketplaces such as Fiverr or Thumbtack. While hiring hourly help can be more cost-effective, these independent contractors may not have the necessary licensing or insurance coverage.

FAQ about moving in Farmington Hills

What’s full-service moving?

Full-service moving is when your hired movers tackle the entire moving process for you. They provide packing supplies, provide packing services for your belongings, transport them and unpack them.

Standard moving services are more affordable than full-service moving, as they typically only include loading and transporting your belongings. However, full-service moving can be worth the extra cost when you take into account the time, labor and packing supplies you'll save. Additionally, full-service moving can provide more comprehensive insurance coverage, as self-packed goods are usually only protected up to 60 cents per dollar, and it can be challenging to get a claim approved for self-packed damaged goods.

How do you know a mover is licensed?

All legitimate moving businesses will display proof of registration on their moving trucks and on paperwork like estimates and contracts. As stated above, you should check a company’s USDOT and MC numbers when planning an out of state move by checking the official FMCSA website. Moving companies in Michigan are also required to have a license from the Motor Carrier Division of the Michigan State Police.

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, inquire about your mover's full-value protection policies. Also consider full-value protection coverage if you're transporting valuable goods — just understand that these plans cost extra.

When is the best time of year to move?

The best moving time falls between May to September, creating high demand for moving teams and substantially elevated pricing nationwide for all moves. The steep summer rates may deter you from a move at that time of year. However, you may want to steer clear of moving in the winter as well, since Michigan's frigid temperatures and possible snowfall could have an adverse effect on your move.

We suggest scheduling your move in the spring or early fall months to take advantage of pleasant weather and lower costs for moving 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 businesses frequently cap insurance coverage on costly items, like jewelry and heirlooms. Keep irreplaceable and valuable belongings in your own car if you're nervous about loss or damage.

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

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

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.