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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 Frankfort. 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 Kentucky is International Van Lines. For a local move in the Frankfort area, use the filters below to find other local moving companies that meet your needs.
Below are additional moving companies that didn’t make our top picks based on their distance, ratings or service offerings.
A long-distance move is when you relocate from one state to another or over 50 miles away. If you're crossing state boundaries, you should be especially careful that the mover you hire has the proper federal licensing. Interstate movers are required to have United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. You can use these numbers or the mover's name to look up a carrier’s licensing status in the FMCSA’s database.
The long-distance movers below are reliable and actively licensed. They can help get you and your belongings safely and smoothly to your new home.
Interstate movers in Kentucky must carry federal and state licensing, which is regulated by the Department of Public Utilities (DPU). All licensed moving companies in the state are alphabetically listed on the DPU’s page.
The average hourly moving rate for moving within or out of Frankfort is higher than the national average, making it a fairly costly process. This makes sense considering the cost of living in Frankfort is above 29.4% of the country.
Various factors are involved when moving, so expenses add up quickly. Here are some typical moving costs:
These additional factors can cause your final moving bill to climb even more:
Moving companies may charge more to move certain items, especially those that are fragile, valuable or oversized. The following items can be more expensive to move:
If you have to move any of these items, ask potential movers whether they charge extra for them.
While tipping movers isn’t required, it's common to tip if they provide good service. Consider tipping each mover $20–$40 per day for long-distance moves and $5–$10 per hour for local moves.
It's common for a move to be delayed due to issues such as a lack of supplies, traffic, inclement weather and transportation emergencies. These can inflate your moving costs and prolong your timeline. There’s no way to combat delays, but you can prepare for them by keeping a flexible schedule and allocating 25% more than your movers quote you to your moving budget.
Experts Ready to Help
The following tips can reduce your moving costs in Frankfort.
Keep your movers informed 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 a problem, but large items — like new furniture or appliances — need to be discussed before the move. The movers may need to adjust their charges for these item and get your consent to these fees before starting the move.
Moving during the week or in the off-season can save some money and ensure you get the movers you want.
Most people hire moving companies between May and September. You may get less competition and lower moving rates if your timeline is flexible and you can plan your move during slower periods.
There are several alternatives if you can't find a cost - effective moving provider.
You can move yourself, but consider the labor required and the following costs:
Your family, friends or neighbors may also need to help you move, especially if you have bulky items such as furniture. Professional movers are worth it if you lack the time or support to commit to moving yourself.
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 coverage.
Full-service moving means the movers manage every part of the moving process, including providing packing supplies, packing your belongings, transporting them and unpacking 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 may offer more comprehensive insurance coverage compared to self-packed items, which are usually only protected up to 60 cents per dollar. Getting a damage claim approved for self-packed items can also be challenging.
All legitimate moving companies will display proof of registration on their moving trucks and on all official documents 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 Kentucky are also required to have a license from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
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 moving high-worth goods — just be aware that these plans cost extra.
The warmer months from May to September is the best time to move. This means a limited supply of available moving companies, and higher costs for moves of all sizes. The steep seasonal prices may prevent you from going with a summer 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 valuable to lose, such as photographs, financial records, identification documents and electronics.
Most moving businesses restrict insurance coverage for high-value possessions, such as jewelry and heirlooms. If you're concerned about irreplaceable and valuable items being lost or damaged, bring those belongings with you.
There are certain goods and items prohibited for transportation by moving companies. 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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