10 best movers in Friendswood, Texas

The best interstate moving company for relocating out of Texas is International Van Lines. For a local move around Friendswood, use the filters below to find other local moving companies that meet your needs.

Long-distance movers in Friendswood

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

We’ve confirmed that the long-distance moving companies below are actively licensed. These reliable movers can help get you and your belongings safely and efficiently 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 within or out of Friendswood is relatively expensive, as the average hourly moving rate is higher than the national average. This makes sense considering the cost of living in Friendswood is higher than 89.4% of the country.

Many factors are involved in moving, so expenses add up quickly. The following are typical moving expenses:

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

These extra considerations can cause your final moving bill to climb even more:

Transporting specialty items

Professional movers may charge more to move certain items, especially those that are valuable, fragile or oversized. The following items can cost more to move:

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

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

Tipping your movers

While tipping movers isn’t mandatory, it's customary to tip if they provide quality service. Consider tipping each mover $20–$40 per day for long-distance moves and $5–$10 per hour for local moves.

Unexpected delays

Delays happen. Limited supplies, transportation emergencies, bad weather and traffic can all make your move more expensive and take longer. You can't prevent delays, but you can prepare for them by being flexible with your schedule and allocating 25% more than your movers quote you to your moving budget.

How to save money on moving costs

Consider these ways to reduce moving expenses in Friendswood.

Be communicative

To avoid surprise charges on your moving day, maintain open communication with your movers, especially about items you add to your inventory after getting a quote from the movers.

For example, small items can likely be added to the truck without issue, but large items — like new appliances or furniture — need to be discussed ahead of time. Additional fees may apply for these items, and your movers won’t begin the move until you’ve agreed to the charges.

Have a flexible schedule

Dependable, budget-friendly movers are highly sought after. Consider moving in the off-season or during the week to save some money and still reserve your preferred moving team.

Peak moving season is between May and September. If your timeline is flexible, consider moving outside of those months, as there won’t be as much competition or as high of moving rates.

Consider alternatives to professional movers

If you have difficulty finding a cheap moving company that works for you, there are alternative routes you can take.

While you can move by yourself, consider the amount of labor required and the following costs:

• Packing supplies
• Fuel
• Moving truck rental

Your family, friends or neighbors may also need to help you move, especially if you have large or heavy items such as furniture. If you lack the time or support system needed for a self-move, hiring movers is worth it.

You can also hire movers on service marketplaces such as Fiverr or Thumbtack, which can be more affordable. However, these independent contractors may not have proper licensing or insurance.

FAQ about moving in Friendswood

What’s full-service moving?

Hiring full-service movers means they will take care of the entire 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 a justifiable expense when you consider the time, labor and packing supplies you'll save. Full-service moving may also provide more comprehensive insurance coverage. Self-packed items are usually only covered for up to 60 cents per dollar, and damage claims for these items can be tough to get approved.

How do you know a mover is licensed?

Legitimate moving companies will show proof of registration on all trucks, documents and facilities. Interstate moves require USDOT and MC numbers, so be sure to vet their registration thoroughly before hiring movers by visiting the official FMCSA website. Moving companies in Texas are also required to have a license from the Texas 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, request information on your mover's full-value protection policies. Getting this supplementary coverage will cost more, but may be worth it if you're moving costly or rare items.

When is the best time of year to move?

The warmer months (ranging from May through September) are the ideal moving time, which makes for elevated demand and higher rates across the country for moves of all scopes. This may direct you away from a summer move due to the higher cost. You may also want to avoid moving in the summer because of the blistering heat that Friendswood can encounter, which could make moving in those months extremely challenging.

We advise moving in the springtime or early autumn so that you have optimal weather conditions and more affordable pricing for 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 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 cap insurance coverage for costly items, such as jewelry and heirlooms. If you're concerned about possible loss or damage, keep those invaluable or irreplaceable possessions in your own car.

Most movers refuse to transport certain items, including these:

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