10 best movers in Houston, Texas

International Van Lines is the best moving company for interstate moves. For a local move around Houston, use the filters below to find other movers that meet your needs.

Long-distance movers in Houston

A long-distance move is when you relocate more than 50 miles away or move from one state to another. If you're crossing state boundaries, you should be especially cautious that the mover you use has the right federal licensing. Interstate movers must have United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. To look up a carrier's licensing status, you can input the MC number, USDOT number or mover's name into the FMCSA's database.

The reliable and experienced long-distance moving firms below have an active license. They can help get 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?

The average hourly moving rate for moving within or out of Houston is higher than the national average, making itfairly costly. The higher moving rates make sense as the cost of living in Houston is above 85.8% of the country.

Various factors are involved in moving, so expenses add up fast. Here are some common moving costs:

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

Your final moving bill may also be affected by these extra considerations:

Transporting specialty items

Professional movers may charge more to move fragile, oversized or valuable items. These items typically are more expensive to move:

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

Ask movers if they move these items and charge extra for them.

Tipping your movers

While tipping movers is optional, it's common to tip if they provide quality 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

Delays happen. Bad weather, transportation emergencies, limited supplies and traffic can all make your move more expensive and take longer. There’s no way to prevent delays, but 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

Keeping the following tips in mind can reduce your moving expenses in Houston.

Be communicative

To prevent surprise charges on your moving day, be communicative with your movers, particularly about items you add to your inventory after a virtual or in-person walkthrough with your movers.

While your movers can usually accommodate small items without issue, larger pieces such as new furniture or appliances should be discussed in advance. Additional fees may apply for these items, and your movers won’t start the move until you’ve consented to the cost.

Have a flexible schedule

Dependable, affordable movers are highly sought after. Consider moving in the off-season or during the week to save some money 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 schedule your move during slower periods.

Consider alternatives to professional movers

If you can’t find a cheap moving service that works for you, there are several alternatives to consider.

One alternative is moving on your own. Consider the amount of labor required and the following costs when deciding between professional moving team and moving yourself:

• Packing supplies
• Moving truck rental
• Fuel

You may also need to get help from family, friends or neighbors for moving large items such as furniture. Professional movers provide significant value if you don’t have the time or support to commit to moving yourself.

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

FAQ about moving in Houston

What’s full-service moving?

Full-service moving is when your movers manage the entire moving process for you. They supply packing materials, pack your belongings, transport them and unpack them.

Full-service moving costs more than services that only include loading and transporting your items, but it can be worth the extra cost considering the time, labor and packing supplies you'll save. Additionally, full-service moving may provide more comprehensive insurance coverage compared to self-packed goods, which are generally only insured up to 60 cents per dollar. Getting a damage claim approved for self-packed goods can also be tough.

How do you know a mover is licensed?

All legitimate moving companies will show proof of registration on their transport trucks, as well as on paperwork like quotes and agreements. If you're coordinating an interstate move, confirm the company's USDOT and MC numbers on 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?

Review what insurance policies your movers provide. Every company should offer released-value coverage, which insures items at 60 cents per pound per item. Adding this extra 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 hotter months, May to September, usher in peak moving demand, leading to constrained availability and inflated costs countrywide for substantial and small moves alike. This might deter you from a summer relocation given the price hikes. You also may want to steer clear of moving amid Houston's extreme summertime temperatures, as this could make relocating exceptionally difficult.

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 place limits on insurance coverage for high-value items, such as jewelry and heirlooms. If you're concerned about irreplaceable and valuable items being lost or damaged, keep those belongings with you.

Most movers refuse to transport certain items, including the following:

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

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.