10 best movers in Lake Oswego, Oregon

International Van Lines is the best moving company for interstate moves. For a local move in the Lake Oswego area, use the filters below to find other companies for your move.

Long-distance movers in Lake Oswego

A long-distance move means relocating more than 50 miles away or from one state to another. If you're crossing state boundaries, you should be especially cautious that the mover you hire has the right federal licensing. Interstate movers are required to 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.

We’ve confirmed that the long-distance moving services below are actively licensed. These experienced and reputable movers can help get you and your belongings safely and smoothly across state lines.

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 Lake Oswego is relatively expensive, as the average hourly moving rate is higher than the national average. This makes sense considering the cost of living in Lake Oswego is higher than 93.7% of the country.

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

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

These additional considerations can bring up the cost of your total:

Transporting specialty items

Moving companies may charge more to move valuable, fragile or oversized items. These items can cost more to move:

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

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

Tipping your movers

While tipping your movers isn’t mandatory, it’s common if your movers got your belongings to your new home safely and efficiently. 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

Bad weather, transportation emergencies, limited supplies and traffic can all delay your move and add to the time and cost. Although delays are unpredictable, you can prepare for them by keeping a flexible schedule and adding 25% more than your movers quote you to your budget.

How to save money on moving costs

Consider these ways to save money on moving in Lake Oswego.

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 an estimate from the movers.

For example, small items can usually be added to the truck without a problem, but large items — like new appliances or furniture — need to be discussed beforehand. Additional fees may apply for large items, and your movers won’t begin the move until you’ve consented to the cost.

Have a flexible schedule

Moving in the off-season or during the week can reduce costs and ensure you book your preferred moving company.

Movers are busiest from May through September. Consider moving outside of those months if you have a flexible schedule, as there may be less competition or lower moving rates.

Consider alternatives to professional movers

There are several alternatives if you have difficulty finding a cheap moving company.

Handling the move on your own is an option. Before choosing this route, 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 or heavy items such as furniture. Movers are worth the cost if you lack the time or anyone to help you move.

Hiring movers on service marketplaces such as Thumbtack or Fiverr is another alternative. While hiring hourly help can be cheaper, these independent contractors may not have proper licensing or insurance.

FAQ about moving in Lake Oswego

What’s full-service moving?

Hiring full-service movers means they will tackle every part of the moving process. They provide packing supplies, pack your belongings, transport them and unpack them.

Full-service moving is pricier than services that only include loading and moving your items, but it can be worth it considering the time, labor and packing supplies it saves. Additionally, full-service moving can provide more comprehensive insurance coverage, as self-packed items are generally only protected up to 60 cents per dollar, and it can be tough to get a claim accepted for self-packed damaged items.

How do you know a mover is licensed?

All legitimate moving businesses will show proof of registration on their fleet vehicles, as well as on paperwork like estimates and agreements. If you're planning an interstate move, check the company's USDOT and MC numbers on the official FMCSA website. Moving companies in Oregon are also required to have a license from the Oregon Department of Transportation.

How does moving insurance work?

You should also look into a mover's insurance policies. Every company should offer released-value coverage, which insures items at 60 cents per pound per item. Adding this additional coverage will cost more, but may be worth it if you're moving expensive or rare items.

When is the best time of year to move?

The warmer months from May to September is the best time to move. This results in a limited supply of available moving companies, and increased costs for moves of all sizes. The steep seasonal prices may prevent you from going with a summer move.

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?

Load up your car with anything too important to lose, such as photos, financial records, identification documents and computers.

Many moving companies restrict insurance coverage for costly items, such as jewelry and heirlooms. If you're worried about potential loss or damage, take those invaluable or irreplaceable possessions in your own car.

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

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