5 best movers in Madison, Mississippi

International Van Lines is the best long-distance mover for relocating out of Mississippi. Use the filters below to find other moving companies for a local move in the Madison area.

Long-distance movers in Madison

A long-distance move is when you relocate more than 50 miles away or move to a different state. When moving across state lines, make sure your mover has the necessary 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 verify a carrier’s licensing status in the FMCSA’s database.

We’ve verified that the long-distance moving companies below are actively licensed. These reliable movers can help get 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?

The average hourly moving rate for moving within or out of Madison is higher than the national average, making it a relatively expensive process. The higher moving rates make sense as the cost of living in Madison is above 87.7% of the country.

Various factors are involved when moving, leading to expenses adding up fast. The following are common moving expenses:

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

These additional considerations can add even more to your total cost:

Transporting specialty items

Moving companies may charge more to move certain items, especially those that are breakable, valuable or oversized. These items often cost more to move:

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

Find out from potential movers whether they move these items and if so, whether they charge additional fees.

Tipping your movers

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

Unexpected delays

Traffic, limited supplies, transportation emergencies and bad weather can all delay your move and increase the time and cost. There’s no way to combat unexpected delays, but you can prepare for them by keeping a flexible schedule and adding 25% more than your movers quote you to your moving budget.

How to save money on moving costs

Keeping these ways in mind can lower your moving costs in Madison.

Be communicative

Communicate any changes to your schedule or inventory to avoid surprise charges on the day of your move. Be especially transparent about items you’re adding to your inventory after a virtual or in-person walkthrough with your movers.

For example, your movers can usually add small items to the truck without a problem, but large items — like new appliances or furniture — should be discussed beforehand. The movers may charge more for those items and won’t start your move until you’ve consented to the additional charges.

Have a flexible schedule

Schedule your move in the off-season or on a weekday to save money and book your movers of choice.

The busiest moving period is between May and September. You may find less competition and lower moving rates if your timeline is flexible and you can plan your move outside of those months.

Consider alternatives to professional movers

If you have difficulty finding an affordable moving service that meets your needs, there are alternative routes you can take.

You can move on your own, but consider the labor required and the following costs:

• 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. Professional movers are worth it if you don’t have the time or support to commit to self-moving.

You can also hire movers on service marketplaces such as Fiverr or Thumbtack, which can be cheaper. However, these freelance service providers may not have proper licensing or insurance.

FAQ about moving in Madison

What’s full-service moving?

Full-service moving means the movers manage the entire moving process, including supplying packing materials, packing your belongings, transporting them and unpacking them.

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

How do you know a mover is licensed?

Any legitimate moving company will show their proof of registration on physical trucks and official files. If you're making an out of state move, you should screen companies for legitimate USDOT and MC numbers beforehand by visiting the official FMCSA website. Moving companies in Mississippi are also required to have a license from the Mississippi Department of Transportation.

How does moving insurance work?

Check what insurance policies your movers provide. All movers will offer released-value coverage, which protects your goods at a rate of 60 cents per pound per item. A full-value protection policy may be practical if your belongings are worth a lot, so ask to explore rates.

When is the best time of year to move?

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

On moving day, keep personal documents like financial records and identification documents in your own car. We also recommend keeping any valuable electronics, such as laptops, with you instead of on the moving truck.

Many moving businesses put limits on insurance coverage on high-value items, like jewelry and family heirlooms. Keep these yourself, as well as any other irreplaceable belongings, if you're concerned about potential loss or damage.

Most movers refuse to transport certain items, including these:

• Toxic chemicals or cleaners
• Fertilizers
• Perishable foods and produce
• Aerosols
• Fuel sources
• Batteries
• Compressed tanks or gas
• 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.