10 best movers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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

Long-distance movers in Philadelphia

A long-distance move means moving over 50 miles away or from one state to another. Hiring a moving company with the necessary federal licensing is especially important if you're crossing state boundaries. Interstate movers are required to have United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. Input the USDOT number, MC number or mover's name into the FMCSA's database to look up a carrier's licensing status.

The long-distance moving companies below are reliable and actively licensed. 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?

Moving is expensive, but the average hourly moving rate in Philadelphia is lower than the national average. Although the cost of living in Philadelphia is higher than 85.0% of the country, moving prices in the area are more affordable than expected.

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

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

These additional factors can cause your total moving cost to climb even more:

Transporting specialty items

When hiring a moving companiy, you may have to pay extra for moving breakable, valuable or very large items. The following items can be more expensive to move:

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

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

Tipping your movers

While tipping movers is optional, it's common 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. Bad weather, limited supplies, traffic and transportation emergencies can all make your move more expensive and take longer. Be prepared for delays by adding 25% more than your movers quote you to your budget and keeping a flexible schedule.

How to save money on moving costs

The following tips can save you money on moving in Philadelphia.

Be communicative

To avoid unexpected charges on your moving day, maintain open communication with your movers, particularly 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 a problem, but large items — like new furniture or appliances — need to be discussed ahead of time. The movers may need to charge more for those additions and won’t start your move until you’ve agreed to the additional cost.

Have a flexible schedule

Move in the off-season or during the week to reduce costs and reserve your movers of choice.

Most people hire moving companies from May through September. If your timeline is flexible, you may want to move 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 can’t find an affordable relocation service that meets your needs, there are alternative routes you can take.

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

• Packing supplies
• Moving truck rental
• Fuel

Your family, friends or neighbors may also need to help you move, especially if you have heavy items such as furniture. Professional movers provide significant value if you don’t have the time or support to commit to self-moving.

Another alternative is to find movers on service marketplaces such as Thumbtack or Fiverr. Hiring hourly help can be more cost-effective, but freelance service providers may not have proper licensing or insurance coverage.

FAQ about moving in Philadelphia

What’s full-service moving?

When you opt for full-service moving, your hired movers will handle all aspects of the moving process. This includes supplying packing materials, packing your belongings, transporting them to the new location and unpacking them.

Full-service moving is more expensive 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 can offer more comprehensive insurance coverage, as self-packed items are generally only covered up to 60 cents per dollar, and it can be difficult to get a claim accepted for self-packed damaged goods.

How do you know a mover is licensed?

Legitimate moving companies will present proof of registration on all trucks, documents and facilities. Interstate moves mandate USDOT and MC numbers, so be sure to inspect their registration completely before hiring movers by visiting the official FMCSA website. Moving companies in Pennsylvania are also required to have a license from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.

How does moving insurance work?

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. Purchasing this extra coverage will cost more, but may be worth it if you're moving expensive or irreplaceable items.

When is the best time of year to move?

The ideal moving time is between May and September, creating limited availability and inflated costs countrywide for both large and small moves. Understandably, this might cause you to think twice about making a move during the summertime.

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 photo albums 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 on high-value items, like jewelry and family heirlooms. Keep these yourself, as well as any other irreplaceable belongings, if you're worried about potential loss or damage.

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

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

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.