10 best movers in St. Cloud, Minnesota

The best mover for relocating out of Minnesota is International Van Lines. Use the filters below to find other moving companies for a local move around St. Cloud.

Long-distance movers in St. Cloud

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

We’ve verified that the long-distance moving services below have an active license. These reliable 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?

While moving can be an expensive process, the average hourly rate for moving services in St. Cloud is lower than the national average. The cost of living in St. Cloud is only higher than 60.5% of the country, so moving prices are lower than expected.

Moving costs add up quickly based on what services you need. The following are common moving expenses:

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

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

Transporting specialty items

When hiring a moving companiy, you may have to pay more for moving breakable, valuable or very bulky items. The following items typically cost more to move:

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

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

Tipping your movers

While tipping movers isn’t required, it's customary to tip if they provide good service. For local moves, a standard tip is $5–$10 per mover per hour. For long-distance moves, tip $20–$40 per mover per day.

Unexpected delays

It's common for a move to be delayed due to issues such as transportation emergencies, traffic, inclement weather and a lack of supplies. These can inflate your moving costs and extend your timeline. Be prepared for delays by budgeting 25% more than your movers quote you and keeping a flexible schedule.

How to save money on moving costs

Consider these ways to save money on moving in St. Cloud.

Be communicative

To avoid unexpected charges on your moving day, be communicative with your movers, especially about items you add to your inventory after getting a quote from the movers.

Small items may not be a problem, but make sure they know about large additions such as new furniture or appliances. The movers may charge more for those additions and won’t start your move until you’ve agreed to the additional cost.

Have a flexible schedule

Since dependable and affordable movers are highly sought after, consider moving on a weekday or in the off-season to save some money while still booking your preferred relocation service.

Most people schedule moves from May through 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

There are several alternatives if you have difficulty finding a cost - effective relocation service that meets your needs.

You can handle the move on your own, but consider the following costs along with the labor required:

• Moving truck rental
• Fuel
• Packing supplies

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

Another option is to find movers on service marketplaces such as Thumbtack or Fiverr. While hiring hourly help can be more affordable, these freelance service providers may not have the necessary licensing or insurance coverage.

FAQ about moving in St. Cloud

What’s full-service moving?

Full-service moving means the movers take care of all aspects of the moving process, including supplying packing materials, 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 moving your belongings. However, full-service moving can be worth it when you take into account the time, labor and packing materials you'll save. Additionally, full-service moving can provide better insurance coverage, as self-packed items are usually only protected up to 60 cents per dollar, and it can be challenging to get a claim approved for self-packed damaged items.

How do you know a mover is licensed?

All legitimate moving businesses will display proof of registration on their moving trucks and on all official documents such as estimates and contracts. As stated above, you should check a company’s USDOT and MC numbers when planning an out of state move by checking the official FMCSA website. Moving companies in Minnesota are also required to have a license from the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

How does moving insurance work?

Determine the total worth of your belongings to accurately choose the best insurance policy. All movers will offer released-value coverage, which protects your goods at a rate of 60 cents per pound per item. Getting this additional 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 from May to September is peak moving time, leading to limited availability of movers and inflated costs for moves both sizable and small. For good reason, the high-costs might discourage you from a summer relocation. However, you may want to avoid a winter move, too, as Minnesota's icy conditions and snowy weather are less than ideal conditions for a 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, carry 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 restrict insurance coverage for costly items, such as jewelry and heirlooms. If you're worried about potential loss or damage, keep those invaluable or irreplaceable possessions in your own car.

There are certain goods and materials that moving services aren't allowed to move. These include the following:

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