10 best movers in Syracuse, New York

The best interstate moving company for relocating out of New York is International Van Lines. Use the filters below to find other movers for a local move in the Syracuse area.

Long-distance movers in Syracuse

A long-distance move means moving more than 50 miles away or from one state to another. When crossing state boundaries, check that your moving company has the necessary federal licensing. Interstate movers must 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 reliable and experienced long-distance movers below are actively licensed. They can help get your belongings safely and smoothly to your new home.

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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 Syracuse is relatively costly, as the average hourly moving rate is higher than the national average. This makes sense considering the cost of living in Syracuse is above 63.2% of the country.

Moving costs add up fast depending on what services you need. The following are typical moving expenses:

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

These extra factors can cause your total cost to rise even more:

Transporting specialty items

Professional movers may charge more to move certain belongings, especially those that are breakable, valuable or oversized. These items often are more expensive to move:

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

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

Tipping your movers

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

Unexpected delays

Delays happen. Traffic, transportation emergencies, limited supplies and bad weather can all make your move more expensive and take longer. Prepare for delays by adding 25% more than your movers quote you to your budget and having a flexible schedule.

How to save money on moving costs

Consider these ways to lower moving costs in Syracuse.

Be communicative

Keep your movers informed about any modifications to your schedule or inventory, especially when adding items they have to move.

Small items may not pose an issue, but make sure they know about large additions such as new furniture or appliances. The movers may need to adjust their quote for these additions and get your consent to these fees before starting the move.

Have a flexible schedule

Reliable, cost-effective movers are in high demand. Consider moving in the off-season or on a weekday to reduce costs and still get your preferred moving team.

Peak moving season is 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

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

You can handle the move by yourself, but consider the following costs along with the labor required:

• Packing supplies
• Fuel
• Moving truck rental

Getting help from friends, family or neighbors for loading and unloading large or heavy items such as furniture can make your move faster and easier. If you lack the time or support system required for a self-move, employing movers is a worthwhile investment.

Another option is to hire movers on service marketplaces such as Thumbtack or Fiverr. While hiring hourly help can cost less, these freelance service providers may not have proper licensing or insurance coverage.

FAQ about moving in Syracuse

What’s full-service moving?

Full-service moving means the movers manage all aspects of the moving process, including providing packing supplies, packing your belongings, transporting them and unpacking them.

Full-service moving is more expensive than standard moving services, which typically only cover the loading up and transport of your belongings. The price can be worth it, considering the time and labor packers save you, as well as covering the cost of packing materials. Full-service moving may also provide better insurance coverage. Self-packed items are generally only covered for up to 60 cents per dollar, and damage claims for these items can be tough to get approved.

How do you know a mover is licensed?

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

How does moving insurance work?

Approximate the total worth of your belongings to accurately choose the most suitable insurance policy. All movers should offer released-value coverage, which pays 60 cents per pound per item. If you're moving high-value items, request information on your mover's full-value protection policies. However, you may want to inquire about full-value protection, which most movers offer at an additional cost, if your belongings include expensive items.

When is the best time of year to move?

The hotter months between May and September is optimal moving time, leading to less availability of movers and inflated costs for moves both big and small. Understandably, the high-costs might discourage you from a summer relocation. However, you may want to steer clear of a winter move, too, as New York's icy roads and snowy weather are far from ideal conditions for a 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 valuable to lose, such as photographs, financial records, identification documents and technology.

Moving companies often cap insurance coverage on expensive goods, like jewelry and heirlooms. Bring irreplaceable and valuable belongings in your own car if you're worried about loss or damage.

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

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

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.