10 best movers in Tacoma, Washington

The best mover for relocating out of Washington is International Van Lines. If you're moving around Tacoma, use the filters below to find other local moving companies.

Long-distance movers in Tacoma

A long-distance move is when you move over 50 miles away or relocate from one state to another. When moving across state boundaries, check that your mover has the proper federal licensing. Interstate movers are required to have United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. To check a carrier's licensing status, you can input the USDOT number, MC 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 experienced movers can help get you and 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?

The average hourly moving rate for relocating within or out of Tacoma is higher than the national average, making itrelatively costly. The higher moving rates make sense because the cost of living in Tacoma is above 89.2% of the country.

Numerous factors are involved in moving, so expenses add up quickly. Here are some typical moving costs:

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

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

Transporting specialty items

When hiring professional movers, you may have to pay more for moving valuable, fragile or oversized items. Some items that can be more expensive to move include the following:

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

When deciding between movers, ask if they move these items and charge extra 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

Transportation emergencies, limited supplies, traffic and bad weather can all delay your move and add to the time and cost. Prepare for delays by allocating 25% more than your movers quote you to your moving budget and keeping a flexible schedule.

How to save money on moving costs

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

Be communicative

Prevent surprise charges the day of your move by communicating with your movers as much as possible. Be especially transparent about items you’re adding to your inventory after a virtual or in-person walkthrough with your movers.

While small items can typically be accommodated without issue, larger pieces such as new furniture or appliances should be discussed in advance. Additional fees may apply for large items, and your movers won’t start the move until you’ve agreed to the charges.

Have a flexible schedule

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

The busiest moving period is from May through September. If your timeline is flexible, moving during less busy months may result in lower rates or less competition.

Consider alternatives to professional movers

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

Move yourself is one option. Before choosing this route, consider the labor required and the following costs:

• Fuel
• Packing supplies
• Moving truck rental

You may also need to get help from friends, family or neighbors for loading and unloading large items such as furniture. If you lack the time or support system needed for a self-move, hiring movers is valuable.

Hiring movers on service marketplaces such as Fiverr or Thumbtack is another option. Hiring hourly help can be cheaper, but gig workers may not have proper licensing or insurance coverage.

FAQ about moving in Tacoma

What’s full-service moving?

When you choose full-service moving, your hired movers will manage the entire moving process. This includes supplying packing materials, packing your belongings, transporting them to the new location and unpacking everything for you.

Standard moving services are more affordable than full-service moving, as they typically only include loading and transporting your belongings. However, full-service moving can be a justifiable expense when you take into account the time, labor and packing materials you'll save. Full-service moving may also provide better insurance coverage. Self-packed items are typically only covered for up to 60 cents per dollar, and damage claims for these goods can be difficult to get approved.

How do you know a mover is licensed?

All legitimate moving companies will display proof of registration on their moving trucks and on formal filings such as estimates and contracts. As stated above, you should verify a company’s USDOT and MC numbers when planning an interstate move by checking the official FMCSA website. Moving companies in Washington are also required to have a license from the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission.

How does moving insurance work?

Review what insurance policies your movers provide. Released-value coverage applies to all moves, which insures 60 cents per pound per item. Also consider full-value protection coverage if you're transporting valuable goods — just know that these plans cost extra.

When is the best time of year to move?

The warmer months — May through September — are the best time to move in the U.S., which results in substantially increased demand and notably higher rates across the country for moves of all types. With good reason, this may steer you away from a summer move due to the higher cost.

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?

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 restrict insurance coverage on high-value items, like jewelry and family heirlooms. Hold onto these yourself, as well as any other irreplaceable possessions, if you're worried about potential loss or damage.

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

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