10 best movers in Worcester, Massachusetts

International Van Lines is the best moving company for interstate moves. For a local move in the Worcester area, use the filters below to find other moving companies that meet your needs.

Long-distance movers in Worcester

A long-distance move is when you move more than 50 miles away or relocate to a different state. If you're moving across state lines, you must be especially careful that the moving company you hire has the right federal licensing. Interstate movers must have United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. You can use the USDOT number, MC number or mover's name to look up a carrier’s licensing status in the FMCSA’s database.

The long-distance movers below are experienced and actively licensed. They can help get your belongings safely and smoothly 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

GET ESTIMATE

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

GET ESTIMATE

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

GET ESTIMATE

Why is moving so expensive?

While the moving process can be expensive, the average hourly rate for moving services in Worcester is lower than the national average. Despite the cost of living in Worcester being higher than 90.8% of the country, moving prices in the area are lower than expected.

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

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

These extra factors can bring up the cost of your total:

Transporting specialty items

Moving companies may charge more to move certain belongings, especially those that are breakable, valuable or oversized. The following items typically are more expensive to move:

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

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

Tipping your movers

While tipping your movers is optional, it’s common if your movers handled your belongings with care or made your move stress - free. 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

Delays are common due to issues such as a lack of supplies, traffic, transportation emergencies and inclement weather. These can increase your moving costs and extend your timeline. You can't avoid unexpected delays, but you can prepare for them by being flexible with your schedule and allocating 25% more than your movers quote you to your budget.

How to save money on moving costs

The following tips can reduce your moving expenses in Worcester.

Be communicative

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

For example, small items can usually be added to the truck without issue, but large items — like new furniture or appliances — should 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

Since dependable and cost-effective movers are highly sought after, consider moving during the week or in the off-season to lower the cost while still reserving your preferred movers.

Most people hire movers between May and September. You may get lower moving rates and less competition if your timeline is flexible and you can schedule your move outside of those months.

Consider alternatives to professional movers

If you can’t find a budget - friendly moving provider that meets your needs, there are several alternatives to consider.

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

• Moving truck rental
• Fuel
• Packing supplies

Getting help from family, friends or neighbors for moving bulky or heavy items such as furniture can make your move faster and easier. If you don't have the time or support system needed for a self-move, hiring movers is valuable.

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

FAQ about moving in Worcester

What’s full-service moving?

Full-service moving is when your hired movers tackle every part of the moving process for you. They provide packing supplies, pack your belongings, transport them and unpack them.

Full-service moving is pricier than services that only include loading and transporting your items, but it can be worth the extra cost considering the time, labor and packing materials it saves. Additionally, full-service moving tends to offer better insurance coverage compared to self-packed items, which are generally only insured up to 60 cents per dollar. Getting a damage claim approved for self-packed items can also be difficult.

How do you know a mover is licensed?

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

How does moving insurance work?

Learn what insurance policies your movers provide. All movers should offer released-value coverage, which pays 60 cents per pound per item. If you're moving high-value items, inquire about your mover's full-value protection policies. Getting this extra 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 best moving time, leading to limited 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 avoid a winter move, too, as Massachusetts' icy roads and snowy weather are far from ideal conditions for a move.

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?

Load up your car with anything too valuable to lose, such as photographs, financial records, identification documents and computers.

Moving businesses often restrict insurance coverage on high-value goods, like jewelry and heirlooms. Carry irreplaceable and valuable possessions in your own car if you're worried about loss or damage.

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

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

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.