Whether you’re looking forward to Alabama’s outdoor recreation and fisheries or its barbecue eateries, you’ll find many reasons to call it home. When you move in, you’ll undoubtedly be welcomed with classic Southern hospitality, too.
We recommend North American Van Lines (NAVL) and Allied Van Lines for interstate moving services to and from Alabama. These nationwide moving companies operate highly rated offices within the state, and each offers access to moving networks that span all 50 states and hundreds of local offices. Plus, NAVL offers “bottom-line” and “not-to-exceed” pricing options for all moves, which can help relieve concerns about hidden fees.
For local moving assistance, we found that New Latitude Moving provides a quick quote process and high customer ratings.
Any moving company we evaluate is screened through our proprietary rating system. All the Alabama movers featured here have received high marks for service range, coverage area and overall customer review scores.
Top moving companies
We vetted each of the following movers for both local and long-distance service:
Long-distance:
Compare top choices for long-distance movers
See how our top long-distance movers compare based on our ratings and their deposit requirements:
Best long-distance movers in Alabama
Each of the following providers offers highly rated service for long-distance and interstate clients in Alabama:
Best movers for a local Alabama move
We researched top local movers operating in Alabama. Each provider scored high on our rating scale and is well-reviewed by customers.
Making an informed choice: A guide to professional movers
When you get a quote from any moving company, you should consider several factors before making your final decision. We’ve listed them below; being aware of these when going into the quote process can help you to effectively narrow down your options.
Moving services
Any move’s initial step will be to determine your exact service needs. To do this, conduct a full walk-through of your home and write up an inventory list. Include all items you plan to take with you and those you plan to get rid of. Also note any basic or additional services you could need. These can include the following options:
- Packing services
- Unpacking
- Crating for antiques or fragile items
- Short-term storage services
- Long-term storage
- Vehicle shipping
- Home staging
- Junk removal
Carriers vs. brokers
You should understand your mover’s service model before you book. Moving companies operate under one of two main service models: carriers and brokers.
- Carriers directly provide all moving services clients book with them. They provide their own moving crews and trucks for these jobs.
- Brokers operate as middlemen between clients and carriers. They book your move with carriers and collect upfront deposits as a convenience fee.
Moving regulations
Regardless of where your move takes you, make sure that your mover of choice is properly licensed. These requirements will vary depending on the scope of your move.
Regulations for interstate and long-distance movers
All long-distance moving companies or movers offering interstate service are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This governing body requires that these movers carry active United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. Use these to look up a mover’s registration status on the FMCSA’s website.
Regulations for intrastate and local movers
Alabama movers providing only local service are required to register with the Alabama Public Service Commission. You can visit its website to file complaints for breaches of contract.
Moving costs
Knowing your chosen mover’s pricing structure is a great way to help you understand any quote you receive. This will primarily depend on the distance your move takes you.
Long-distance moving costs
All long-distance moves are assigned bottom-line rates that are primarily based on move distance and total shipment weight. Including optional services such as packing and crating for antiques can substantially add to your totals for these moves. Long-distance relocations are also eligible for binding estimates, which won’t change unless your inventory or service needs do before moving day.
Local moving costs in Alabama
Local moves are given ballpark estimates based on hourly rates. Hourly rates are always set by the number of movers and trucks needed for a given move. These estimates will not have a “binding” option.
Moving insurance
All movers assign released-value protection at no additional charge. This offers 60 cents per pound per item in reimbursement for loss or damage during a move. Beyond this, most movers provide full-value protection options for additional coverage at a higher rate. Your exact cost will depend on your mover.
Final take: Book your move during the spring or fall to avoid higher rates
Avoiding the hot, humid summer months in Alabama can help you have a more streamlined moving experience. Not only do full-service moving companies experience more demand between May and September, but moving teams may experience delays due to heat, which could increase your overall costs.
Based on our in-depth research, we recommend North American Van Lines or Allied Van Lines for long-distance moving needs and New Latitude Moving for a local move. Get at least three free quotes from professional movers in your area before booking a relocation. Doing this will help you to get an accurate picture of what your costs should be.
Our rating methodology for moving companies
Our moving recommendations are all backed by our detailed rating methodology. To fairly assess both interstate and local movers, we have tailored two sets of review standards for long-distance and intrastate movers.
Both sets of review standards assess factors including reputation and customer satisfaction, availability and range, services offered, pricing and quote practices and customer service. We rate each moving company out of 100 possible points. We then divide the final score by 20 to obtain the 5-star rating we feature in our reviews.
BBB and Google Reviews ratings are accurate as of May 2024.
Top local movers near you
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
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