Many new residents are attracted to Iowa’s job opportunities in manufacturing and green energy, as well as its low unemployment rate. Whether you’re moving to America’s Heartland for the wide open spaces or lower cost of living, you’ll want to book a qualified moving company to assist you. We’ve broken down the best moving companies for long-distance and local relocation needs below.
Based on our research, the best options for long-distance Iowa moves are United Van Lines and North American Van Lines (NAVL). United and NAVL have highly rated branches in Iowa which provide long-distance service to most states nationwide. Aside from this, United and NAVL each offer binding pricing options that can help you stay within a defined budget for a longer relocation.
We recommend Adamantine Spine Moving if you’re moving a shorter distance. Its Des Moines office has more than 300 positive reviews on Google Reviews that attest to reliable quotes and efficient moving crews.
All of the moving companies we recommend scored highly on our rating scale. We account for multiple key metrics, including industry reputation, offered services, pricing and customer service.
Best moving companies
The following providers each offer the best available moving services in the Hawkeye State.
Long-distance:
Compare top choices for Iowa moving companies
We rated popular long-distance moving companies against our grading scale. See how their ratings and deposit requirements compare here:
Best long-distance movers in Iowa
Each provider below offers full-service options for long-distance Iowa relocations.
United Van Lines
North American Van Lines
Allied Van Lines
Best movers for a local Iowa move
The following movers offer reliable service throughout Iowa with some long-distance options.
Adamantine Spine Moving
White Glove Movers
College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving IA
A guide to professional movers: Making an informed choice
Be fully informed on the different aspects of working with a mover before getting free quotes. We’ve listed the factors to be aware of when scheduling estimates.
Moving services
All moving companies offer a baseline service package which includes loading and unloading, transportation of household goods and released-value protection for loss or damage. Beyond this, all moving companies provide additional services at increased rates, which can include the following:
- Packing and unpacking services
- Crating
- Vehicle shipping
- Short- and long-term storage
- Junk removal
- Home staging
- Furniture delivery
- Piano moving
- Heavy item moving
To determine your service needs, conduct a walk-through of your home and create a full inventory list. Break the list down room by room and note all the items you plan to take and get rid of. Discuss this with your move coordinator during the quote process for the most accurate estimate.
Carriers vs. brokers
Moving companies operate under two basic service models: carriers and brokers. Moving carriers directly handle all services they book while moving brokers operate as middlemen between customers and carriers. They often take large upfront payments as deposits or booking fees and do not assume liability for any lost or damaged goods.
Moving regulations
Moving companies must comply with local or federal laws to legally operate. Always check a mover’s registration status before getting a quote.
Regulations for interstate and long-distance movers
Movers that offer interstate or long-distance services are federally regulated. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires that these providers 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 database.
Regulations for intrastate and local movers
Iowa movers that only offer local moving services are regulated by the Iowa Department of Transportation and must carry active Iowa Motor Carrier numbers. These must be displayed on any of their moving trucks, copies of move estimates and moving contracts.
Moving costs
Your pricing structure will depend on the distance and scope of your move. We’ve listed the different estimate types here.
Long-distance moving costs
Long-distance relocations are billed according to shipment weight and total move distance. These moves are assigned all-inclusive “line-haul fees.” These charges can increase depending on your additional service needs. In addition, you may be able to secure a binding estimate for your move, which will not shift between quote day and moving day unless your inventory or service needs do.
Local moving costs in Iowa
Local moves are assigned ballpark rates based on hourly pricing. The number of movers and trucks you need will determine hourly costs. These can shift depending on the overall demand for moving services in your area or the season.
Moving insurance
All moving companies must provide some means of reimbursement for loss or damage during any move. While it isn’t insurance, this coverage functions similarly. The federal minimum for this is released-value protection. It offers 60 cents per pound per item in protection at no additional cost to moving clients. Movers also provide full-value protection at an additional cost. Your exact price for this protection will depend on your inventory.
Final take: Get a quote from United for a long-distance move or Adamantine Spine Moving for a local Iowa relocation
For a long-distance Iowa move, we recommend United Van Lines. United offers binding estimates and includes full-value protection with all quotes, adding a layer of protection against financial setbacks during your relocation.
For a local move in Iowa, we like Adamantine Spine moving. This mover offered us a quick quote when we reached out and provides a range of custom services, such as fragile-only packing and white glove service for high-value items.
If you can, we recommend you avoid moving during the peak season of May through September to ensure you can book with your desired mover at a reasonable rate. Most movers increase prices at this time in response to heightened demand. Getting three quotes between four and six weeks before your move date can help you secure a fair rate for service.
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 moving companies 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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