7 Best Moving Companies for Apartments

By Sean Donnelly

Jun 16, 2023
Cardboard boxes, potted plants and household stuff indoors. Moving day to an apartment.

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Whether you’re moving a one-bedroom apartment or a four-bedroom unit in a high-rise, hiring one of the best moving companies will make relocating easier. The movers below offer high-quality basic and add-on services for clients. Learn more about each company’s offerings, strong points, and quote process to find a qualified mover for your local or long-distance moving needs.

 

 


 

The Best Moving Companies for Apartments

Here are our top apartment movers. For more information, read the provider summaries below.

 


 

Best Overall Mover: International Van Lines

Fast Facts:

What We Like

International Van Lines (IVL) has been in business as an international logistics management and relocation company since 2000 and as a domestic mover since 2004. IVL currently offers long-distance and local moves in all 50 states. It operates through a network of broker partners, many of which can provide specialized services for apartment tenants.

Cost

IVL does not offer binding estimates for moves. Because it operates across all 50 states, doing so could conflict with local moving tariff regulations. It can provide quick ballpark pricing via a price calculator and more comprehensive estimates via personalized visual surveys. 

You must pay a 25% deposit for any move you book through IVL. Discounts are available for veterans and senior citizens. It lists defined fees for extra flights of stairs ($75 per additional flight after the first ten steps) and long carries ($75 per additional 75 feet if the truck is parked more than 75 feet from the door), which may apply to clients moving into or out of apartment buildings.

Services Offered

As an international logistics company, IVL is equipped to offer specialized moving services for clients in apartment buildings and communities. Whether you’re moving from a small studio or four-bedroom apartment, IVL can offer a stress-free moving experience. Services include full-service packing, crating, storage options, and more.

Read more: International Van Lines Review

 


 

Best for Antiques: American Van Lines

Fast Facts:

What We Like

American Van Lines (AVL) has operated out of Florida since 1995. It lists itself as a moving carrier, which means it directly handles all moving services it takes on. It advertises that its movers average a decade of experience within the moving industry, lending credibility and quality to its add-on services.

Cost

AVL provides flat-rate prices for all moves following a visual assessment of goods. This involves a full in-home estimate or a virtual survey via video call. In either case, your move coordinator will create a full inventory of your goods and service requirements and break down your costs. After receiving your moving quote, you’ll pay a deposit between 10% and 50% of your move price to book. 

Services Offered

AVL can offer hassle-free service at all points of the moving process. Services include full-service packing for antiques and fragile goods, piano moving, climate-controlled storage, and more. Many of this mover’s qualified workers provide efficient pickup and delivery service at apartments and condos.

Read more: American Van Lines Review

 


 

Best for Major Cities: Interstate Moving & Relocation Group

Fast Facts:

What We Like

Interstate Moving & Relocation Group (IMRG) has moving partners across all 50 states. As a broker, it doesn’t directly provide moving services. Instead, it utilizes a network of other carriers to handle local and long-distance moves. It offers a quick price calculator tool and numerous moving guides and resources for clients relocating to new homes. It features bios of many of its more prominent partners in certain locations.

 

Cost

IMRG doesn’t offer binding estimates for any of the moves it handles. While its free quotes are easy to initiate, your pricing won’t be locked in between quote day and your move date. Clients should proceed with caution, as many moving brokers have difficulty ensuring their partners adhere to quoted rates.

Services Offered

IMRG’s partners range from moving container providers for DIY moves to full-service moving companies. Whether you’re conducting a small move for a studio apartment or are moving to a larger new apartment, many of these companies can offer efficient relocation solutions for you.

Read more: Interstate Moving & Relocation Group Review 

 


 

Best for Coordinated Moves: Moving APT

Fast Facts:

What We Like

Moving APT is another moving broker with a national presence. It partners with long-distance and local movers to handle moving needs of varying scope and scale. With more than 2,500 individual service providers spread throughout the country, this broker can help you find a qualified moving crew.

Cost

Moving APT doesn’t provide binding estimates for any moves it handles. It advertises a price-matching option, but clients should be wary of this feature. Price-matching guarantees may not be enforceable in certain locations due to local tariff regulations. Deposits depend largely on the partner that handles your move.

Services Offered

Moving APT’s partners offer standard packing and unpacking, assembly and disassembly, and more. Whether you’re looking for a local moving company or interstate relocation assistance, this broker’s partner carriers can help.

Read more: Moving APT Review

 


 

Best for Condos and HOAs: Safeway Moving Inc.

Fast Facts:

What We Like

Safeway Moving Inc. is a broker and carrier based in Fort Lauderdale. It recently purchased a fleet of 20 moving trucks to work directly as a professional mover, but this service is largely limited to long-distance moves to and from Florida. 

Safeway’s partner companies provide long-distance service to and from all 50 states, and each carries a $1 million insurance policy. This exceeds industry requirements and allows Safeway partners to operate in apartment complexes and buildings with strict homeowners association (HOA) and condominium owners association (COA) regulations.

Cost

Safeway provides binding flat-rate pricing for all moves it carries out. When you contact Safeway, a move coordinator will write up your inventory during a virtual survey. Your cost is based on a rough estimate of the shipping capacity required for your move. Once you receive your quote, you’ll pay a 40% deposit to book.

Services Offered

Safeway exclusively provides long-distance moving services. Your service options depend largely on the partners available near you. Regardless of exact offerings, all long-distance moves come with 30 days of free short-term storage.

Read more: Safeway Moving Inc. Review 

 


 

Best Mobile App: JK Moving Services

Fast Facts:

What We Like

JK Moving has been in business since 1982. Its personal move coordinators help each client set detailed moving plans, while its background-checked moving professionals provide premium service. Its workers are trained in an on-site facility at company headquarters that includes a fully furnished two-story home.

Cost

JK Moving offers best-in-class virtual estimates through an AI-assisted mobile app. All moving quotes take your inventory and added services into account. JK requires a $250 deposit for all moves and provides financing options for clients on tighter budgets. Depending on your credit rating, financing can range as low as 0% when you apply.

Services Offered

JK Moving only provides local moving services within a limited area: Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Long-distance service is available to all 50 states. Services for moves of any size include access to climate-controlled storage units, full packing, crating for antiques, and more.

Read more: JK Moving Services Review

 


 

Best Appliance Movers: North American Van Lines

Fast Facts:

What We Like

North American Van Lines (NAVL) has provided moving assistance since its founding in 1933. It now operates 500 locations across the United States with local and long-distance service available from most branches. Many of its moving partners have experience providing moving services for customers in apartment complexes.

Cost

NAVL offers flat-rate pricing for customers who require it. This rates highly among customers with a tighter budget. If you’re planning a longer move, flat-rate pricing should be at the top of your list of things to look for in a mover. NAVL doesn’t require deposits for booking.

Services Offered

North American Van Lines’ individual branches offer a suite of basic and add-on services, including debris removal, packing, and antique and fragile packing. Whether you’re moving within a local apartment complex or across the country, NAVL can provide moving crews to help.

Read more: North American Van Lines Review

 


 

How to Pick an Apartment Mover

Consider several factors when you choose the best moving company for your apartment move. Thoroughly evaluate each mover you look into by taking the following steps:

Look Up Reviews

Looking into customer reviews should be the first step in any moving process. Before you book with a professional moving company, read reviews on multiple platforms. Google, Yelp, social media, Trustpilot, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) are all reputable customer review sources. 

Look for trends in both positive and negative customer feedback. This will help you better understand a mover’s conduct outside its stated policies.

Check Service Profiles

Most moving companies list their service offerings on their websites. Some add-ons, such as packing and storage, are almost universal. Storage, crating, antique moving, and heavy item moving (pianos, pool tables, etc.) are more specialized. Ask about service offerings during the quote process if a certain add-on isn’t explicitly listed online.

Check for Added Fees

Most moving companies charge extra for certain conveniences. This could include long-carry fees if the apartment is far from the truck. You may be required to pay additional fees if the movers have to climb more than one flight of stairs or manage freight elevators to get your belongings into and out of your apartment in busy buildings. Ask about added fees during the quote process.

Ask About Apartment Logistics

Some apartments are located in hard-to-reach walk-ups with multiple flights of stairs between the building entrance and the resident’s front door. Many complexes have tighter parking lots that make moving truck access difficult. Some apartment buildings have dedicated freight elevators that are reserved for use by building staff and movers. If so, reserve time on your move date to use the elevator. Your moving company may be able to help with this.

 


 

What Factors Influence Your Apartment Move’s Cost?

Before getting quotes for your local, long-distance, or interstate move, understand the primary cost factors that affect the move. For apartment moves, cost factors include the following:

 


 

Our Recommendation

Before staging an apartment move, we recommend getting quotes from at least three different professional movers. Doing so will help ensure that your next move goes smoothly and that you hire a moving company that can cater to your needs. 

International Van Lines has the widest availability and provides the largest range of add-on services across its service area. American Van Lines employs movers with an average of 10 years of experience on the job, which adds security if you have more specialized moving needs. Interstate Moving & Relocation Group offers catered services for clients in tighter spaces within major cities. You can use these as starting points before proceeding further with your search..

 


 

Apartment Moving Company FAQ

Is hiring a moving company for an apartment move worth it?

If your apartment move is likely to be difficult—for example, if your apartment has numerous flights of stairs or is difficult to access from the parking lot—we recommend hiring a moving company. Professional workers will have the requisite experience and physical endurance to handle your relocation with ease.

Do I have to schedule my move with my apartment building manager?

If you live in a taller apartment building that only provides elevator access to higher floors, you will likely have to schedule time on the elevator for your movers with your apartment building manager. Failure to do so could result in your movers being unable to provide service. 

What are the most common added fees associated with apartment moves?

The most common added fees for apartment moves are long-carry and elevator fees. If you have a piano or heavier items that need to be moved out of a walk-up with numerous flights of stairs, you may face higher than average single-item moving fees.

 


 

How We Chose the Top Apartment Moving Companies

We researched and analyzed dozens of full- and self-service moving companies and formulated a moving review methodology based on a number of factors, including package options, pricing, and reputation. We also identified customer pain points based on customer-review analysis, proprietary consumer surveys, and interviews with former and current moving professionals.

Speaking directly to a representative at each company, we determined the number of package options available, the coverage provided, the types of moves available (long-distance, local, and international), and any extra perks offered, such as mobile apps, moving checklists, and 24/7 customer service.

We also gathered pricing data from each of the companies and determined whether they provide ballpark estimates or binding quotes. To determine reputation, we evaluated companies based on their rating with the Better Business Bureau as well as their overall score on Yelp.