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Hiring professional movers to get you to your new home in the Palmetto State can mean a much more stress-free experience. Full-service moving companies have the workers, truck fleets, and know-how to make your moving process as smooth as possible. The best moving companies in the industry provide clients with quality basic and add-on services. Request free quotes from the moving companies we listed below to prepare for your South Carolina move.
The Best Movers in South Carolina
These companies are among the best long-distance and local movers in South Carolina.
- Best Overall Mover: International Van Lines
- Best for High-Value Goods: American Van Lines
- Best for Major Cities: Interstate Moving & Relocation Group
- Best for Coordinated Moves: Moving APT
- Best for Condos and HOAs: Safeway Moving Inc.
- Best Mobile App: JK Moving Services
- Best Appliance Movers: North American Van Lines
Best Overall Mover: International Van Lines
Fast Facts:
- Service model: Full-service carrier and broker
- Specialty services: Yes
- State availability: 50
- Get a quick quote: Visit International Van Lines’ site
What We Like
International Van Lines (IVL) is a full-service moving carrier and broker that operates throughout all 50 states. While it began as an international moving and logistics company, it has handled local and long-distance moves since 2004.
It brokers out all of its moves to third-party carriers in South Carolina. However, its speedy quote process and customer service still make it an excellent choice for various moving needs.
Cost
We underwent the IVL quote process and read numerous customer reviews, and we determined that the IVL quote process is efficient. Representatives are quick to render estimates. Local and long-distance move packages include loading, unloading, and released liability coverage. IVL also offers 30 days of storage at your destination (long-distance moves only). Deposits are typically 25% of your move total.
Services
International Van Lines offers customized moving plans for clients with varying needs. Its basic full-service moving packages include loading and unloading, furniture protection, and released liability insurance coverage. Beyond this, IVL offers crating, antique and piano moving, debris removal, vehicle shipping, and more.
Read more: International Van Lines Review
Best for High-Value Goods: American Van Lines
Fast Facts:
- Service model: Full-service carrier
- Specialty services: Yes
- State availability: 48 (all but Alaska and Hawaii)
- Get a quick quote: Visit American Van Lines’ site
What We Like
American Van Lines (AVL) has been in the industry since 1995 and operates as a carrier. Its three main hubs in Florida, Texas, and North Carolina service local and long-distance moves. AVL provides long-distance moving assistance to all 50 states.
AVL’s background-checked workers average 10 years of experience on the job, which offers peace of mind regardless of the level of service you require. We also like that American Van Lines offers flat-rate pricing for all moves.
Cost
All moving needs are priced out at easy-to-understand flat rates. Your cost will not shift unless your inventory or service needs change between quote day and moving day. All moving costs are subject to change once your moving truck has been weighed, as all move inventories taken can only make approximate guesses of your shipping weight. You’ll pay a deposit as high as 50% of your move price to book.
Services
AVL’s well-trained and experienced moving crews offer excellent care and moving services for fragile items and antiques, plus full- and partial-packing services for clients who need them. You can request storage services at secure facilities with any basic or in-depth moving package.
Read more: American Van Lines Review
Best for Major Cities: Interstate Moving & Relocation Group
Fast Facts:
- Service model: Full-service broker
- Specialty services: Yes
- State availability: 50
- Get a quick quote: Visit Interstate Moving & Relocation Group’s site
What We Like
Interstate Moving & Relocation Group (IMRG) is a moving broker with partners in all 50 states. While it doesn’t provide moving services independently, it has fully vetted moving companies that handle the services it contracts out across most locations.
IMRG’s speedy quote process makes it a good option for last-minute moving services. Thanks to its competitive pricing and price matching, we consider it a good place to start if you’re trying to stay on budget. Prospective clients should note that price matching could be limited by individual states’ moving tariff and cost regulations.
Cost
Your moving quote process with IMRG starts when you submit a quote request form or call the number on its homepage. A company representative will collect your move details to render an accurate estimate. Deposits for long-distance moves are 25% to 33% of the move’s total cost. Additional payments are due upon pickup and delivery.
Services
IMRG partners with both partial- and full-service moving companies to provide varying service ranges. You can request a full-scale, full-service move that includes packing, crating, vehicle shipping, and unpacking, or you can hire movers to handle only the loading and unloading.
Read more: Interstate Moving & Relocation Group Review
Best for Coordinated Moves: Moving APT
Fast Facts:
- Service model: Full-service broker
- Specialty services: Yes
- State availability: 50
- Get a quick quote: Visit Moving APT’s site
What We Like
Moving APT has been in the industry since 1999 and is one of the largest moving brokers in the United States. It has more than 2,500 individual partner carriers spread across the country. It offers informational guides and partner bios on its site to simplify each step of the residential moving process. Its transparent quotes also contribute to positive moving experiences.
Cost
All quotes with Moving APT begin with filling out a quote request form or by calling this mover’s customer service line. You’ll be put in touch with a moving coordinator who will walk you through the quote process and render your quote. Long-distance moves require deposits as high as 33% but are fully refundable until seven days before your move is scheduled.
Services
Moving APT’s partner carriers offer varying service ranges, from packing and unpacking to dedicated antique and fragile-item care. We recommend fully disclosing any add-on services you need during the quote process to ensure that your assigned mover can handle your requirements to reach your new home.
Read more: Moving APT Review
Best for Condos and HOAs: Safeway Moving Inc.
Fast Facts:
- Service model: Full-service broker
- Specialty services: Yes
- State availability: 50
- Get a quick quote: Visit Safeway Moving Inc.’s site
What We Like
Safeway Moving Inc. is a moving broker and carrier based in Fort Lauderdale. This military-owned mover operates with pledges of integrity and transparency in mind, which is apparent in its pricing practices. All moving quotes are presented as binding flat rates. This means your quote won’t shift unless your inventory or service needs change before moving day.
All Safeway moving partners must carry $1 million insurance policies. This enables them to operate within any condo or apartment complex, even those with stringent HOA and COA requirements.
Cost
Safeway quotes are advertised as binding flat rates. Virtual quotes take a rough estimate of your inventory’s total weight; this means your total cost can change once your truck has been loaded and weighed. When we called for a quote, our representative was transparent about this pricing practice. They informed us that the deposit of 20% to 40% was 100% refundable until just before moving day.
Services
Safeway’s quality of service largely depends on the partner company it brokers your move to. It operates as a carrier within a limited area in Florida, but it brokers out most of its moves. You can book long-distance or cross-country moving for your South Carolina move. Additional services such as packing and auto transport are available upon request.
Read more: Safeway Moving Inc. Review
Best Mobile App: JK Moving Services
Fast Facts:
- Service model: Full-service carrier and broker
- Specialty services: Yes
- State availability: 48 (local service only available in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.)
- Get a quick quote: Visit JK Moving Services’ site
What We Like
JK Moving Services has been in the industry since 1982. It operates as a long-distance and local moving company within Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., and provides long-distance moves to all other lower 48 states, including South Carolina.
We like that JK Moving’s workers are continually trained in an on-site facility with a fully furnished house. This enables them to provide top-quality add-on services.
Cost
JK Moving representatives emphasized that in-person or visual estimates are necessary to apply binding pricing to any move. All basic quotes include loading and unloading, furniture protection, and valuation coverage. The deposit to book is typically a $250 flat fee; we noted that this is less than the deposits required by most national providers.
Services
JK Moving provides various services to facilitate stress-free moves, including packing, unpacking, storage options, crating, and more. Note that it is only available as a long-distance mover in South Carolina.
Read more: JK Moving Services Review
Best Appliance Movers: North American Van Lines
Fast Facts:
- Service model: Full-service broker and carrier
- Specialty services: Yes
- State availability: 50
- Get a quick quote: Visit North American Van Lines’ site
What We Like
North American Van Lines (NAVL) is one of the oldest and most-trusted moving brands in the United States. It has provided premium moving assistance since 1933 and now operates through a network of more than 500 locations in all 50 states.
NAVL offers basic and premium services, including appliance moving and fragile-item packing and moving. We like that NAVL offers GPS tracking for all long-distance moves to help ensure your shipment arrives safely and on time.
Cost
When we contacted NAVL representatives, they stressed the need for a visual component during the estimate process for any binding quotes to be rendered. We recommend scheduling a video tour of your home so your moving company representative can render an accurate pricing figure. You’ll then be given a bottom-line price for your move and all services to be rendered.
Services
North American Van Lines provides residential and commercial moving services and offers comprehensive service for nearly any relocation need. Specialized packing, vehicle shipping, crating, climate-controlled storage solutions, and more are available when you book with this large moving network.
Read more: North American Van Lines Review
Compare the Top Moving Companies in South Carolina
We analyzed and selected the best moving companies in South Carolina based on cost, service profile, and coverage area.
Our Recommendation
We recommend getting quotes from at least three providers before choosing a mover. The moving companies we listed can provide excellent moving experiences and services for clients in South Carolina. Many of these providers are distinguished local movers and interstate moving companies that complete stress-free relocations for thousands of clients annually. You can request quotes from International Van Lines, American Van Lines, and Interstate Moving & Relocation Group to establish baseline cost and service expectations.
South Carolina Moving Companies FAQ
How much does moving labor cost in South Carolina?
Moving labor in South Carolina costs $222 for two movers for two hours of work, according to U-Haul. This figure reflects moving labor only and does not include a moving truck or true full-service assistance.
How are movers regulated in South Carolina?
The South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff regulates local and long-distance moves in South Carolina. It maintains a list of registered movers that is continually updated to reflect moving companies in good standing with the state.
What is the cost of living in South Carolina?
South Carolina’s cost of living is 10.7% below the national average, according to BestPlaces.net. Housing costs are 23.4% below the national average, and the median home price was $259,900 as of June 2023.
How We Chose the Top Moving Companies in South Carolina
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.