Are you looking for help preparing for a move? You may be interested in learning what a moving coordinator is and how they can make your move stress-free. A move coordinator may be assigned to your move free of charge if you work with a professional moving company or service, or you can hire one yourself. Our guide covers what to expect from a move coordinator, if hiring one is best for you, and how much it costs.
Moving Coordinator’s Role
A moving coordinator handles the logistics of your move. They usually work with you during the entire move to keep you organized and eliminate moving stress. Here are some tasks a moving coordinator performs:
- Acts as the point of contact between their client and vendors
- Arranges shipments for specialty items, such as pianos and large artwork
- Collects moving company estimates and reviews for you
- Coordinates utility disconnections and connections
- Finds a cleaning crew to sanitize your old or new home
- Maintains moving inventory
- Purchases packing supplies
- Schedules movers
What to Expect on Moving Day
- According to the This Old House 2025 Moving Survey of 1,000 recent movers, 37.5% had a three-person crew on relocation day, while 33.8% had two movers — meaning a moving coordinator can help you determine the right crew size for your home’s needs before you book.
Types of Moving Coordinators
Some clients and companies hire moving coordinators who specialize in certain move types. Types of moving coordinators include the following:
- Corporate relocation coordinator: A corporate relocation coordinator handles relocation packages for business clients. A company may hire one when an employee needs to relocate. The coordinator works closely with the homeowner and the company’s human resources department to ensure a smooth transition.
- Domestic move coordinator: A domestic move coordinator organizes moves for clients, whether they’re moving within the same town or across the country.
- International move counselor: An international moving counselor helps clients navigate customs and all its intricacies. They also coordinate shipments to your new home and act as a point of contact with international agents.
- Military move coordinator: A military move coordinator is assigned to organize the process when the government contracts a moving company to relocate an active-duty member. They work on domestic and international military moves.
What To Expect
After getting in touch with a moving coordinator, they will schedule a consultation. They’ll ask you a series of questions regarding your move, the items you have to pack, and the specialty services you require. They’ll answer any questions you may have and offer advice, tips, and information about your move.
Between your interview and moving day, they’ll collect estimates from moving companies to send you, book services, coordinate shipments, and prepare items for transport. The move coordinator isn’t usually there on moving day, but they will check in with you to ensure the move is going smoothly. Your moving coordinator will contact you after your move to complete any final post-move tasks, assess your experience, and answer any questions you have.
Pro Tip
- David Hauenstein, of the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA), advises taking the binding estimate over a non-binding one. While non-binding estimates are usually lower, they can change based on the actual weight of your possessions once loaded into the truck. A moving coordinator should help you narrow the field to about three companies and walk through your home with each representative, noting exactly what needs to be transported and which services — such as packing, unpacking, or building crates for valuable antiques and artwork — you’ll need.
What to Know About Estimates
- According to the TOH 2025 Moving Survey, only 43% of movers received a binding estimate — a guaranteed fixed cost based on estimated weight — while the majority were left with non-binding estimates that could change. Of those surveyed, about 11% found that their final total did not align with their quoted rate. A good moving coordinator can help you understand the difference and push for a binding estimate to avoid surprises.
On Moving Day
- Even though your coordinator typically isn’t on-site, they should have prepared an inventory system beforehand. Make sure the crew inventories each item in writing as it’s loaded into the truck — numbering and labeling boxes you packed yourself helps you keep track during the move. Before signing the bill of lading (the contract stipulating the services and cost), review the inventory list carefully and keep a carbon copy of both documents. At the new home, check that everything comes back off the truck.
What Moving Coordinators Don’t Do
While a moving coordinator is there for you almost every step of the way, they can’t do it all. They usually aren’t available outside of their typical work hours, so you may not reach them early in the morning, late at night, and on the weekends.
A move coordinator doesn’t provide the following services:
- File claims if your items get lost or damaged
- Negotiate moving costs
- Work with your real estate agent to find you a new home
One area where you’ll need to advocate for yourself: insurance. In the TOH 2025 Moving Survey, only 33.30% of respondents purchased additional moving insurance (often called valuation coverage or full-value protection). A moving coordinator typically won’t advise you on these coverage decisions, so be sure to research your options independently before moving day.
Cost
Many full-service moving companies offer their clients moving coordinator services free of charge. Once you book moving services, they’ll put you in touch with a move coordinator or manager. If you don’t hire movers or your moving company doesn’t offer this service, you can hire one. Working with a moving coordinator costs between $1,500 and $5,000.
For context on what the overall move itself typically costs, the TOH 2025 Moving Survey of 1,000 recent movers found that the most commonly reported total moving costs clustered between $1,500 and $3,000, with $2,000 being the single most frequent response. Full-service packages — which often include coordination services — pushed costs significantly higher, with some respondents reporting totals of $10,000 or more.
Keep in mind that add-on services can quickly increase your total moving budget. According to the TOH 2025 Moving Survey, popular add-ons included packing (34.30% of respondents), packing supplies (29.80%), and unpacking (21.20%) — all services a moving coordinator can help you schedule and manage. Those who purchased full-value protection coverage most commonly paid between $100 and $1,000, with $500 being the most frequently reported cost.
What Drives the Cost
- The complexity of your move is the biggest factor in what you’ll pay for coordination services. According to the TOH 2025 Moving Survey, the vast majority of moves (77.10%) required just one truck, but roughly 23% needed two or more — and nearly half of those multi-truck moves (46.29%) incurred additional fees. A moving coordinator can be especially valuable for larger, multi-truck relocations where logistics become more complex.
Cost data in this section was sourced from Angi.
Our Conclusion
Moving coordinators are project managers who plan moves for homeowners. They focus on customer satisfaction and ensure the move goes smoothly. We recommend you hire one if you don’t have the time to handle your move by yourself, you’re a senior or a person with a disability, you’re moving a long distance, or you’re relocating for a job. If you’ve hired a quality moving and packing company, they may assign you a moving coordinator to help you plan and organize the move.
A moving coordinator can be especially valuable for complex relocations. Data from the TOH 2025 Moving Survey shows that 20.30% of moves required two trucks and 2.60% needed three or more — and among those with extra trucks, 46.29% were hit with added fees they may not have anticipated. A coordinator helps you plan for these logistics upfront so there are no surprises on moving day.
Why Coordination Matters
- Data from the This Old House 2025 Moving Survey reveals that 11.30% of movers ended up paying more than their original quote, and only 43.10% of respondents received a binding estimate from their mover. A moving coordinator can help you secure a binding estimate upfront and flag potential cost overruns before they happen.
FAQ About Moving Coordinators
What is the role of a moving coordinator?
The role of a moving coordinator is to plan, coordinate, and oversee all aspects of a move. They collect estimates, book services, purchase supplies, and communicate with you, making your move as seamless and stress-free as possible.
What is a military move coordinator?
A military move coordinator is an individual who helps an active-duty service member relocate when the military assigns them to a new post. They can help service members navigate the complexities of a military move.
What is a moving coordinator responsible for?
A moving coordinator is responsible for overseeing the logistics of a move. They help homeowners with move planning by advising you how to pack, booking a moving company and other services, managing day-of activities, and tying up loose ends after your move.
What is the difference between a move coordinator and a moving company?
The difference between a move coordinator and a moving company is the level of service. A moving company may pack your household, load and unload the truck, and unpack in your new home on moving day. A move coordinator organizes and coordinates the logistics of a move and is there to answer any questions you may have.
