Best 5 Movers in Tuscaloosa, AL

How to Choose the Best Local Mover in Tuscaloosa

Make an informed choice by taking the following factors into consideration when deciding on a mover in Tuscaloosa.

Determine Your Budget

Local movers in Tuscaloosa charge an average hourly rate of $55. A two-bedroom move in the area costs approximately $4,093 in total. Factors that affect your actual cost include move distance, any additional tasks you need done, your home size, and the season.

We advise getting quotes from three or more reputable movers in your area. Always get written estimates, which should break down your total cost and the hourly rate or flat fee. Keep the estimate from your mover and compare it to the final cost to ensure fair pricing.

Read Customer Reviews

Customer reviews are valuable when looking for a mover. Take the time to read customer reviews on websites like Yelp, social media, Trustpilot, the Better Business Bureau, and Google Reviews to identify moving companies that prioritize positive customer experiences.

Ensure Proper Licensing

Moving companies in Tuscaloosa must follow different licensing requirements depending on their service area. If you're only moving within Alabama, your mover must be registered with the Alabama Public Service Commission, Transportation Division to legally operate.

If you're moving across states, the regulations are different. Choose a company licensed with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). It should also have active United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers, which you can use on the FMCSA’s mover registration search tool to look up a mover’s registration status and complaint history.

Services

Assessing whether the mover provides the services you need is essential during the quote process. Take inventory of your belongings before getting quotes and make a list of any basic or add-on services that you may need to ensure accurate pricing. Share any special conditions or needs with your moving company representative to assess if the company is able to meet your particular needs.

Types of Moving Services

A full-service mover includes these services for basic moves:

• Basic wrapping materials for furniture protection
• Loading and unloading
• Released liability coverage for loss or damage

When asking for a quote from your moving company, communicate any services you need. Services that can lead to higher pricing include the following:

• Crating for art or antiques
• Extra flights of stairs
• Long carries
• Packing
• Piano moving
• Storage
• Unpacking
• Vehicle shipping

Tips To Consider When Moving in Tuscaloosa, AL

Here are a few additional tips to keep in mind when moving to, from, or within Tuscaloosa.

Schedule an Early Move

Tuscaloosa traffic during rush hour is notoriously congested. Navigating gridlock with a moving truck is even more difficult than with a personal-use vehicle. Movers getting stuck in traffic will typically lead to higher costs since they’ll still be on the clock. We suggest scheduling before morning rush hour, which makes sure the movers beat the traffic and wrap up the move before evening.

Avoid Busy Season

The peak moving season—between May and September—coincides with Tuscaloosa's hottest time of year. This can affect your moving process if you start your search too late and can't find an available moving company. By planning and booking at least eight weeks before your move, you should be able to lock in your desired moving company. However, keep in mind the possibility that the hot weather could make the move more difficult for your movers.

Pack in Advance

You should start packing about six weeks before your move. Allocate some packing time daily to prevent needing to pack at the last minute. Most movers only transport items that have been properly packed by the scheduled moving time, so you should have everything boxed up before their arrival.

How Much do Movers Cost in Tuscaloosa, AL

Movers in Tuscaloosa cost $2,589 on average for moves less than 250 miles. It can cost up to $6,570 to move a larger 4 bedroom house the same distance. See the chart below for more moving estimates, and contact a moving company for a more accurate quote specific to your situation.