How to Choose the Best Local Mover in Ankeny
Make an informed choice by taking the following factors into consideration when choosing movers in Ankeny.
Determine Your Budget
Local movers in Ankeny charge an average hourly rate of $103. A two-bedroom move in the area costs around $4,237 in total. Your actual costs will depend on your home size, move distance, any additional tasks you need your movers to handle, and the season.
We suggest obtaining quotes from three or more reputable movers in your area. Always get written estimates, which should outline your total cost and the flat fee or hourly rate. Hold onto your moving company's estimate until your move is done.
Read Customer Reviews
Customer feedback plays a crucial role for moving companies. Take the time to read customer reviews on sites such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau, social media, Yelp, and Trustpilot to find movers with good customer service.
Ensure Proper Licensing
Moving companies in Ankeny must follow different licensing requirements depending on their service area. If you are only moving within Iowa, your moving company must have a motor carrier permit and intrastate travel authority from the Iowa Department of Transportation.
If you're moving across state lines, the regulations are different. Interstate moving companies must be licensed with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and must carry active United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. You can use these numbers to look up the company’s registration status and complaint history on the FMCSA’s mover registration search tool.
Services
Assess whether the mover can provide the services you need during the quote process. Complete an extensive inventory of your home before requesting quotes and write down any basic or add-on services you might require. Furthermore, inform your moving company representative about any special conditions or specific needs you may have to gauge the company's capacity to deliver adequate service.
Types of Moving Services
Full-service movers include the following standard services as a part of their base price:
- Basic wrapping materials for furniture protection
- Loading and unloading
- Released liability coverage for loss or damage
If you need additional services from your moving company, mention these when requesting a quote. Increased pricing may apply for these services:
- Crating for art or antiques
- Extra flights of stairs
- Long carries
- Packing
- Piano moving
- Storage
- Unpacking
- Vehicle shipping
Tips To Consider When Moving in Ankeny, IA
Keep these tips in mind before moving to, from, or within Ankeny.
Schedule an Early Move
Ankeny sees its fair share of traffic, and navigating this can be difficult in a moving truck. Getting stuck in traffic during your move can lead to delays and significantly impact your budget, as local movers charge by the hour. We recommend scheduling before morning rush hour, which ensures the movers beat the traffic and wrap up the move before evening.
Avoid Busy Season
The busiest moving period, which falls between May and September, coincides with the summer heat in Ankeny. This can slow or negatively impact your move. Plan ahead and secure your preferred moving company at least eight weeks in advance. You should also be prepared for the potential difficulties the summer weather may pose to your movers during a summer move.
Pack in Advance
Most moving companies handle same-day packing requests similarly. Movers will not move loose items that haven’t been packed by the time your move is scheduled to start in many cases. We recommend you start packing around six weeks before your move to prevent stressing over last-minute packing when moving day comes. Packing a couple boxes each day can make the process less stressful.
How Much do Movers Cost in Ankeny, IA
Movers in Ankeny cost $2,639 on average for moves less than 250 miles. It can cost up to $7,181 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.
Distance | Studio-1 Bedroom | 2-3 Bedroom | 4+ Bedroom |
---|---|---|---|
Less than 250 miles | $2,639 | $3,109 | $7,181 |
250-999 miles | $3,252 | $3,735 | $10,655 |
1,000-2,499 miles | $3,291 | $4,286 | $11,027 |
2,500+ miles | $3,207 | $5,353 | $13,167 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Moving in Ankeny
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