Best 5 Movers in New Orleans, LA

How to Choose the Best Local Mover in New Orleans

Consider each moving company's customer reviews, services, cost, and licensing before deciding.

Determine Your Budget

The average hourly rate for local movers in New Orleans is $68. A two-bedroom move in the area costs approximately $4,050 in total. Your actual costs will depend on move distance, any additional tasks you need your movers to handle, your home size, and the season.

Consider getting quotes from a minimum of three reputable moving companies in your area to make an educated choice. Written estimates are important in this process. They should contain a total cost breakdown, including the hourly rate or flat fee. Keep your mover's estimate and compare it to the final cost to ensure fair pricing.

Read Customer Reviews

Moving companies need positive customer reviews. You can identify movers that provide good customer service by reading reviews on platforms like the Better Business Bureau, social media, Trustpilot, Google Reviews, and Yelp.

Ensure Proper Licensing

Moving companies in New Orleans must follow different licensing requirements depending on their service area. If you are only moving intrastate, your mover must be registered with the Louisiana Public Service Commission.

The requirements change if you're moving to or from another state. In this case, choose a moving company licensed with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The team should also have active United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. You can see a company's registration status on the FMCSA’s mover registration search tool.

Services

Assessing whether the mover provides the services you need is crucial during the quote process. Prepare for the quote process by making a thorough inventory of your possessions and noting any services you might require. Discuss any specific requirements or unique circumstances with your moving company representative in order to assess whether the company is able to meet your particular needs.

Types of Moving Services

For basic moves, full-service movers will include the following services in the standard price:

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

Make sure you inform your mover of any extra services you require during the quote process. Services that 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 New Orleans, LA

Consider the following before moving to, from, or within New Orleans.

Schedule an Early Move

New Orleans traffic during rush hour is often congested. Navigating gridlock in a moving truck is even more challenging than with a personal-use vehicle. Movers stuck in traffic during your local move will typically lead to higher costs since they’ll still be on the clock while in their trucks. We recommend scheduling before morning rush hour, which guarantees the movers beat the traffic and wrap up the move before evening.

Avoid Busy Season

Moving season is the busiest between May and September. In New Orleans, this time coincides with very hot summer weather, which can delay or worsen your move. By planning and booking at least eight weeks before your move, you should be able to secure your desired moving company. However, keep in mind the possibility that the hot weather could pose difficulties for your movers.

Pack in Advance

Most moving companies treat same-day packing requests similarly. In many cases, movers won't move loose items that haven’t been packed when your move is scheduled to start. You should start packing about six weeks before you move. Allocate some packing time daily to prevent last-minute scrambling on moving day.

How Much do Movers Cost in New Orleans, LA

Movers in New Orleans cost $2,575 on average for moves less than 250 miles. It can cost up to $6,390 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.