How to Choose the Best Local Mover in St. Louis
Some factors you should consider when choosing a moving company include services offered, licensing, customer reviews, and cost.
Determine Your Budget
Based on our findings, the average cost of a local mover in St. Louis is $51 per hour. The overall cost amounts to $4,185 for a two-bedroom move. Your move date, move distance, home size, and any additional tasks you need the movers to do will affect your actual cost.
Consider getting quotes from a minimum of three moving companies in your area to make an educated choice. Written estimates are essential in this process. They should include a total cost breakdown, covering the hourly rate or flat fee. Hold onto your moving company's estimate until your move is finished.
Read Customer Reviews
Customer feedback plays an important role for moving companies. Reading customer reviews on the Better Business Bureau, Yelp, Trustpilot, Google Reviews, and social media will show you which movers have positive customer experiences. We suggest thoroughly researching customer reviews before selecting a moving company.
Ensure Proper Licensing
Moving companies in St. Louis must follow different licensing requirements depending on their service area. If you are making a short-haul move that's purely within Missouri, your movers must be registered with the Missouri Department of Transportation's Motor Carrier Services division.
The requirements are a bit different if you're moving to or from another state. In this case, choose a mover 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 check a company's registration status on the FMCSA’s mover registration search tool.
Services
Ask if your chosen mover can provide the services that meet your expectations as you receive quotes. Conduct a thorough inventory of your home before getting quotes and note any basic or add-on services you might require. Notify the moving company about any specific needs to determine if the company is a good fit.
Types of Moving Services
For basic moves, full-service movers often 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 special services you need during the quote process. Increased pricing may apply for the following 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 St. Louis, MO
Keep the following in mind before moving to, from, or within St. Louis.
Schedule an Early Move
St. Louis usually gets hectic during rush hour. Navigating it can be more challenging in a moving truck compared to a personal-use car. Movers caught in traffic may lead to delays and a higher cost since local moving companies charge by the hour. We advise arranging before morning rush hour, which makes sure the movers avoid the traffic and wrap up the move before evening.
Avoid Busy Season
Moving season peaks between May and September. In St. Louis, this time coincides with hot summer weather, which can slow or worsen your moving experience. By planning your move at least eight weeks in advance, you should be able to lock in the moving company you want. However, keep in mind the possibility that the hot weather could pose difficulties for your movers.
Pack in Advance
Most moving companies only transport items that have been properly packed by the scheduled moving time, so you should have everything boxed up before their arrival. You should begin packing around six weeks in advance. Pack a few boxes every day to avoid rushing when move day comes. Your movers may have some spare boxes with them for last-minute packing, but you shouldn’t count on it.
How Much do Movers Cost in St. Louis, MO
Movers in St. Louis cost $2,621 on average for moves less than 250 miles. It can cost up to $6,962 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 | $2,621 | $3,011 | $6,962 |
| 250-999 miles | $3,234 | $3,626 | $10,457 |
| 1,000-2,499 miles | $3,269 | $4,172 | $10,736 |
| 2,500+ miles | $3,169 | $5,234 | $12,865 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Moving in St. Louis
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