Best 5 Movers in Charleston, SC

How to Choose the Best Local Mover in Charleston

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

Determine Your Budget

Based on our findings, the average cost of hiring a local mover in Charleston is $77 per hour. The overall cost adds up to $4,088 for a two-bedroom move. Your home size, move date, move distance, and any additional tasks you need the movers to do will affect your actual cost.

Consider obtaining 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 have a total cost breakdown, covering 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 evaluating moving companies. Visit platforms like Google Reviews, Trustpilot, the Better Business Bureau, social media, and Yelp to gain insights into customer experiences with that moving company.

Ensure Proper Licensing

Moving companies in Charleston must follow different licensing requirements depending on their service area. If you are moving from one South Carolina city to another, your moving company must be registered with the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff (ORS).

If you're moving interstate, 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 check a mover’s registration status and complaint history.

Services

Assess whether your chosen mover provides the services that meet your expectations while obtaining quotes. Prepare for the quote process by making a comprehensive inventory of your possessions and noting any services you may need. Share any specific requirements or unique circumstances with your moving company representative to evaluate whether the company is able to meet your specific requirements.

Types of Moving Services

Full-service movers will provide the following moving services in the base price for basic moves:

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

When requesting a quote from your moving company, disclose any extra services you need. These services may result in higher pricing for your move:

• Crating for art or antiques
• Extra flights of stairs
• Long carries
• Packing
• Moving a piano
• Storage
• Unpacking
• Vehicle shipping

Tips To Consider When Moving in Charleston, SC

Here are some extra tips to consider when moving in Charleston.

Schedule an Early Move

The morning and evening rush hours in Charleston are widely known for their extreme traffic congestion. Movers stuck in traffic can also increase your moving costs when charged an hourly rate. Aim to plan your move either several hours before or after the morning rush hour to avoid this issue.

Avoid Busy Season

Moving season peaks between May and September. In Charleston, this time corresponds to very hot summer weather, which can worsen your move. By planning and booking at least eight weeks before your move, you should be able to lock in the moving company you want. However, keep in mind the possibility that the hot weather could make the move more difficult for your movers.

Pack in Advance

Begin packing approximately six weeks before your move so you can avoid rushing at the last minute. You can pack a couple boxes each day to make the process more manageable. Most movers treat same-day packing requests similarly. Movers won't move loose items that haven’t been packed by the time your move is scheduled to start in many cases.

How Much do Movers Cost in Charleston, SC

Movers in Charleston cost $2,588 on average for moves less than 250 miles. It can cost up to $6,549 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.