Best 5 Movers in Portsmouth, VA

How to Choose the Best Local Mover in Portsmouth

You should consider a few crucial factors when choosing a mover. Here are some things to look out for when hiring movers in Portsmouth.

Determine Your Budget

According to our research, Portsmouth movers charge $42 per hour on average. The average local move costs $4,331 total for two-bedroom homes. Factors that affect your actual cost include your home size, move distance, the season, and any additional tasks you need done.

Consider getting quotes from three or more reputable movers in your area to make an educated choice. Written estimates are essential in this process. They should have a total cost breakdown, including the hourly rate or flat fee. Comparing the estimate provided by your mover to the final cost after the move helps ensure fair pricing is maintained.

Read Customer Reviews

Moving companies need customer feedback. Looking at customer reviews on the Better Business Bureau, social media, Yelp, Google Reviews, and Trustpilot will indicate which movers have positive customer experiences. We suggest thoroughly researching customer reviews before choosing a moving company.

Ensure Proper Licensing

Moving companies in Portsmouth must follow different licensing requirements depending on their service area. If you're moving from one Virginia city to another, your mover must be insured, certified, and bonded according to state regulations. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles handles intrastate moving companies.

If you're moving to or from another state, the regulations are different. Choose a company licensed with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). It should also carry 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 the mover you chose provides the services that align with your expectations when requesting quotes. Take a full inventory of your home before requesting quotes and note any essential or additional services you may need. Notify the moving company if you have any particular conditions or needs to evaluate whether the company is a good fit.

Types of Moving Services

A full-service mover includes the following services for basic moves:

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

Inform your moving company about the other services you need during the quote process. Services that result in increased 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 Portsmouth, VA

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

Schedule an Early Move

Portsmouth sometimes 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 since local movers charge by the hour. Planning your move for the early morning will ensure that your movers get there before traffic peaks and make the trip to your new home in the middle of the day when traffic is lighter.

Avoid Busy Season

The busiest period for moving, which falls between May and September, coincides with the summer heat in Portsmouth. This can slow or negatively impact your moving experience. You should be able to schedule with the moving company you want by contacting movers well in advance. However, keep in mind that the heat may impact your movers.

Pack in Advance

You should start packing about six weeks before your move. Allocate some packing time each day to prevent last-minute scrambling on moving day. Most movers handle same-day packing requests similarly. Movers will not move loose items that haven’t been packed when your move is scheduled to start in many cases.

How Much do Movers Cost in Portsmouth, VA

Movers in Portsmouth cost $2,672 on average for moves less than 250 miles. It can cost up to $7,580 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.