Best Moving Companies in Massachusetts 2021

Moving is exciting, but it can also be a hassle. With all the demands of moving, many homeowners choose to lighten their load by hiring a professional moving service. You can hire a company to transport your belongings in a storage container, or you can hire a full-service mover to handle packing and unpacking, loading and unloading, and transportation.

With so many options, it can be difficult to decide which is the best moving company for your upcoming move.

In this article, we’ll discuss the the top Massachusetts moving companies, offering information about services, costs, and how to get a free quote.

7 Best Moving Companies in Massachusetts

Through in-depth research, we determined these are the best moving companies in Massachusetts:

• International Van Lines: Best Overall Full-Service Mover
• 1-800-PACK-RAT: Best Overall Self-Service Mover
• Allied Van Lines: Best for Vehicle Relocation Services
• North American Van Lines: Best for Claims
• JK Moving: Most Customizable Full-Service Mover
• American Van Lines: Most Experienced Moving Labor
• PODS: Most Convenient

Each of these providers was graded based on a variety of factors, including cost, service, and scheduling. All sample quotes are based on a three-bedroom move from Milton to Waltham. Your price will vary depending on the size of your move, the amount of help required, and several other factors, so we recommend getting several free quotes for the most accurate estimates.

International Van Lines: Best Overall Full-Service Mover

International Van Lines (IVL) is our top choice for a full-service mover. International Van Lines can handle every step of your moving process. The company will pack and unpack, load and unload, and transport your belongings. A team of trained movers will come to your home, and with their expertise, your belongings will be safer than if you moved on your own.

Pros & Cons

Compare the advantages and disadvantages of International Van Lines:

✔ Full service from start to finish
✔ Can support pickups in most states
✔ Free estimates online

✘ Not the best option for local moves
✘ Prices are higher than more DIY-friendly companies

Services

International Van Lines offers several services, which can be selected based on your moving needs.

International Van Lines service options:

• Local moving
• Long distance moving
• Auto transport
• International moving
• Residential and commercial moving services
• Packing services and supplies
• Air freight services
• Corporate and military relocation
• Packing, loading, and unloading
• Transportation of fragile items

IVL offers local moves for customers relocating within the same state. However, it requires a minimum of a two-bedroom apartment for these smaller moves.

Cost

We received a free estimate for a move from Milton to Waltham, two suburbs of Boston. For a full-service move, you can expect to pay between $4,200 and $6,150. Of course, this is just an estimate. Your price will depend on the size and distance of your move, among other factors.

For the most accurate estimate, we recommend getting a free online quote from IVL.

Learn More: International Van Lines Review

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1-800-PACK-RAT: Best Overall Self-Service Mover

1-800-PACK-RAT is a DIY-friendly mover. It will drop a weatherproof container at your home and transport it to your new location, allowing you to take care of packing and loading on your own. If your move is broken up over the course of weeks or months, 1-800-PACK-RAT will provide long-term storage.

Pros & Cons

Compare the advantages and disadvantages of 1-800-PACK-RAT:

✔ Drops off a weatherproof container at your home
✔ Storage facilities all over the country
✔ $10,000 in contents protection for free

✘ Not the best option for full-service
✘ No online booking

Services

1-800-PACK-RAT offers three container sizes: 8 feet, 12 feet, and 16 feet. You are allotted 30 days to use your container, which is a longer time frame than many DIY-friendly services. Here’s a list of services:

• Moving labor
• Portable storage containers
• Storage solutions
• Moving supplies
• Car shipping services

Cost

We received a quote for one 16-foot container for $441.50, which includes $10,000 in contents protection.

For a personalized quote, fill out this online form.

Learn More: 1-800-PACK-RAT Review

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Allied Van Lines: Best for Vehicle Relocation Services

Whether you want to get your boat into harbor in Plymouth or transport your RV to Halibut Point State Park, Allied Van Lines moves a wide range of vehicles from motorcycles to boats to RVs to sedans.

In addition to a full range of full-service moving options, Allied offers in-house vehicle relocation services. Many other movers outsource this service to another company, but with Allied you get direct communication with your vehicle mover and GPS tracking on your shipment.

Pros & Cons

Compare the advantages and disadvantages of Allied Van Lines:

✔ Provides vehicle shipping services with its own trucks and drivers
✔ Provides GPS tracking on all shipments
✔ Partners with the Salvation Army to help donate unwanted items

✘ May act as a broker based on the service area
✘ Some customer reviews mention a difficult claims process

Services

Allied Van Lines offers a comprehensive selection of full-service and partial-service options, such as packing, loading, transportation, unloading, and unpacking. A noteworthy service is its fragile-only packing service. This service has Allied pack only your fragile and difficult items, while you pack the rest. This allows you to save money while getting challenging parts of your move professionally handled.

Allied Van Lines service options:

• Packing and unpacking
• Loading and unloading
• Transportation
• Vehicle relocation
• GPS tracking
• Moving and packing supplies
• Allied Express (portable storage container moving services)
• Long-term and short-term storage options
• Specialty services for difficult items like antiques and pianos
• Fragile-only packing
• Contents protection plans
• Corporate moves

Cost

We received a ballpark quote from Allied Van Lines to move a two-bedroom home with an average number of belongings from Philadelphia to Boston for a total of $3,748–$4,259.

Keep in mind that Allied typically provides binding estimates, taking into account the exact contents of your home using either an in-home or virtual survey. This personalized quote will be a more accurate cost estimate and will not be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances on your move day.

To schedule a free virtual survey with Allied Van Lines, fill out this online survey.

Learn More: Allied Van Lines Review

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North American Van Lines: Best for Claims

North American Van Lines is an excellent choice for those looking to transport expensive belongings. This is because the company provides several contents protection plans (essentially, insurance for your move). Their customized full value released plans ensure that you will receive coverage for the actual, declared value of your items rather than a predetermined amount by weight. In addition to this perk, the company features a transparent, accessible, and detailed claims process should any of your belongings be damaged or destroyed.

Pros & Cons

Compare the advantages and disadvantages of North American Van Lines:

✔ Detailed and transparent claims process
✔ Offers excellent selection of online tools and resources
✔ Creates contents protection plans tailored to your belongings

✘ Storage options may be limited based on your location
✘ Available agents may be limited based on your location

Services

North American Van Lines offers a comprehensive assortment of full-service and partial-service options. Read over the company’s services here:

• Full packing and unpacking
• Fragile-only packing
• Assistance with self-packing (such as help choosing which type and quantity of boxes and packing supplies are needed)
• Loading and unloading
• Installation and assembly for furniture and appliances
• Vehicle relocation services
• Transportation and delivery
• Moving and packing supplies
• Short-term or long-term storage

Cost

We received a ballpark estimate with North American Van Lines to move a two-bedroom home from Amherst, Massachusetts, to Washington, D.C. for a total of $4,213–$4,768.

North American Van Lines also provides binding estimates by conducting in-home surveys or virtual surveys using its useful mobile app. The app also allows you to keep and update a digital inventory to protect you from surprise costs on moving day.

To schedule either an in-home or virtual survey with North American Van Lines, complete this brief questionnaire.

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JK Moving: Most Customizable Full-Service Mover

JK Moving is a full-service mover and can take care of every step of the moving process for you. But its services are customizable, meaning JK will work with your specific needs to create a plan tailored to your move. JK Moving’s full-time movers will provide an itemized list of your possessions before they are loaded into the truck.

Pros & Cons

Compare the advantages and disadvantages of JK Moving:

✔ All movers are full-time employees
✔ 24-hour customer service
✔ Financing available

✘ In-network storage is only available in two states
✘ Exact cost information is difficult to find online

Services

JK Moving’s services often start with an in-home estimate, which is the best way to determine your space and belongings. JK will provide a complete list of your items before loading them into the truck.

JK Moving service options:

• Local moves
• Packing and unpacking
• Loading and unloading
• Long distance moves
• International moves
• Corporate relocation services
• Commercial and office moves
• Government moves
• Storage

Cost

JK doesn’t provide instant estimates on its website, but you can fill out a form and expect a call from an agent in short order. Your price will depend on the services you need, the distance and size of your move, and your location.

Get a free moving quote from JK Moving by filling out this online form.

Learn More: JK Moving Review

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American Van Lines: Most Experienced Moving Labor

American Van Lines (AVL) is a full-service mover with a team of experienced and trained experts to assist you and protect your belongings. AVL can dismantle furniture, pack, transport, and reassemble your furniture at delivery. AVL’s prices are guaranteed. As long as you don’t change your move after you receive your quote, you can depend on your rate staying the same.

Pros & Cons

Compare the advantages and disadvantages of American Van Lines:

✔ Private storage and personal storage vaults
✔ Movers have an average of 10 years of moving experience
✔ Piano and antique moving specialists

✘ Requires an up-front deposit
✘ Prices can be higher than some competitors

Services

American Van Lines flat-rate pricing can include a wide range of services, including:

• Local moving
• Long distance moving
• Corporate relocation services
• Military moving
• International moving
• Commercial moving
• Antique and piano moving
• Storage solutions

Cost

American Van Lines doesn’t offer instant quotes online, but there are some template prices to get an idea of what your move might cost. A full-service move from Houston to Boston starts at $4,334, which is within the industry average for a move of that size.

For the most accurate pricing, fill out this online form for a free quote from AVL.

Learn More: American Van Lines Review

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PODS: Most Convenient

PODS is, at its core, a container delivery service that offers additional moving services. PODS will deliver a storage container to your home, allow you to load it yourself, and transport it to your new location. On either end of the process, you have 30 days with your container, and additional months can be purchased affordably.

Pros & Cons

Compare the advantages and disadvantages of PODS:

✔ Adjustable contents protection available
✔ Flexibility with moving timeline
✔ Less expensive than full-service moving

✘ Moving help is booked through third-party companies
✘ Availability and pricing can vary based on time of year

Services

PODS will deliver your container from your old home to your new home, and storage solutions are available if your move is broken up over several months or if you need to store your belongings somewhere while renovating your new home. Moving help can be booked through PODS with third-party companies.

PODS service options:

• Local moving
• Long distance moving
• Storage
• Packing and loading assistance (third party)
• On-site self storage containers

Cost

For a three-bedroom move from Milton to Waltham, we received a quote for $563. This covers $30,000 in contents protection, delivery of your container, one month rental of your container, and the final pickup from your new location. An additional month will cost $239.

For the most accurate estimate, get a free quote from PODS.

Learn More: PODS Review

Comparing the Best Moving Companies in Massachusetts

Easily compare how the top moving companies in Massachusetts stack up against each other.

Other Considerations When Moving in Massachusetts

If you’re moving homes, there are several other services that you may want to consider. As you’re learning more about your new location, it can be helpful to have a list of reputable companies across several home services, including pest control, home warranty, and homeowners insurance services. Below, we’ll include some helpful resources for your new home and location:

• Best Home Warranty Companies in Massachusetts
• Best Homeowners Insurance Companies in Massachusetts
• Best Pest Control Companies

Moving Companies in Massachusetts FAQs

Is hiring a full-service mover worth it?

It depends on your situation. If you are capable of moving on your own, it will save money to simply rent a container through a DIY-friendly moving company. However, professional movers can better protect your belongings and help with your move, saving you time and effort.

How can I be sure my belongings will remain safe?

You can purchase protection for your belongings at a reasonable price through most companies. With PODS, $94.95 entitles you to $30,000 in protection.

Is it cheaper to buy new furniture or to pay for moving it?

It depends on the price of your furniture and the size of your move. For longer moves, such as cross-country moves, it can be more economical to move without furniture and buy new items in your new city.

Conclusion

There’s no one-size-fits-all mover, so we recommend reaching out to a few moving companies for a free quote before making a decision.

If you can handle packing and unpacking on your own, we recommend using a container shipping service, such as PODS. For maximum convenience, a full-service mover such as International Van Lines or Allied Van Lines is the best choice.

Our Rating Methodology

The This Old House Reviews team is committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. This means earning your trust through transparent reviews and having the data to back up our ratings and recommendations. Our rating system for moving service providers is on a 100-point scale based on seven factors:

• Moving Services (30): Does the company offer its services for local, long-distance, and or international moves?
• Additional Services (29): What additional services does the company provide, such as packing and unpacking or loading and unloading?
• Coverage (10): Does the company offer any additional insurance plans, such as full-value coverage?
• Scheduling (7): Are customers able to schedule online, over the phone, or on both platforms?
• Trailers/containers (7): How many trailer or container sizes does the company offer?
• Additional Benefits (12): What additional benefits does the company provide, such as storage options, moving truck rentals, and financing?
• Reputation (5): What rating does the company feature on popular review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB)?

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.