Best Last-Minute Moving Companies (2024)
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Moving is one of the most stressful life events that any homeowner or renter will endure. The moving process becomes even more taxing when you have to plan it in a week or less. A huge component of a successful move is selecting an experienced moving company for the job. Moving to a new home on short notice will be difficult, but the best movers can help simplify this transition.
Here, we’ve listed the best last-minute moving companies in the industry, along with each provider’s service offerings and average costs. Learn more about each company and see which is the best fit for your move.
7 Best Last-Minute Moving Companies
These are are top choices if you need to book a moving company at the last minute:
- Best Full-Service Mover: International Van Lines
- Most Efficient: Interstate Moving & Relocation Group
- Most Reliable Pricing: Safeway Moving Inc.
- Best Overall Moving Labor: American Van Lines
- Best Customer Service: Moving APT
- Best Specialized Packing: JK Moving Services
- Best for Vehicle Relocation: Allied Van Lines
Compare the Best Last-Minute Movers
Our Pick
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#1 out of 28 companies | #2 out of 28 companies | #3 out of 28 companies | #4 out of 28 companies | #5 out of 28 companies | #6 out of 28 companies | #7 out of 28 companies | |
A+ | B | B- | A+ | B+ | A+ | A+ | |
FMCSA Licensing |
Carrier/Broker | Broker | Carrier | Carrier | Broker | Carrier | Carrier |
Average Price* |
$5,250 | $5,054 | $5,631 | $5,625 | $4,683 | $7,171 | $5,370 |
Deposit Required |
Up to 25% | Up to 33% | Up to 40% | Up to 50% | Varies | $250 | None |
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Summary |
We recommend International Van Lines (IVL) if you want the most moving service options possible. The company boasts one of the most extensive moving service catalogs at highly competitive rates. |
We recommend Interstate Moving & Relocation Group as a reputable broker if you need to move quickly. The company’s customer service is prompt, and its broker network helps you find a vetted mover fast. |
We recommend Safeway Moving Inc. for condo or HOA residents. The company has a special focus and training on the regulations and problems that may arise with these moves. |
We recommend American Van Lines if you’re moving high-end items or antiques because it focuses on training its staff to move difficult and valuable items. |
We recommend Moving APT because of its highly rated customer service and its ability to quickly provide you with multiple quotes for its partner companies. |
We recommend JK Moving Services for its ability to offer financing options through its partnership with Enhancify and its high-end, white-glove packing services. |
We recommend Allied if you want to ship a vehicle due to the company’s in-house vehicle relocation services. |
Rating Categories |
International Van Lines | Interstate Moving & Relocation Group | Safeway Moving Inc. | American Van Lines | Moving APT | JK Moving Services | Allied Van Lines |
Customer Service |
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Our Conclusion
The moving companies in this list represent the best options for emergency movers available today. Each provider listed can provide last-minute service, depending on availability.
Of the movers above, International Van Lines gets our vote for the best full-service mover due to its availability and reasonable pricing. If your service needs are more involved, and you need a quick full-service solution for your moving needs, we recommend Allied Van Lines due to its large fleet of trucks across the country. When moving with any professional moving company, we recommend getting visual estimates from multiple providers before booking.
Compare the Top Last-Minute Moving Companies
See our quick comparison chart for more information on our top last-minute moving companies:
Last-Minute Moves
Planning an emergency move is going to come with its fair share of headaches. If your circumstances make a last-minute relocation necessary, consider the following:
Packing
Packing is an involved service. Whether you’d prefer to do your own packing under normal circumstances will likely not matter if you’re forced to move with a week’s notice or less. Unless you are moving a small home, this won’t be feasible to do on your own. Hiring packers from a moving company will typically involve movers coming to your home the day before your actual move.
They can bring packing supplies on request and pack as little or as much as you need them to. This type of add-on service will be expensive. Movers charge hourly rates for moving labor and added fees for packing materials.
Mover Availability
Mover availability makes booking last-minute moves difficult. Some moving companies advertise no added fees for same-week or same-day booking. However, booking any mover with little notice could be difficult due to availability, regardless of the season.
Special Services
The need for specialty-added services could slow your booking process since moving companies can provide different ranges of moving services for antiques or other out-of-the-ordinary items. We recommend getting quotes from multiple companies before booking to gauge which movers will be your best fit.
FAQ About Last-Minute Moves
When is the most difficult time of year to schedule a last-minute move?
Summer is the most difficult time to schedule a last-minute move. The moving season peaks between May and September, and movers cope with heightened demand during these months. Booking a mover that likely has a full schedule will often be difficult when you’re doing so within a week of your preferred move date.
Do all movers offer free quotes?
All reputable movers offer free quotes. If a mover asks for payment after conducting a survey of your home or performing an estimate, you are under no obligation to pay. We recommend that you take your business elsewhere if this occurs.
What happens if my movers damage my furniture?
If your movers damage your furniture, you’re entitled to $0.60 per pound per item damaged. This coverage is included in the base price of any move and is called “released liability coverage.” Note that this won’t cover you for the value of most goods. However, you can supplement this with valuation coverage from most movers at an additional cost.
Our Rating Methodology
We back up our moving company ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each company. We conduct research by reading through the company websites, analyzing customer reviews, conducting consumer surveys, requesting quotes, and speaking with customer representatives. We then score each moving company against our review standards for services, contents coverage, scheduling, trailer and container options, additional benefits, and reputation to arrive at a final score out of 100.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.