The moving process can be difficult due to unexpected physical and financial events. The This Old House Reviews team has researched some of the best moving companies in the country to determine which ones are best at handling such problems.
Our reviews team researched JK Moving Services in-depth to learn more about the company’s benefits, downsides, costs, and services. Keep reading to determine if JK Moving Services is the best moving company for you.
Our Take on JK Moving Services
We rated JK Moving a 91 out of 100, and we named it ‘Most Customizable Full-Service Mover.’ They work with each customer to customize a moving package based on their needs and budget. We find JK Moving’s commitment to creating custom moving packages particularly impressive.
JK Moving is one of the few professional movers that offers financing on its moves. The company’s partnership with Enhancify allows customers to get rates as low as 0% same-as-cash. We think it’s a great choice for those interested in full-service options but have a budget to keep in mind. Additionally, they have earned a positive reputation with customers over the years, including an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB).*
*BBB information accurate as of March 2023
Pros & Cons of JK Moving Services
Here’s a look at some of the pros and cons of working with JK Moving Services:
JK Moving Services Availability
JK Moving can assist with long-distance moves in all 50 states. The company features limited availability when it comes to local moves. It only helps with local moves in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. JK Moving also offers its services for international moves.
Moving Services Offered
JK Moving provides industry-standard full-service moving options for long-distance and international moves. It assists customers by providing professional relocation services that deal with physical and financial pain points during a move. A moving coordinator works with you to create a moving experience tailored to your needs and budget.
Some of its standout features include its specialty services and its user-friendly mobile app that helps coordinate and track your move. Learn about the services JK Moving offers below:
Packing and Unpacking
JK Moving offers packing and unpacking services for customers. Your movers will disassemble, pack, properly wrap, and load your furniture and belongings onto the moving truck.
Customers can also choose partial packing services, including fragile-only packing. This allows you to pick the items you want JK’s moving team to pack securely for you. DIY packing is also an option. Customers can simply request a full selection of boxes, padding, tape, and other supplies.
Loading and Unloading
Knowledgeable, professional movers will carefully load your belongings onto a moving truck. JK’s movers will also unload the moving truck for you at your new home, placing important items and furniture where they should go.
Storage Solutions
If there are items you don’t plan to take with you, or you need interim storage services during your move, JK Moving has storage facilities in Maryland and Virginia.
These storage facilities are equipped with climate-controlled storage units, 24/7 video surveillance, motion sensors, and fire-suppression systems.
Specialty Services
JK Moving can provide movers that are experienced with specialty items, such as pianos and antiques. The moving crew is drug-tested, background-checked, and trained in the company’s fully furnished, on-site training home.
Mobile App
JK Moving provides a user-friendly mobile app that allows customers to track their shipment through GPS technology. The smartphone app also allows customers to easily contact their moving coordinator, make payments, and add additional coverage.
Insurance Coverage Options
JK Moving offers two contents protection plans. Its Carrier Standard Liability option offers 60 cents per pound or $50 per article, whichever is less, and a $100 deductible applies on all claims. For its long-distance moves, each article is covered at 60 cents per pound.
The company’s second, more comprehensive protection plan, the Replacement Value (Full Replacement Cost) option, offers a minimum of $6 per pound, or a total $15,000 minimum. This option allows you to determine the value of your belongings and select a deductible option and multiply that figure by rates provided by the company.
A 15,000 pound shipment at $6 per pound creates a $90,000 minimum policy. The total cost of a $90,000 policy with a $250 deductible is $630.
Vehicle Relocation
Due to its partnership with Montway Auto Transport, JK Moving offers auto transportation to make your move easier. The company can transport sedans, trucks, and SUVs. This option helps you save mileage on your vehicles and save money on gas.
Cost of JK Moving Services
We received an estimate from JK Moving for a two-bedroom home (or 10,400 pounds) going from Atlanta to Chicago for $7,521. This moving quote includes furniture disassembly and wrapping, loading, unloading, and full value coverage.
Because JK Moving customizes each of its moving packages, the company does not feature sample pricing on its website. The following factors will play a major role in how much your move costs:
- The distance of your move
- The total weight of your shipment
- Any difficult or challenging furniture or items
- How many crew members your move needs
- Additional services you purchase
Through its partnership with Enhancify, JK Moving allows you to finance your move. You submit an application on Enhancify’s easy-to-use website. In about a minute or two, you are able to see rates, including 0% same-as-cash offerings, from lenders that Enhancify matches with you. You then pick the option you like most. You can get a free quote from JK Moving Services and see what it might cost you by completing this quick online form.
JK Moving Services Booking Process
To book with JK Moving, you’ll follow these 3 simple steps:
- Contact the company online or over the phone. You will provide some basic information about your upcoming move.
- The representative will get you in touch with a moving coordinator who can provide you with a ballpark estimate and schedule a way to take inventory. More on that in the next paragraph.
- Once an inventory has been created, JK Moving provides a more detailed and accurate quote. A $250 deposit, which is applicable to your overall moving cost, is required when you book.
JK Moving offers two ways to take a more detailed inventory. One is to conduct a virtual walk-through with your moving coordinator over a video call. They will take pictures and make records of your belongings. The second option is a self-guided virtual tour of your home during which you take videos and pictures of your rooms, and your moving coordinator will take note and estimate the weight of major items after the fact.
JK Moving Services Reviews
JK Moving was founded in 1982 when its founder Chuck Kuhn was just 16 years old. After nearly 40 years in the business, the company is now the largest fully licensed and insured independent mover in the United States, and it focuses on technology, facilities, and talent from its headquarters in Sterling, Virginia.
K Moving Services features an accreditation from the BBB, and it holds an A+ rating on the website.*
Read over what JK Moving customers had to say below:
“We used JK for a move from our home in Maryland to one in New England. As our final move for retirement, we wanted to make sure that it was simple and stress-free. And all that happened with JK. From our initial meeting with their coordinator through the delivery, JK stayed in touch (especially our team leader/driver) throughout the process. Everyone was professional, easy to work with, and extremely helpful. I recommend them to anyone thinking about a move.” -P.S. via Yelp
“I used JK Moving services to move my mother into her retirement condo in Leesburg Virginia in February 2019. The crew was fantastic. Thank you JK for making my mother’s move into her retirement home absolutely flawless and low stress. You treated her with the respect that she deserves. 5 star service. Thank you!” -Michael B. via BBB
*BBB information accurate as of March 2023
JK Moving Services vs. Competitors
There are other options for full-service movers that may be slightly cheaper than JK Moving, depending on what your move entails. Additionally, you may be curious about how full-service movers compare with DIY options.
Check out a couple of our top picks for professional movers below.
JK Moving Services vs. International Van Lines
International Van Lines is a full-service moving company that provides assistance in all 50 states for long-distance moves. The company offers industry-standard full-service moving options at affordable rates. Its services include specialty services, auto transportation, and providing moving supplies. Customers are able to customize their move for either a partial-service or full-service move.
International Van Lines is slightly more affordable than JK Moving. We received a quote for a two-bedroom home moving from Atlanta to Chicago for $2,015–$3,445. We suggest you get more details from International Van Lines and get an instant quote to accurately compare both companies.
JK Moving Services vs. 1-800-PACK-RAT
Given the additional cost that comes with full-service movers, you may want to consider a self-service moving company, such as 1-800-PACK-RAT—a self-service portable moving container company.
The company delivers a portable storage container to your home, you load up your belongings at your own pace, the company transports the container to your new home, and you unload it at your own pace. 1-800-PACK-RAT partners with Hire-A-Helper, so customers are able to opt for moving labor if they require it.
The estimated cost to move a 16-foot container, which easily covers a two- to four-bedroom home from Atlanta to Chicago with 1-800-PACK-RAT is $2,709. We encourage you to see what a move with 1-800-PACK-RAT looks like by completing this online survey.
Our Conclusion
We rated JK Moving Services a 91 out of 100, and we named it ‘Most Customizable Full-Service Mover.’ The company works with each customer to customize a partial-service or full-service moving package based on their needs and budget. While JK Moving is better suited for long-distance moves (it’s only capable of local moves in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia areas), its additional features, like GPS tracking, are tailored to benefit long-distance moves.
While cheaper full-service movers are available, JK Moving’s financing option could help offset those expenses for anyone interested in its services. This is a rare perk in the moving industry. We recommend JK Moving and encourage you to get started by filling out this easy-to-use form.
If you want similar services for a lower price, look more into International Van Lines. If you want a more DIY, self-service approach to moving, then we recommend you see what 1-800-PACK-RAT can do for your move.
JK Moving Services FAQs
Our Rating Methodology
The This Old House Reviews Team backs 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.