Best Moving Companies in Michigan (2023)

Because it can be difficult to determine which moving company best fits your specific needs, the This Old House Reviews Team has researched and ranked the best moving companies in the nation.

This guide will help you get an idea of what the best moving companies in Michigan have to offer, their costs, their pros, and any drawbacks to using them.

Based on in-depth research, we found the following to be the top moving companies in Michigan:

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

International Van Lines

Our Take: Best Overall Full-Service Mover

International Van Lines (IVL) is a full-service mover that provides services such as furniture disassembly, packing, crating, loading, transportation, unloading, unpacking, and furniture reassembly. The company allows you to mix and match these services however you’d like, so you can create either a full-service or partial-service moving package.

IVL helps with any difficult and challenging items like pianos, expensive artwork, and antique furniture through its specialty services. Customers also get access to comprehensive contents protection plans, including required limited liability coverage and various full-value protection plans.

Pros and Cons

✔ Offers top-tier specialty services for pianos and antiques
✔ Offers partial-service moving options
✔ Provides moving and packing supplies at an additional cost

✘ No online sample pricing
✘ Not the best option for local moves

Services

Because International Van Lines is a larger freighting company, it’s better suited for long-distance moves rather than local moves. However, its range of services allows you to focus on other important parts of the moving process. Learn more about IVL services.

Cost

For a two-bedroom home going from Detroit to Grand Rapids, Michigan, in about a month and a half, International Van Lines quoted us $2,015–$3,445. This estimate includes loading services and transportation.

If you’re interested in seeing what parts of your move International Van Lines can handle, fill out this easy-to-use form.

Learn More: International Van Lines Review

American Van Lines

Our Take: Most Experienced Moving Labor

American Van Lines (AVL) offers some of the most experienced labor in the moving industry. This makes the company a great option if you have any unique, challenging, or difficult items to relocate. AVL’s moving teams hold an average of 10 years of experience and work full-time, so they are prepared for whatever task you throw at them.

American Van Lines offers popular full-service options, such as packing, loading, transportation, unloading, and unpacking. Similar to other full-service movers on this list, AVL is better suited for long-distance moves to or from Michigan, rather than local ones.

Pros and Cons

✔ Provides fixed pricing for its services
✔ Movers hold an average of 10 years of moving experience
✔ Well-equipped for moving antiques and expensive art

✘ Prices can be higher than some competitors
✘ Requires an upfront deposits that can range from 10%–50% of the total moving amount
✘ Not the best choice for local moves

Services

AVL offers comprehensive industry-standard services with skilled labor, such as packing, loading, unloading, and unpacking. The company also provides custom crating, and its movers are professionally trained to handle specialty services involving pianos, recreational equipment, antiques, and fine art.

American Van Lines provides these services at a fixed price, unlike other moving companies that may adjust their price after providing a quote due to unexpected events or longer transit times. Learn more about American Van Lines services.

Cost

American Van Lines works with customers to create accurate in-home and virtual estimates, so it does not provide online sample prices. However, it does provide some cost information on its moving cost page. To give you an idea of AVL’s cost, moving a two-bedroom apartment (or 6,000 pounds) from Houston to Chicago costs $4,669. This quote is the average price of this move with AVL, so it includes a variety of service options.

To see how American Van Lines can help you during your move, complete this online questionnaire.

Learn More: American Van Lines Review

Moving APT

Our Take: Best Customer Service

Moving APT is a great choice for anyone who wants a concierge approach to relocation. As a broker, Moving APT works to match customers with independent professional movers in its network. Moving APT maintains one of the largest networks in the industry, which means the company can find a qualified mover in your area within your price range. 

After connecting you to a moving company, Moving APT will remain a part of the process by following up to ensure the process is running smoothly. You can contact Moving APT at any time of day or night with any questions or concerns. 

Pros and Cons

✔ Has more than 2,500 companies in its network
✔ Offers discounts to senior citizens, differently abled individuals, and active and retired military
✔ Providers 24/7 customer support online and by phone
✘ Does not offer refunds on deposits if you cancel fewer than seven days before your scheduled relocation
✘ Is not liable if a third-party mover breaks, destroys, or loses any of your items

Services

Moving APT accommodates full- and partial-service moves locally, long-distance, and internationally in all 50 states. The company’s add-on options include long- and short-term storage, furniture disassembly and reassembly, and car and boat shipping.

Cost

According to Moving APT’s free online quote tool, a three-bedroom relocation from Lansing, Michigan, to Boston would cost approximately $3,700. For exact pricing, you must contact the company directly to provide more specific details. Moving APT will give you a binding estimate after reviewing your moving inventory and conducting a virtual walkthrough of your home. 

Get started with Moving APT by using this free online quote tool. 

Learn More: Moving APT Review

JK Moving Services

Our Take: Most Customizable Full-Service Mover

If you have a budget but want a residential mover to handle your moving plan from start to finish, we recommend JK Moving. JK Moving helps customers build custom full-service or partial-service moving packages based on their moving needs and budget. Services with JK Moving include industry-standard options like packing, loading, unloading, and unpacking.

JK Moving also offers the ability to finance your move. Through its partnership with Enhancify, JK Moving offers customers rates as low as 0% same-as-cash.*
*Subject to credit approval

Pros and Cons

✔ Provides a useful mobile app for GPS tracking, creating a virtual inventory, and receiving an estimate
✔ Provides a designated moving coordinator for your move
✔ Offers financing through an Enhancify partnership

✘ Storage services are sometimes run by third-party companies
✘ No local moves in Michigan

Services

JK Moving provides comprehensive full-service moving options, including furniture disassembly, crating, packing, loading, unloading, unpacking, and furniture reassembly. JK Moving is one of the largest moving companies in the United States, so its customers receive reputable 24/7 customer support and a personal moving coordinator. Its size also makes it better equipped for cross-country moves rather than local moves. Learn more about JK Moving services.

Cost

JK Moving works with you to create a detailed inventory for your move to determine its overall cost.

The following factors influence what price JK Moving gives you:

• The location of your original home
• The total distance of your move
• The total weight of your move
• The date and the time of year of your move
• Additional services you purchase

To get more details on a tailor-made moving package with JK Moving for your Michigan move, fill out this easy-to-use survey.

Learn More: JK Moving Services Review

Allied Van Lines

Our Take: Best for Vehicle Relocation

Allied Van Lines is one of the oldest and most experienced moving companies in the industry. Allied offers full-service moving packages and custom add-on options, as well as DIY support like moving kits and online resources.

The company operates its own fleet of vehicle carriers for the transport of cars, SUVs, trucks, vans, motorcycles, boats and snowmobiles. Customers can choose from open car carriers to enclosed semi-trailer trucks that provide added protection for rare, vintage cars and high-value vehicles.

Pros and Cons

✔ Provides guaranteed quotes with an in-home visit
✔ A personal moving consultant is automatically included with all packages
✔ Online scheduling is available for in-home estimates

✘ Consumer complaints cite pressure by local movers to sign off on receipt of items before homeowners can inspect their belongings
✘ Add-ons can increase your moving costs to beyond competitor pricing

Services

Allied’s list of moving services includes: Boxes and moving supplies, DIY packing, local moving, long-distance moving, international moving, furniture disassembly and reassembly, and house cleaning.

Cost

Allied determines your overall moving cost with factors such as the total weight and mileage of your move. The company offers free basic liability insurance, but any supplemental insurance or add-on services, such as crating or vehicle relocation, comes with an additional cost.

Allied’s online instant quote tool estimates that moving a two-bedroom home from Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Dover, Delaware, at the end of August would cost between $4,732 and $5,736.

Some factors that impact the overall cost with Allied Van Lines include:

• The date of your move
• The distance of your move
• The amount and weight of household items to be moved
• The purchase of additional services

To schedule a quick and easy virtual estimate with Allied Van Lines, complete this online survey.

Learn More: Allied Van Lines Review

North American Van Lines

Our Take: Best for Claims

North American Van Lines has been in the moving industry since 1933. The company partners with more than 500 local movers throughout all 50 states. Because of its expansive network, North American can accommodate local, long-distance, and international relocations of all sizes.

Domestic and international claims can be filed directly from the homepage of the company’s website. North American also maintains dedicated claims support lines for those who need additional assistance or prefer to file claims by phone.

Pros and Cons

✔ Offers satellite tracking for packages
✔ Provides discounts for American Legion and union members and their families
✔ Has an online packaging calculator to help you determine the amount and cost of moving supplies

✘ Consumers may have to wait longer for open in-home estimate appointments than with competitors
✘ Some customer reviews mention damage to items by local moving contractors

Services

North American’s list of moving services includes: vehicle relocation, mobile storage containers, packing and unpacking, loading and unloading, debris removal, online library of moving tips and checklists, and crane vans for large items.

Cost

Your quote from North American Van Lines will depend on the size and distance of your move, as well as your moving date and any special handling requests.

Other factors that will affect the total cost of your move include:

• The total weight of your items
• Any items that need special handling, such as crating
• Your home layout

Prices range from $5,224 to $5,967 to move the contents of a two-bedroom home from Lansing, Michigan, to Boston, Massachusetts, in late July.

For a free quote from North American Van Lines, complete this quick online form.

Learn More: North American Van Lines Review

1-800-PACK-RAT

Our Take: Best Overall Self-Service Mover

1-800-PACK-RAT is our top pick for a self-service mover in Michigan. The company is a great option for both local and long-distance moves in the state, and it’s a great option if you want to save money when compared to full-service movers.

1-800-PACK-RAT customers don’t miss out on reputable moving labor thanks to the company’s partnership with HireAHelper. The company has a branch in Detroit and primarily helps within a 100-mile radius of the city.

Pros and Cons

✔ On-site storage facilities include 24/7 security and climate-controlled units
✔ Provides various online resources and tools on its user-friendly website
✔ Offers a price-matching policy with PODS

✘ Only available near the Detroit metropolitan area
✘ No sample pricing on its website

Services

1-800-PACK-RAT topped our list of the best moving container companies. The company offers three moving container sizes: 8 feet (ideal for 1–2 rooms), 12 feet (ideal for 2–3 rooms), and 16 feet (ideal for 3–4 rooms). The company delivers your choice of moving container(s) to your home.

You load your belongings onto the container(s) and notify 1-800-PACK-RAT customer service when you want the containers to be picked up and delivered to your new home. 1-800-PACK-RAT includes 30 days of rental for the container in your move, and another 30 days can be added for an additional cost if you need more time for loading and unloading. Learn more about 1-800-PACK-RAT services.

Cost

We obtained a quote from 1-800-PACK-RAT to use a 16-foot container from Ann Arbor to Rochester, Michigan, within two months for a total of $546. This quote does not include taxes, and additional fuel surcharges may occur.

If you want to start your self-service Michigan move as soon as possible, click here to get a free moving quote.

Learn More: 1-800-PACK-RAT Review

Michigan poses a lot of challenges when it comes to moving into, out of, or across The Great Lakes State. It might be difficult to get a large truck through Detroit’s traffic or around the winding roads of Hiawatha National Forest.

A professional moving company can alleviate any of the stress and difficulties that come with a residential move through these areas and more.

Other Considerations When Moving in Michigan

If you’re moving homes, there are several other services that you may want to consider. Below, we’ll include some helpful resources for your new home:

• Best Home Warranty Companies in Michigan
• Best Homeowners Insurance in Michigan
• Best Renters Insurance in Michigan
• Best Pest Control in Detroit
• Top Real Estate Agents in Detroit
• Best Home Security Systems
• Best Lawn Care Services

Take some time to determine what you want out of a professional Michigan mover and what roadblocks you want to avoid. We encourage you to obtain free estimates from multiple moving companies to help you compare the services and pricing offered by each provider.

If you want a moving company that handles as much of your move as possible, check out full-service movers like International Van Lines, Allied Van Lines, and North American. If you want to save money and want a DIY moving experience, look into a self-service mover like 1-800-PAT-RACK.

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.