My Arkansas to Virginia Move Cost $1,400 More Than Quoted, and I’d Still Hire Them Again
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Centerton, AR to Colonial Beach, VA
~$5,000
1-bedroom apartment, about 40 boxes
$6,400
+$1,400 for extra space and a shuttle
1,020 mi
Long-distance, interstate
- I compared three quotes before I hired Pure Relocation Services for my Arkansas to Virginia move.
- My final bill landed about $1,400 over the estimate because my load came in at 700 cubic feet instead of 600 and I needed a shuttle truck.
- I shared all of it, my quotes, my bills, and my ratings, as part of moveBuddha’s Better Moves Project.
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This account is based on a conversation with Matthew, who moved from Centerton, Arkansas, to Colonial Beach, Virginia, in August 2026 using Pure Relocation Services. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
My move from Arkansas to Virginia
I moved from Centerton, Arkansas, to Colonial Beach, Virginia, for a new job. It was just me and my dog, plus a one-bedroom apartment’s worth of things, about 40 boxes and 3,500 pounds, that I’d already packed into a storage unit.
I moved plenty of times in the Army, but the government always handled the movers. This was the first move I ever paid for myself, and I only had about a week to plan it.
I compared three quotes before I booked, which is the same comparison moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator does in one step, without the phone calls.
My Pure Relocation Services experience at a glance
Pure Relocation Services was honest with me from the first call, and my move went better than I expected. Here’s what stood out.
- Pricing accuracy: My final bill was $6,400, about $1,400 more than my quote, because my load measured 700 cubic feet instead of 600 and I needed a shuttle truck. My sales representative had warned me the volume might come in higher, so it wasn’t a shock.
- Communication: Pure Relocation Services kept me informed at every step and explained extra charges as soon as they came up. I gave it five out of five.
- Timeliness: The crew showed up hours late on pickup day, but my things arrived on the delivery date I asked for, well before my new job started.
- Handling: The crew treated my things with care. Nothing was damaged or missing.
- Would I use Pure Relocation Services again? Yes. I don’t think I’d even consider another company.
over my original Pure Relocation Services quote
Find out what a move from Arkansas to Virginia actually costs before a mover tells you.
Why I chose Pure Relocation Services
The salespeople were honest and upfront, and I liked that it’s a small, family-owned business. They quoted me over the phone from photos and the size of my storage unit, and my sales representative deliberately quoted on the high side so I wouldn’t get sticker shock on moving day. Reading the Pure Relocation Services reviews on moveBuddha helped me decide.
The one drawback was that the price still went up. My load was bigger than the estimate, and I needed a shuttle truck.
My move at a glance
Here are the basics of my Arkansas to Virginia move, including what I was quoted and what I paid.
| Delivered | Aug. 10, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Moved from | Centerton, AR |
| Moved to | Colonial Beach, VA |
| Distance | 1,020 miles |
| Move size | 1-bedroom apartment, about 40 boxes |
| Moving company | Pure Relocation Services |
| Moving quote | About $5,000 (600 cubic feet) |
| Actual cost | $6,400 (700 cubic feet plus a shuttle) |
We found that when you use moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator, you can save 30% on moving costs compared to customers who go with the first quote they receive.
Quotes I compared
I got three quotes, and they weren’t all for the same amount of stuff. The lowest quote assumed 500 cubic feet, while my load ended up at 700, so it helps to compare quotes by size and not just price.
| Company | Estimated size | Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Safeway Moving | 500 cubic feet | $3,400 |
| Pure Relocation Services | 600 cubic feet | About $5,000 |
| BLVD Moving | Not stated | $5,000 |
Pickup day
My pickup window was 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the crew arrived around 6 p.m. They did call to let me know they were running late, and once they got there, they loaded everything in about 45 minutes to an hour.
I’d packed everything myself and only paid for pickup and delivery. I paid part of the cost by card when I booked, 60% of the remaining balance at pickup, and the rest on delivery.
Delivery day
Pure Relocation Services called during transit to make sure I’d be available, then delivered on August 10, the date I’d requested. The crew texted me arrival estimates well ahead of time, so I could get ready.
Unloading was much quicker than I expected. Nothing was damaged or missing, so I didn’t need to file a claim.
Final thoughts
I’ve heard plenty of moving horror stories, and this wasn’t one of them. I gave Pure Relocation Services five out of five overall, and I felt I got my money’s worth.
The only thing I’d change is on me: I’d book farther in advance. I was short on time with a new job starting.
Get a head start on the entire moving process and compare multiple quotes quickly with moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator. According to moveBuddha, users who compare quotes save an average of 30% versus taking the first quote they get.
My ratings
Here’s how I scored Pure Relocation Services from booking to delivery.
- Communication: 5 out of 5 stars. The company kept me informed every step of the way and explained any extra charges quickly.
- Timeliness: 5 out of 5 stars. The crew was late on pickup day, but the company scheduled my move on short notice and delivered well before my start date.
- Quote accuracy: 4 out of 5 stars. I ended up at 700 cubic feet instead of 600, which my sales representative had prepared me for.
- Overall: 5 out of 5 stars. The crew was careful and trustworthy, and the company was a pleasure to work with.
More moving resources
Tips for future movers
These are the practical steps we recommend based on Matthew’s experience:
- Choose a mover that explains its estimate: Matthew picked the company that walked him through how it priced his move. Ask each mover how it measured your load and what could raise the final cost.
- Compare quotes by size, not just price: A low quote based on a smaller volume can grow once the crew measures your things. Check the cubic feet or weight behind every quote.
- Ask whether you’ll need a shuttle: If a full-size truck can’t reach your new home, you may pay for a smaller shuttle truck. According to moveBuddha, shuttle service costs an extra $0.08 – $0.12 per pound on average, with minimum charges often starting around $200.
- Book as early as you can: Matthew found his mover in five days, and said he’d schedule farther in advance next time.
Moving soon? We’ll pay you $500 to tell it like Matthew did.
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