Full-Service Movers: Services & Costs
Here’s the quick answer: Full-service movers handle your whole move, from packing and loading to transport, unloading, and furniture setup at your new home. American Van Lines is our top pick, since the most experienced mover on our list uses in-house crews, while Safeway Moving’s guaranteed flat-rate quotes and Allied Van Lines’ reach in all 50 states make them strong runners-up. This guide covers what full-service movers do, what they cost, and how to pick one from our list of the best moving companies.
rating
4.23 / 5
- Specialty packing services
- White-glove reputation
- 80+ years' experience
Why moveBuddha:
- On average, moveBuddha users save more than 30% by comparing movers before booking.
- When you choose a moveBuddha Certified mover, you get $1,000 in added move coverage, plus dedicated support throughout your move.
- If something goes wrong, moveBuddha provides dispute mediation with Certified movers to help resolve the issue and protect your move.
Jump to the full-service moving info you’re looking for:
What do full-service movers do?
Full-service movers handle every step of your move, so you don’t have to pack a box or lift a couch. Here’s what a full-service move usually includes:
| Service | What’s included |
|---|---|
| Packing & supplies | Crews bring boxes, tape & padding & pack your home |
| Furniture disassembly | Beds, desks & tables taken apart & rebuilt |
| Loading & unloading | All the heavy lifting, room by room |
| Transportation | A licensed driver & truck |
| Unpacking | Optional unpacking & furniture setup |
| Debris removal | Empty boxes & packing materials hauled away |
| Storage | Short- or long-term storage |
Many full-service movers also offer add-ons like vehicle shipping, custom crating, and specialty handling for pianos, fine art, and gym equipment. Need old furniture gone, too? Ask whether the mover hauls junk, or book a junk removal company before moving day.
What are the best full-service moving companies?
We compared services, pricing, and reputation to pick the best full-service movers:
| Company | Best for |
|---|---|
| American Van Lines | Most experienced mover |
| Safeway Moving | Flat-rate pricing |
| Allied Van Lines | Nationwide & international moves |
Most experienced mover: American Van Lines
We like American Van Lines for full-service moves because its in-house crews have packed and moved households since 1995, so the same company handles your move from start to finish. AVL specializes in art, antiques, and pianos, with custom crating for high-value pieces.
AVL offers flat-rate, all-inclusive pricing and climate-controlled storage. It moves long-distance across the 48 contiguous states, but local moves are available only in Florida, Texas, South Carolina, and North Carolina.
rating
4.9 / 5
Best for flat-rate pricing: Safeway Moving
Worried your full-service quote will creep up on moving day? Safeway Moving locks in a guaranteed flat-rate price upfront, based on your documented inventory. Its crews offer packing, custom crating, and barcode-scanned inventories, so you can follow your shipment by GPS.
Safeway handles local and long-distance moves across the 48 contiguous states and includes 30 days of free storage on interstate moves. Its support line runs 24/7.
rating
4.9 / 5
Best for nationwide & international moves: Allied Van Lines
Moving somewhere a smaller mover can’t reach? Allied Van Lines has moved households since 1928 and serves all 50 states and more than 130 countries. Its full-service moves include packing, custom crating, and storage-in-transit for up to 90 days.
Allied offers 24/7 online shipment tracking and doesn’t require a deposit to book. Because Allied works through local agents, service quality can vary, so read reviews for the agent assigned to your move.
rating
4.23 / 5
How much does full-service moving cost?
Full-service moving costs depend on your distance, home size, and add-ons. Based on moveBuddha’s data, here’s what it costs to move a 2,000-square-foot house:
| Move type | Average full-service cost |
|---|---|
| Local move | $1,500 – $1,800 |
| Long-distance move | $5,000 – $14,000 |
Larger homes and specialty services cost more. See our guides to the cost to move a 2,000-square-foot house and the cost to move a 5-bedroom house for city and route examples.
What affects the cost of full-service movers?
Movers set your price based on a few key factors:
| Factor | How it affects cost |
|---|---|
| Distance | Local moves are hourly, long-distance moves are priced by weight & miles |
| Move size | More belongings mean more labor & truck space |
| Services | Packing, unpacking, crating & storage add to the base price |
| Timing | Summer is peak moving season, with higher prices |
| Access | Stairs, elevators, long carries & shuttles add labor |
moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator weighs distance, home size, move date, and service level together, so you can see what a full-service move should cost before you request quotes.
How can you lower full-service moving costs?
You can still save money without giving up the convenience of full-service movers:
- Declutter first, since the less you move, the less you pay.
- Pack non-fragile items yourself, and let the crew handle breakables and furniture.
- Compare at least three quotes, and ask whether each is binding or non-binding.
- Book early, especially for summer moves.
- Ask about moving discounts for military members, seniors, and students.
How does full-service moving compare to partial-service & DIY moves?
Full-service isn’t your only option. Here’s how it compares with partial-service and DIY moves:
| Move type | Who does what | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full-service | Movers pack, load, drive & unload | Highest |
| Partial-service | You pack, movers load, drive & unload | Medium |
| Fragile-only packing | Movers pack breakables, you pack the rest | Medium |
| DIY or hybrid | You pack & load a rental truck or container | Lowest |
A partial-service move is a smart middle ground if you have time to pack but don’t want to do the heavy lifting. If you’re moving on a budget, see the cheapest ways to move cross-country.
Is full-service moving right for you?
Full-service moving is worth the cost for some moves, but not all:
| Best for | Not ideal for |
|---|---|
| Busy professionals & families | Tight budgets |
| People who can’t lift heavy items | Studios or small moves |
| Long-distance moves | People who want full control |
| Large homes & fragile items | Moves with lots of free time |
How do you prepare for full-service movers?
Even though the crew does the heavy lifting, a little prep keeps moving day on track:
- Reserve elevators, loading docks, and parking at both homes.
- Set aside valuables, documents, medications, and daily essentials.
- Separate hazardous or perishable items, since movers won’t take them.
- Label rooms or leave simple instructions for the crew.
- Photograph fragile and high-value items.
- Stay available on moving day to answer questions.
Wondering about tipping? Our movers tipping guide covers what’s customary.
How do you find a reputable full-service mover?
Use these checks to vet any full-service mover you’re considering:
| Check | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Licensing | A USDOT number on FMCSA SAFER for interstate moves |
| Reviews | The Better Moves Project & BBB complaints |
| Pricing | Detailed written estimates, not vague quotes |
| Surveys | An in-home or video survey before a final price |
| Policies | Clear delivery windows, cancellation & claims rules |
Be wary of unusually low quotes or movers that only give phone estimates for a full house. Local movers should also meet your state’s licensing rules.
FAQ
What is a full-service mover?
A full-service mover is a moving company that packs, loads, transports, and unloads your belongings for you. Many also disassemble and rebuild furniture and unpack at your new home. You don’t have to lift a box.
How much do full-service movers cost?
Full-service movers cost about $1,500 – $1,800 for a local move of a 2,000-square-foot house, based on moveBuddha’s data. A long-distance move of the same home costs about $5,000 – $14,000. Your price depends on distance, home size, and services.
How long does a full-service move take?
A full-service move takes a day or two for most local moves of apartments or small homes. Larger homes can take several days to pack and load. Long-distance delivery can take a week or more.
Are full-service movers worth it?
Full-service movers are worth it if you’re short on time, moving long-distance, or have a large home. They save you days of packing and heavy lifting. For small moves or tight budgets, a partial-service or DIY move may make more sense.
What happens if full-service movers damage your belongings?
If full-service movers damage your belongings, file a claim in writing with the mover. On interstate moves, full-value protection means the mover must repair, replace, or pay for the item, unless you chose basic released value instead. The FMCSA explains your claim rights.
What won’t full-service movers move?
Full-service movers won’t move hazardous materials like propane, paint, or cleaning chemicals. Most also won’t take perishable food, plants, or pets. Ask your mover for its full list before you pack.
How we chose the best moving companies
The moveBuddha team has spent nearly 10 years evaluating moving companies using a rigorous review system to identify the best moving companies. Our thorough methodology evaluates each moving company's services, cost, customer service, and reputation:
Moving services (35%):
We verify operating authority, insurance, and service scope against FMCSA/SAFER and state databases. We confirm availability via standardized mystery-shopping calls (packing tiers, storage type, specialty handling, delivery windows, valuation), and then review contracts alongside complaint and claims patterns over time.
Customer feedback (28%):
We run structured post-move surveys through our Better Moves Project with verifiable documentation. We emphasize on-time performance, care of goods, and estimates’ accuracy, and we investigate outliers before they influence scores.
Online reviews (7%):
We aggregate ratings across multiple third-party sites to reduce platform bias, analyze overall trends and company response behavior, and discount obvious spam/fake signals such as sudden bursts, duplicate language, and low-history profiles.
State availability (12%):
We confirm USDOT numbers, broker vs. carrier status, and any required state permits, then score a state-by-state service matrix that accounts for coverage gaps, seasonal limits, and lane strength. We award additional credit for documented cross-border or specialty lanes.
Additional services (12%):
We verify whether add-ons are performed in-house or subcontracted, look for crew training/certifications for high-value or oversized items, count only documented offerings (tariffs, photos, written service descriptions) confirmed via mystery shopping, and reward robust pre-move planning (virtual surveys, itemized crating).
Quotes/Payment options (6%):
We test standardized move profiles to assess estimate type (binding, not-to-exceed, non-binding), line-item transparency, and disclosed surcharges, require clear written policies for deposits, refunds, and cancellations, and award points for secure, flexible payment methods and customer portals.
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