I Compared Three Quotes for My Texas to Colorado Move
Fact Checked by: 
Houston, TX → Denver, CO
$4,016
One-bedroom apartment
$4,088.50
+$72.50 for a stair fee
1,027 mi
Long-distance, interstate
- I compared three quotes before I hired BLVD Moving for my Houston to Denver move, and they ranged from $4,016 to $5,170.
- My final bill landed $72.50 over my original quote because of a stair fee, which was spelled out in my contract.
- 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 Dana M., who moved from Houston, Texas, to Denver, Colorado, in December 2024 using BLVD Moving. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
My move from Texas to Colorado
I was ready for a change, and I was especially tired of the Texas heat! I wanted to escape to the mountains and live closer to my boyfriend, so I decided to move from Houston to Denver in late December 2024.
While I was still in the early stages of planning, I learned about moveBuddha’s Better Moves Project. I agreed to share my in-depth, firsthand experience in exchange for a $500 stipend. After getting a few quotes, I chose BLVD Moving for my long-distance move. Below, I cover what went well, what didn’t, and what you can learn from my experience.
Comparing quotes is where the savings are. According to moveBuddha, people who use the moving cost calculator save 30% on average compared with people who book the first quote they receive.
My BLVD Moving experience at a glance
Here’s what stood out most about moving with BLVD Moving, good and bad.
- Communication: Communication was my biggest problem during the move. I got last-minute notice that the movers were arriving a day earlier than I expected, and that made my move much more stressful than it should have been.
- Pricing accuracy and transparency: My final cost of $4,088.50 was right in line with my $4,016 quote. I paid $72.50 more because of a stair fee, but BLVD was upfront about the extra fees I might owe.
- Professionalism: The movers who loaded my belongings were meticulous and thorough, and they made me feel like they truly cared about my experience. The movers who unloaded weren’t as careful with my items, including boxes marked as fragile.
- Timeliness: BLVD delivered my belongings in just eight days. The movers arrived early for both pickup and delivery, which created some problems for me.
- Loss and damage: A dog food bin, a plastic storage box, and a filing cabinet were damaged, and a ceramic Thanksgiving serving tray was broken. No one gave me information about the company’s claims process.
- Would I use BLVD again? No, mostly because of the communication issues I ran into throughout the move. Getting told at the last minute that my movers were arriving early was a major stressor.
over my original BLVD Moving quote
Find out what a move from Texas → Colorado actually costs before a mover tells you.
Why I chose BLVD Moving
BLVD gave me the lowest estimate of my three quotes, but that wasn’t the only reason I picked the company. BLVD’s support team was extremely helpful while I got my quote. They answered all of my questions about the moving process and gave me a list of guidelines for what they could and couldn’t move. BLVD also offered a slight moving discount if I booked the same day I got my quote. I already had other quotes and I was impressed with BLVD’s process, so I booked right then.
Here’s the part I’d change. BLVD told me my movers would arrive on either Dec. 27 or 28, and I still couldn’t get a confirmed day the week of the move. That uncertainty was the start of the communication problems I ran into.
rating
My move at a glance
Here are the basics of my relocation, including what I was quoted and what I actually paid for my Houston to Denver move.
| Move date | Dec. 27, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Moved from | Houston |
| Moved to | Denver |
| Distance | 1,027 miles |
| Move size | One-bedroom apartment |
| Moving company | BLVD Moving |
| Moving quote | $4,016 |
| Actual cost | $4,088.50 |
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 had plenty of reasons to move from Texas to Colorado, but I was nervous about hiring a moving company. This wasn’t my first move, and my earlier moves hadn’t always gone well. One time, the movers broke my couch. I had handled local moves myself, but I knew I would need professional help for a move this long-distance.
I did a fair amount of research to get ready. I started with Google, which quickly led me to moveBuddha and its moving company reviews, and I also asked my friends for recommendations. Looking for info and opinions from multiple sources gave me a great start.
I followed one of moveBuddha’s top pieces of moving advice and got quotes from three full-service movers: BLVD Moving, North American Van Lines, and Safeway Moving. All three offer packing services, but I chose to do my own packing to save money. I only wanted help with loading and transportation to Colorado. I had about 20 boxes, plus a few specialty items like an antique scooter and a piece of custom art. I got my quotes over the phone and by email.
I’ve since learned that most big moving companies will price match their competitors, so going into a call with several quotes may get you a better price, with or without an early-bird discount.
Each quote was based on a total approximate weight of 1,500 pounds. Here’s how they compared, cheapest first, with BLVD coming in lowest.
| Company | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| BLVD Moving | $4,016 |
| North American Van Lines | $4,775 |
| Safeway Moving | $5,170 |
Pickup day
Pickup came a day earlier than I hoped, but the crew did a great job. BLVD first told me my movers would arrive on either Dec. 27 or 28, which wasn’t much help, and I still couldn’t get confirmation of the actual day the week of the move. I reached out multiple times to ask for Dec. 28. When BLVD finally gave me the date, it was Dec. 27.
I’ve since learned that movers coordinate multiple customers and routes to maximize truck space and drive time, so schedule changes and limitations can happen. Even so, the earlier date put me in a tailspin. I was still packing, taking photos of my fragile items, and cleaning my apartment, and I still wasn’t done when the movers showed up the morning of Dec. 27.
The movers called 20 minutes before they arrived, and I thought they were quick and thorough. They took extra care to secure my items before moving any boxes, and their courteous, caring attitude helped. It took less than three hours to load the truck, even though I wasn’t finished packing.
I was surprised when a third-party truck showed up on moving day. I’ve since learned that’s standard for nationwide companies like BLVD, because partnering with vetted local movers is what allows them to offer nationwide coverage.
I had to pay an extra fee for the flight of stairs up to my apartment, but it was outlined in my contract, so I knew to expect it. I read the fine print, and I’ve since learned that “hidden fees” like the stair charge are actually standard in the moving industry and clearly stated in the written agreement, called the bill of lading.
I should have packed earlier. If you’re booking a move, start packing for a move two to three months in advance. Begin by decluttering for your move, then box your non-essential items. A couple of hours each night, room by room, would have prevented most of my stress.
Delivery day
My belongings reached Denver in just eight days, which I’ve since learned is quicker than most long-distance deliveries, but communication problems once again made things more stressful. I didn’t receive any updates from BLVD while my items were in transit. It isn’t easy to hand all of your stuff to strangers and then not know where it is.
I’ve since learned that moving companies typically give a delivery timeframe, then contact customers again a day before delivery, which is what BLVD did. When the movers called, they gave me a two-hour window. They showed up an hour early, which created another mad dash to get everything ready. An hour early isn’t that early, and I should have been squared away well before then.
If you’re booking a move, go in knowing that times and dates are approximate, not literal. Weather delays or lighter traffic than planned can change arrival times, so build at least an hour buffer around any arrival or delivery window.
Delivery also wasn’t as smooth as pickup. The local movers in Colorado who delivered my belongings weren’t as careful as the crew that loaded my things in Texas. They set boxes marked as fragile or “this side up” upside down. A dog food bin, a plastic storage box, and a filing cabinet were damaged, and a ceramic Thanksgiving serving tray was broken.
Most of the damage was minor, and I didn’t file a claim, in part because no one told me how. I’ve since learned that moving companies typically post their claims process online as part of their terms and conditions, and BLVD lays out its requirements for claims, including a filing deadline, on its website. Moving is complex, and you won’t always get every detail spelled out, so take time to research a company’s policies and timelines. When in doubt, a quick call to customer support can provide answers.
Final thoughts
I got my money’s worth, but I wouldn’t use BLVD again. If I move again, I’d rather work directly with a smaller local mover, even though it was the local crew that handled my delivery less carefully.
BLVD didn’t communicate well during my move. That led to a frantic scramble to finish packing and to make room for my belongings at my new home, and it was a major sticking point for me. My ratings below reflect those communication issues more than anything else.
Still, the move went mostly as I expected. I knew going in that moves can be stressful and that small mishaps are common. My quote was accurate, the crew that loaded my belongings was excellent, and my delivery was quicker than most.
Packing early, as I admit I should have, would have spared me the panic I felt when I wasn’t quite ready on pickup and delivery days. I also wish I had read BLVD’s terms and conditions as carefully as I read my contract. I read my contract closely, so the stair fee didn’t surprise me, but the terms would have given me a clear picture of the claims process. I’ve also learned that service from a national mover can vary, since these companies often rely on local moving partners.
Before you book, compare quotes side by side with moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator so you know what a fair price looks like for your move.
My ratings
Here’s how I rated BLVD Moving on a scale of 1 to 5.
- Communication: 2. I got last-minute notice that my movers were arriving a day early, and I received no updates while my belongings were in transit.
- Timeliness: 4. My belongings arrived in eight days, though the movers showed up early for both pickup and delivery.
- Quote accuracy: 4. My final cost of $4,088.50 was only $72.50 above my $4,016 quote, and the difference was a stair fee outlined in my contract.
- Overall experience: 2. The communication problems, the rushed scramble to get ready, and the less careful delivery crew outweighed a smooth pickup.
Tips for future movers
These are the practical steps we recommend based on Dana M.’s experience:
- Get at least three quotes before you book: Dana M.’s three quotes ranged from $4,016 to $5,170. Most big moving companies will price match, so bring your other quotes to the call, and don’t jump on a same-day discount unless you already have several estimates.
- Ask for a confirmed moving date early: BLVD gave Dana M. a Dec. 27 or 28 window and picked the earlier day. Movers coordinate multiple customers and routes, so ask for a confirmed date well ahead and be ready for changes.
- Start packing two to three months ahead: Dana M. was still packing when the movers arrived. Declutter first, box your non-essential items, and spend a couple of hours each night going room by room.
- Build a buffer around every window: Movers arrived early for both pickup and delivery. Plan for at least an hour on either side of any arrival or delivery window.
- Read your contract and the mover’s terms: Dana M. read her contract, so the stair fee didn’t surprise her, but she never read BLVD’s claims process. It’s posted online with a filing deadline, and a call to customer support can fill any gaps.
Moving soon? We’ll pay you $500 to tell it like Dana M. did.
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