A-1 Movers Review
Fact Checked by:
Positive Reviews
72%
across 109 reviews
moveBuddha Score
4.0/5
based on moveBuddha methodology
Years in Business
26
founded 2000
FMCSA Status
Active
A-1 Movers is a 4.0/5-rated Iowa full-service mover, operating since 2000 (26 years in business). A-1 Movers earns 72% positive reviews across 109 verified customer reviews. The company holds active FMCSA registration and operates 1 trucks. All ratings reflect moveBuddha's independent analysis.
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A-1 Movers at a glance
- Track record: 26 years in business with 72% positive customer reviews across 109 verified reviews.
- Scale: 1 trucks operating across Iowa
- Industry experience: 4.72/5
- Customer service: 3.28/5
- Review quality: 3.84/5
- Quote accuracy: 4.34/5
What this review covers
Efficient service
Professional and polite staff
Careful handling
Quick moving process
Helpful movers
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Company stats
Read full reviewIndustry experience 4.7
Companies with more years in business often outperform newer competitors. A-1 Movers has been in business for 26 years, demonstrating strong staying power in a competitive industry with services like labor-only moving and interstate moving.
Review quality 3.8
Customer reviews are the clearest window into a mover’s reputation. A-1 Movers has about 72% positive reviews across roughly 109 total reviews, with an average Yelp rating of 2.3.
Quote accuracy 4.3
Quote reliability often comes down to clarity and consistency. Customers can request instant email quotes from A-1 Movers.
Customer service 3.2
From responsiveness to follow-through, customer service is a big differentiator. A-1 Movers emphasizes clear communication, careful handling.
Recent reviews
"Ricky and Shawn were fantastic. Showed up on time, no damage to any of my belongings, finished earlier than estimate, super friendly and professional movers. Highly recommend A-1 Movers!!!"
"They moved my household in 2020 with so much care and professionalism. I would highly recommend them."
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What do customers say about A-1 Movers?
Across 109 verified customer reviews from multiple platforms, 72% are positive, 28% are negative, and 0% are neutral.
What customers like most about A-1 Movers
- Efficient service: Many customers praise A-1 Movers for completing moves smoothly and with minimal downtime.
- Professional and polite staff: Customers say the A-1 Movers's crews and service representatives handled their move professionally and were friendly and helpful throughout the move.
- Careful handling: Belongings are treated with caution, and many customers report zero damage thanks to A-1 Movers's attention to detail.
- Quick moving process: The team at A-1 Movers often gets the job done faster than expected, saving clients time.
- Helpful movers: Movers were more than just muscle—they offered guidance and went above and beyond to assist customers.
Most common complaints about A-1 Movers
- Damage to items: Some customers reported that items were damaged during packing or loading.
- Delayed arrival or delivery: Several reviewers experienced frustrating delays either on moving day or with final delivery.
- Higher-than-expected costs: Final bills were occasionally much higher than initial estimates, upsetting customers.
Positive A-1 Movers Reviews
"Ricky and Shawn were fantastic. Showed up on time, no damage to any of my belongings, finished earlier than estimate, super friendly and professional movers. Highly recommend A-1 Movers!!!"
"They moved my household in 2020 with so much care and professionalism. I would highly recommend them."
"The coolest thing about A1 movers is you show them what needs to be moved and it gets done at a very reasonable price. They were here for about one hour no scratches no holes in walls just good old-fashioned muscle and very good with people so I highly recommend A1 movers. Thanks again"
Negative A-1 Movers Reviews
"Be careful. The owner is not pleasant to deal with. What should have taken 16 hours we were charged 24 hours. They didn’t finish the job. Still have items left in the house. Damaged many items and just said oops."
"Showed up late and ruined my carpet and some of my furniture. Do not get this company!!!!!"
"After they moved our belongings, one of the gentlemen handed me a screw. Told me it goes with a blond cabinet. Just moved a ladder shelf in place today and noticed one of the shelves was broken and now I know where the screw came from. Worst part, didn’t mention they broke it."
Is A-1 Movers licensed & insured?
Yes. A-1 Movers holds active FMCSA registration under the legal name RICKY LYLES. They operate 1 trucks. All licensing data is verified against FMCSA records by moveBuddha.
| Credential | Status | Verified |
|---|---|---|
| FMCSA registration | Active | 05/23/2026 |
| Fleet size | 1 power units | 05/23/2026 |
| FMCSA inspections | 0 total inspections | 05/23/2026 |
When moving within Iowa, make sure to hire a company that is licensed by the Iowa Department of Transportation. Each household goods mover in the state should have an Iowa Motor Carrier (IOWAMC) Number, which means they’ve met minimum insurance and highway safety requirements. You can verify A-1 Movers's active status on the Iowa licensed movers database.
How moveBuddha rated A-1 Movers
A-1 Movers earns a 4.0/5 composite rating based on moveBuddha's editorial rating categories. Each category is rated independently by moveBuddha's research team and measures a different aspect of mover quality.
| Rating category | A-1 Movers | What it measures |
|---|---|---|
| Industry experience | 4.72/5 | Years in operation, fleet size & locations |
| Review quality | 3.84/5 | Volume & sentiment of customer reviews |
| Customer service | 3.28/5 | Communication clarity & crew professionalism |
| Quote accuracy | 4.34/5 | Estimate vs. final invoice on sample moves |
| Google reviews | 4/5 | Google Business Profile rating & review volume |
| Yelp reviews | 4.34/5 | Yelp rating & review volume |
| BBB | 4.56/5 | The company's BBB letter grade (A–F) & complaint resolution history (translated to a corresponding numerical score) |
| Brand | 4/5 | Market presence & industry recognition |
Our summary of A-1 Movers
Customer feedback for A-1 Movers shows most clients appreciate the team's efficiency, professionalism, careful handling, and quick process. Out of 109 reviews analyzed, 71.6% praised helpful, polite movers and responsive service—many mentioning flawless moves, protected belongings, and stress-free experiences. On the flip side, 28.4% of the input cited problems such as damaged items, surprise charges, or delays. While some customers reported late arrivals or higher bills than expected, the bulk of positive feedback highlights a consistent effort to go above and beyond for clients. When compared to others in the industry, A-1 Movers draws strong recommendations for friendliness and speed, though a few caution about the risk of property damage or billing issues.Ratings based on moveBuddha's research methodology, updated June 2026.
How much does A-1 Movers cost?
A-1 Movers does not publish standard hourly rates or flat-fee pricing publicly. Quote pricing depends on home size, distance, packing services, and time of year. To get an accurate estimate, request a quote directly or use moveBuddha's cost calculator below.
For typical Iowa moving costs across all home sizes and service types, see our Iowa moving cost guide.
How does A-1 Movers compare to other Des Moines movers?
A-1 Movers ranks alongside the top full-service movers in Des Moines on moveBuddha's editorial scoring. The table below compares ratings, positive review rates, and years in business across the top Des Moines movers.
| Company | Our rating | Positive reviews | BBB | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
4.5 |
92% | A+ | ||
|
4.44 |
93% | A+ | ||
|
4.34 |
64% | A+ | ||
|
4.34 |
100% | A+ | ||
|
4.28 |
92% | A+ | ||
|
4.28 |
68% | N/A | ||
4.0 |
72% | A+ | ||
|
4.12 |
100% | C | ||
|
4.14 |
86% | N/A | ||
|
4.0 |
100% | N/A |
How A-1 Movers's ratings compare to other Des Moines movers
A-1 Movers's Yelp rating (2.3/5) is lower than the average across the 12 movers analyzed in Des Moines, which carry an average Yelp rating of 3.4/5.
| Avg. Yelp Score | Total # of Movers | |
|---|---|---|
| A-1 Movers | 2.3/5 | -- |
| Des Moines movers | 3.4/5 | 12 movers |
| Iowa movers | 3.5/5 | 36 movers |
Final verdict: A-1 Movers
A-1 Movers earns a 4.0/5 moveBuddha score with 72% positive customer reviews across 109 verified reviews. With 26 years in business and 1 trucks operating across Iowa, A-1 Movers is a solid option to consider for Iowa moves.
Best for:
- Customers who value working with an established mover with long-standing industry experience
All ratings reflect moveBuddha's analysis updated June 2026, based on independent research and verified customer reviews.
FAQs about A-1 Movers
Is A-1 Movers a legitimate, licensed mover?
Yes. A-1 Movers holds active FMCSA registration. The company operates 1 trucks. You can verify their licensing status on the Iowa state regulator database.
How does A-1 Movers's review score compare to other Iowa movers?
A-1 Movers earns 72% positive customer reviews across 109 verified customer reviews. Its composite moveBuddha score is 4.0/5.
Why is A-1 Movers's Yelp rating lower than other sources?
A-1 Movers's 2.3/5 Yelp rating across 10 reviews differs from its scores on other platforms due to Yelp's review-filtering algorithm. Yelp filters out a high share of positive reviews from smaller-volume businesses, particularly those that don't advertise. Cross-referencing reviews from multiple sources gives a more complete picture of mover quality.
What services does A-1 Movers offer?
A-1 Movers is a full-service mover operating in Iowa. The company operates 1 trucks. Confirm specific services like packing, storage, and specialty item handling directly when requesting a quote.
Does A-1 Movers require a deposit?
Deposit requirements for A-1 Movers depend on the type and timing of your move. Most Iowa full-service movers either require no deposit or a small holding deposit to secure your booking date. Confirm deposit terms directly when requesting your quote.
How long has A-1 Movers been in business?
A-1 Movers has been in business for 26 years, founded in 2000. The company holds active FMCSA registration.
How do I choose the right Des Moines moving company?
To pick the best Des Moines mover, start with companies that have mostly positive customer reviews, valid licenses, and proper insurance. Get detailed moving quotes from at least 3 companies to compare services, pricing, and availability. Look for transparent pricing, clear communication, and verified track records of successful moves.
Thinking about booking A-1 Movers?
Compare A-1 Movers's quote against other top Iowa movers. moveBuddha users save an average of 30% by comparing 3+ quotes before booking.
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