Charles River Movers Review 2026 (Waltham, MA)
Fact Checked by:
Positive
Reviews
75%
across 113 reviews
moveBuddha
Score
4.4/5
based on moveBuddha methodology
Years in
Business
50
founded 1976
FMCSA
Status
Active
Satisfactory rating
Charles River Movers is a 4.4/5-rated Massachusetts full-service mover, operating since 1976 (50 years in business). Charles River Movers earns 75% positive reviews across 113 verified customer reviews. The company holds active FMCSA registration with a satisfactory safety rating and operates 6 trucks. All ratings reflect moveBuddha's independent analysis.
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Charles River Movers at a glance
- Track record: 50 years in business with 75% positive customer reviews (113 verified reviews)
- Scale: 6 trucks operating across Massachusetts
- Industry experience: 5/5
- Customer service: 4.14/5
- Review quality: 4.5/5
- Quote accuracy: 4.14/5
Charles River Movers' services
- Full-service moving
- Packing & Unpacking
- Interstate moving
- Local (intrastate) moving
- Storage: Offered by 76% of Waltham movers (60% nationally)
- Piano moving: A specialty offered by 47% of Waltham movers (40% nationally)
What this Charles River Movers review covers
Organized packing
Affordable rates
Flexibility
Respectful of property
Careful handling
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Company stats
Read full reviewIndustry experience 5.0
Companies with more years in business often outperform newer competitors. Charles River Movers has been in business for 50 years, demonstrating strong staying power in a competitive industry with services like small-scale moving and interstate moving.
Review quality 4.5
Customer reviews are the clearest window into a mover’s reputation. Charles River Movers has about 75% positive reviews across roughly 113 total reviews, with an average Yelp rating of 3.7.
Quote accuracy 4.1
Quote reliability often comes down to clarity and consistency. Customers can request quotes from Charles River Movers. Discounts may be available for groups like military, seniors.
Customer service 4.1
From responsiveness to follow-through, customer service is a big differentiator. Charles River Movers emphasizes clear communication, careful handling.
Recent reviews
The team arrived early, wrapped furniture quickly, handled everything carefully, and left it in great condition. They even helped set up.
They packed, unpacked, and arranged our belongings respectfully. The move was professional, personable, and easier than any move we've experienced.
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What do customers say about Charles River Movers?
Charles River Movers pulls in 75% positive reviews out of 113 verified ratings from multiple platforms, 20% negative, and 4% neutral.
What customers like most about Charles River Movers
- Organized packing: Charles River Movers is often recognized for labeling boxes clearly and packing with structure and care.
- Affordable rates: Many reviewers found Charles River Movers to be more budget-friendly than competitors without sacrificing quality.
- Flexibility: Clients liked that Charles River Movers was willing to adjust schedules or accommodate last-minute changes.
- Respectful of property: Customers appreciated how carefully Charles River Movers's team maneuvered furniture through tight spaces without damaging walls or floors.
- Careful handling: Belongings are treated with caution, and many customers report zero damage thanks to Charles River Movers's attention to detail.
Most common complaints about Charles River Movers
- Misplaced or lost items: In some cases, belongings went missing or were delivered to the wrong location.
- Damage to items: Some customers reported that items were damaged during packing or loading.
- Unexpected charges: Hidden fees or surprise costs caused dissatisfaction among some Charles River Movers clients.
Did you move with Charles River Movers? Tell us how it went.
Leave a ReviewPositive Charles River Movers Reviews
The team arrived early, wrapped furniture quickly, handled everything carefully, and left it in great condition. They even helped set up.
They packed, unpacked, and arranged our belongings respectfully. The move was professional, personable, and easier than any move we've experienced.
Yelp
The final cost was below the estimate and competing movers' estimates. Nothing was broken, and the crew packed antiques carefully.
Negative Charles River Movers Reviews
They lost one box and tried to deliver someone else's furniture. They did not return calls or reimburse us for the missing items.
The piano arrived with a large crack in its fallboard. The repair estimate exceeded $600, and the company did not respond to payment requests.
The estimate was $650, but the final charge exceeded $1,000. Several items were damaged, and the truck took too long to load.
Neutral Charles River Movers Reviews
The actual movers were good and deserved the fee, but the office sent them 40 minutes early and charged me for it.
Yelp
Certainly not bad, but compared with other moves, they did not stand out. They were careful, and nothing was broken or damaged.
I couldn't get them on the phone.
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Is Charles River Movers licensed & insured?
Yes. Charles River Movers is FMCSA-registered and active, operating under the legal name JOSEPH E TROY. It carries a satisfactory FMCSA safety rating. The company runs 6 trucks. moveBuddha verifies all licensing data directly against FMCSA records.
| Credential | Status | Verified |
|---|---|---|
| FMCSA registration | Active | 07/14/2026 |
| Safety rating | Satisfactory | 07/14/2026 |
| Fleet size | 6 power units | 07/14/2026 |
Moving companies in Massachusetts are required to obtain a license from the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities – Transportation Oversight Division to provide local and intrastate moving services in Massachusetts movers must carry adequate cargo insurance and publicly file their tariffs required to list the services they provide and the cost for each. You can verify Charles River Movers' active status on the Massachusetts licensed movers database.
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How moveBuddha rated Charles River Movers
Charles River Movers earns a 4.4/5 composite rating based on moveBuddha's editorial rating categories. That's above the 3.8/5 average among Waltham movers. moveBuddha's research team rates each category independently, and each one measures a different aspect of mover quality.
| Rating category | Charles River Movers | What it measures |
|---|---|---|
| Industry experience | 5/5 | Years in operation, fleet size & locations |
| Review quality | 4.5/5 | Volume & sentiment of customer reviews |
| Customer service | 4.14/5 | Communication clarity & crew professionalism |
| Quote accuracy | 4.14/5 | Estimate vs. final invoice on sample moves |
| Google reviews | 4.5/5 | Google Business Profile rating & review volume |
| Yelp reviews | 5/5 | Yelp rating & review volume |
| BBB | 5/5 | The company's BBB letter grade (A–F) & complaint resolution history (translated to a corresponding numerical score) |
| Brand | 4.5/5 | Market presence & industry recognition |
Our summary of Charles River Movers
Urgent jobs, tricky moves: 75% of 113 reviews are positive. Many customers praise careful packing and help with storage or difficult furniture, though some report damage. Less satisfied customers describe late arrivals, poor follow-up, slow work, and unexpected bills that exceed estimates.
Ratings based on moveBuddha's research methodology, updated November 2026.
How much does Charles River Movers cost?
Charles River Movers does not publish standard hourly rates or flat-fee pricing publicly. Movers in Waltham charge an average of $128/hour, though rates vary by company. 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.
Estimated for a typical 2-3 bedroom Massachusetts move
$1,011 – $2,084
How does Charles River Movers compare to other Waltham movers?
Charles River Movers ranks alongside the top full-service movers in Waltham on moveBuddha's editorial scoring. The table below compares ratings, positive review rates, and years in business across the top Waltham movers.
| Company | Our rating | Positive reviews | BBB | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
4.72 |
95% | A+ | ||
|
4.66 |
95% | A+ | ||
|
4.62 |
99% | A+ | ||
|
4.7 |
84% | A+ | ||
|
4.64 |
95% | A | ||
|
4.56 |
100% | A+ | ||
|
4.56 |
86% | A+ | ||
|
4.5 |
82% | A+ | ||
|
4.52 |
94% | A+ | ||
|
4.72 |
88% | A+ |
How Charles River Movers' ratings compare to other Waltham movers
Charles River Movers' Yelp rating (3.7/5) is in line with the average across the 275 movers analyzed in Waltham, which carry an average Yelp rating of 3.9/5.
| Avg. Yelp Score | Total # of Movers | |
|---|---|---|
| Charles River Movers | 3.7/5 | -- |
| Waltham movers | 3.9/5 | 275 movers |
| Massachusetts movers | 3.9/5 | 278 movers |
Final verdict: Charles River Movers
Charles River Movers earns a 4.4/5 moveBuddha score, backed by 75% positive customer reviews across 113 verified reviews. Over 50 years in business and 6 trucks operating across Massachusetts, Charles River Movers has built a reputation for organized packing and affordable rates, making it worth a look for your Massachusetts move.
Best for:
- Customers who value working with an established mover with long-standing industry experience
All ratings reflect moveBuddha's analysis updated November 2026, based on independent research and verified customer reviews.
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FAQs about Charles River Movers
Does Charles River Movers offer piano moving?
Yes, Charles River Movers offers piano moving. That's a specialty only 47% of Waltham movers provide, compared to 40% nationally.
Is Charles River Movers a legitimate, licensed mover?
Yes, Charles River Movers is FMCSA-registered and active, operating 6 trucks. You can verify their licensing status on the Massachusetts state regulator database.
How does Charles River Movers' review score compare to other Massachusetts movers?
Charles River Movers earns 75% positive customer reviews across 113 verified customer reviews. Its composite moveBuddha score is 4.4/5. That's below the 90% average among Waltham movers, and below the 90% Massachusetts average.
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