Native Van Lines Review (2025)
Here’s the bottom line: We don’t recommend Native Van Lines, as we generally advise against using moving brokers. Many customers report bait-and-switch pricing, delayed deliveries, and unresponsive service. You’ll likely have a smoother move with a reputable full-service carrier, especially if that carrier made our list of the best moving companies.
Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 3,500+ moving companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
Pros & cons of Native Van Lines
- Works with over 500 partner carriers and claims to service moves to almost any location in the U.S.
- Offers discounts for military, early booking, and flexible scheduling.
- Some customers report that sales representatives were friendly and responsive during initial calls.
- Doesn’t own trucks or employ moving crews. If the partner they assign drops the ball, you’re stuck dealing with the consequences.
- Some customers didn’t realize they were hiring a broker until moving day. Native’s marketing sometimes blurs that line.
- Customers report low initial quotes that balloon on moving day.
- Service quality depends entirely on which partner company handles your move.
- Customers report struggling to get answers or a resolution when issues arise after booking.
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What customers had to say about Native Van Lines
NVL has a B+ rating and no accreditation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and about 3.5 stars on Google. While some reviews are positive, most complaints center on surprise moving charges, poor communication, and long delays. Some customers praise the company for intact deliveries and helpful booking agents. They also mention friendly movers from Native’s partner companies. Other reviews mention extra charges at pickup or delivery, a lack of follow-up when things go wrong, and items arriving damaged or late.
“NVL is a broker and connected me with Phoenix Moving and Storage. Moving is stressful enough without delays and damage from the movers. My delivery was 18 days late, with several missing and broken items, including my bike, bed frame parts, dining table top, shattered coffee table, a cracked 65” TV screen, and more. I received no updates until I reached out. Although all items were in excellent condition before the move, most arrived scratched and dirty”
– Hazel, Google reviews
Learn More “I moved my parents from their old farmhouse into a townhome, and Native Van Lines and [the partner company] couldnt have been more helpful. They handled antique furniture with extra care, helped sort boxes by room, and checked in with my folks every step of the way”
– Emil H, BBB reviews
“The driver left the half items were listed on the contract. When I called dispatch …, he said I have to pay extra money for another space. They’ve wanted to charge extra $3,800 [for] additional space. … They would tell you that they delivered within five days but I got my stuff a week. I have to get another moving truck to move my stuff they’ve left over and that truck driver charges $1,200, far way less than what I paid for Native Van Lines”
– Joseph Afful, Trustpilot reviews
Native Van Lines pricing: What to expect
With Native Van Lines, you give your move details through a form or phone call. Native then provides a quote, referred to as a “binding estimate.” You pay a deposit to book (usually a few hundred dollars). You pay the rest in two installments: one at pickup and one at delivery (to the carrier).
However, Native’s quotes often don’t reflect the full cost to move. Customers report being charged extra for stairs, long-carry, or packing materials. They also mention paying more for additional boxes, even after confirming the list, and that movers demand payment before loading, threatening to cancel otherwise.
If anything changes (or the movers say it did), your cost may increase. While the quote is “binding,” it’s only binding if all assumptions are accurate, and they often aren’t.
For a quick personalized quote, use our free moving cost calculator to compare quotes from Native and other top-rated moving companies.
How the Native Van Lines booking process works
Here is how the typical booking process with Native Van Lines works:
- Request a quote: Online or by phone, providing a room-by-room inventory.
- Get a price: Based on weight or cubic feet, including services you specify.
- Book your move: Pay a deposit and sign the contract.
- Assigned a carrier: Native chooses the actual moving company.
- Move day: A different company shows up to handle your move.
- Final payment: Paid to the carrier after delivery (and possibly extra fees).
Native Van Lines is supposed to inform you of your carrier in advance. If they don’t, ask for the name, DOT number, and reviews.
Native Van Lines services
Native Van Lines acts as a moving broker, not a carrier, meaning it doesn’t own trucks or employ movers directly. Instead, NVL arranges services through its network of third-party carriers. On paper, this gives them the ability to offer nearly every moving service you’d expect from a full-service mover. Here’s a breakdown of what they provide and what to watch out for:
- Local and Long-Distance Residential Moves: Native can coordinate residential moves of all sizes. For short local moves (typically under 50 miles), they’ll contract with local movers. For interstate or cross-country relocations, they’ll assign a long-haul carrier. Native claims to have a network of more than 500 partners nationwide, which allows them to schedule moves to and from most U.S. cities. However, the moving experience will depend heavily on which partner company they assign to your job.
- Corporate Relocation: Native also offers business and employee relocation services. For example, they can coordinate an office move, relocate employees for work, or assist businesses in transitioning between cities. Their site claims they manage both domestic and international corporate relocations. If you’re moving office furniture or delicate electronics, request a crew with experience in commercial moves and confirm this in writing.
- Packing and Unpacking Services: Native can arrange for professional packing and unpacking services through its network. This includes basic furniture wrapping, full-home packing, and even unpacking at your destination. They also mention offering specialty crating for fragile or high-value items (like artwork or large TVs). You should clarify whether the cost of packing supplies (like boxes, bubble wrap, and crates) is included in your quote, as many customers have reported unexpected add-on charges at pickup.
- Storage Services: If you need to store your belongings before or after your move, Native can broker both short- and long-term storage. Typically, your items will be stored in a warehouse managed by their partner carrier. Native Van Lines advertises climate-controlled and secure facilities, but you’ll want to confirm what type of storage is being used and whether redelivery fees are included. One customer reported being offered a free month of storage, but fees kicked in soon after, so read the fine print.
- Specialty Item Handling: Native can arrange for crews that handle pianos, safes, pool tables, large mirrors, antiques, or other specialty items. These types of moves may require custom crating or additional labor, which can significantly increase the cost. Be sure to disclose all such items upfront so they can be included in your quote, and ask how the carrier will protect these valuables during transit.
- Car Shipping: Native can also broker vehicle transport, including cars, motorcycles, and even boats. This is typically handled by a separate auto transport partner. Be sure to request the company’s name, insurance information, and delivery timeline. Auto transport services are usually billed separately and require different contracts. If you’re bundling household and vehicle moves, make sure both are correctly scheduled and priced transparently.
- International Moves: While not a core offering, Native does mention handling international moves, especially for corporate clients. These moves are generally coordinated through global freight partners and involve container shipping or air freight. International relocations come with additional complexity, such as customs, import rules, and timelines. If you’re considering this, ask Native for detailed logistics, partner information, and licensing credentials.
How Native Van Lines Compares to Other Movers
Here’s a breakdown of how Native compares to other popular movers:
Native Van Lines vs. Safeway Moving
Safeway Moving has an overwhelmingly positive reputation when compared to Native Van Lines. Safeway is known for price-matching, flat-rate quotes, and 30 days of free storage on long-distance moves. Safeway is also veteran-founded and emphasizes 24/7 support, but it’s primarily an interstate moving specialist.
rating
4.85 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Native Van Lines vs. American Van Lines
Both of these companies have a strong reputation for long-distance service. However, American Van Lines’ offers highly trained specialty crews with an emphasis on experience and ongoing training. Additionally, AVL is a carrier, meaning they handle all services in-house rather than relying on partners like Native. We recommend you consider AVIL if you have a lot of high-value pieces and want more trustworthy service.
rating
4.5 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Native Van Lines vs. Mayzlin Relocation
Mayzlin is a family-owned mover for both local and long-distance relocations. They have a strong reputation for personalized customer service and competitive pricing transparency. We founbd that Mayzlin’s hands-on approach is ideal for customers who want attentive communication and budget-conscious rates.
rating
4.9 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Final Verdict: Is Native Van Lines Worth It?
No. Native Van Lines may look appealing upfront, but the broker model opens the door to inconsistent service and unexpected costs. Too many customers report surprise fees, damaged items, and poor follow-up. For peace of mind, opt for a trusted full-service carrier or a transparent broker with better reviews.
FAQ
Is Native Van Lines a broker or a carrier?
Native Van Lines is a broker. They arrange moves but don’t transport your items themselves.
Are there hidden fees with Native Van Lines?
Yes, there are some hidden fees with Native Van Lines, or at least undisclosed ones. Customers report charges for things like:
- Long carries or stairs
- Packing materials
- Shuttle truck use
Does Native Van Lines offer insurance?
All movers must include basic liability coverage ($0.60/lb). You can request Full Value Protection through Native or a third-party insurer.
Can I cancel with Native Van Lines?
Native Van Lines allows free cancellation within 24 hours of booking. After that, the deposit is non-refundable.
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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