Compare Cost of Ames, IA Movers ($191/hour)
Quick answer: In Ames, Iowa, local movers usually charge between $948 and $4,914, or around $191 per hour. If you're heading out of Iowa, the cost of long-distance movers in Ames depends on the move size, mileage, and any extra services you request.
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Average cost of local Ames, IA movers
Hiring a moving company in Ames is definitely the most convenient way to move, but that convenience comes at a higher cost than a DIY approach. You'll need to decide whether you want movers to do all the heavy lifting for you or if you'd rather save money by doing at least some of the work yourself.
Here's how much movers cost in Ames:
| Home Size | Avg. Total Cost | Cost/hour | # of Movers | # Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $948 | $192 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,144 | $190 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
| 2 Bedroom | $1,545 | $264 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
| 3 Bedroom | $3,031 | $381 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
| 4 Bedroom | $3,308 | $373 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
| 5+ Bedroom | $4,914 | $518 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
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Easily compare personalized moving quotes for your Ames move using our free and instant moving cost estimator.
Best local movers in Ames, IA
If you're moving a short distance, take a look at our picks for top local moving companies in Ames:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving: 4.58 out of 5 stars
- All Mighty Movers LLC: 4.48 out of 5 stars
- Black Belt Movers: 4.48 out of 5 stars
- Adamantine Spine Moving: 4.42 out of 5 stars
- Efficient service (34%)
- Professional and polite staff (31%)
- Careful handling (28%)
- Damage to items (25%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (20%)
- Unexpected charges (18%)
Company Info
Years in Business: 27
DOT #: 2527384
Two Men and a Truck, a reputable moving company in Urbandale, IA, has been providing local residential moving services since 1998. Renowned for their packing, unpacking, and labor-only services, they stand out by requiring no deposit and accepting credit cards, adding convenience for their clients. With an impressive average rating of 4.6 on Google from over 500 reviews and a BBB rating of A+, they excel in customer satisfaction compared to other nearby movers. Their proven track record makes them a trusted choice for local moves.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and polite staff (37%)
- Efficient service (32%)
- Careful handling (30%)
- Damage to items (20%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (15%)
- Unexpected charges (12%)
Company Info
Years in Business: 7
DOT #: 2378173
College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving, serving Clive, IA since 2018, specializes in local residential moves and stands out from other nearby movers with their comprehensive packing, unpacking, and labor-only services. They also cater to office moving needs, making them a versatile choice. While their Yelp reviews average 3.2 from 14 ratings, their astounding 4.8 out of 1452 Google reviews suggest a generally positive customer experience. Additionally, they accept credit cards and do not require a deposit, offering convenience and flexibility. Despite their F rating from the BBB, their extensive positive feedback on Google indicates a largely satisfactory service.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service (44%)
- Professional and polite staff (40%)
- Good communication (36%)
- Unexpected charges (36%)
- Lack of communication (32%)
- Damage to items (28%)
Company Info
Pricing: $130/hr
Years in Business: 10
DOT #: 2468266
All Mighty Movers LLC, a trusted local moving company serving Des Moines, IA, has been providing top-notch residential moving services since 2015. Unlike many other local movers, All Mighty Movers stands out with their ability to handle challenging items like pianos, hot tubs, and pool tables. Their consumer reviews reflect their reputation: they boast an impressive 4.8 average rating on Google with 455 reviews and maintain an A rating from the Better Business Bureau. With competitive rates at $130 per hour and convenient payment options including credit cards, All Mighty Movers offers reliable and professional services without requiring a deposit.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service (37%)
- Professional and polite staff (35%)
- Good communication (30%)
- Unexpected charges (18%)
- Minor damages to items (15%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (12%)
Company Info
Pricing: $100/hr
Years in Business: 25
DOT #: 1471037
Adamantine Spine Moving, a trusted local moving company serving Des Moines, IA, has been a reliable choice for residential moves since 2000. With a remarkable average rating of 4.6 on Yelp and a perfect 5.0 on Google, it consistently outshines other nearby movers. Renowned for its A+ BBB rating, the company offers comprehensive services including packing, crating, and the careful handling of pianos, art, and antiques. Charging $100 per hour for local moves, Adamantine Spine Moving accepts cash, credit cards, and money orders, ensuring flexible payment options for their clients.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Moving costs in other nearby Iowa cities
Average cost to move out of state with Ames movers
Since the cost of moving out of Iowa depends largely on where you're moving, we've provided some example costs below. To get the most accurate pricing based on your specific destination, find your moving route to Iowa or use our moving cost calculator.
Cost to move a one-bedroom home out of state from Ames
The cost to move a one-bedroom home from Ames and across Iowa state lines mostly depends on the distance, method, and size of your move.
To give you a better idea of pricing, however, here are some example cost ranges for long-distance moves out of Iowa:
- Iowa to New York City: $2,824 - $5,889
- Iowa to Los Angeles: $3,202 - $5,703
- Iowa to Chicago: $1,597 - $3,534
- Iowa to Houston: $2,865 - $5,564
- Iowa to Phoenix: $3,151 - $6,036
Cost to move a two or three-bedroom home out of state from Ames
Out-of-state moving costs from Ames for two- or three-bedroom homes vary based on the actual total volume and weight of your belongings. Move costs for a three-bedroom that is sparsely furnished and relatively small, for example, could be less than a two-bedroom home with a lot of square footage and decor.
In general, though, you can expect to pay within these ranges for two- to three-bedroom moves of similar distances from Ames:
- Iowa to New York City: $3,175 - $7,092
- Iowa to Los Angeles: $3,656 - $6,994
- Iowa to Chicago: $1,903 - $4,869
- Iowa to Houston: $2,885 - $6,751
- Iowa to Phoenix: $3,410 - $7,098
Cost to move a four bedroom home (or larger) out of state from Ames
Below is a look at some example four-bedroom move costs out of state from Ames. Remember, your exact price will ultimately be based on the amount of belongings you have, what time of year you are moving, and how far you're moving.
Sample ranges for interstate moves from Ames of four or more bedrooms:
- Iowa to New York City: $5,015 - $8,550
- Iowa to Los Angeles: $6,782 - $11,000
- Iowa to Chicago: $2,820 - $6,584
- Iowa to Houston: $5,020 - $8,614
- Iowa to Phoenix: $6,298 - $9,708
Best interstate moving companies in Ames
Now that you have an idea of what your out-of-state move from Iowa will cost, it's time to start looking at the best long-distance movers in Ames.
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.75 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
rating
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- Fragile packing
- Storage options
- 24/7 shipment tracking
- Quick & efficient
- Accurate quotes
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
Average cost of moving containers in Ames, IA
The average cost of moving containers in Ames is approximately $500 for local relocations and as much as $3,000 for long-distance moves. Cross-country moves can reach as high as $7,000 or more. Costs are largely based on distance and the container size you choose.
Our top recommendation for moving containers in Beverly Hills is PODS, thanks to its multiple container sizes (eight, 12 and 16 feet), competitive pricing, and solid customer reviews. However, you should get quotes from PODS and two other moving container companies before making a decision.
To help you get started, take a look at these other top-notch moving containers.
Best moving container companies in Ames
If you want to handle the packing and loading but leave the driving to a professional, consider a moving container company. There are lots of options to choose from in Ames, but here are some of our favorites:
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Average cost of moving truck rentals in Ames, IA
The average cost to rent a moving truck in Ames is $60 per day, but prices can be anywhere from $19–$39 daily, with an additional per-mile fee of $1–$1, depending on how far you're moving and the truck size you need. A moving truck rental is definitely going to be your cheapest option for relocating. Just keep in mind that you will not only be responsible for all the packing and loading, you'll also need to drive the truck to your new home.
Best moving truck rentals in Ames
The cheapest way to move is to just pack and drive it yourself with a moving truck. There are no shortages to finding moving truck rental companies in Ames. If you are ready to put the work in, here are some of the top moving truck rental companies:
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Average cost of labor-only moving companies in Ames, IA
It will cost $30–$40 an hour for labor-only movers in Ames. That hourly rate is per moving crew member, so you can expect total costs to be $60–$80 per hour, depending on the size of your moving crew.
Studio and one-bedroom apartments usually require two movers, while two- and three-bedroom homes will need crews of three and four movers, respectively. Homes that are four or more bedrooms will need between four and five movers.
Best labor-only moving companies in Ames
If you're looking for labor assistance in Ames, you'll want to find a company that offers fair and transparent pricing and a good reputation for quality service. A labor-only moving company that can handle packing or supply boxes and moving supplies may also be a plus.
Here are our favorite labor-only movers.
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Factors that affect the cost of your Ames move
Every move is unique, so pricing can vary depending on your specific circumstances and needs. In general, though, here are some of the most common factors can affect your Ames move:
- Distance: How far you're moving has a big impact on your total moving costs. Moving within a city or even to a nearby town will usually cost far less than relocating out of state or across the country. That's because longer distances involve mileage and fuel expenses, as well as more labor hours.
- The size of your move: Naturally, the more stuff you have, the more it will cost to move it. Larger moves are more expensive because they typically require a bigger truck and moving crew.
- The type of mover you choose: In most cases, hiring a full-service mover to assist with loading, unloading, and transport of your belongings will cost more than DIY options like moving container companies, where you handle all the heavy lifting yourself.
- The services you choose: If you need assistance beyond loading and transportation, you may have to pay extra for it. Full-service movers charge you more for add-on options like packing and unpacking and comprehensive insurance on your items. Even if you go the DIY route, you will pay more if you decide to hire a third-party moving crew to help you with loading and unloading.
- When you move: The time of year and month, as well as the day of the week, you move can all impact costs. The reason centers around demand. You'll pay more to relocate during the summer months, since that is the peak moving season. Mid-month moves are normally a little cheaper than those at the start or end of the month, when most rental leases begin or end. Moving mid-week instead of weekends can also save you some money, since most people choose a Saturday or Sunday for their moving day.
Quick tips for a stress-free move
- Buy additional insurance. Full-service movers are required by federal law to provide basic insurance, known as released value protection, at no cost. While you can't beat free, released value protection provides very minimal coverage — $0.60 per pound per item, regardless of the item's value. So, your reimbursement on a damaged 25-pound TV worth $1,000 would only be $15 ($0.60 x 25 pounds). Most moving companies — and some home insurance providers — offer optional comprehensive insurance plans. While these come at an added cost, they will protect your items based on estimated value instead of weight.
- Get your move approved. Many neighborhoods — particularly those with HOAs — have restrictions around moving. Typically, these restrictions outline which days and times moving is allowable. It's best to double-check the rules ahead of time and to proactively inform a property management group of your moving date.
- Have your paperwork handy. If you are moving to or from an apartment complex, you may need to show proof on moving day of your mover's insurance coverage and, if applicable, an elevator reservation. Go ahead and gather this information — which is usually available in your moving contract — so you aren't scrambling for it when your moving date arrives.
- Reserve parking. You can learn more about the rules and regulations on the Ames website.
Helpful Ames Resources
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