I’ve helped thousands of people move over the last decade, and I can tell
you that no two moves are exactly alike. Let me help you find the mover that’s right for you.
I’ve helped thousands of people move over the last decade, and I can tell you
that no two moves are exactly alike. Let me help you find the mover that’s right for you.
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
Best movers for those moving locally in Iowa
Staying local in Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, or somewhere else in Iowa within a 50-mile radius?
A local mover in IA could be the way to go.
Out of 37 local Iowa companies we reviewed,
Claeys Brothers Moving & Storage Inc earned the top spot for Iowa
moves for their excellent service and fair rates.
Industry experience shows how established and transparent a mover is, which are signs of smoother operations and fewer surprises. We score this by checking if the company clearly shares its background and services on its website, has 5+ years of operating history (BBB verified), and shows real-world legitimacy.
Review Quality
4.6
Review quality reveals how consistently a company delivers for real customers. We evaluate this by looking at average ratings on Yelp, BBB, or Google (with at least 10 reviews), and we factor in whether the mover is licensed in their operating state. After all, good reviews don’t mean much if the company isn’t compliant.
Quote Accuracy
4.2
Clear pricing is a top predictor of whether a move stays on budget or turns into a nightmare. We score quote accuracy based on whether a mover offers online estimates and explains payment and discount policies upfront. We look for info on required deposits and whether discounts for military, seniors, teachers, students, AAA members, or law enforcement are offered and easy to find.
Customer Service
4.4
Customer service matters because moving issues happen. What counts is how companies handle them. We evaluate whether movers have resolved complaints over the past 3 years, respond to reviews, list basic contact info, and stay active on social media, which are good signs they’re still in business and engaging with customers.
Recent Reviews
“Hands down THE ABSOLUTE BEST moving experience EVER! They are serious pros…super friendly and super professional…ridiculously fast. Didn’t damage one single thing. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!”
“The crew tore down and reassembled one office at a time…knowledgeable, professional, courteous and very patient. Could not have completed this overwhelming project without Claeys Bros…HIGHLY recommend their services.”
Industry experience shows how established and transparent a mover is, which are signs of smoother operations and fewer surprises. We score this by checking if the company clearly shares its background and services on its website, has 5+ years of operating history (BBB verified), and shows real-world legitimacy.
Review Quality
4.1
Review quality reveals how consistently a company delivers for real customers. We evaluate this by looking at average ratings on Yelp, BBB, or Google (with at least 10 reviews), and we factor in whether the mover is licensed in their operating state. After all, good reviews don’t mean much if the company isn’t compliant.
Quote Accuracy
4.2
Clear pricing is a top predictor of whether a move stays on budget or turns into a nightmare. We score quote accuracy based on whether a mover offers online estimates and explains payment and discount policies upfront. We look for info on required deposits and whether discounts for military, seniors, teachers, students, AAA members, or law enforcement are offered and easy to find.
Customer Service
4.7
Customer service matters because moving issues happen. What counts is how companies handle them. We evaluate whether movers have resolved complaints over the past 3 years, respond to reviews, list basic contact info, and stay active on social media, which are good signs they’re still in business and engaging with customers.
Recent Reviews
“Austin, Mikey, and Raul just cleared our basement out. They were efficient, professional, and covered everything so nothing got scratched or scrapped. And everything was clean when they left. I highly recommend them.”
“Great service. Great communication! Everyone was very friendly and made quick work of our move to Onawa! Will use them again if and when needed. VERY PROFESSIONAL!”
Industry experience shows how established and transparent a mover is, which are signs of smoother operations and fewer surprises. We score this by checking if the company clearly shares its background and services on its website, has 5+ years of operating history (BBB verified), and shows real-world legitimacy.
Review Quality
4.1
Review quality reveals how consistently a company delivers for real customers. We evaluate this by looking at average ratings on Yelp, BBB, or Google (with at least 10 reviews), and we factor in whether the mover is licensed in their operating state. After all, good reviews don’t mean much if the company isn’t compliant.
Quote Accuracy
3.9
Clear pricing is a top predictor of whether a move stays on budget or turns into a nightmare. We score quote accuracy based on whether a mover offers online estimates and explains payment and discount policies upfront. We look for info on required deposits and whether discounts for military, seniors, teachers, students, AAA members, or law enforcement are offered and easy to find.
Customer Service
5.0
Customer service matters because moving issues happen. What counts is how companies handle them. We evaluate whether movers have resolved complaints over the past 3 years, respond to reviews, list basic contact info, and stay active on social media, which are good signs they’re still in business and engaging with customers.
Recent Reviews
“Two men and a truck exceeded my expectations. They were efficient, communicative, pleasant, and didn’t break anything. Very happy with the experience and the cost was worth every penny.”
“James, Sam & Roquim were kind, professional, and handled our furniture with care. We’d highly recommend this team for any moving job!”
Industry experience shows how established and transparent a mover is, which are signs of smoother operations and fewer surprises. We score this by checking if the company clearly shares its background and services on its website, has 5+ years of operating history (BBB verified), and shows real-world legitimacy.
Review Quality
4.1
Review quality reveals how consistently a company delivers for real customers. We evaluate this by looking at average ratings on Yelp, BBB, or Google (with at least 10 reviews), and we factor in whether the mover is licensed in their operating state. After all, good reviews don’t mean much if the company isn’t compliant.
Quote Accuracy
4.2
Clear pricing is a top predictor of whether a move stays on budget or turns into a nightmare. We score quote accuracy based on whether a mover offers online estimates and explains payment and discount policies upfront. We look for info on required deposits and whether discounts for military, seniors, teachers, students, AAA members, or law enforcement are offered and easy to find.
Customer Service
4.4
Customer service matters because moving issues happen. What counts is how companies handle them. We evaluate whether movers have resolved complaints over the past 3 years, respond to reviews, list basic contact info, and stay active on social media, which are good signs they’re still in business and engaging with customers.
Recent Reviews
Mike and his crew did a great job. Professional and on time. Used a huge semi. Nothing broke or scratched. Fairly priced to move us from Iowa to Wisconsin. I’d trust these guys again.—Google
High praise for the whole crew. It was the easiest move I’ve ever had thanks to their professional team, careful packing and great communication.—Yelp
Industry experience shows how established and transparent a mover is, which are signs of smoother operations and fewer surprises. We score this by checking if the company clearly shares its background and services on its website, has 5+ years of operating history (BBB verified), and shows real-world legitimacy.
Review Quality
4.1
Review quality reveals how consistently a company delivers for real customers. We evaluate this by looking at average ratings on Yelp, BBB, or Google (with at least 10 reviews), and we factor in whether the mover is licensed in their operating state. After all, good reviews don’t mean much if the company isn’t compliant.
Quote Accuracy
4.1
Clear pricing is a top predictor of whether a move stays on budget or turns into a nightmare. We score quote accuracy based on whether a mover offers online estimates and explains payment and discount policies upfront. We look for info on required deposits and whether discounts for military, seniors, teachers, students, AAA members, or law enforcement are offered and easy to find.
Customer Service
4.4
Customer service matters because moving issues happen. What counts is how companies handle them. We evaluate whether movers have resolved complaints over the past 3 years, respond to reviews, list basic contact info, and stay active on social media, which are good signs they’re still in business and engaging with customers.
Recent Reviews
“The move was coordinated, seamless and was even faster than originally quoted. Deante and Grady were fantastic, they were thorough and handled all items with care. I highly recommend!”
“Caleb, Isaiah, and Manny had great communication skills, were very well mannered to each other and us, and were fast and worked hard all day while making sure to take care of all our furniture.”
If you’re trying to save money, need extra storage, or want the freedom to move on your schedule, moving containers are a smart
alternative to hiring full-service movers. You’ll handle the loading yourself, but you’ll get several days to complete the task.
When you’re done, the container company will handle driving your items to your new home.
Opting for a rental truck is one of the most economical moving methods — but it requires the most hands-on work.
You’ll need to manage everything from start to finish, including driving. If you’re willing to put in the labor,
it can result in major savings, particularly for local moves.
Rental trucks can also be used for cross-country moves, but don’t overlook hidden costs like fuel and per-mile fees.
These extras can really add up, so take them into account when budgeting.
Want a hand with the heavy lifting without having to hire a full-service mover?
Labor-only companies can send crews to help you with loading, packing,
and even disassembly and reassembly of furniture and electronics. However,
you’ll still need to rent a moving truck and handle the driving.
moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed 37 Iowa movers and listed the top movers
based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.
Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.
Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.
Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.
Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.
The table below includes estimated moving costs for local relocations within Iowa.
For a deeper dive into pricing, here’s our guide on the cost to move in Iowa.
Remember, the figures shown are averages. Your actual moving costs may vary significantly based on the details of your move and whether the movers use flat-rate pricing.
On average, moving a studio within Iowa costs about $742.
Moving a one-bedroom apartment locally in Iowa
will cost around $1,021.
Two-bedroom moves in Iowa come in at approximately
$1,633.
The typical cost of moving a three-bedroom home in Iowa is
$3,739.
A four-bedroom move in Iowa generally runs about
$4,285.
Need to move a five-bedroom or larger house in Iowa? Expect to spend about
$6,577.
Factors that affect moving costs in Iowa
An online moving quote is a useful planning tool, but the actual price you pay will be based in large part on these variables.
Distance: Even local moves depend on time and fuel, while interstate moves from
Iowa can carry extra fees.
Size: A bigger home means more work and larger moving trucks, which means higher pricing.
Time of year: High-demand periods in Iowa
— such as peak moving seasons
— usually come with increased rates.
Additional services:
If you add services like packing or disassembly, expect those to raise your final cost.
Things to keep in mind when moving
Whether you are moving one town over in Iowa or are making a big
cross-country relocation,
here are some common considerations:
Weather:
Iowa has a humid continental climate throughout the state. Snowfall is common in Iowa. Spring brings in severe weather season. Iowa has about 50 thunderstorm days per year and has a tornado season. Iowa is known for hot and humid summers. Be sure to check the weather before your move, especially during the springtime.
HOA rules: If you are moving to or from a neighborhood that has an HOA,
it’s a good idea to brush up on the handbook. Many HOAs have established restrictions on which days and/or times moving is allowed,
as well as guidelines on permissible truck sizes, parking, and notifying residents about when your move will occur.
Checking the rules before moving day will ensure you won’t get hit with fines —
or end up with angry neighbors!
Elevator reservation:
If you’re moving to or from a multi-level building with an elevator, property management may require you to use
a service elevator or reserve an elevator ahead of time. You may also have some restrictions on when you can move,
so be sure to check on the guidelines ahead of time.
Parking permits:
Iowa does not require special permits for moving rental trucks and vans or moving containers,
but your destination state and/or city might. You can visit the municipal website for your new location for a list of
parking rules and restrictions, or a contact number to call for additional help.
Licensing and compliance:
All the movers on our list are verified as licensed and insured, but you can check licensing, USDOT status,
and safety violations for a mover in Iowa or any other U.S. state, by searching by their name in the
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration database.
Change of address:
You should submit your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior
to your move. This will notify the postal service of your official moving date and help ensure all of your mail is forwarded to
your new Iowa or out-of-state residence.
Moving insurance: Federal law mandates that movers provide basic coverage — known as released value protection
— at no charge to customers. While it is free, this insurance offers very minimal coverage, however
— just $0.60 per pound per item. So, if a 25-pound TV valued at $2,000 is lost or damaged,
your compensation would only be $15 ($0.60 x 25 pounds). For high-value items, you may want to consider
purchasing more comprehensive protection directly through your moving company or with a third-party insurance provider.
FAQs
What should I consider when hiring a moving company in Iowa?
When selecting a moving company in Iowa,
look for a strong track record, honest and upfront pricing, a wide range of services,
and several insurance coverage choices. These elements — among others — are key to our reviews and rankings,
helping you easily identify the best movers in Iowa.
Be sure to request quotes from at least three movers,
including one of the best flat-rate companies
in Iowa, to compare value and services.
Is it easy to find interstate movers in Iowa?
Yes, it is. With 32 out of 37 movers in Iowa
licensed for interstate moves, most customers will have ample options. These movers are federally regulated, holding a
USDOT number and oversight by the
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
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