The BEST Moving Companies in Indianapolis, IN
Quick answer: Our top pick for local moves in Indianapolis, IN, is Planes Moving & Storage Company, thanks to their reputation for quality customer service and specialized handling of pianos and antiques. If you’re moving out of Indiana to another state, we recommend Safeway Moving in terms of overall value.
- Best Indianapolis-based mover: Planes Moving & Storage Company
- Best interstate mover: Safeway Moving
- Best moving container: PODS
- Best labor-only mover: HireAHelper
- Best rental truck: U-Haul Truck Rental
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Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 2,500+ moving companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving & auto transport grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
Best movers for those moving locally in Indianapolis, IN
- Planes Moving & Storage Company: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Bellhop Moving: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Busy Bee Movers: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- All My Sons Moving & Storage: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Stuart’s Moving & Storage: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Efficient service (32%)
- Professional and polite staff (30%)
- Careful handling (28%)
- Damage to items (35%)
- Lack of communication (30%)
- Unexpected charges (25%)
Company Info
Years in Business: 103
DOT #: 1458935
Alternate Names: Planes Companies, Planes Specialized Logistics, Planes Commercial Services
Planes Moving & Storage Company has been serving the Indianapolis, IN area with local residential moving services since 1921, making them one of the most experienced moving companies in the region. They offer a comprehensive range of services, including packing, unpacking, and specialty moving for items like pianos, pool tables, and antiques. While their Yelp profile shows mixed feedback with an average rating of 2.1 from 18 reviews, their Google My Business profile boasts an impressive 4.9 average rating from 829 reviews, and they hold an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Comparatively, Planes Moving & Storage stands out among other nearby movers for its longevity and breadth of services, ideal for those seeking reliable and diverse local moving solutions.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service (26%)
- Professional and polite staff (24%)
- Good communication (21%)
- Damage to items (30%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (24%)
- Lack of communication (21%)
Company Info
State license #: 2878240
Years in Business: 13
DOT #: 2878240
Alternate Names: Bellhops, Inc.
Bellhop Moving, founded in 2012, offers top-notch local residential moving services in and around Indianapolis, IN. While their Yelp and Google My Business profiles boast impressive average ratings of 4.0 and 4.4 respectively, their BBB rating of F may give potential clients pause. In comparison to other nearby moving companies, Bellhop stands out by providing versatile services including packing, unpacking, and labor only options, but a deposit is unfortunately required. For those seeking reliable and well-reviewed local movers, Bellhop Moving presents a worthy choice.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Professional and polite staff (35%)
- Efficient service (30%)
- Good communication (25%)
- Damage to items (40%)
- Higher-than-expected costs (30%)
- Lack of communication (20%)
Company Info
Years in Business: 34
DOT #: 573343
Busy Bee Movers, serving Indianapolis since 1992, specializes in local residential moving, setting them apart in a competitive market. They offer comprehensive services including packing, unpacking, and crating, and even handle piano moves, ensuring a hassle-free experience for their clients. While their Google reviews average a strong 4.2 from 260 reviewers, their Yelp profile indicates mixed feedback with a 2.2 average from 88 reviews. Nonetheless, their Better Business Bureau rating of A+ underscores their reliability and commitment to customer satisfaction. In comparison to other local movers, Busy Bee Movers stands out for their extensive experience and wide array of services, accepting credit cards and not requiring a deposit.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service (25%)
- Professional and polite staff (22%)
- Careful handling (20%)
- Unexpected charges (28%)
- Damage to items (25%)
- Poor communication (22%)
Company Info
Years in Business: 25
DOT #: 902281
Alternate Names: Green Line Moving & Storage of Indianapolis, LLC
All My Sons Moving & Storage, established in 1999, specializes in local residential moving services in and around Indianapolis, IN. Compared to other nearby movers, All My Sons stands out with its comprehensive offerings, including packing, unpacking, and crating services, and capability to handle delicate items like pianos and antiques. They hold an A rating with the Better Business Bureau, showcasing their reliability. Despite mixed reviews — earning an average rating of 1.6 from 14 Yelp reviews but a stronger 4.3 from 170 Google reviews — the company remains a reputable choice for local moves. However, potential customers should be aware that a deposit is required.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Professional and polite staff (56%)
- Efficient service (54%)
- Careful handling (50%)
- Damage to items (22%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (17%)
- Lack of communication (15%)
Company Info
Years in Business: 87
DOT #: 3308205
Alternate Names: Stuart's Household & Furniture Moving & Storage, Inc.
Stuart’s Moving & Storage, serving Indianapolis, IN since 1937, specializes in local residential moving, setting them apart with decades of experience. They offer packing, unpacking, and fragile-only packing services, catering to specific client needs. With an impressive average rating of 4.4 on Yelp and 4.8 on Google, and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, Stuart’s Moving & Storage demonstrates a reputation for reliability and customer satisfaction. Unlike many competitors, they accept credit cards and do not require a deposit, providing flexible payment options and peace of mind for their clients.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
Best movers for those moving out of Indiana
As you may guess, interstate — or out-of-state — moves are those that cross state lines. Movers must meet certain federal licensing requirements and standards to handle interstate moves. Consider one of these highly rated, fully licensed interstate moving companies if you’re leaving Indiana for a new state:
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- BLVD Moving: 4.25 out of 5 stars
- PODS: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- 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
- Family owned & operated
- Affordable pricing
- Binding estimates
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
Best moving containers in Indianapolis, IN
Moving containers offer a hybrid DIY solution that falls somewhere between a full-service moving company and a rental truck. With moving containers, you won’t have the help of a moving crew (you’ll have to do the loading and unloading) but you will get the benefit of a professional driver — a perk that doesn’t come with renting a truck.
Container costs in Indianapolis vary depending on how many containers you need and how far you’re moving. Be sure to get moving quotes from multiple companies so you can best compare prices and services.
We recommend starting with these two top-tier moving container companies:
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Long distance moves only
- Only pay for the space you use
- No deposit or initial fees
- Fast delivery time frames
Best rental trucks for your Indianapolis, IN move
If you’re looking for the cheapest way to move out of state or locally in Indianapolis, a moving truck rental is your best option. On average, a truck rental in Indiana costs a base rate of $19–$39 a day and a fee of $0.59–$0.79 per mile.
While you’ll certainly save money by renting a truck rather than hiring full-service movers or using a moving container, you will ultimately be responsible for every aspect of your move — including the driving.
We recommend these top truck rental companies for a full DIY move:
- More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
- Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
- Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
- U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
- Limits environmental impact as part of the EPA's SmartWay Program
- Non-slip flooring makes loading and unloading easier
- Easily choose truck size with their Truck Wizard Tool
Labor-only movers in Indianapolis, IN
Labor-only companies can be helpful if you are using a moving container or rental truck but still want some assistance with the heavy lifting. A labor-only mover will provide you with a moving crew to load and unload your items, and you can also pay for additional packing support, as well as disassembly and reassembly of furniture, fitness equipment, and electronics.
Check out our picks for labor-only companies in Indianapolis:
- First call quoting, get a quote in just a couple of minutes
- Rates are typically 20-40% lower than the industry averages
- $1,000 money-back service guarantee
- Fast and accurate delivery times
- Free damage coverage with additional coverage options
- Quick and easy booking process
- National 4.75/5 star rating (these guys are good at what they do)
- Dedicated move concierge specialist
- Pay as you go service. 2-hour minimum and then prorated down to the minute
- The time clock starts when the movers arrive and ends when you tell them
Top-rated movers in nearby cities
How we chose the best movers in Indianapolis
moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 38 Indiana movers and listed the top five best 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.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
How do I find a reputable Indianapolis mover?
If you’re looking for the best movers in Indianapolis, here’s what you should look for:
- A good reputation: Whether they’re a new family-owned business in Indianapolis or a large van lines company with years of experience operating all over Indiana, a good reputation is absolutely essential. Watch out for red flags and common moving scams.
- Look into dispute resolution: All businesses may have some hiccups, but it's how they handle these incidents that shows the company’s true colors. If a mover in Indianapolis has a history of unresolved customer complaints, it might be best to look elsewhere.
- Ensure experience aligns with your move: A mover with excellent reviews for local moves in Indianapolis may not be the best interstate moving company. Verify that the company has adequate experience with the type of move you're planning.
- Get multiple estimates: Reputable Indianapolis movers should provide a free estimate for your move. Getting moving quotes from multiple companies will give you a good idea of a fair price for the services you need.
Fortunately, the Indianapolis movers on this list all pass this checklist with flying colors and have been hand selected by our experts at moveBuddha.
If you want to broaden your search to the whole state, check out the best moving companies in Indiana.
Average cost of movers in Indianapolis, Indiana
The pricing table below shows ballpark costs for local moves within the Indianapolis area and its surrounding suburbs. Or check out our post on the cost to move in Indiana for more pricing info.
Keep in mind the price ranges listed are only averages. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the specific requirements of your move.
You can also check out our moving cost calculator for more accurate moving cost estimate.
Local moving costs in Indianapolis
If you’re moving within 50 miles of Indianapolis, it’s considered a local move. The cost of a rental truck combines a base fee and the mileage fees. In Indianapolis, the base fee ranges from $19 to $39 while the mileage ranges from $0.59 per mile to $0.79 per mile.
And if you’re looking for some labor help, the average cost for movers in Indianapolis is $75 per hour.
Home Size | Avg. Total Cost | Cost/hour | # of Movers | # Hours |
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio | $338 | $105 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
1 Bedroom | $443 | $105 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
2 Bedroom | $674 | $147 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
3 Bedroom | $1,469 | $206 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
4 Bedroom | $1,675 | $206 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
5+ Bedroom | $2,537 | $288 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
Interstate moving costs out of Indianapolis
The cost to move from Indianapolis to a different state is determined by how much you’re moving and how far away the new state is from Indiana. Here are a few examples:
- Indianapolis to California Movers: $1,338 to $7,425
- Indianapolis to New York Movers: $544 to $5,717
- Indianapolis to Illinois Movers: $223 to $3,747
- Indianapolis to New York Movers: $544 to $5,717
Don’t see your new home state? Check out these popular moving routes.
Factors that affect the cost of your move
- Distance: Your moving costs in Indianapolis will be determined in large part by where you are relocating. A local move within 50 miles of Indianapolis will be less expensive than moving 450 miles across Indiana state lines.
- Move size: The more stuff you have, the more your move will cost, since moving companies determine price based on how large your truck and moving truck need to be. For long-distance and interstate relocations out of Indianapolis, a moving company will base your price on the total estimated weight and volume of your belongings. Decluttering and downsizing to reduce those total measurements can help you keep costs down.
- Moving method: A full-service mover will likely be the most expensive option, and renting a truck will save you the most money. Just make sure you are factoring in services with pricing, so you don’t end up skimping on the help you need for your specific move just to cut costs.
- Additional services: No matter what kind of move you opt for, extra options like packing, labor, and comprehensive insurance will all come with added fees.
- The time of the year: Relocating during peak moving season (May–September) will cost you more because demand is higher and availability is lower. If possible, plan your move between October and April for a lower rate.
FAQs
Do I need to get a parking permit for local movers in Indianapolis?
All permit applicants are now required to use INDOT’s Electronic Permitting System (EPS) when seeking a permit and making an electronic payment.
For more info on parking permits in Indianapolis, visit the local DOT website.
How can I save money when hiring a Indianapolis moving company?
You can save money when hiring a Indianapolis mover by planning your moving date outside of peak season, which runs from May through September. Moving during the week and between October and April allows for the greatest savings.
There are other ways to negotiate your moving costs, including asking a company about any moving discounts or deals that may apply to you.
Do Indianapolis movers offer storage?
Yes, many Indianapolis movers offer short- and long-term storage options. Many moving companies operate their own storage facilities, but some may partner with a third-party warehouse. It's always worth asking about a mover’s storage options and getting estimates for the added cost.
If your Indianapolis mover doesn’t offer storage — or you need services beyond what they can provide — reach out to at least three of the best self-storage companies to get an idea of the price of self-storage before choosing one.
How can I see all moving companies in Indiana?
You can see all moving companies in Indiana by taking a look at our full list of Indiana movers.
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