Charles River Movers Review

Positive Reviews

76%

across 104 reviews

moveBuddha Score

4.6/5

based on moveBuddha methodology

Years in Business

50

founded 1976

FMCSA Status

Active

Satisfactory rating

Charles River Movers is a 4.6/5-rated Massachusetts full-service mover, operating since 1976 (50 years in business). Charles River Movers earns 76% positive reviews across 104 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 76% positive customer reviews across 104 verified reviews.
  • Scale: 6 trucks operating across Massachusetts
  • Industry experience: 5/5
  • Customer service: 4.72/5
  • Review quality: 4.5/5
  • Quote accuracy: 4.24/5

What this review covers

checkmark Professional and polite staff
checkmark Efficient service
checkmark Careful handling
checkmark Quick moving process
checkmark Highly recommended
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No obligation • Free estimates
Positive reviews
76%
Years active
50
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moveBuddha logo
4.5
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Google logo
4.3
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Yelp logo
3.7
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BBB logo
Grade A+
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Services offered

  • Full-service moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Packing materials available
  • Custom crating
  • Piano moves
  • Storage available
  • International moves
  • Interstate moves
  • Intrastate moves
  • Office/business moves

Available discounts

  • Senior discount

Company stats

Read full review
Industry 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 international moving and interstate moving.

Review quality 4.5

Customer reviews are the clearest window into a mover’s reputation. Charles River Movers has about 76% positive reviews across roughly 104 total reviews, with an average Yelp rating of 3.7.

Quote accuracy 4.2

Quote reliability often comes down to clarity and consistency. Customers can request instant email quotes from Charles River Movers. Discounts may be available for groups like seniors.

Customer service 4.7

From responsiveness to follow-through, customer service is a big differentiator. Charles River Movers emphasizes clear communication, careful handling.

Recent reviews

"I am utterly impressed. The team arrived early, finished moving two full rooms in maybe 9 min with three guys (they even wrapped the furniture in that time)! Fast, efficient, careful, and kind. Highly recommend!"

"We had a great experience. Kevin, Ryan, and Neil did a great job packing up and were very respectful of our belongings. Professional and personable. We would highly recommend using Charles River Movers."

DOT number

1299686

Address

71 Felton St, Waltham, MA, 02453

Payment methods

Credit Card

State license

1299686

What do customers say about Charles River Movers?

Across 104 verified customer reviews from multiple platforms, 76% are positive, 19% are negative, and 5% are neutral.

76%
5%
19%
Positive Neutral Negative

What customers like most about Charles River Movers

  • Professional and polite staff: Customers say the Charles River Movers's crews and service representatives handled their move professionally and were friendly and helpful throughout the move.
  • Efficient service: Many customers praise Charles River Movers for completing moves smoothly and with minimal downtime.
  • Careful handling: Belongings are treated with caution, and many customers report zero damage thanks to Charles River Movers's attention to detail.
  • Quick moving process: The team at Charles River Movers often gets the job done faster than expected, saving clients time.
  • Highly recommended: Many reviewers said they would recommend Charles River Movers to friends and family without hesitation.

Most common complaints about Charles River Movers

  • 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.
  • Delayed arrival or delivery: Several reviewers experienced frustrating delays either on moving day or with final delivery.

Positive Charles River Movers Reviews

Google

"I am utterly impressed. The team arrived early, finished moving two full rooms in maybe 9 min with three guys (they even wrapped the furniture in that time)! Fast, efficient, careful, and kind. Highly recommend!"

Google

"We had a great experience. Kevin, Ryan, and Neil did a great job packing up and were very respectful of our belongings. Professional and personable. We would highly recommend using Charles River Movers."

Yelp

"Outstanding experience, from first call to last box placed in home. Very professional, made moving an art form. Thanks so very much."

Negative Charles River Movers Reviews

Google

"I would not recommend this mover. Not professional movers. Damage to furniture, didn't use equipment, charged much more than the quote, and rude when we complained."

Google

"We hired Charles River Movers to move a piano... Damage occurred, including a large crack. Charles Rivers Movers has not responded to my request for payment. We went to small claims court and they were ordered to pay."

Yelp

"Their bill was 50% higher than their estimate. They were late arriving and broke two antique furniture pieces. Supposed to have the A team."

Neutral Charles River Movers Reviews

Yelp

"Certainly not bad, not by any stretch, but compared to other moves we used did not stand out. Not slow, not fast. Careful enough with our stuff. No problems there. The definition of average."

Google

"I couldn't get them on the phone"

Google

"The actual movers were good and deserved the fee for their work BUT the office sent them early by 40 minutes and charged me for it... Be ready early or you'll pay extra. Office did not listen."

Is Charles River Movers licensed & insured?

Yes. Charles River Movers holds active FMCSA registration under the legal name JOSEPH E TROY. The company holds a satisfactory safety rating from the FMCSA. They operate 6 trucks. All licensing data is verified against FMCSA records by moveBuddha.

Credential Status Verified
FMCSA registration Active 02/05/2026
Safety rating Satisfactory 02/05/2026
Fleet size 6 power units 02/05/2026
FMCSA inspections 0 total inspections 02/05/2026

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's active status on the Massachusetts licensed movers database.

How moveBuddha rated Charles River Movers

Charles River Movers earns a 4.6/5 composite rating based on moveBuddha's editorial rating categories. Each category is rated independently by moveBuddha's research team and 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 4.72/5 Communication clarity & crew professionalism
Quote accuracy 4.24/5 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

Smooth moves and standout service—Charles River Movers earns high praise in most feedback, with 104 reviews showing 76% as positive input. Customers rave about the team's professionalism, fast and efficient moving process, careful attention to belongings, and strong communication. Many appreciate how respectful and courteous the movers are, often noting zero damage on arrival and recommending the company. Compared to other movers, Charles River stands out for reliability and client care. Some negative reports cite damage to items, surprise charges over original quotes, and occasional delays. These less favorable accounts often involve dissatisfaction with accountability and customer service after issues arise. A small portion of input is neutral, rating experiences as average without major problems or highlights.

Ratings based on moveBuddha's research methodology, updated June 2026.

How much does Charles River Movers cost?

Charles River Movers does not publish standard hourly rates or flat-fee pricing publicly. 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.

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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
Flash Moving
6 years in business
star star star star star
4.64
99% A+
Boston Best Rate Movers
21 years in business
star star star star star
4.7
96% A+
Anton's Moving Company
22 years in business
star star star star star
4.66
89% A+
Olympia Moving & Storage
33 years in business
star star star star star
4.58
85% A+
Five Stars Movers
21 years in business
star star star star star
4.58
70% A+
Charles River Movers
50 years in business
star star star star star
4.6
76% A+
star star star star star
4.52
83% A+
Efficient Moving Services
18 years in business
star star star star star
4.52
100% A+
Lexel Moving & Storage
11 years in business
star star star star star
4.52
90% A+
Michael's Moving & Storage
31 years in business
star star star star star
4.58
91% A

How Charles River Movers's ratings compare to other Waltham movers

Charles River Movers's Yelp rating (3.7/5) is in line with the average across the 100 movers analyzed in Waltham, which carry an average Yelp rating of 4.0/5.

Avg. Yelp Score Total # of Movers
Charles River Movers 3.7/5 --
Waltham movers 4.0/5 100 movers
Massachusetts movers 4.0/5 106 movers

Final verdict: Charles River Movers

Charles River Movers earns a 4.6/5 moveBuddha score with 76% positive customer reviews across 104 verified reviews. With 50 years in business and 6 trucks operating across Massachusetts, Charles River Movers is a solid option to consider for Massachusetts moves.

Best for:

  • Customers prioritizing strong communication, crew professionalism, and reliable service experience
  • Customers who value working with an established mover with long-standing industry experience

All ratings reflect moveBuddha's analysis updated June 2026, based on independent research and verified customer reviews.

FAQs about Charles River Movers

Is Charles River Movers a legitimate, licensed mover?

Yes. Charles River Movers holds active FMCSA registration. The company operates 6 trucks. You can verify their licensing status on the Massachusetts state regulator database.

How does Charles River Movers's review score compare to other Massachusetts movers?

Charles River Movers earns 76% positive customer reviews across 104 verified customer reviews. Its composite moveBuddha score is 4.6/5.

What services does Charles River Movers offer?

Charles River Movers is a full-service mover operating in Massachusetts. The company operates 6 trucks. Confirm specific services like packing, storage, and specialty item handling directly when requesting a quote.

Does Charles River Movers require a deposit?

Deposit requirements for Charles River Movers depend on the type and timing of your move. Most Massachusetts full-service movers either require no deposit or a small holding deposit to secure your booking date. Confirm deposit terms directly when requesting your quote.

How long has Charles River Movers been in business?

Charles River Movers has been in business for 50 years, founded in 1976. The company holds active FMCSA registration.

How do I choose the right Waltham moving company?

To pick the best Waltham mover, start with companies that have mostly positive customer reviews, valid licenses, and proper insurance. Get detailed moving quotes from at least 3 companies to compare services, pricing, and availability. Look for transparent pricing, clear communication, and verified track records of successful moves.

Thinking about booking Charles River Movers?

Compare Charles River Movers's quote against other top Massachusetts movers. moveBuddha users save an average of 30% by comparing 3+ quotes before booking.

Helpful Massachusetts moving resources

If Charles River Movers isn't the right fit, explore other top-rated Massachusetts movers and popular Massachusetts moving routes below.

Ryan Carrigan
Ryan Carrigan is the co-founder of moveBuddha and a leading voice in the moving industry, helping hundreds of thousands of Americans make smarter, safer relocation decisions each year. With more than a decade of experience analyzing moving companies, pricing trends, and industry regulations, Ryan brings hands-on industry knowledge and data-driven insight to every guide and review. His research has been featured in Forbes, Consumer Reports, The New York Times, and NBC News.