10 Best Moving Companies in South Carolina (2024 Reviews)
Quick answer: We recommend HD Auston Moving Systems for local moves in South Carolina based on their professionalism and transparent pricing. If you’re leaving South Carolina, Safeway Moving is our pick for best interstate moving company, thanks to their balance of affordability and quality service.
- Best SC-based mover: HD Auston Moving Systems
- 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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4.25 / 5
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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 South Carolina
If you are moving within Charleston, Columbia, or another South Carolina city — or relocating to a nearby town 50 miles away or less — check out these top local companies:
- HD Auston Moving Systems: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Two Men and a Truck: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Ballantyne & Beyond Moving: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- All My Sons Moving & Storage: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Gentlemen Movers Inc.: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Efficient service (29%)
- Professional and polite staff (26%)
- Good communication (25%)
- Damage to items (24%)
- Unexpected charges (21%)
- Poor complaint handling (19%)
Company Info
Years in Business: 79
DOT #: 271654
HD Auston Moving Systems, with its home base in Greenville, SC, is a seasoned moving firm that has been in business since 1945. They offer a comprehensive selection of services which sets them apart from other local competitors. Offering both local and long-distance residential moving, they also extend services into office relocations. Their professional team is even equipped to handle special items, such as pianos. They pride themselves on their customer service, offering both packing and unpacking services, as well as crating services for those hard-to-pack or valuable items. Unlike many of its competitors, HD Auston Moving Systems accepts credit cards and does not require a deposit, which adds to the convenience when planning a move. HD Auston Moving Systems has a varied online reputation with a modest 2.5 rating from 13 Yelp reviews, but a much stronger 4.7 average from an impressive 183 Google My Business reviews. This suggests that while there may be a few mixed opinions, the majority of customers are highly satisfied. Their Better Business Bureau rating of A+ further emphasizes their commitment to customer satisfaction and business ethics. Overall, HD Auston Moving Systems shows a long history of quality service and a robust client-friendly approach.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and polite staff (40%)
- Efficient service (35%)
- Careful handling (30%)
- Unexpected charges (25%)
- Damage to items (20%)
- Poor communication (15%)
Company Info
State license #: 9664-B
Years in Business: 22
DOT #: 2527384
Alternate Names: Upward Endeavors, LLC
Two Men and a Truck has been a trusted local residential moving company in Greenville, SC since 2003. Offering comprehensive services, including packing, unpacking, and labor-only options, they also specialize in moving heavy items like pianos and safes. While their Yelp reviews are mixed, with an average rating of 2.8 from 37 reviews, their Google My Business profile boasts a much higher average rating of 4.7 from 730 reviews. With a Better Business Bureau rating of A+, they stand out among local movers for their reliability and customer satisfaction.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and polite staff (36%)
- Efficient service (32%)
- Careful handling (30%)
- Damage to items (22%)
- Unexpected charges (20%)
- Poor customer service (18%)
Company Info
State license #: 9784-A
Years in Business: 16
DOT #: 2557751
Ballantyne & Beyond Moving, established in 2009, offers top-notch local residential moving services in and around Fort Mill, SC. Unlike many competitors, they extend their expertise to long-distance and international moves, as well as office relocations, and provide comprehensive packing and unpacking services. With a Better Business Bureau rating of A+ and an impressive 4.7-star average from 134 Google reviews, their reputation stands strong, although their Yelp average of 3.5 suggests some room for improvement. Flexible payment options, including credit cards and no required deposit, make them a convenient choice for a stress-free moving experience.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and polite staff (25%)
- Efficient service (23%)
- Good communication (20%)
- Damage to items (45%)
- Unexpected charges (40%)
- Lack of communication (35%)
Company Info
State license #: 9715-G
Years in Business: 26
DOT #: 902281
Alternate Names: All My Sons Moving & Storage of Greenville, LLC
All My Sons Moving & Storage, serving Greenville, SC since 2000, specializes in local residential moving services and boasts a solid reputation for reliability and professionalism. Unlike some competitors, they provide comprehensive options including packing, unpacking, and crating services, making them a versatile choice for various moving needs. Their consumer reviews reflect a mixed reputation: a strong 4.4 average rating on Google with 1456 reviews contrasts with a lower 1.2 average rating on Yelp from 163 reviews, but their A rating from the BBB suggests a commitment to quality customer service. While they do require a deposit, they accept credit cards, adding convenience for their clients.
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 (25%)
- Efficient service (23%)
- Careful handling (20%)
- Damage to items (30%)
- Unexpected charges (25%)
- Lack of communication (20%)
Company Info
State license #: 9756
Years in Business: 20
DOT #: 1442337
Gentlemen Movers Inc., based in Columbia, SC, has been providing reliable local residential moving services since 2004. They stand out in the area by also offering packing and unpacking services, and they accept credit cards with no deposit required. While their Yelp profile shows mixed reviews with an average rating of 2.0 from 21 reviews, their Google My Business profile boasts a higher average rating of 4.0 from 110 reviews, complemented by an impressive Better Business Bureau rating of A+. Compared to other local movers, Gentlemen Movers Inc. provides a versatile set of services and has a strong track record of customer satisfaction.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Grandfather clocks
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Best movers for those moving out of South Carolina
If you’re leaving the Palmetto State altogether for a different state, we recommend these top-rated interstate moving companies:
- 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 South Carolina
If you want to save some money, need storage, or just prefer to move at your own pace, moving containers can be an ideal alternative to full-service movers. You’ll have to load your moving container yourself — but you’ll have multiple days to do so. When you’re ready, the container company will pick up your container and transport it to your new home.
Here are our favorite moving containers in South Carolina:
- 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 South Carolina move
Rental trucks are the most cost-effective method of moving… and the most labor-intensive. You’ll need to do the packing, loading, driving, unloading, and unpacking, but doing it all yourself means you’ll be paying significantly less, particularly on local moves.
While moving trucks are certainly a thrifty option for long-distance moves, keep in mind that related expenses like mileage fees and gas can add up quickly the further you have to go. Be sure to factor in these often overlooked charges to see if this really is your cheapest option.
These are our picks for best rental moving trucks in South Carolina:
- 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 South Carolina
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.
Take a look at these highly rated labor-only movers for your South Carolina move:
- 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 moving companies in South Carolina
moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 32 South Carolina 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.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
Average cost of moving companies in South Carolina
The pricing table below shows ballpark moving costs for local moves within South Carolina. For more pricing information, check out our post on the cost to move in South Carolina.
Keep in mind the price ranges listed are only averages. Actual moving costs can vary greatly depending on the specific requirements of your move and whether the moving company offers flat-rate pricing.
You can also check out our free moving cost calculator for more accurate moving cost estimates.
Home size | Avg. total cost | Cost/hour | # of movers | # hours |
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio | $458 | $194 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
1 bedroom | $651 | $194 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
2 bedroom | $1,077 | $271 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
3 bedroom | $2,541 | $379 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
4 bedroom | $2,920 | $379 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
5+ bedroom | $4,512 | $531 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
- South Carolina moving companies will cost about $458 to move a studio locally.
- If you're moving one bedroom, a moving company in South Carolina will charge about $651.
- A two-bedroom move in South Carolina will cost about $1,077.
- A three-bedroom move costs $2,541 on average in South Carolina.
- To move a four-bedroom house in South Carolina, you should expect to pay $2,920.
- For a house that's five bedrooms or larger, your move will cost $4,512 in South Carolina.
Factors that affect moving costs in South Carolina
Getting an online moving quote can lead to confusion, but these factors will affect the cost of your South Carolina move.
- Distance: The time and fuel can affect local moves, but if you’re moving out of South Carolina you may see additional fees
- Size: Larger homes with more belongings require more labor and larger trucks, resulting in higher costs
- Time of year: Peak moving seasons in South Carolina, like summer or around holidays, often come with higher rates due to increased demand
- Additional services: Services like packing, unpacking, or assembly/disassembly of furniture will add to the total cost
If you’re moving from South Carolina to a different state, make sure your mover is equipped and licensed to handle your move.
If you’re not sure, check out our list of the
best long distance moving companies.
Things to keep in mind when moving
Whether you are moving one town over in South Carolina or are making a big cross-country relocation, here are some common considerations:
- Weather: South Carolina had hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters and coastal areas of the state have very mild winters. While precipitation is abundant the entire year in almost the entire state, the coast tends to have a slightly wetter summer, while inland, the spring and autumn transitions tend to be the wettest periods and winter the driest season, with November being the driest month.
- 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 you 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: South Carolina 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 Arizona 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 South Carolina 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 look for when choosing a moving company in South Carolina?
When choosing a moving company in South Carolina, you should look for a solid reputation, fair and transparent pricing, a variety of services, and multiple insurance options. We consider those key factors, among others, in our analysis and rating of moving companies, so you can find the best moving companies in South Carolina by reading our top picks.
We recommend obtaining quotes from at least three moving companies — including a top flat-rate mover — in South Carolina to compare prices and services.
Do South Carolina moving companies offer services for long-distance or interstate moves?
Yes, many moving companies in South Carolina offer long-distance or interstate moving services. These companies should have a USDOT number from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for interstate moves.
For more information, check out our guide on the best long-distance movers in South Carolina.
How can I see all moving companies in South Carolina?
You can see all moving companies in South Carolina in our comprehensive list of South Carolina movers.
Helpful South Carolina resources
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