The BEST Moving Companies in Charleston, SC
Fact Checked by: Our Top Pick: If you’re moving locally in Charleston, our top pick is All My Sons Moving & Storage. We’ve rated them 4.72 out of 5 stars. If you’re looking for an interstate moving company to handle your South Carolina move, we recommend Safeway Moving.
With 150,277 people living in Charleston, the city sees its fair share of moving trucks. With an average moving cost of $134 per hour in Charleston, finding a moving company that balances cost and quality is key.
Whether your new place is down the road or you’re looking for the best long-distance moving company, we’ve reviewed the best moving companies in Charleston to make your next move a smooth transition.
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How we chose the best movers in Charleston
moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 32 South Carolina 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.
Best movers for those moving locally in Charleston
- All My Sons Moving & Storage, 4.72 out of 5
- Smooth Move Charleston, 4.62 out of 5
- Low Country Moving, LLC, 4.42 out of 5
- Cougar Moving, 4.2 out of 5
- Strong Men Moving , 3.96 out of 5
All My Sons Moving & Storage
rating
4.72 / 5
DOT #: 902281
Years in Business: 24
2532 Oscar Johnson Drive,Charleston, SC 29405, US
All My Sons Moving & Storage has been serving Charleston, SC, with local residential moving services since 2000. While their Yelp profile reflects mixed feedback with an average rating of 1.6 from 99 reviews, their Google My Business profile boasts a much more favorable 4.5 average rating from 1,390 reviews, and they hold an A rating with the Better Business Bureau. Unlike many nearby competitors, they offer comprehensive services including packing, unpacking, crating, and the ability to move specialty items like pianos, antiques, and safes. They accept credit cards, though a deposit is required. For those seeking a well-established moving company with diverse service offerings, All My Sons Moving & Storage presents a reputable option.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 902281
- State license #: 9792-B
Smooth Move Charleston
rating
4.62 / 5
DOT #: 2357653
Years in Business: 10
4767 Rivers Avenue,Charleston, SC 29405, US
Smooth Move Charleston has been a trusted provider of local residential moving services in and around Charleston, SC, since 2014. Known for their comprehensive offerings, which include packing, unpacking, and labor-only services, they stand out among other local movers. Consumer feedback is overwhelmingly positive, with an impressive average rating of 4.9 on Google from 569 reviews and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Unlike many competitors, Smooth Move Charleston accepts credit cards and requires no deposit, making them a convenient and reliable choice for your next move.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Storage
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2357653
- State license #: 9823
Alternative Business Names
- Go Smooth Move, LLC
Low Country Moving, LLC
rating
4.42 / 5
DOT #: 2362770
Pricing: $150/hr
Years in Business: 11
1514 Mathis FerryRd #18,
Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
Low Country Moving, LLC has been providing local residential moving services in and around Mt. Pleasant, SC since 2013. Known for their efficiency and care, they also offer specialized services such as piano and art moving, making them stand out among nearby competitors. Despite an average Yelp rating of 4.4 from 38 reviews, their Better Business Bureau rating of F may give potential clients pause. With no deposit required and a competitive rate of $150 per hour for a local move, they present a viable option for those seeking comprehensive and specialized moving services.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
Additional Information
Cougar Moving
rating
4.2 / 5
DOT #: 2868021
Pricing: $124/hr
Years in Business: 13
4135 Rivers Avesuite b,
North Charleston, SC 29405
Cougar Moving, based in North Charleston, SC, has been a trusted name in local residential moving since 2011. Known for their exceptional service, the company boasts a 4.7 average rating from 43 Yelp reviews and holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, making them a standout choice compared to other nearby moving companies. Offering a competitive rate of $124 per hour for local moves, Cougar Moving also provides labor-only services and accepts both cash and credit cards without requiring a deposit. Their stellar reputation and flexible payment options make them a reliable option for local moves.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
Additional Information
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2868021
Strong Men Moving
rating
3.96 / 5
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464, US
Strong Men Moving offers top-notch local residential moving services in and around Mount Pleasant, SC. Unlike some nearby competitors, they also provide office moving, packing, unpacking, and specialized services like piano moving, without requiring a deposit. Their customer reviews tell a contrasting story; while their Google My Business profile boasts an impressive 4.7 average rating across 114 reviews, their Yelp profile holds a lower average of 1.7 from 11 reviews. This discrepancy suggests varied customer experiences but indicates a generally positive reputation, making them a strong local choice for your moving needs.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
Additional Information
- State license #: 9865
Best movers for those moving out of South Carolina
- Safeway Moving, 4.5 out of 5
- American Van Lines, 4.5 out of 5
- Mayzlin Relocation, 4.45 out of 5
- North American Van Lines, 4.25 out of 5
- JK Moving Services, 4.25 out of 5
- GPS tracked trucks and tractors
- Barcode scanned and tracked inventory of your possessions
- Dedicated move coordinator assigned to each client
- A portion of every move is donated to charity
93% of users select this mover
- Over 20 years in business
- Excellent customer service score
- Best pricing we've seen
- Can handle last minute moves
93% of users select this mover
- Family owned with locations covering the east coast
- Full refund for cancellations within 7 days of your move
- Packing and unpacking services available
- Handle residential, corporate, and military moves
93% of users select this mover
- Over 74 years in business
- More than 1,800 trucks in the fleet
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Top major moving company in the U.S.
- Highest rated agent van line among moveBuddha customers
93% of users select this mover
- Guaranteed pick up and delivery dates
- Low deposit requirement of $250 for interstate moves
- Easy and fast AI-powered in-home estimate tool
- Over 40k moves in the past 3 years
- Available Financing as low as 0% Interest for low monthly payments
- Extremely responsive customer service
93% of users select this mover
Alternative Charleston moving options
Moving Containers
- Long distance moves only
- Only pay for the space you use
- No deposit or initial fees
- Fast delivery time frames
93% of users select this mover
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
93% of users select this mover
Labor Only
- HireAHelper: 4.5 out of 5
- Bellhop: 4.3 out of 5
- 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
93% of users select this mover
- 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
93% of users select this mover
Full DIY
- U-Haul Truck Rental: 4.15 out of 5
- Penske Truck Rental: 4 out of 5
- 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
93% of users select this mover
- 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
93% of users select this mover
Average cost of movers in Charleston
The pricing table below shows ballpark costs for local moves within the Charleston area and its surrounding suburbs. Or check out our post on the cost to move in South Carolina 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 estimates.
Local moving costs in Charleston
If you’re moving within 50 miles of Charleston, it’s considered a local move. The cost of a rental truck combines a base fee and the mileage fees. In Charleston, the base fee ranges from $19 to $39 while the mileage ranges from $0.69 per mile to $0.99 per mile.
And if you’re looking for some labor help, the average cost for movers in Charleston is $134 per hour.
| Home Size | Avg. Total Cost | Cost/hour | # of Movers | # Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $527 | $188 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
| 1 Bedroom | $715 | $188 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
| 2 Bedroom | $1,128 | $263 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
| 3 Bedroom | $2,547 | $368 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
| 4 Bedroom | $2,915 | $368 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
| 5+ Bedroom | $4,459 | $515 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
Interstate moving costs out of Charleston
The cost to move from Charleston to a different state is determined by how much you’re moving and how far away the new state is from South Carolina. Here are a few examples:
- Charleston to California Movers
- Charleston to New York Movers
- Charleston to Illinois Movers
- Charleston to Texas Movers
Don’t see your new home state? Check out these popular moving routes.
How do I find a reputable Charleston mover?
If you’re looking for the best movers in Charleston, here’s what you should look for:
- A good reputation: Whether they’re a new family-owned business in Charleston or a large van lines company with years of experience operating all over South Carolina, 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 Charleston 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 Charleston 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 Charleston 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 Charleston 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 South Carolina.
FAQs
Do I need to get a parking permit for movers in Charleston?
Resident property owners may renew Residential Parking Permits and single-day Visitor Permit Booklets by mail. Applications should be mailed to the following for immediate processing and handling: Revenue Collections 180 Lockwood Boulevard Suite 234 To schedule your appointment with The Parking division, please click the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/22parkingappts
For more info on parking permits in Charleston, visit the local DOT website.
How can I save money when hiring a Charleston moving company?
It’s almost always cheaper to hire a moving company in Charleston outside of their busy season. Moving during the week and between October and April allows for the greatest savings.
Now that you know when moving companies in Charleston are less busy, you can use that to negotiate your moving costs.
Do Charleston movers offer storage?
Yes, depending on your storage needs most moving companies in Charleston do offer both short and long-term storage units.
However, while some have their own storage facilities, others don't, in which case they may store your items at a third-party warehouse. It's always worth asking about storage facilities and getting quotes when screening prospective movers early on in the moving process.
If your Charleston 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.
What is there to do in Charleston?
Some popular attractions in Charleston include:
- City Market
- Fort Sumter National Monument
- James Island
- Boone Hall
- Waterfront Park
- Dock Street Theater
- South Carolina Aquarium
- Magnolia Cemetery
- Rainbow Row
- Old Slave Mart
How’s the job market in Charleston?
Charleston’s unemployment rate is at 4.0%. Looking for a job in the “Holy City”? Let us help you start looking, here’s a list of the top employers in Charleston:
- Joint Base Charleston
- Medical University of South Carolina
- The Boeing Company
- Berkeley County School District
- Charleston County School District
- Roper
- St. Francis Healthcare
- Walmart
How can I see all moving companies in South Carolina?
You can find all moving companies in South Carolina be clicking here.
Helpful Charleston Resources
Charleston Moving Services
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