Local moving companies in Charleston

  1. Bellhop Moving: 4.62 out of 5 stars
  2. Flex Moving & Storage: 4.42 out of 5 stars
  3. Central Van & Storage, Inc.: 4.76 out of 5 stars
  4. Watts Brothers Moving and Storage Systems: 4.2 out of 5 stars
  5. Dunbar Transfer: 3.9 out of 5 stars
https://www.facebook.com/BellhopMoving/, https://twitter.com/bellhopmoving?lang=en
Customer Praise
  • Professional and polite staff
  • Efficient service
  • Careful handling
  • Friendly and approachable staff
  • Quick moving process
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items
  • Delayed arrival or delivery
  • Unexpected charges
Review Analysis
When timing and professionalism count, Bellhop Moving stands out in customer feedback. Of the 38 reviews assessed, almost 58% delivered positive sentiment, while almost 40% reflected dissatisfied experiences. Customers highlight consistent professionalism, efficiency, careful attention to belongings, and approachable movers. Friendly attitudes and reliable performance under tough conditions, like bad weather, set Bellhop apart from many low-cost alternatives. Reports of fast, careful moves and easy booking are frequent. On the downside, damaged items, delayed or canceled moves, and unexpected extra charges surface often. Some clients experienced property damage or last-minute cancellations that created major issues, and several found the compensation process unsatisfactory if things went wrong. Compared to other movers, Bellhop is more frequently praised for politeness and efficiency but criticized more than average for inconsistent arrival and resolution of complaints.
Get a Quote (866) 774-5063

Company Info

Years in Business: 13

DOT #: 2878240

Alternate Names: Bellhop Moving, Bellhops, Inc., Bellhops


Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Storage
  • Pay by credit card
  • Deposit Required
https://www.facebook.com/FlexStorageInc/,
Customer Praise
  • Efficient service
  • Careful handling
  • Good communication
  • Professional and polite staff
  • Highly recommended
Customer Complaints
  • Unexpected charges
  • Delayed arrival or delivery
  • Lack of communication
Review Analysis
Customers rave about Flex Moving & Storageโ€™s fast, careful, and professional crews who make moving less stressful and deliver strong results. Most input highlights efficient service, reliable communication, careful handling of belongings, and a courteous approach. Highly rated feedback consistently mentions both speed and safe transport. On the other hand, a few customers point to significant issues like hidden charges, delayed moves, and trouble reaching support. These problems stand out as rare but serious missteps. Flex Moving & Storage receives a much higher rate of positive feedback than many competitors, driven by standout reliability and attentiveness. Out of 14 reviews, 85.7% are positive, showing a strong trend of customer satisfaction with only isolated but notable complaints.
Get a Quote (704) 397-3281

Company Info

Years in Business: 3

DOT #: 3610638


Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Storage
  • Pay by cash
  • Pay by credit card
https://www.facebook.com/Centralvan, https://twitter.com/central_allied
Customer Praise
  • Professional and polite staff
  • Careful handling
  • Good communication
  • Efficient service
  • Helpful movers
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to home
  • Misplaced or lost items
  • Higher-than-expected costs
Review Analysis
Central Van & Storage, Inc. stands out for reliable and professional movers, backed by 75% positive customer feedback from 16 reviews. Customers consistently praised friendly staff, careful item handling, strong communication, and efficient moving processes. Helpful movers and organized service frequently set them apart from competitors. Some clients reported major concerns, including damages to homes, missing items, and unexpectedly high final costs. Negative experiences mainly centered on property damage and billing disputes. Central Van & Storage earns strong recommendations for care and professionalism, but those hiring them should pay attention to cost estimates and document all belongings carefully.
Get a Quote (800) 753-1898

Company Info

Years in Business: 28

DOT #: 076235


Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • International moves
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Hot Tubs
  • Pool Tables
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Full-valuation coverage
  • Storage
  • Safes
  • Pay by money order
  • Pay by cash
  • Pay by credit card
https://www.facebook.com/people/Watts-Brothers-Moving-Storage/100064128341117/,
Customer Praise
  • Professional and polite staff
  • Careful handling
  • Efficient service
  • Affordable rates
  • Good communication
Customer Complaints
  • Misplaced or lost items
  • Damage to items
  • Unreliable timing
Review Analysis
Feedback paints a clear divide: Watts Brothers Moving and Storage Systems is praised for having professional, polite staff, handling items with care, working efficiently, offering good rates, and maintaining solid communication. Half of all customer input highlights smooth moves, careful handling, and courteous moversโ€”traits that set them above many local competitors for timely service and affordability. But equally frequent are strong reports of lost valuables, damaged furniture, and unreliable timing. Several customers mention misplacement or theft of personal items and lack of follow-up from management, concerns rarely seen in top-performing moving companies. While many point to a hassle-free, professional experience, others caution against major service and trust issues. Out of 34 reviews, 50% are positive, and 50% negative, making the choice less than straightforward for those considering this company.
Get a Quote (304) 529-2360

Company Info

Years in Business: 35

DOT #: 587135

Alternate Names: Future Enterprises Corporation


Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Crating
  • Full-valuation coverage
  • Storage
  • Pay by credit card

Factors influencing moving costs from Charleston to Des Moinestoggle

The cost of Charleston movers will depend on:

  • Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from Charleston to Des Moines can be as low as $1,421 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $8,995.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Charleston so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $688 to $1,728. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Charleston to Des Moines

Moving from Charleston to Des Moines comes with exciting new opportunities โ€” but also higher living costs. Since Des Moines is generally more expensive than Charleston, it's important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

Charleston Des Moines
Average rent cost $875 $1,150
Average home value $153,672 $192,347
Average income (per capita) $59,354 $58,492
Cost of living (single person) $1,549 $1,891
Cost of living (family of 4) $3,862 $4,380
Unemployment rate 6.2% 5.9%
Sales tax 7.0% 7.0%
State income tax 6.5% 4.4%
  • You may want to budget more for rent in Des Moines, since prices are typically 31% higher than in Charleston.
  • The home prices in Des Moines are 25.2% higher than in Charleston, which could mean saving up before buying a home, taking on a bigger mortgage, or downsizing.
  • Income in Des Moines is 1.5% lower than in Charleston, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Des Moines โ€” including MercyOne, Principal Financial Group, and Ppw Holdings โ€” may pay more.
  • Be sure to budget for higher bills in Des Moines, since the cost of living for a single person in Des Moines is 22.1% higher than in Charleston. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
  • If you're moving your family to Des Moines, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Des Moines is 13.4% higher than in Charleston.
  • The unemployment rate in Des Moines is 4.84% lower than in Charleston.
  • Sales taxes are the same in Des Moines and Charleston.
  • One perk of moving to Des Moines is paying less in state income taxes, which are 32.31% lower than in Charleston.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,662.36 in Des Moines to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Charleston.

How life is different in Charleston vs. Des Moines

Des Moines Charleston
Population 699,292 48,018
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 5 2
Walkability score 45 33
Bike friendliness score 39 28
Crime Index 5.0 53.94
Safety Index 57.8 46.06
Air Quality Good Good
  • The population of Des Moines is about 1,356% greater than Charleston, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
  • Des Moines offers better access to buses and trains than Charleston, based on public transportation ratings. Des Moines has a transit score of 5 out of 10 compared to 2 in Charleston. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
  • Living in Des Moines means you'll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Charleston. Des Moines is considered more walkable than Charleston, with a score of 45 out of 100 versus 33 out of 100 in Charleston. A city's walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
  • If cycling is your thing, Des Moines is considered more bike-friendly than Charleston in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Des Moines has a bike-friendliness score of 39 out of 100, while Charleston is rated as 28 out of 100.
  • Des Moines has a lower crime rate than Charleston based on scores of 5.0 and Charleston's 53.94, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
  • You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Des Moines than in Charleston, based on Des Moines's safety index of 57.8 versus 46.06 for Charleston. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
  • The air quality in Des Moines and Charleston is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Charleston vs. Des Moines move

  • Weather: September, June and May are the most pleasant months in Des Moines, while January and December are the least comfortable months.
  • HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
  • Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it's a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
  • Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
  • State licensing: When moving within Iowa, make sure to hire a company that is licensed by the Iowa Department of Transportation. Each household goods mover in the state should have an Iowa Motor Carrier (IOWAMC) Number, which means theyโ€™ve met minimum insurance and highway safety requirements. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
  • State regulator: To confirm a moving company's license in Iowa, visit the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving Permits: While Iowa doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Des Moines without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. Choose cost-free Released Value Protection from movers for basic coverage at 60 cents per pound.
  • Moving checklist: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in Des Moines

Now that you've chosen Hartford of the West as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Des Moines to check out.

Best neighborhoods for singles

  • Sherman Hill
  • East Village
  • Woodland Heights
  • Chautauqua Park
  • Westwood

Best neighborhoods for families

  • Linden Heights
  • Waterbury
  • Salisbury Oaks
  • Meredith
  • Beaverdale

Things to do in Des Moines

Now that you've made the move to Iowa it's the perfect time to explore Des Moines From local hotspots to hidden gems, there's something to enjoy for every lifestyle:

  • Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Des Moines, such as the Des Moines Art Center, State Historical Museum, Science Center of Iowa, Salisbury House, and World Food Prize Hall of Laureates.
  • Outdoor recreation: The city's Gray's Lake Park, Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, and Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens โ€” along with other locations, ideal for trails, cycling, or enjoying the fresh air.
  • Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an Drake Bulldogs game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Charleston to Des Moines?

The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Charleston to Des Moines are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Charleston. are lower.

When is the cheapest time to move from Charleston to Des Moines?

Because most people are moving from Charleston to Des Moines in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.

How long does a move from Charleston to Des Moines take?

Moving from Charleston, WV to Des Moines, IA covers 784 miles and usually takes two to seven days Need to move faster? Some Charleston movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Des Moines.

Helpful moving resources