Best Moving Companies in Iowa 2024

To help find the best options for you, our research team started by comparing 80 moving companies. We analyzed ratings and reviews from customers in Iowa as well as other factors, like packing services, storage options and price, and we ultimately chose three companies as our top picks in Iowa.

Choosing a reliable mover is crucial to a smooth and stress-free relocation. To ensure you select the right company, focus on these factors:

• Reputation: Read customer reviews on third-party sites and ask about the company's experience and training. If reps come to your house for an in-person survey, see how professional they are.
• Service area: Confirm the company can handle your move's distance (local, regional, cross-country, etc.).
• Pricing, fees and policies: Seek clear, transparent pricing (ask if you’ll pay hourly or by a flat rate). Inquire about hidden fees, add-ons and policies for lost/damaged items and cancellations.
• Additional services: Ask upfront about packing, unpacking, storage and moving of specialty items — these can affect cost.

The cost of moving depends largely on distance and how many belongings you have. Local movers typically charge by the hour, averaging $80 to $100 per hour for two movers. Long-distance movers often charge a flat fee, averaging $5,000 to $10,000, for moves over 1,000 miles.

Other products and services, like packing, storage and additional insurance, add to the cost. Factors like home size, location, extra stops, specialty items and time of year can also affect pricing. Tipping movers is customary (usually 10% to 20% of the total cost). To save money, consider decluttering, moving during an offseason and asking about discounts. You can also move yourself, but this may make an already stressful relocation more difficult.

Estimates for moving services from Des Moines (50309)

The figures below are based on current (as of publishing) industry estimates for a three-bedroom home with no additional services.

There are ways to simplify the process and make a move less stressful — it just takes some planning.

1. Think about how much time, energy and money the move will require

Evaluate your time frame, how much you need moved and your moving budget. Set aside extra funds for unexpected costs if you can.

2. Declutter

To save on costs, try reducing the weight and volume of your belongings. Consider donating or selling items you no longer need — your city or town may have local or national charities that offer donation pickup.

3. Get a head start on packing

Start packing seasonal or less frequently used items first. As you get closer to your move-out date, aim to pack one room per day and label boxes clearly.

» MORE: How to pack for a move

4. Have essentials ready

Pack a box or bag for each person in your household that has essentials for moving day and the day after. Include a change of clothes, toiletries and any necessary medications — you don’t want to be without these during the move, especially if you’re driving a long distance.

5. Have a plan for contacting your mover

Ensure you have a reliable contact for the moving company so you can communicate logistics, ask questions and track your move. Some companies offer tracking via an app; find out if yours has this ahead of time so you can download it and be ready for moving day. 

» MORE DETAILS: Moving checklist

ConsumerAffairs carefully collects in-depth, verified reviews to tell each customer’s experience with a company. We believe customer experiences are a crucial indicator when evaluating companies, so these reviews are a significant factor when selecting our top picks.

To choose the top moving companies in Iowa, we started with the 80 popular providers listed in our main moving guide. First, we narrowed it down to the ones available in Iowa. We then weighted several key features to get our final rankings:

• Storage options: We looked at the availability of storage units and any free storage periods.
• Packing services: We considered the types of packing services offered, including whether a company offers packing services and whether it offers both full and partial packing.
• Deposit requirements: We prioritized companies that ask for 20% or less down versus those with higher deposit requirements.
• Discounts: We outlined how many discounts each company offers and what types (e.g., senior, military, student).
• App: We gave a company preference if it has an app with a useful service, like requesting a quote or tracking a move.