Best Moving Companies in Maine 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 Maine as well as other factors, like packing services, storage options and price, and we ultimately chose three companies as our top picks in Maine.

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 Portland (04101)

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 ease the stress of a move and simplify the process — it just takes some planning.

1. Get an idea of the scope of the move

Think about how much time, energy and money the move will require. Evaluate your time frame, the number of items you need moved and your budget. Set aside extra funds for unexpected costs.

» SMART MOVE: How to make a moving budget

2. Declutter in advance

Reduce the weight and volume of your belongings to save on moving costs. Consider donating or selling items you no longer need. Your city of town may have local or national charities that offer donation pickup, including for larger furniture items.

3. Start packing early

Begin packing items from less frequently used areas or seasonal 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. Make sure your essentials are easily accessible

Pack a box or bag for each person in your household containing essentials for moving day and the following day. 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. Know how to contact your mover

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 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 Maine, we started with the 80 popular providers listed in our main moving guide. First, we narrowed it down to the ones available in Maine. 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.