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Best Moving Companies in Michigan 2024

We compared 26 companies and chose the top movers

    • PODS
      4.5(3,711)
    • International Van Lines
      4.6(1,002)
    • Allied Van Lines
      3.4(801)

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      Best Moving Companies in Michigan 2024

      If you live in Michigan and are planning a relocation, you might be considering hiring a moving company. To help, we’ve compared top movers on ratings and reviews, price, additional services, discounts, availability and several other factors to choose our top picks for Michigan.

      Read our full methodology below for all the details. Our picks may be Authorized Partners that compensate us — this does not affect our recommendations or evaluations but may impact the order in which companies appear.

      Our editor’s top picks

      1. Moving containers: PODS
      2. International moves: International Van Lines
      3. Interstate moves: Allied Van Lines
      Why trust ConsumerAffairs?
      • Our recommendations are based on what reviewers say.
      • 4,535,237 reviews on ConsumerAffairs are verified.
      • We require contact information to ensure our reviewers are real.
      • We use intelligent software that helps us maintain the integrity of reviews.
      • Our moderators read all reviews to verify quality and helpfulness.

      Compare moving companies in Michigan

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      Our top 3 picks for moving companies in Michigan

      A moving company can ease the stress, time and energy spent on a move. Our research team has analyzed 80 moving companies to help you find the best option. By comparing customer ratings and reviews, additional services, storage options, price and other factors, our team chose three companies that offer the best value for your money.

      PODS

      4.5
      3,711 reviews
      Highlight
      Flexible timelines
      Types of moves
      Local, long-distance, international
      Discounts available
      Military

      PODS is a carrier and broker with a focus on portable storage containers. It offers quotes over the phone, or you can request a quote online.

      Highlights

      • Broker vs. carrier: Carrier and broker
      • Packing services: Professional third-party packing services
      • Storage options: Various container sizes for short- or long-term storage

      Customers in Ypsilanti, Zeeland, Washington, Grand Rapids and elsewhere in Michigan have mentioned positive experiences with PODS. Reviewers often say they appreciate the convenience of loading and unloading the containers and the off-site storage provided by PODS. They also like that the delivery and pickup teams are timely and professional.

      Frank from Grand Rapids said about his experience: “Their website was very user-friendly. The container was very neat. The drop-off was excellent but bringing it to the new site was kind of mediocre. But picking it up again was very good. It all went very well and there were no surprises.”

      Melissa from Rochester Hills said PODS made her life “so much easier”: “I ended a 12 year chapter in my life and started a new one and PODS helped with my transition and made things so much easier! Not having to worry about moving all of my belongings was a godsend. Once the POD was filled I literally got in my vehicle and started my journey back to Michigan.”

      A few reviewers have been unhappy with PODS in Michigan. One reviewer, for instance, was disappointed when PODS did not deliver to their new address as promised, causing financial and physical hardship.

      Marianna from Imlay City was happy with the company the first time, but she said about hiring them a second time: “The experience was acceptable but not as great as the original experience. On delivery of pod from old house to new house the POD was placed in a different place than I had asked to be placed.”

      International Van Lines

      4.6
      1,002 reviews
      Highlight
      Quick (under 15 minutes) quotes
      Types of moves
      Commercial, residential, auto transport
      Discounts available
      None specified

      International Van Lines is a broker and carrier that provides moves to and from Michigan. It offers auto transport and commercial and residential moves and full-service packing and unpacking.

      Highlights

      • Broker vs. carrier: Broker and carrier
      • Type(s) of quotes: Binding and nonbinding
      • Storage options: Short- and long-term (first month free); storage-in-transit

      Many customers who have reviewed IVL on our site highly recommend the company for moving services. They often mention IVL’s professionalism, punctuality and attention to detail.

      Jasper of Detroit said about his experience: “I came across IVL (International Van Lines ) and spoke to a representative named Mike. He helped explaining the process thoroughly and when it was time for the big move the crew arrived early in uniform ready to go, I didn’t have to lift a finger and no property damage, I have moved and helped plenty of times in my life and by far this is the best experience ever. I will recommend these guys to any and everyone.”

      Mindy from Saginaw said in her review: “In a recent move, during a very stressful time for my family, International Van Lines was the most helpful and professional. The movers were excellent and so was the customer service representative. There were absolutely no issues at all, we were super happy with everything! We recommend them for anyone who is moving. Thanks for making a very intense time in our lives much easier.”

      A few reviewers mention careless packing and unpacking of belongings and surprising upcharges.

      Allied Van Lines

      3.4
      801 reviews
      Highlight
      Online shipment tracking
      Types of moves
      Commercial, residential, military
      Discounts available
      Senior

      Allied Van Lines is a broker and carrier that offers commercial, residential and military moves to and from Michigan. It provides in-home estimates, so your quote should be fairly similar to your final cost.

      Highlights

      • Broker vs. carrier: Broker and carrier
      • Packing services: Full-service and partial packing; packing materials provided
      • Storage options: Storage-in-transit up to 90 days; permanent climate-controlled with security; portable units

      Allied customers often praise the professionalism, efficiency and friendliness of the moving crews.

      Bonnie from Traverse City was happy with the subcontracted movers: “We had 3 gentlemen from Morse Moving (John D.,Eric K.,and Jerry H) on 3/4/24 move our largest items. They were friendly, professional, and fast but careful workers. They made sure the items were placed where we wanted them and never had a problem with us making a change. I would highly recommend Morse Moving and Storage.”

      William of Marne said about his experience: “The office and sales staff were very helpful, informative, courteous, and professional. I felt like I was treated like a member of the family. The gentlemen that moved my things were very professional, courteous, careful, and efficient. They treated my things as if they were their own. I couldn't be more happy with your team. I would recommend them to anyone with no reservations.”

      A few reviewers on our site mention delays in delivery and poor communication throughout the move. Garrett from Ada wasn’t happy with his experience, saying: “The packers did a poor job labeling my belongings; 5-10% of the items were received without traceability stickers. They delivered another customer's item to me. The warehouse severely damaged and lost multiple items and boxes.”

      How to choose a moving company in Michigan

      Moving can be stressful, but choosing the right moving company in Michigan can make a big difference. Here's a simplified guide to help you find the best fit:

      1. Assess your needs: Decide what you'll take and leave behind. Determine how much help you need from the movers based on your budget and time constraints.
      2. Start researching: Ask for recommendations from people you know and check online reviews.
      3. Get detailed quotes: Get in-home surveys from at least three companies for accurate cost estimates.
      4. Check licensing and insurance: Verify the company's credentials and insurance.
      5. Compare quotes and make a decision: Thoroughly compare quotes, considering factors beyond the lowest price.

      Cost to move in Michigan

      How much you pay for your move depends on whether you move yourself or hire movers, the move distance, how much you’re moving and any additional services (like packing or storage) you choose.

      Local movers typically charge by the hour, with a team of two movers costing $80 to $100 per hour as of publishing. Long-distance movers typically charge a flat fee, which may range anywhere from $2,000 to $8,000. Packing and unpacking services will cost you more. Tipping movers is optional but customary (10% to 20% of the total cost).

      Estimates for moving services from Detroit (48201)

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

      Tips for a successful move in Michigan

      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 or 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

      FAQ

      How much does it cost to rent a moving truck?

      Moving truck rental costs can range from under $100 to several thousand dollars, depending on the size of the truck, the distance you need to drive and the amount of time it takes. If you’re moving locally, you might spend around $20 a day plus mileage fees.

      How much should I budget for moving boxes and other supplies?

      If you were to buy brand-new moving boxes for a larger home, you might find yourself spending quite a bit of money. The good news: You can save by reusing old boxes or collecting them from friends and family. Costs for other moving supplies, like packing paper and cushioning material, are usually minimal but can add up — you might budget up to $100 for these materials.

      How much does it cost to ship a car?

      Depending on the exact mileage and other factors, it can cost between $500 and $1,700 to ship a car long-distance.

      Does Michigan have a high cost of living?

      Michigan has a fairly low cost of living as of publishing, according to our analysis.

      Methodology

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

      Not sure how to choose?

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