MovingPlace Review: Pricing and Services (2024)
Here’s the bottom line: MovingPlace is a well-reviewed self-service moving company that deals with long-distance moves only. They handle the truck, gas, and transportation while you handle the loading and unloading.
rating
4.0 / 5
89% of users select this mover
If you’re looking for the convenience of a DIY move but don’t like the idea of driving a gigantic truck yourself, MovingPlace is a solid alternative to the best moving container companies. But MovingPlace only supplies the truck, so you may need to hire extra help or partner with their sister company, HireAHelper, if you have bulky furniture or a significant volume of household goods to move and want labor assistance.
Outsourcing labor separately can make the moving process more hectic and the costs more difficult to estimate, so MovingPlace may not always be the best moving company for logistically complex relocations.
In this guide, we look at MovingPlace pricing, services, and real customer reviews to give you an honest look at what it’s really like to work with this moving company.
Pros & cons of MovingPlace
- DIY structure gives you control over the whole process
- Fast deliveries for long-distance and cross-country moves
- Ships both household goods and vehicles
- Only pay for the space you use
- Weekend service is available for no additional charge
- No local moving options
- Doesn’t offer unpacking or packing services
- Isn’t currently available in Hawaii or Alaska
Key takeaways
- MovingPlace (USDOT#2360948) is a self-service moving company that provides truck space that’s perfect for cross-country and long-distance movers. Bonus: You don’t have to drive!
- Customers generally have positive experiences with this moving company, but you’ll have to coordinate more logistics than if you hired a full-service moving company.
- MovingPlace can be an alternative to U-Haul Truck Rental, PODS, and the best moving van lines, especially for interstate moves.
Jump to the MovingPlace info you’re looking for:
- How much does MovingPlace cost?
- MovingPlace: Featured reviews
- What services does MovingPlace offer?
- How does MovingPlace stack up against the competition?
- How moving with MovingPlace works
- Should you use MovingPlace to move?
- FAQ
How much does MovingPlace cost?
MovingPlace can cost as low as $1,100 for a one-bedroom move under 250 miles, or as much as $4,700 to move a four-bedroom home cross-country. We get that’s a big difference, and it’s because of how MovingPlace structures their pricing.
MovingPlace markets itself as an affordable alternative to truck renting, particularly for moves longer than 250 miles. Even so, rates vary based on factors like location, time of year, demand, and how much space you take up in the truck.
moveBuddha reader Megan requested quotes from four moving companies, including two self-service and two full-service moving companies. She ultimately went with the lowest estimate from MovingPlace.
Megan moved from Cincinnati to Reno, Nevada, and her move cost $4,945, compared to her original estimate of $3,520. MovingPlace doesn’t provide binding estimates, so it’s important to note that the original quote won’t reflect your full price if you have changes in your inventory list or encounter other factors that result in delays.
MovingPlace representatives estimated Matt’s move from Berkeley, California, to St. Paul, Minnesota, at $3,529 based on the amount of space he’d need, but his actual cost was slightly lower — $3,218 — by the time it was all said and done.
According to our estimates, a move from Ohio to Georgia using 20 feet of space on a moving truck will cost slightly more than $2,500.
| Move Type | 1 Bedroom | 2–3 Bedrooms | 4–5 Bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|
| <250 miles | $1,100–$1,300 | $1,200–$1,700 | $1,400–$2,100 |
| Cross-country | $1,100– $2,500 | $1,900–$3,200 | $2,900–$4,700 |
So many factors affect MovingPlace’s pricing, so it’s best to request a moving estimate for your unique move. You can do that by filling out MovingPlace’s free quote form online or calling them at 1-800-876-6839.
A word of warning, though — several customer reviews say they were inundated with third-party calls after filling out this form. MovingPlace reserves the right to pass your phone number along to its partners, so keep that in mind.
You can also find the best price for your upcoming relocation with our moving cost calculator.
MovingPlace: Featured reviews
MovingPlace is a Better Business Bureau (BBB) accredited business with an A+ rating. Customer reviews average 3.78 out of 5 stars, which we consider a strong reputation that rivals some of the best long-distance moving companies in the industry.
MovingPlace has only 27 complaints on their BBB profile, which is pretty good. Most of the negative reviews mention damages caused either by improper packing or loading, which MovingPlace doesn’t offer. Since pros aren’t packing your stuff, always load and pack carefully. When in doubt, follow a few of our top moving hacks to protect your stuff.
MovingPlace’s Trustpilot score is 4.3/5, which is really good! The positive reviews praise MovingPlace’s accurate quotes and affordable pricing. One reviewer says MovingPlace delivered their stuff within three days, which is super fast for a long-distance move.
Their critical reviews mostly come from people who don’t fully understand MovingPlace’s model. One customer needed a full-service mover and was disappointed that MovingPlace didn’t offer loading and unloading. They did mention MovingPlace’s truck had mud and dirt in the trailer, which soiled a few boxes and other items. Other customers mention communication issues between corporate and on-the-ground crews, which is common for national moving companies.
MovingPlace generally responds to correct the problem when customers post complaints online. Many customer reviews applaud the company’s proactive communication and great customer service that minimized much of the headache of the moving process, even when there were delays.
However, several auto shipping customers say MovingPlace picked up or dropped off their cars late. Like other automobile transport companies, MovingPlace partners with local owner-operators to move the vehicles. MovingPlace is more of a facilitator than a service provider in this case. Third-party services can result in varying service quality, so we recommend proactive communication and leaving some wiggle room in your schedule.
Real MovingPlace customer reviews
We spoke to Matt and Megan, two recent MovingPlace customers, to learn more about their moving experiences through our Better Moves Project. Both customers were pleased overall with their service. They found MovingPlace’s timeliness, communication, and professionalism impressive during their long-distance moves.
Megan liked the affordability of a DIY-style move, but didn’t want to handle the loading and unloading herself.
“I contracted with a service company to load up the truck, and another company to unload the truck,” she said.
While MovingPlace did a bang-up job, the loaders didn’t.
“The labor time was double what I had estimated, and we took up 16 feet of space on the commercial truck instead of 14 feet of space,” she noted.
Plus, Megan added, the loaders damaged several pieces of furniture.
Looking back on the process, Megan was happy with MovingPlace, but wishes she chose a full-service mover instead.
“I would not have hired out each piece of the move separately, despite the small amount of monetary cost savings. For our next move, I will hire one company to do the entire thing,” she explained.
Matt had a better experience with MovingPlace, although his move had a few hiccups.
“Five days before moving day, MovingPlace called to tell me they would not be dropping the trailer in my driveway for 48 hours. Ultimately, I had to rent a U-Haul and drive everything to a depot 15 miles away to load their trailer. At the depot, the trailer was scheduled to be available by noon, which it was not. It took me 23 hours to move all the items from my apartment into the trailer at the depot. I was disappointed with the change of plan within the week before moving, but ultimately, it worked out and my belongings arrived as planned. I think they should be clearer about their process up front, as it would not have changed my decision to use them, and I would have felt more comfortable.” —Matt
What services does MovingPlace offer?
MovingPlace isn’t a full-service mover. Think of them as more of a truck and transportation company instead of as a full-service mover.
But even then, they offer plenty of help at a reasonable price. MovingPlace’s services include:
- “You Load, We Drive”: This is MovingPlace’s primary offering. With this option, you load the trailer and unload everything once the truck arrives at your new place. MovingPlace requires you to handle the heavy lifting (literally), although they do handle the driving, which is nice. All quotes include fees for the rental truck, fuel, driver, and transport.
- Truck drop-off: Typically, MovingPlace will drop off the truck for loading and pick it up later. They give you anywhere from four hours to three days to load and unload, depending on how much space you take up on the truck. However, if you want to load immediately (“live load”), you have just an hour to do it at no charge. After one hour, MovingPlace will charge you $150/hour for the driver to remain onsite. That should give you a good incentive to pack the truck quickly.
- Truck and container sizes: All trucks are 28 feet long, eight feet wide, and nine feet tall (interior). However, MovingPlace will partition the truck to hold multiple customer loads. A full 53-foot trailer option is also available, equipped with a ramp, moving pads, straps, and dollies.
- Storage services: MovingPlace can provide temporary storage for up to three months. Local storage isn’t available, though.
- Vehicle transport: Vehicles are moved on a 53-foot transport truck or on a designated automobile transport vehicle. You can even transport your car in the trailer with your home goods.
- Tradeshow services: Does your business go to a lot of tradeshows? MovingPlace specializes in transporting furniture, booths, and more for corporate customers.
- Military moves: Military members in the contiguous United States use MovingPlace to move on a budget. The only downside is that MovingPlace isn’t available for military moves in Hawaii or Alaska. MovingPlace is also not one of our top picks for best military movers.
- Insurance: MovingPlace is properly insured and offers basic moving insurance for customers’ household goods, but they don’t offer customers additional insurance coverage options for purchase. You’re limited to $0.60 per pound of belongings. This means, for example, that if your $500, 25-pound smart TV breaks, MovingPlace will compensate you just $15 ($0.60 x 25).
How does MovingPlace stack up against the competition?
MovingPlace’s customers appear overwhelmingly satisfied in most cases. The company keeps things fairly simple with two truck sizes, automobile transportation, and limited storage services, which allows them to focus squarely on those areas.
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With that said, MovingPlace isn’t the only game in town. See how they stack up against PODS, U-Pack, and U-Haul to find the best option for your move.
MovingPlace vs. PODS
PODS is consistently rated as one of the best moving container companies in the U.S. by moveBuddha readers. PODS uses metal moving containers to transport your stuff instead of a truck like MovingPlace.
rating
4.8 / 5
89% of users select this mover
You can store your things onsite or at a PODS storage facility. Either way, you can take as much time as you need to load and unload, which is great for folks with unpredictable move timelines.
If you need more space, you’ll have to book a second POD for the move, so it’s important to measure carefully. MovingPlace only charges you for the space you take up on a truck, so it could be a more economical option for small moves. They’re also available seven days a week, while PODS only promises service five days a week (some locations operate every day, but this differs by area).
MovingPlace vs. U-Pack
U-Pack ReloCubes are a popular moving container option. Like PODS, they transport belongings in specialized containers instead of a moving truck.
rating
5 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Like MovingPlace, U-Pack specializes in long-distance moves and only charges you for the space you use. Fortunately, both services give you three days to load and unload, so no matter who you choose, you won’t be in a hurry.
MovingPlace vs. U-Haul
U-Haul is one of the best rental trucks out there. MovingPlace also transports your stuff on a truck, but unlike MovingPlace, U-Haul also requires you to drive the truck. That’s all well and good if you’re comfortable driving a huge moving truck, but not everyone is confident in their driving abilities.
rating
3.95 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Both MovingPlace and U-Haul require you to load and unload yourself. However, if you don’t want to DIY the driving, MovingPlace is the stress-free option.
| Company | BBB score | State availability | Moves Serviced |
|---|---|---|---|
| MovingPlace | A+ | 48 (not in AK or HI) | Long-distance only |
| PODS | A+ | 44 | Local and long-distance |
| U-Pack | A+ | 50 | Long-distance only |
| U-Haul | A+ | 50, plus Canada | Local and long-distance |
How moving with MovingPlace works
To get started with MovingPlace, visit their website (www.MovingPlace.com) and fill out the online quote form. You’ll need to provide the ZIP code for your loading and unloading locations and move date.
From there, MovingPlace will request your contact information so they can send you the quote. That’s fine and all, but when you do that, you agree to a privacy policy that allows MovingPlace and their associates to contact you, so you’ll get quite a few calls and texts after submitting this form.
- Long distance moves only
- Best pricing on freight trailers
- Excellent customer service
- Ship your home goods and car option
- Very fast long distance delivery times
We always recommend gathering at least three quotes before choosing a moving service, but if you decide MovingPlace is the best option, tell them you’re ready to get started. A moving coordinator will call you to answer questions and give you more information about your move.
Before signing anything, double-check that the large freight trailer will fit in your area. Some customers realize too late that they have to pick their stuff up at a delivery hub, so make sure MovingPlace will deliver to both addresses.
Most MovingPlace drivers will text you 48 hours before your move to check in. On moving day, they’ll arrive and park in a designated spot. You’ll have as little as four hours or as long as three days to load the truck yourself. The amount of time depends on how much stuff you have to move, with the most time going to larger moves.
The loading process works the same way, whether you’re loading household goods or a car into the freight trailer. The MovingPlace truck comes with a loading ramp and bulkhead to separate your items from other customers’ items on the truck, but we recommend labeling your stuff — just in case.
If you signed up for a “live load,” the driver will stay on site and wait for you. This option only includes one hour of loading time, with subsequent hours billed at $150 per hour. A live load doesn’t make financial sense if you can’t load quickly, so hop to it!
The driver will return at the designated time to transport everything to your destination. MovingPlace has a pretty impressive turnaround time of less than a week for many long-distance moves, but this depends on where you’re moving, the time of year, and demand.
From there, MovingPlace arrives at your new home, and you unload your items from the truck. You usually get the same amount of time to unload as you did to load, but your coordinator will tell you this ahead of time.
Should you use MovingPlace to move?
So, is MovingPlace the right mover for you? They’re a pretty affordable option for long-distance moves but don’t offer packing or loading, so the right option ultimately comes down to your needs.
Use MovingPlace if:
- You’re okay with packing, loading, and unloading yourself
- You want to pay just for the space you need
- You don’t want to deal with the hassle of driving a moving truck
- You want to spread out loading and unloading over a few days
Don’t use MovingPlace if:
- You’re moving locally
- You don’t want to share a trailer with other customers
- You need loading and unloading help
- You live in a cramped urban area without freight trailer access
FAQ
What payment methods does MovingPlace accept?
MovingPlace accepts all major credit cards. They don’t say they accept cash or checks, but you can ask customer service when you make your reservation. It’s also polite to offer your driver a tip for excellent service (check out our movers tipping guide).
Is there anything MovingPlace can’t move?
MovingPlace can’t legally move items like:
- Batteries
- Cleaning products, including ammonia and bleach
- Fireworks
- Food
- Nail polish remover
- Paint
- Plants
Does MovingPlace offer coupon codes?
Yes, MovingPlace occasionally offers coupon codes and discounts for certain moves. They’re known for giving military servicemembers price breaks, for example. Always ask about moving discounts when you book your move.
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