The BEST Moving Companies in Tampa, FL
Quick answer: Our top pick for local moves in Tampa, FL, is Flex Moving & Storage, thanks to their reputation for quality customer service.. If you’re moving out of Florida to another state, we recommend Safeway Moving in terms of overall value.
- Best Tampa-based mover: Flex Moving & Storage
- Best interstate mover: Safeway Moving
- Best moving container: PODS
- Best labor-only mover: HireAHelper
- Best rental truck: U-Haul Truck Rental
|
|
|
 rating
 
4.25 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
|
Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 2,500+ moving companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving & auto transport grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
Best movers for those moving locally in Tampa, FL
- Flex Moving & Storage: 3.86 out of 5 stars
- First Class Moving Systems, Inc.: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- 2 College Brothers Moving and Storage: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Big Man's Moving Company, LLC: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Professional and polite staff (26%)
- Efficient service (25%)
- Careful handling (24%)
- Damage to items (30%)
- Poor communication (25%)
- Unexpected charges (22%)
Company Info
State license #: 651
Years in Business: 22
DOT #: 944759
First Class Moving Systems, Inc., serving Tampa, FL since 2002, specializes in local residential moves and stands out with a strong reputation in the area. While their Yelp reviews average 2.1 from 30 reviews, their Google My Business profile presents a more favorable 3.9 rating from 135 reviews, and they maintain an impressive A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. This company offers a broad array of services including packing, unpacking, and crating, and can handle the relocation of delicate items like pianos and antiques. Unlike many competitors, First Class Moving Systems accepts credit cards and requires no deposit, making them a convenient choice for local moves.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- DOD certified
- Efficient service (45%)
- Professional and polite staff (42%)
- Good communication (38%)
- Damage to items (28%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (22%)
- Unexpected charges (19%)
Company Info
State license #: 2106
Years in Business: 12
DOT #: 2787568
Alternate Names: Smarter Moving Solutions LLC, 2 College Brothers, Inc.
2 College Brothers Moving and Storage, operating in Tampa, FL since 2013, specializes in local residential moves with a strong reputation for reliability. Unlike many competitors, they boast an impressive 4.9 average rating from 931 Google reviews and hold an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. They also offer packing, unpacking, and labor-only services, along with the ability to move pianos, making them an ideal choice for diverse moving needs. While their Yelp rating is slightly lower, their overall customer satisfaction distinguishes them as a top local mover.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service (34%)
- Professional and polite staff (30%)
- Careful handling (29%)
- Damage to items (35%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (25%)
- Lack of communication (20%)
Company Info
Years in Business: 6
DOT #: 2951960
Big Man's Moving Company, LLC is a reputable choice for local residential moving services in and around Tampa, FL, having served the community since 2018. With a dedicated team that also offers packing, unpacking, and specialized services like piano and antique moving, this company stands out among nearby movers for its comprehensive offerings. Consumer reviews are generally positive, with an impressive 4.7 average rating on Google from 320 reviews, and a solid A- rating from the Better Business Bureau. Clients appreciate their full valuation insurance coverage, making Big Man's Moving Company a trusted and reliable option for local moves.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Best movers for those moving out of Florida
As you may guess, interstate — or out-of-state — moves are those that cross state lines. Movers must meet certain federal licensing requirements and standards to handle interstate moves. Consider one of these highly rated, fully licensed interstate moving companies if you’re leaving Florida for a new state:
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- BLVD Moving: 4.25 out of 5 stars
- PODS: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
- Family owned & operated
- Affordable pricing
- Binding estimates
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
Best moving containers in Tampa, FL
Moving containers offer a hybrid DIY solution that falls somewhere between a full-service moving company and a rental truck. With moving containers, you won’t have the help of a moving crew (you’ll have to do the loading and unloading) but you will get the benefit of a professional driver — a perk that doesn’t come with renting a truck.
Container costs in Tampa vary depending on how many containers you need and how far you’re moving. Be sure to get moving quotes from multiple companies so you can best compare prices and services.
We recommend starting with these two top-tier moving container companies:
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Long distance moves only
- Only pay for the space you use
- No deposit or initial fees
- Fast delivery time frames
Best rental trucks for your Tampa, FL move
If you’re looking for the cheapest way to move out of state or locally in Tampa, a moving truck rental is your best option. On average, a truck rental in Florida costs a base rate of $19–$39 a day and a fee of $0.6–$0.99 per mile.
While you’ll certainly save money by renting a truck rather than hiring full-service movers or using a moving container, you will ultimately be responsible for every aspect of your move — including the driving.
We recommend these top truck rental companies for a full DIY move:
- More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
- Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
- Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
- U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
- Limits environmental impact as part of the EPA's SmartWay Program
- Non-slip flooring makes loading and unloading easier
- Easily choose truck size with their Truck Wizard Tool
Labor-only movers in Tampa, FL
Labor-only companies can be helpful if you are using a moving container or rental truck but still want some assistance with the heavy lifting. A labor-only mover will provide you with a moving crew to load and unload your items, and you can also pay for additional packing support, as well as disassembly and reassembly of furniture, fitness equipment, and electronics.
Check out our picks for labor-only companies in Tampa:
- First call quoting, get a quote in just a couple of minutes
- Rates are typically 20-40% lower than the industry averages
- $1,000 money-back service guarantee
- Fast and accurate delivery times
- Free damage coverage with additional coverage options
- Quick and easy booking process
- National 4.75/5 star rating (these guys are good at what they do)
- Dedicated move concierge specialist
- Pay as you go service. 2-hour minimum and then prorated down to the minute
- The time clock starts when the movers arrive and ends when you tell them
Top-rated movers in nearby cities
How we chose the best movers in Tampa
moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 158 Florida movers and listed the top five best movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.
Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.
Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.
Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.
Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
How do I find a reputable Tampa mover?
If you’re looking for the best movers in Tampa, here’s what you should look for:
- A good reputation: Whether they’re a new family-owned business in Tampa or a large van lines company with years of experience operating all over Florida, a good reputation is absolutely essential. Watch out for red flags and common moving scams.
- Look into dispute resolution: All businesses may have some hiccups, but it's how they handle these incidents that shows the company’s true colors. If a mover in Tampa has a history of unresolved customer complaints, it might be best to look elsewhere.
- Ensure experience aligns with your move: A mover with excellent reviews for local moves in Tampa may not be the best interstate moving company. Verify that the company has adequate experience with the type of move you're planning.
- Get multiple estimates: Reputable Tampa movers should provide a free estimate for your move. Getting moving quotes from multiple companies will give you a good idea of a fair price for the services you need.
Fortunately, the Tampa movers on this list all pass this checklist with flying colors and have been hand selected by our experts at moveBuddha.
If you want to broaden your search to the whole state, check out the best moving companies in Florida.
Average cost of movers in Tampa, Florida
The pricing table below shows ballpark costs for local moves within the Tampa area and its surrounding suburbs. Or check out our post on the cost to move in Florida for more pricing info.
Keep in mind the price ranges listed are only averages. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the specific requirements of your move.
You can also check out our moving cost calculator for more accurate moving cost estimate.
Local moving costs in Tampa
If you’re moving within 50 miles of Tampa, it’s considered a local move. The cost of a rental truck combines a base fee and the mileage fees. In Tampa, the base fee ranges from $19 to $39 while the mileage ranges from $0.6 per mile to $0.99 per mile.
And if you’re looking for some labor help, the average cost for movers in Tampa is $84 per hour.
| Home Size | Avg. Total Cost | Cost/hour | # of Movers | # Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $370 | $117 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
| 1 Bedroom | $487 | $117 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
| 2 Bedroom | $745 | $164 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
| 3 Bedroom | $1,627 | $229 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
| 4 Bedroom | $1,856 | $229 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
| 5+ Bedroom | $2,821 | $321 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
Interstate moving costs out of Tampa
The cost to move from Tampa to a different state is determined by how much you’re moving and how far away the new state is from Florida. Here are a few examples:
- Tampa to California Movers: $1,630 to $6,916
- Tampa to New York Movers: $765 to $5,155
- Tampa to Illinois Movers: $796 to $5,372
- Tampa to New York Movers: $765 to $5,155
Don’t see your new home state? Check out these popular moving routes.
Factors that affect the cost of your move
- Distance: Your moving costs in Tampa will be determined in large part by where you are relocating. A local move within 50 miles of Tampa will be less expensive than moving 450 miles across Florida state lines.
- Move size: The more stuff you have, the more your move will cost, since moving companies determine price based on how large your truck and moving truck need to be. For long-distance and interstate relocations out of Tampa, a moving company will base your price on the total estimated weight and volume of your belongings. Decluttering and downsizing to reduce those total measurements can help you keep costs down.
- Moving method: A full-service mover will likely be the most expensive option, and renting a truck will save you the most money. Just make sure you are factoring in services with pricing, so you don’t end up skimping on the help you need for your specific move just to cut costs.
- Additional services: No matter what kind of move you opt for, extra options like packing, labor, and comprehensive insurance will all come with added fees.
- The time of the year: Relocating during peak moving season (May–September) will cost you more because demand is higher and availability is lower. If possible, plan your move between October and April for a lower rate.
FAQs
Do I need to get a parking permit for local movers in Tampa?
Permits are only valid at on-street, unrestricted parking spaces (not to exceed four hours). Not valid at Load/Unload, Freight Zone, No-Park or Handicapped spaces. The vehicle tag number will serve as your permit credential. Permits issued to Federal, State, County and City vehicles may be valid for up to one (1) calendar year at a cost of $156.00 per permit. Permits issued to public utility companies will be valid for a maximum of six (6) months at a cost of $117.00 per permit.
For more info on parking permits in Tampa, visit the local DOT website.
How can I save money when hiring a Tampa moving company?
You can save money when hiring a Tampa mover by planning your moving date outside of peak season, which runs from May through September. Moving during the week and between October and April allows for the greatest savings.
There are other ways to negotiate your moving costs, including asking a company about any moving discounts or deals that may apply to you.
Do Tampa movers offer storage?
Yes, many Tampa movers offer short- and long-term storage options. Many moving companies operate their own storage facilities, but some may partner with a third-party warehouse. It's always worth asking about a mover’s storage options and getting estimates for the added cost.
If your Tampa mover doesn’t offer storage — or you need services beyond what they can provide — reach out to at least three of the best self-storage companies to get an idea of the price of self-storage before choosing one.
How can I see all moving companies in Florida?
You can see all moving companies in Florida by taking a look at our full list of Florida movers.
Helpful Tampa Resources
Tampa Moving Services
Nearby Cities
Not what you were looking for?
Check out other categories that can help you find the information you need!
