The BEST Moving Companies in Columbia, SC
Quick answer: Our top pick for local moves in Columbia, SC, is Two Men and a Truck, thanks to their reputation for quality customer service.. If you’re moving out of South Carolina to another state, we recommend Safeway Moving in terms of overall value.
- Best Columbia-based mover: Two Men and a Truck
- Best interstate mover: Safeway Moving
- Best moving container: PODS
- Best labor-only mover: HireAHelper
- Best rental truck: U-Haul Truck Rental
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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 Columbia, SC
- Two Men and a Truck: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Gentlemen Movers Inc.: 4.58 out of 5 stars
- JEGA Movers LLC: 4.48 out of 5 stars
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- All My Sons Moving & Storage: 4.14 out of 5 stars
- Professional and Courteous Team
- Efficient Service
- Careful Handling of Belongings
- Damaged Items During Move
- Poor Customer Service
- Disorganized Management Responses
Company Info
State license #: 9494-C
Years in Business: 29
DOT #: 2527384
Two Men and a Truck, serving Columbia, SC since 1995, specializes in local residential moving services. Unlike many nearby movers, they accept credit cards and require no deposit, adding convenience for customers. They offer comprehensive packing and unpacking services and can handle specialty items like pianos and safes. Reviews on Yelp give them an average of 2.5 stars, while their Google My Business profile rates them at 3.9 stars, and they hold an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, highlighting a mixed but generally positive reputation.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Punctual Service
- Professional Team
- Efficient Handling of Belongings
- Damage to Items
- Unresponsive Customer Service
- Unexpected Price Increases
Company Info
State license #: 9756
Years in Business: 20
DOT #: 1442337
Gentlemen Movers Inc., based in Columbia, SC, has been providing reliable local residential moving services since 2004. They stand out in the area by also offering packing and unpacking services, and they accept credit cards with no deposit required. While their Yelp profile shows mixed reviews with an average rating of 2.0 from 21 reviews, their Google My Business profile boasts a higher average rating of 4.0 from 110 reviews, complemented by an impressive Better Business Bureau rating of A+. Compared to other local movers, Gentlemen Movers Inc. provides a versatile set of services and has a strong track record of customer satisfaction.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Grandfather clocks
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Exceptional Customer Service
- Professional and Efficient
- Flexible and Accommodating
- Unprofessional Crew Behavior
- Issues with Damaged Items
- Poor Communication
Company Info
State license #: 2021239
Years in Business: 4
DOT #: 3583359
JEGA Movers LLC has been a trusted name for local residential moving services in and around Columbia, SC, since 2020. Unlike many nearby movers, JEGA Movers boasts an impeccable reputation with an A rating from the Better Business Bureau and an impressive 4.8-star average on Google from 145 reviews. While their Yelp profile shows mixed reviews with a 3.0 average from 6 reviews, their overall reliability is underscored by their high volume of positive feedback. Additionally, they offer comprehensive services, including packing, unpacking, and office moving, and do not require a deposit, setting them apart from many competitors.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Friendly Service
- Professional Movers
- Efficient Work
- Poor Customer Service
- High Prices
- Missing or Damaged Items
Company Info
State license #: 9890
DOT #: 2378173
College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving offers reliable local residential moving services in and around Columbia, SC. In addition to moving, they provide office moving, packing, and unpacking services, ensuring a smooth transition for both home and business clients. Unlike many competitors, they accept credit cards and require no deposit, adding to their customer-friendly policies. With an impressive 4.9 average rating from 327 reviews on Google, they are widely praised, though reviews on Yelp are more mixed with a 2.8 average from 13 reviews. College Hunks stands out as a versatile and dependable choice in the local moving market.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and Efficient Movers
- Polite and Friendly Staff
- Careful Handling of Goods
- Poor Customer Service
- Hidden Fees
- Damaged or Lost Items
Company Info
State license #: 9873
Years in Business: 26
DOT #: 902281
All My Sons Moving & Storage offers reliable local residential moving services in and around Columbia, SC, boasting over two decades of industry experience since their establishment in 2000. Unlike many nearby moving companies, they provide comprehensive packing and unpacking services, ensuring a smooth transition for their clients. With a BBB rating of A, the company demonstrates commitment to customer satisfaction despite mixed reviews on Google, where they maintain an average rating of 3.0 from 44 reviews. They accept credit cards, although a deposit is required.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Best movers for those moving out of South Carolina
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 South Carolina 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 Columbia, SC
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 Columbia 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 Columbia, SC move
If you’re looking for the cheapest way to move out of state or locally in Columbia, a moving truck rental is your best option. On average, a truck rental in South Carolina costs a base rate of $19–$39 a day and a fee of $0.79–$39.95 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 Columbia, SC
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 Columbia:
- 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 Columbia
moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 32 South Carolina 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 Columbia mover?
If you’re looking for the best movers in Columbia, here’s what you should look for:
- A good reputation: Whether they’re a new family-owned business in Columbia or a large van lines company with years of experience operating all over South Carolina, 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 Columbia 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 Columbia 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 Columbia 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 Columbia 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 South Carolina.
Average cost of movers in Columbia, South Carolina
The pricing table below shows ballpark costs for local moves within the Columbia area and its surrounding suburbs. Or check out our post on the cost to move in South Carolina 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 Columbia
If you’re moving within 50 miles of Columbia, it’s considered a local move. The cost of a rental truck combines a base fee and the mileage fees. In Columbia, the base fee ranges from $19 to $39 while the mileage ranges from $0.79 per mile to $39.95 per mile.
And if you’re looking for some labor help, the average cost for movers in Columbia is $256 per hour.
| Home Size | Avg. Total Cost | Cost/hour | # of Movers | # Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $612 | $358 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
| 1 Bedroom | $970 | $358 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
| 2 Bedroom | $1,757 | $501 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
| 3 Bedroom | $4,460 | $701 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
| 4 Bedroom | $5,161 | $701 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
| 5+ Bedroom | $8,110 | $982 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
Interstate moving costs out of Columbia
The cost to move from Columbia to a different state is determined by how much you’re moving and how far away the new state is from South Carolina. Here are a few examples:
- Columbia to California Movers: $1,561 to $7,189
- Columbia to New York Movers: $574 to $5,182
- Columbia to Illinois Movers: $592 to $5,436
- Columbia to New York Movers: $574 to $5,182
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 Columbia will be determined in large part by where you are relocating. A local move within 50 miles of Columbia will be less expensive than moving 450 miles across South Carolina 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 Columbia, 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 Columbia?
Check with the City of Columbia for details about parking permits and restrictions that you should know about before your move to Columbia.
For more info on parking permits in Columbia, visit the local DOT website.
How can I save money when hiring a Columbia moving company?
You can save money when hiring a Columbia 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 Columbia movers offer storage?
Yes, many Columbia 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 Columbia 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 South Carolina?
You can see all moving companies in South Carolina by taking a look at our full list of South Carolina movers.
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