The BEST Moving Companies in Knoxville, TN
Quick answer: Our top pick for local moves in Knoxville, TN, is Gouffon Moving & Storage, thanks to their reputation for quality customer service.. If you’re moving out of Tennessee to another state, we recommend Safeway Moving in terms of overall value.
- Best Knoxville-based mover: Gouffon Moving & Storage
- 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 Knoxville, TN
- Gouffon Moving & Storage: 4.86 out of 5 stars
- Two Men and a Truck: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Bellhop Moving: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Carey Moving & Storage: 4.48 out of 5 stars
- Efficient service (45%)
- Professional and polite staff (42%)
- Careful handling (39%)
- Damage to items (30%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (27%)
- Lack of communication (22%)
Company Info
Years in Business: 137
DOT #: 553340
Gouffon Moving & Storage, established in 1888, offers reliable local residential moving services in and around Knoxville, TN. With an impressive history and a high Google My Business rating of 4.8 from 676 reviews, it stands out as a reputable choice among local movers. The company also boasts an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, indicating strong customer satisfaction. Unlike many competitors, Gouffon offers comprehensive services, including packing, unpacking, and even piano moving, all without requiring a deposit.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and polite staff (25%)
- Efficient service (23%)
- Careful handling (21%)
- Damage to items (22%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (20%)
- Lack of communication (18%)
Company Info
Years in Business: 26
DOT #: 2527384
Two Men and a Truck has been a trusted choice for local residential moving services in Knoxville, TN since 2000. With a strong reputation bolstered by a 4.5 average rating from 295 Google reviews and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, this company outshines many local competitors. Beyond standard moving, they offer packing and unpacking services, and even cater to special needs like moving pianos and safes. Their no-deposit policy and acceptance of credit cards add convenience, making them a top contender for hassle-free, reliable local moves.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and polite staff (41%)
- Efficient service (38%)
- Good communication (34%)
- Damage to items (25%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (19%)
- Lack of communication (16%)
Company Info
Years in Business: 13
DOT #: 2878240
Bellhop Moving has been providing top-notch local residential moving services in Knoxville, TN, since 2012. With an impressive average rating of 4.6 on Yelp and 4.8 on Google My Business from numerous satisfied customers, Bellhop stands out among other nearby movers. They offer comprehensive services, including packing, unpacking, and labor-only options, making them an ideal choice for a hassle-free move. While they do require a deposit, their reputation for reliability and professionalism outweighs this minor inconvenience.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Efficient service (34%)
- Professional and polite staff (32%)
- Careful handling (29%)
- Unexpected charges (25%)
- Damage to items (22%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (20%)
Company Info
Years in Business: 15
DOT #: 2378173
Alternate Names: Southern Moving LLC
College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving has been providing local residential moving services in and around Knoxville, TN, since 2009. Known for its comprehensive offerings, including packing, unpacking, and labor-only services, the company stands out with a high level of customer satisfaction, particularly on Google My Business, where it boasts an impressive 4.7 average rating from 1060 reviews. College Hunks also has a solid Better Business Bureau rating of A-, indicating reliability and professionalism. Compared to other nearby moving companies, College Hunks' extensive range of services and positive customer feedback make them a reputable and dependable choice for local moves.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service (31%)
- Professional and polite staff (28%)
- Careful handling (25%)
- Damage to items (30%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (27%)
- Lack of communication (23%)
Company Info
State license #: 076235
Years in Business: 117
DOT #: 076235
Carey Moving & Storage has been a trusted local moving company in Knoxville, TN since 1908. They offer comprehensive residential moving services, including packing, unpacking, and safe moving, setting them apart from other nearby movers. With the additional benefit of not requiring a deposit and accepting credit cards, they provide convenience and flexibility to their clients. While their Yelp reviews are low, their Google and Better Business Bureau ratings suggest a generally positive customer experience.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Best movers for those moving out of Tennessee
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 Tennessee 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 Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville 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 Knoxville, TN move
If you’re looking for the cheapest way to move out of state or locally in Knoxville, a moving truck rental is your best option. On average, a truck rental in Tennessee costs a base rate of $19–$39 a day and a fee of $0.69–$0.79 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 Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville:
- 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 Knoxville
moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 41 Tennessee 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 Knoxville mover?
If you’re looking for the best movers in Knoxville, here’s what you should look for:
- A good reputation: Whether they’re a new family-owned business in Knoxville or a large van lines company with years of experience operating all over Tennessee, 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 Knoxville 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 Knoxville 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 Knoxville 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 Knoxville 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 Tennessee.
Average cost of movers in Knoxville, Tennessee
The pricing table below shows ballpark costs for local moves within the Knoxville area and its surrounding suburbs. Or check out our post on the cost to move in Tennessee 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 Knoxville
If you’re moving within 50 miles of Knoxville, it’s considered a local move. The cost of a rental truck combines a base fee and the mileage fees. In Knoxville, the base fee ranges from $19 to $39 while the mileage ranges from $0.69 per mile to $0.79 per mile.
And if you’re looking for some labor help, the average cost for movers in Knoxville is $113 per hour.
| Home Size | Avg. Total Cost | Cost/hour | # of Movers | # Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $323 | $158 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
| 1 Bedroom | $481 | $158 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
| 2 Bedroom | $828 | $221 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
| 3 Bedroom | $2,025 | $310 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
| 4 Bedroom | $2,335 | $310 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
| 5+ Bedroom | $3,629 | $433 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
Interstate moving costs out of Knoxville
The cost to move from Knoxville to a different state is determined by how much you’re moving and how far away the new state is from Tennessee. Here are a few examples:
- Knoxville to California Movers: $1,451 to $7,568
- Knoxville to New York Movers: $585 to $6,199
- Knoxville to Illinois Movers: $486 to $5,433
- Knoxville to New York Movers: $585 to $6,199
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 Knoxville will be determined in large part by where you are relocating. A local move within 50 miles of Knoxville will be less expensive than moving 450 miles across Tennessee 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 Knoxville, 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 Knoxville?
Often there is a need within the downtown area to reserve or remove parking spaces for activities that may not abide by the posted parking regulations. Examples of these activities include, but are not limited to moving, delivery & removal of goods, construction activities, performance of specialized business tasks, locating of temporary storage units, locating of construction equipment, general construction, special event activities, etc. Without this type of permit the requestor would be seen as a violator and could be subject to ticketing or subsequently being towed. Make sure to secure the necessary permit upon moving.
For more info on parking permits in Knoxville, visit the local DOT website.
How can I save money when hiring a Knoxville moving company?
You can save money when hiring a Knoxville 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 Knoxville movers offer storage?
Yes, many Knoxville 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 Knoxville 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 Tennessee?
You can see all moving companies in Tennessee by taking a look at our full list of Tennessee movers.
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