The BEST Moving Companies in Seattle, WA
Quick answer: Our top pick for local moves in Seattle, WA, is Gentle Giant Moving Company, thanks to their reputation for quality customer service.. If you’re moving out of Washington to another state, we recommend Safeway Moving in terms of overall value.
- Best Seattle-based mover: Gentle Giant Moving Company
- 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 Seattle, WA
- Gentle Giant Moving Company: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Seattle Movers: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Eco Movers Moving: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- North Coast Moving & Storage: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- On The Go Moving and Storage: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Professional and Courteous Staff
- Efficient and Timely Service
- Careful Handling of Belongings
- Pricing Discrepancies
- Occasional Delays in Communication
- Additional Charges for Services Rendered
Company Info
State license #: HG060620
Years in Business: 43
DOT #: 373544
Alternate Names: Gentle Giant Moving Company (West) LLC
Gentle Giant Moving Company has been a trusted local residential mover in and around Seattle, WA, since 1981. Known for their impeccable service, they receive rave reviews, boasting a 4.7 average rating on Yelp and a perfect 5.0 on Google My Business, complemented by an A+ Better Business Bureau rating. They provide comprehensive services, including packing and unpacking, office moves, and specialized options like piano moving and crane vans. Unlike many competitors, they do not require a deposit, making them a standout choice among Seattle movers.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crane vans
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and Friendly Staff
- Efficient Service
- Careful with Belongings
- Poor Communication
- No-Show Incidents
- Damaged Items During Move
Company Info
State license #: HG063388
Years in Business: 22
DOT #: 1731101
Alternate Names: Express Movers
Seattle Movers is a trusted local moving company offering residential moving services in and around Seattle, WA since 2003. With an impressive average rating of 4.3 from 161 Yelp reviews and a Better Business Bureau rating of A, their reputation speaks for itself. Unlike some other nearby movers, Seattle Movers also excels in providing packing and unpacking services, as well as expertly handling fragile items and antiques. They accept both cash and credit card payments, and although a deposit is required, they offer full valuation insurance coverage for peace of mind.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Antiques
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Professional and Friendly Staff
- Efficient Moving Process
- Careful Handling of Items
- Delayed Arrival
- Higher Than Estimated Costs
- Occasional Damage During Moves
Company Info
State license #: 3227005
Years in Business: 15
DOT #: 3227005
Alternate Names: GS Moving Services LLC, Eco-Movers, The Big Guys, The Big Guys Home Delivery, Eco Movers
Eco Movers Moving has been a reliable choice for local residential moves in and around Seattle, WA, since 2010. With an impressive average rating of 4.8 on both Yelp and Google My Business from over 1100 reviews, it's clear that their customers consistently have positive experiences. Unlike many other nearby moving companies, Eco Movers also offers comprehensive services such as packing, unpacking, and specialized moves for items like pianos and grandfather clocks. They accept various payment methods, including cash and credit cards, and provide full valuation insurance coverage, ensuring peace of mind during your move. The Better Business Bureau rates them an A+, making Eco Movers Moving a reputable and trusted option for your next local move.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Professional and Friendly Staff
- Excellent Packing Quality
- Competitive Pricing
- Damaged Items During Move
- Poor Claim Handling
- Missing belongings reported
Company Info
State license #: 076235
Years in Business: 60
DOT #: 76235
Alternate Names: Allied Van Lines
North Coast Moving & Storage, established in 1964, is a trusted local residential moving company serving Bellevue, WA. Known for their comprehensive services, they offer packing and unpacking, crating, and fragile item handling, ensuring that valuables like pianos, antiques, and art are safely transported. Consumer reviews highlight a solid reputation with a 4.5 rating on Google and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, though Yelp reviews average at 3.6. Compared to nearby movers, North Coast stands out for its long history, reliable services, and excellent insurance coverage, making them a reputable choice for local moves.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and Efficient Movers
- Excellent Customer Service
- Responsive Communication
- Damaged Items
- Unexpected Charges
- Miscommunications
Company Info
State license #: HG-064180
Pricing: $180/hr
Years in Business: 12
DOT #: 2120054
Alternate Names: On The Go Moving LLC, On The Go Moving & Storage
On The Go Moving and Storage has been a trusted name in local residential moving services in Bellevue, WA, since 2012. Unlike other nearby movers, they also offer office moving and labor-only services, catering to a wide array of client needs. Consumer reviews are generally positive, boasting an average rating of 4.2 on Yelp and 4.8 on Google, though their Better Business Bureau rating is a C. Their competitive pricing at $180 per hour and no deposit requirement makes them a compelling choice for local moves.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Offices
- Antiques
- Storage
Best movers for those moving out of Washington
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 Washington 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 Seattle, WA
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 Seattle 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 Seattle, WA move
If you’re looking for the cheapest way to move out of state or locally in Seattle, a moving truck rental is your best option. On average, a truck rental in Washington costs a base rate of $19–$39 a day and a fee of $1.19–$1.39 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 Seattle, WA
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 Seattle:
- 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 Seattle
moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 72 Washington 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 Seattle mover?
If you’re looking for the best movers in Seattle, here’s what you should look for:
- A good reputation: Whether they’re a new family-owned business in Seattle or a large van lines company with years of experience operating all over Washington, 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 Seattle 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 Seattle 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 Seattle 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 Seattle 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 Washington.
Average cost of movers in Seattle, Washington
The pricing table below shows ballpark costs for local moves within the Seattle area and its surrounding suburbs. Or check out our post on the cost to move in Washington 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 Seattle
If you’re moving within 50 miles of Seattle, it’s considered a local move. The cost of a rental truck combines a base fee and the mileage fees. In Seattle, the base fee ranges from $19 to $39 while the mileage ranges from $1.19 per mile to $1.39 per mile.
And if you’re looking for some labor help, the average cost for movers in Seattle is $141 per hour.
Home Size | Avg. Total Cost | Cost/hour | # of Movers | # Hours |
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio | $449 | $197 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
1 Bedroom | $646 | $197 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
2 Bedroom | $1,080 | $276 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
3 Bedroom | $2,574 | $387 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
4 Bedroom | $2,961 | $387 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
5+ Bedroom | $4,588 | $542 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
Interstate moving costs out of Seattle
The cost to move from Seattle to a different state is determined by how much you’re moving and how far away the new state is from Washington. Here are a few examples:
- Seattle to California Movers: $671 to $6,663
- Seattle to New York Movers: $1,705 to $9,250
- Seattle to Illinois Movers: $1,234 to $8,122
- Seattle to New York Movers: $1,705 to $9,250
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 Seattle will be determined in large part by where you are relocating. A local move within 50 miles of Seattle will be less expensive than moving 450 miles across Washington 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 Seattle, 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 Seattle?
You may apply for a temporary no parking permit if you need to use a public parking space for your move. This permit will cost $16 for 2 days of use plus an extra fee of lost revenue if you're occupying a parking meter space. This extra fee can go from $16-$27.
For more info on parking permits in Seattle, visit the local DOT website.
How can I save money when hiring a Seattle moving company?
You can save money when hiring a Seattle 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 Seattle movers offer storage?
Yes, many Seattle 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 Seattle 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 Washington?
You can see all moving companies in Washington by taking a look at our full list of Washington movers.
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