The BEST Moving Companies in Madison, WI
Quick answer: Our top pick for local moves in Madison, WI, is Above Average Moving LLC, thanks to their reputation for quality customer service.. If you’re moving out of Wisconsin to another state, we recommend Safeway Moving in terms of overall value.
- Best Madison-based mover: Above Average Moving LLC
- 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 Madison, WI
- Above Average Moving LLC: 4.96 out of 5 stars
- Armstrong relocation: 4.58 out of 5 stars
- Two Men and a Truck: 4.58 out of 5 stars
- Top Notch Moving and Storage: 4.34 out of 5 stars
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving: 4.28 out of 5 stars
- Efficient service (38%)
- Professional and polite staff (35%)
- Good communication (32%)
- Damage to items (29%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (25%)
- Lack of communication (22%)
Company Info
State license #: 26753
Years in Business: 9
DOT #: 2595339
Alternate Names: Above Average Moving LLC
Above Average Moving LLC, a reputable local moving company based in Madison, WI, has been providing top-notch residential moving services since 2017. With high average ratings on Yelp (4.4) and Google My Business (4.8), alongside an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, clients consistently praise their reliability and professionalism. Unlike many nearby competitors, they offer a comprehensive range of services, including packing, unpacking, and office moving, and they stand out by not requiring a deposit and accepting credit cards. If you're looking for a trusted and efficient mover in Madison, Above Average Moving LLC is a dependable choice.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and polite staff (32%)
- Careful handling (30%)
- Good communication (30%)
- Damage to items (32%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (30%)
- Lack of communication (30%)
Company Info
Years in Business: 39
DOT #: 1170867
Alternate Names: Armstrong Transfer & Storage Co., Inc., Armstrong Relocation & Commercial Services, The Armstrong Company
Armstrong Relocation, serving Madison, WI, has been a trusted local residential moving company since 1987. While other nearby movers may also offer long-distance and office moving services, Armstrong distinguishes itself with specialized services like packing, unpacking, and handling fragile items such as pianos, art, and antiques. Renowned for their reliability, they boast a Better Business Bureau rating of A+ and strong consumer reviews, with a 4.2 average rating on Google. Although their Yelp reviews are more mixed, Armstrong remains a solid choice for those seeking expert local moving services with the added convenience of no required deposit and credit card acceptance.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and polite staff (32%)
- Efficient service (29%)
- Careful handling (25%)
- Damage to items (28%)
- Unexpected charges (25%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (20%)
Company Info
Years in Business: 31
DOT #: 2527384
Alternate Names: Lightner & Lightner, Inc.
Two Men and a Truck has been providing local residential moving services in and around Madison, WI since 1994, establishing a solid reputation for reliability. Unlike some nearby competitors, they offer a comprehensive suite of services including packing, unpacking, and labor-only options, catering to diverse moving needs. They accept credit cards and require no deposit, ensuring a hassle-free payment experience. Consumer reviews vary, with an impressive 4.6 average rating on Google My Business from 553 reviews and a stellar A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, although Yelp reviews are more mixed.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service (36%)
- Professional and polite staff (32%)
- Good communication (29%)
- Unexpected charges (27%)
- Damage to items (24%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (21%)
Company Info
Years in Business: 5
DOT #: 3322160
Alternate Names: TopNotchMovers LLC
Top Notch Moving and Storage, established in 2020, specializes in local residential moving services in and around Madison, WI. With excellent customer feedback on Google My Business and a high BBB rating, they stand out among the competition for their reliable and professional service. The company also offers packing, unpacking, and crating services, making it a one-stop solution for all moving needs. While their Yelp reviews are mixed, the overwhelmingly positive Google reviews suggest a strong commitment to customer satisfaction.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and polite staff (30%)
- Efficient service (28%)
- Good communication (24%)
- Damage to items (40%)
- Lack of communication (29%)
- Unexpected charges (25%)
Company Info
DOT #: 2378173
College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving stands out as a reputable local moving company in and around Madison, WI, offering a range of services from residential moves to office relocations, packing, unpacking, and labor-only services. Unlike some nearby competitors, they accept credit cards and require no deposit, making the process more convenient for their customers. With an impressive average rating of 4.9 from 493 Google reviews and 4.6 from 13 Yelp reviews, they clearly have a strong track record of customer satisfaction. College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving is a reliable choice for anyone in need of local moving services.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Best movers for those moving out of Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin 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 Madison, WI
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 Madison 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 Madison, WI move
If you’re looking for the cheapest way to move out of state or locally in Madison, a moving truck rental is your best option. On average, a truck rental in Wisconsin costs a base rate of $19–$39 a day and a fee of $0.89–$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 Madison, WI
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 Madison:
- 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 Madison
moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 29 Wisconsin 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 Madison mover?
If you’re looking for the best movers in Madison, here’s what you should look for:
- A good reputation: Whether they’re a new family-owned business in Madison or a large van lines company with years of experience operating all over Wisconsin, 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 Madison 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 Madison 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 Madison 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 Madison 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 Wisconsin.
Average cost of movers in Madison, Wisconsin
The pricing table below shows ballpark costs for local moves within the Madison area and its surrounding suburbs. Or check out our post on the cost to move in Wisconsin 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 Madison
If you’re moving within 50 miles of Madison, it’s considered a local move. The cost of a rental truck combines a base fee and the mileage fees. In Madison, the base fee ranges from $19 to $39 while the mileage ranges from $0.89 per mile to $0.99 per mile.
And if you’re looking for some labor help, the average cost for movers in Madison is $85 per hour.
| Home Size | Avg. Total Cost | Cost/hour | # of Movers | # Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $471 | $119 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
| 1 Bedroom | $590 | $119 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
| 2 Bedroom | $853 | $167 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
| 3 Bedroom | $1,750 | $233 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
| 4 Bedroom | $1,983 | $233 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
| 5+ Bedroom | $2,968 | $327 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
Interstate moving costs out of Madison
The cost to move from Madison to a different state is determined by how much you’re moving and how far away the new state is from Wisconsin. Here are a few examples:
- Madison to California Movers: $1,329 to $7,859
- Madison to New York Movers: $640 to $6,224
- Madison to Illinois Movers: $238 to $3,837
- Madison to New York Movers: $640 to $6,224
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 Madison will be determined in large part by where you are relocating. A local move within 50 miles of Madison will be less expensive than moving 450 miles across Wisconsin 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 Madison, 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 Madison?
The Residential Parking Permit allows residents to park in excess of the posted one- or two-hour time limits on designated streets in their area between the hours of 8:00 am and 6:00 pm, or in locations designated for resident parking only between the hours of 8:00 am and 6:00 pm. This provides residents the opportunity for the limited storing of vehicles on public streets to the partial exclusion of commuter vehicles. A Residential Parking Permit does not guarantee a parking place. It allows the right to park if space is available. It is recommended to apply online.
For more info on parking permits in Madison, visit the local DOT website.
How can I save money when hiring a Madison moving company?
You can save money when hiring a Madison 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 Madison movers offer storage?
Yes, many Madison 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 Madison 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 Wisconsin?
You can see all moving companies in Wisconsin by taking a look at our full list of Wisconsin movers.
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