7 Best Moving Companies in Delaware 2023

Oct 28, 2023

If you’re planning to relocate to or from Wilmington, Dover, Middletown or any other location in Delaware, you may be considering hiring a professional mover. From packing and loading to shipping large items, professional moving companies help make the transition as stress-free as possible.

To help you plan your relocation, we at the Guides Home Team compiled a list of the best moving companies in Delaware from our recommendations for the top movers nationwide. We evaluated the companies in this guide based on pricing, customer feedback, services provided and other vital factors to help you decide with confidence.

International Van Lines (IVL) tops our list of the best Delaware movers for its comprehensive contents coverage plans. In addition to released-value protection, IVL offers two optional plans based on the actual value of your items: all-risk and total-loss.

Released-value protection, offered for free by all moving companies, bases coverage on weight. It reimburses at a rate of only 60 cents per pound, so you won't get much for high-value but lightweight items — such as tablets and laptops — that are damaged or destroyed during the moving process.

In addition to released-value protection, IVL gives customers a choice to buy an all-risk or total-loss insurance plan. The primary difference between the two is that all-risk covers your items individually, while total-loss compensates only if your entire moving shipment is damaged, lost or destroyed.

Services: International Van Lines provides packing, unpacking, loading and unloading services nationwide and in more than 180 countries. IVL also offers a variety of add-on services to help support your Delaware move, including the following:

Cost: Like most moving companies, International Van Lines will calculate your cost based on how far you are moving, the season of your move and the total weight of your belongings. IVL has an online moving calculator for general estimates, but a customer service representative can give you a more detailed ballpark estimate.

IVL does not give binding estimates, which are quotes that will not change on moving day. You, therefore, may incur additional fees on the day of your move.

To get an idea of how your ballpark estimate with IVL could increase on moving day, the company has a list of associated moving fees that details the cost and frequency of each one. For example, IVL charges industry-standard $75 per flight stair fees when crews load or unload items via staircase.

IVL requires a 25% up-front deposit and accepts credit cards and cash. Armed forces members, retired military and veterans are eligible for 10–15% off their total moving costs.

Get a Quote: Take this quick survey to get your free online quote from International Van Lines.

To Learn More: International Van Lines Review

American Van Lines offers full-service local, long-distance and international moves in every U.S. state except Alaska and Hawaii. However, the company stands out to us for its long-distance residential moves because of its well-trained staff and flat-rate pricing.

Entrusting your furniture, family heirlooms and other personal items to strangers can be stressful. American Van Lines aims to ease that stress by supplying moving crews that routinely undergo training and certification courses. The company even has designated crews for moving pianos and antiques.

Additionally, you can plan financially for your relocation with AVL's flat-rate pricing structure. Flat-rate pricing, or binding estimates, ensure that your quote will be locked in and won't be subject to surprise charges on or after moving day.

Services: In addition to full-service packages, American Van Lines accommodates fragile-only packing requests and has an a la carte style menu of optional services so you can customize your move.

Here are American Van Lines’ services:

Cost: Since American Van Lines provides binding estimates, the company won't give you an instant quote online or over the phone. Before receiving your binding estimate, you’ll need to complete a virtual assessment with AVL to give the company a sense of your home's layout and identify any difficult-to-navigate areas, such as low ceilings or narrow door frames. AVL will also review your list of belongings and factor in the distance, size and date of your move.

American Van Lines charges a hefty up-front deposit of up to 50% of your total moving cost. The company accepts credit cards, checks and cash.

Get a Quote: To start the quote process with American Van Lines, take this brief questionnaire or call 877-960-3186.

To Learn More: American Van Lines Review

If you need flexible payment options for your Delaware move, JK Moving might be a good fit. Like Moving APT, JK Moving can provide financing. The full-service company works with Enhancify to offer interest-free loans to customers who meet their credit requirements. If you aren't approved for a same-as-cash rate, read over the loan terms carefully so you don't end up paying significantly more for your move in the long run.

Services: JK Moving can pack, load and unload your belongings for long-distance moves nationwide and internationally. However, it only offers local moving services (less than 50 miles) in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C.

Check out JK Moving's other services:

Cost: JK Moving will provide a binding estimate after completing a virtual assessment of your home and belongings. The distance and size of your move plus any optional services you choose will factor into your estimate.

If you prefer not to finance your move, you can pay with cash, check or credit card. You will be charged a $250 deposit when you schedule your moving date.

Get a Quote: To start your quote process with JK Moving, take this quick survey or call 571-487-8929.

To Learn More: JK Moving Review

Moving APT is a broker, not a mover. This means that instead of handling your move directly, the company will coordinate your relocation request by matching you with one of the moving companies in its network of more than 2,500 providers.

As a broker, Moving APT can provide a wide variety of services via its network partners in all 50 states. This includes financing if you need help paying for your move or prefer to spread the cost over time. Moving APT also has the most payment options of any company in this guide, accepting cash, credit cards and personal and certified checks.

Services: Moving APT offers the same services as most full-service carriers, including packing, unpacking, loading and unloading. The company also has a wide selection of add-on options, such as vehicle shipping and short- and long-term storage.

The following are Moving APT's other services:

Cost: Moving APT has an online moving cost calculator, but a representative can give you a more detailed quote over the phone. The company can usually offer you a binding estimate after completing a virtual home review.

If you book your move with Moving APT far enough in advance, the company will give you a discount. You can also get a discounted rate for local moves (50 miles or less). Additionally, Moving APT also offers military and senior citizen discounts.

Moving APT requires an up-front deposit, but the amount varies depending on the details of your move and the company with which you are partnered.

Get a Quote: Fill out this short online form to get your free instant quote from Moving APT.

Allied Van Lines has been in business longer than any other company in the moving industry. With nearly 100 years of experience and a large fleet of moving trucks, Allied is our overall top pick for your Delaware relocation.

The company can handle full- and partial-packing requests in every U.S. state and 130 countries. AVL also offers an extensive list of add-on services. Additionally, while some companies must outsource car or boat transport, AVL uses its own carriers. It offers two types, allowing you to choose an open carrier, the more cost-effective option, or an enclosed carrier, which will offer your vehicle more protection from the elements.

AVL also accommodates DIY requests, selling packing supplies and renting out mobile moving and storage containers. While most self-service companies only provide moving labor at an additional cost, all AVL's moving container rentals come with a small moving crew to help you load and unload your items.

Services: AVL provides full, partial and DIY moving services and optional services, such as vehicle shipping.

Take a look at Allied Van Lines’ other services:

Cost: When you call Allied Van Lines, the company will assign you a relocation consultant to conduct a virtual walkthrough of your home and review your moving inventory. Your consultant will calculate your binding estimate based on your home assessment and the date, distance and size of your move.

You don't have to pay a deposit to schedule a move with AVL. You can pay by certified check, credit card or cash.

Get a Quote: To find out how much your move with Allied Van Lines will cost, take this quick survey or call 877-483-9424.

To Learn More: Allied Van Lines Review

North American Van Lines (NAVL) made our list of the best moving companies in Delaware for its customer-friendly claims process. Unfortunately, damage to your personal items is a possibility, no matter which mover you choose. When an item is broken, dented, scratched, stolen or lost, the process for reimbursement can often be a hassle.

NAVL makes filing a claim easy by allowing you to complete all necessary paperwork online. The company has domestic and international claims forms on its website, which also includes helpful information related to the claims process. You can also opt to handle your claim with a customer service representative by calling NAVL's dedicated claims support line.

Services: North American Van Lines is a full-service company serving all 50 states and more than 130 countries. In addition to packing services, NAVL supports fragile-only and DIY packing requests with its menu of add-on options.

NAVL provides the following services:

Cost: The distance of your move, the date you are moving and the total weight of your belongings will determine the cost of your move with NAVL. The company has a free moving quote tool on its website for general pricing information. If you complete the virtual home review process, NAVL will give you a binding estimate.

American Legion and labor union members can take advantage of discount programs, including free contents protection plans, packing deals and year-round access to non-peak rates.

NAVL requires an up-front deposit of up to half the cost of your move. Cash, checks and credits are accepted.

Get a Quote: For your free quote from NAVL, take this online questionnaire or call 877-624-0912.

To Learn More: North American Van Lines Review

For DIY movers, we recommend PODS. PODS is a self-service moving company available for local, long-distance and international moves in 46 states. Unfortunately, the company does not provide service in Alaska, Montana, North Dakota or Wyoming and has limited availability in West Virginia and Vermont.

PODS provides a cost-effective alternative to full-service moving by renting out mobile moving containers customers can load and unload themselves. The company will drop off your containers, pick them up when they are loaded and take them to your new home or a conveniently located storage facility. Because PODS operates on a monthly rental schedule, you have up to 30 days to complete your Delaware move.

Services: PODS containers come in three sizes: 8, 12 and 16 feet. It's important to note that the 12-foot containers are only available for local moves. PODS can also provide loading and unloading support by connecting you with local movers for an additional cost.

Take a look at PODS’ other services:

Cost: You rent your PODS containers monthly, so you will be charged for 30 days even if it doesn't take you that long to move. You can get a local moving quote online but must call the company for all relocations more than 50 miles away.

Payments can be made online with credit cards. Some PODS offices accept cash and checks.

To Learn More: PODS Review

When looking for a professional mover, it's important to start by reviewing your unique moving needs. For example, what type of move — local or long-distance — are you planning? When is your move date, and what kind of moving experience would you like? How much have you budgeted for your move, and what is the amount you’d prefer to spend, if possible?

Once you have answered these questions, you can begin narrowing down your search. For full-service moves, we recommend International Van Lines as a top long-distance mover. PODS is our choice for the best self-service mover for smaller or more cost-effective moves. However, reaching out to at least three providers to discuss your specific moving needs and request a free moving quote is essential. That way, you can compare services and pricing before making a final decision.

See how the best moving companies compare on key metrics.

Provider

International Van Lines

American Van Lines

Moving APT

Allied Van Lines

JK Moving

North American Van Lines

PODS

Get a Quote

Visit here

Visit here

Visit here

Visit here

Visit here

Visit here

–

Availability

50

48

50

50

50

50

46

Type of Mover

Full service

Full service

Full service

Full service

Full service

Full service

Full service

Binding Estimate?

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

N/A

We recommend International Van Lines as one of the most reputable full-service companies in the moving industry. PODS is our choice for self-service providers. We arrived at these picks after extensive research into companies’ pricing, services and customer feedback.

All providers in this guide are among the best moving companies nationwide, so we advise reaching out to at least three of them to get quotes and compare costs before making your final decision.

If your bill on moving day is higher than your original estimate, it doesn't necessarily mean you have been overcharged. Binding estimates will protect you from hidden charges, but ballpark estimates can change due to any associated moving fees that must be applied to your relocation.

If you have added charges on your bill — even if they are legitimate — you might not have to pay them immediately. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) advises consumers that there is no requirement to pay more than 100% of a binding estimate (or 110% of a non-binding estimate). Further, companies can't hold your items if you refuse to pay the additional fees. Most moving companies will bill you for additional charges 30 days after delivering household items.

If you believe you are being overcharged or a company is refusing to deliver your items, you can refuse payment and contact the FMCSA at 1-888-368-7238. You can also file complaints on the FMCSA website.

While there are fraudulent moving companies that scam people out of money or their belongings, there are several ways to protect yourself against this.

Our team created a comprehensive ratings system to rank moving companies based on industry standards and customer experience. We called each moving company to speak with representatives, simulated the quote process online and over the phone as applicable, reviewed each company's contents protection (insurance) plans, and examined customer reviews for each provider.

After gathering this information and communicating with customer service representatives, we scored each company in the following categories: moving and additional services, mover type, trailers/containers, insurance coverage, payment process, scheduling and geographical availability, additional benefits and reputation.