7 Best Moving Companies in Michigan of 2023

Oct 29, 2023

The moving process is full of stress and uncertainty. Hiring a top professional moving company can help cut out some of those headaches while you focus on other important steps in your move.

For those preparing for a move in the Wolverine State, we at the Guides Home Team have determined the best moving companies in Michigan. Through in-depth research and a detailed methodology, we have ranked top providers in the moving industry on important factors such as service options, contents protection plans, transportation options, customer review scores and cost.

Here are the top moving companies in Michigan based on our extensive research.

International Van Lines (IVL) started as an international moving logistics company in 2000 but has branched out to become a domestic full-service moving carrier and broker. IVL offers affordable rates for full-service options. The company also allows you to create your own moving package based on your needs and budget.

IVL provides some of the best moving insurance we reviewed. Its full-value protection plan allows you to pick either a $500 or $1,000 deductible. You then decide on a coverage cap that covers the actual value of your total shipment.

IVL also offers a limited liability coverage plan, free of charge, at 60 cents per pound per item. However, with this plan, the worth of your items is determined by weight rather than the actual value. So if you’re transporting expensive lightweight items such as electronics or family heirlooms, this plan isn't ideal.

You can mix and match the services International Van Lines provides to create a moving package that fulfills your wants and needs. For example, you may choose to self-pack or have IVL professionals load, transport and unload your items. This helps you save money while having the pros handle a large portion of your move.

The following are some of International Van Lines’ optional services:

IVL creates your price based on the overall distance of your move, any specialty services purchased, your contents protection plan, the total weight of your shipment and the time of year.

The price for a local move with IVL changes based on the number of hours worked and the number of movers hired.

IVL accepts payment in the form of cash and credit cards. It requires an up-front deposit that is 25% of your total cost. Military members receive a 10% discount.

Get a Quote: Provide some brief information to get an instant ballpark quote from International Van Lines or call 888-375-6309.

To Learn More: International Van Lines Review

If your Michigan move exceeds 150 miles, American Van Lines (AVL) is an excellent option. With nearly 30 years of experience, the moving carrier provides reputable and reliable full-service and partial-service moving services out of Pompano Beach, Fla. AVL's movers have an average of 10 years of moving experience and receive annual training dedicated to specialty services for difficult items such as pianos and recreational equipment.

As a testimony to how reputable and high-quality AVL's customer service is, the company won two of Newsweek's Best Customer Service awards, in 2019 and 2021.

AVL provides its services in-house, and, like many other full-service movers, it can handle nearly all of your Michigan move. Services include custom crating, packing, unpacking, specialty services, transportation, loading and unloading.

American Van Lines’ services are listed below:

American Van Lines only provides binding estimates for accurate pricing without surprise costs. As a result, you must conduct either a virtual or in-home estimate. The distance of your move, the weight of your shipment, specialty services purchased and your contents protection plan influence your overall AVL cost.

AVL requires a deposit that may be larger than some competitors — anywhere from 10% to 50% of your total cost, depending on the services you purchase. But the company also has a price-matching policy, so we suggest you gather multiple free quotes to help you negotiate costs with AVL. Payment methods AVL accepts include cash, check and credit cards.

Get a Quote: To get a quote from American Van Lines, fill out this simple survey or call the company at 877-960-3186.

To Learn More: American Van Lines Review

JK Moving Services started in 1982 when its founder Charles Kuhn was only 16 years old and noticed a need for better customer support in the moving and storage industry. The company continues to fulfill this goal with a high Better Business Bureau (BBB) score of A+ and positive customer reviews.* JK Moving also gives back to the communities it serves through organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Fight for Children.

Another way JK Moving provides customer support is through its partnership with Enhancify. This option matches you with lenders and lets you finance your move rather than pay for it in large sums. Some customers receive interest rates as low as 0%**. We advise you to take note of the interest rates, so you don't commit to paying more than you’re comfortable with over time.

JK Moving doesn't offer services for local moves in Michigan, but it's an excellent option for long-distance and interstate moves involving the state.

* BBB information accurate as of July 2022.

**Subject to credit approval.

JK Moving provides a personal moving coordinator for every customer. Your moving coordinator will conduct a virtual survey, create an itemized inventory to provide accurate pricing through a binding estimate and customize a moving package based on your specific moving needs and budget.

JK Moving's services are listed below:

JK Moving Services accepts payment through its financing option, credit cards, cash or certified check. The company requires an up-front deposit, adjusted according to the total cost of your move. We noted deposits as low as $200 during our customer review analysis.

Get a Quote: To get in touch with one of JK Moving's personal moving coordinators, complete this simple survey or call 571-487-8929.

To Learn More: JK Moving Review

As a broker, Moving APT does not directly provide moving services. Instead, the company will assist you with finding a professional mover in your area through its network of third-party partners.

Moving APT can often negotiate lower costs for you, and the company offers financing if you need help paying for your move to or from Michigan. With Moving APT, you have multiple options for paying: cash, credit card or checks. This is notable because many moving companies do not accept personal checks.

Providers in Moving APT's network can handle local, long-distance and international full- and partial-service requests.

Here are Moving APT's service offerings:

For general pricing, Moving APT has an online moving calculator. In most cases, Moving APT can provide you with a binding estimate after a detailed review of your moving inventory and home size and layout.

Moving APT offers various discounts regularly, including reduced rates for active military, veterans, senior citizens and differently abled individuals. The company will also lower your total cost when you book your move far enough in advance and for all local moves (50 miles or less).

The company requires a deposit to schedule a move.

Get a Quote: Visit the Moving APT website or call 855-910-1001 to get your free moving quote.

Backed by more than 90 years of experience in the moving and storage industry, Allied Van Lines is one of the most reputable full-service movers in the United States. Though Allied performs local, long-distance and interstate moves in Michigan, the company is a licensed, bonded and insured moving broker and carrier. This means Allied might outsource your move to a local mover in its network if it doesn't have the proper licenses in your area.

Allied alleviates a lot of stress from the moving process through extra benefits, such as GPS tracking, storage, a smartphone application, vehicle shipping and online tools. The company also provides some DIY moving options through fragile-only packing and a portable storage container service called Allied Express.

If you’re looking for a stress-free moving experience, Allied's full-service move handles almost every part of the process for you. With a partial-service move, you pack and unpack yourself. Allied also offers a fragile-only packing service, allowing you to save money on packing but still have your fragile items professionally handled.

Here are Allied Van Lines’ service options:

The company also offers the following online tools and resources:

The overall cost of Allied Van Lines’ services depends on the weight of your items, the distance and date of your move and any optional services you purchase.

Allied provides binding estimates, which won't change drastically due to unforeseen events. However, this price may still change if you add or remove significant items to your move. To get a binding estimate, you must conduct an in-home or virtual survey with Allied.

Allied accepts payment in cash, credit card and certified check. Allied does not require an up-front deposit.

Get a Quote: To start the process of getting a binding estimate from Allied Van Lines, complete this easy-to-use form or call Allied at 877-483-9424.

To Learn More: Allied Van Lines Review

North American Van Lines (NAVL) provides full-service moving options for Michigan local, long-distance and interstate moves.

NAVL offers various online tools to help educate and prepare you for your Michigan move. Tools include a moving calculator, moving tips, relocation guides, moving FAQs, moving checklists and safety and tariff information.

NAVL helps you create a custom contents protection plan, making receiving proper compensation for missing or damaged items less of a headache than other providers. NAVL is also highly transparent about its insurance claims process, unlike many other moving companies. It provides access to its claims forms at the bottom of each page on its website.

However, based on our analysis of more than 100 customer reviews, NAVL's moving agent availability might be limited based on your location.

NAVL offers various services for both full- and partial-service moves. North American Van Lines also acts as a moving carrier and broker. One unique service it offers is assistance with the transportation and installation of appliances.

Below are North American Van Lines’ service options:

The company also offers the following online tools and resources:

NAVL calculates pricing based on the distance and time of year of a move, the weight of your belongings, services purchased and the contents protection plan you create. NAVL provides binding estimates through virtual surveys. To help with this process, it provides a smartphone app.

NAVL does not require up-front deposits. Its payment methods include checks, cash and credit cards.

Get a Quote: To see what North American Van Lines can bring to your Michigan move, complete this simple survey or call 877-624-0912.

To Learn More: North American Van Lines Review

PODS is a self-service portable storage container moving company. The company delivers your choice of one of three sizes of its weatherproof, portable storage containers to your address. Within the 30-day rental period, you load your belongings into the container at your own pace. You may purchase more rental time, in intervals of 30 days, for a flat-rate fee.

Once loaded, PODS transports your belongings to a storage center near your new home. You then notify PODS when to deliver your belongings to your new home, and you unload them at your own pace within the same 30-day period. PODS’ service model provides a lot of control over your moving schedule.

PODS also provides long- and short-term storage services. The company features more than 230 storage centers across the country, with 10 locations in Michigan. Locations include Ann Arbor, Canton, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Livonia, Novi, Pontiac, Sterling Heights, Troy and Warren.

PODS offers three sizes for its moving containers: 8, 12 and 16 feet. It only provides its 12-foot containers for local moves near the same city. Though PODS mainly focuses on self-service moves, you can hire third-party labor and vehicle shipping through partnerships with companies like HireAHelper and Moving Staffers.

Read PODS’ service options below:

If you don't mind dealing with tasks like packing, loading, unloading and unpacking on your own, PODS is an affordable alternative to the other companies on this list. However, if you want a move that's as hands-free as possible, PODS might not be your best option.

PODS functions on a pay-as-you-go model. This means you pay for certain steps of your move a week before they happen. Specifically, you pay for the drop-off, transportation and final pick-up of your containers at separate times.

PODS’ payment methods include cash, credit card and certified check (cash and check options vary by location). PODS doesn't require any deposits, and it offers a 10% discount for active-duty military members.

To Learn More: PODS Review

Each professional moving company on this list offers something different. We recommend you take the time to consider what you want out of a professional moving service. Once you understand your moving needs, you should gather quotes from at least three different providers that interest you.

Allied Van Lines is an excellent option for moves involving Michigan due to its variety of payment options, wide range of services, reputable customer service, in-house services, additional DIY moving options and comprehensive contents protection plans. However, Allied is better suited for long-distance moves due to its status as a moving broker and carrier.

JK Moving is an excellent choice if you want to save money and have good credit, thanks to the company's unique financing option.

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

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

Self-service

Binding Estimate?

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

N/A

The average moving company cost in Michigan is $25 to $50 per mover per hour for a local move. If your move exceeds 150 miles, your cost will be based on other factors, such as the overall distance, total weight of your items and additional services. The average cost of a long-distance move using a full-service moving company ranges from $4,000 to $9,000.

You should start the process of hiring a Michigan mover as soon as you know you will have to move. We recommend you aim for at least three months ahead, but some movers can accommodate customers three weeks in advance.

Allied Van Lines is one of the best, most comprehensive moving companies in Michigan. The company offers a great selection of service options, coverage plans, DIY options and additional benefits. All companies on this list are excellent options for moving to, from or within Michigan.

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.