Moving expenses can escalate quickly when distance, manpower, packing, stairs, storage and timing factor into the estimate.
If you’re looking for a wide net to start your search for local, long distance or international moves, Three Movers is your best bet. They partner with movers of all varieties, not limiting you to just one type of service.
The other options fill narrower niches: online booking and different levels of flexibility, massive franchise systems with multiple long-distance service formats, or integrating move with pack and junk haul.
What We Cover
- Quick comparison
- Three Movers
- Bellhop Moving
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK
- College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving
- How to compare cheap moving companies
- Final verdict
Quick Comparison
| Option | Best suited to | Service model | Cost-control angle |
| Three Movers | Broad local, long-distance and international relocation needs | Network of moving providers | Compare different moving options from one starting point |
| Bellhop Moving | Moves that require flexible levels of service (local or long-distance) | Moving company that offers both full-service and labor-only options | Select just the level of assistance that your move requires. |
| TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | Local and smaller long-distance moves | Franchise operation | Many service levels including an inexpensive, crated long-distance service. |
| College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving | Packing, labor or junk removal with a move | Full-service moving company | Bundling multiple move day services with one provider |
1. Three Movers: Best Overall for Broad Relocation Needs
Three Movers operates unlike a typical one crew local mover. Three Movers website links you to moving companies that provide local moves, long distance moves and even international moves. The website also covers packing and storage services.
That breadth is the main reason it leads this comparison.
When a renter moves across town, they might only be concerned with labor and truck time. A family who moves across multiple states might require packers, transportation and temporary storage. Someone shipping their belongings internationally has an entirely different set of needs. Three Movers puts all three of those buyers in one place to start researching.
For this reason Three Movers’ cheap moving services are most valuable when looking to balance price with an appropriately scoped service vs automatically selecting the lowest advertised rate.
What it does best: Range. The company focuses on pairing the move with providers in their network instead of putting every customer into one plan.
GreatGuysMove says its review is based on independent analysis that includes customer reviews and licensing-source checks. Its sample is relatively small, so treat it as one outside reference point rather than a measure of every move.
Best for: those who desire one starting point for various types of moves and like to compare broader moving options before narrowing the job.
2. Bellhop Moving: Best for Flexible Service Levels
Bellhop Moving is a direct moving alternative with local, long-distance and labor-only options.
That’s why it’s beneficial for buyers who wish to have greater control of the portion they outsource.
Bellhop Moving has professional crews and moving plans to fit your needs for local moves, depending on the size and scale of your move. For long distance moves Bellhop Moving provides dedicated truck moves, container-based moves and even a labor-only service where you provide the transportation.
The budget advantage is choice of service. One customer may only require loading and unloading and doesn’t have to pay for a complete transport package. Another may decide on a wider scale if they want an entire move completed.
Bellhop Moving mentions that local service is clocked from crew arrival to job completion, but long-distance quotes vary by move.
The trade-off is availability. Bellhop Moving serves many U.S. metro areas, but it is not available everywhere. Your menu of services will vary by market.
Best for: shoppers who want the option to select full-service moving or a hands-on, labor-only experience.
3. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: Best for Multiple Long-Distance Formats
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK is a nationwide franchise with full-service moves. They provide local moves, packing services, storage and long distance moving.
Its primary selling point to budget-minded long-distance moving customers is that it provides more than one format across state lines.
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK describes an expedited long-distance option for customers who want a dedicated truck and faster delivery, plus a crated long-distance service for smaller moves where a more flexible arrival window is acceptable. Load-only help is also available in some situations.
That allows you to compare apples-to-apples when the question isn’t just “full service or DIY?”
For instance, transporting everything out of a small apartment from one coast to another may not require as robust of a service as one would need to move an entire household. Crated service offers another alternative between driving yourself with a rental truck and paying for a dedicated long-distance vehicle.
Because locations are independently owned and operated, rates can vary by market.
Best for: someone seeking an established mover with different local and long-distance service options to choose from.
4. College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving: Best for Bundled Move-Day Services
College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving is a full service moving company that provides local and long distance moves as well as packing, labor and junk removal.
Its strongest use case is a move that includes more than transportation.
Imagine a family downsizing prior to moving. The customer might have furniture loaded out, junk removed, boxes packed and remaining items moved. Consolidating a few of those services with one provider will lessen the number of individual appointments and crews working for the customer.
Convenience doesn’t necessarily equate to the lowest cost option. Prices are quote-based, and bundles can be more expensive than doing packing/disposal yourself.
The comparison is therefore about total workload as much as the moving quote.
Best for: homeowners looking for one company to do moving and associated labor or clean-out services.
How to Compare Cheap Moving Companies
A low estimate is only useful when it covers the service you actually need.
Tips from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for interstate moves include obtaining written estimates from multiple companies, verifying that the mover or broker you select is registered and insured, checking out complaint history, and making your selection. FMCSA advises against choosing an interstate mover based on price alone. Don’t choose a mover just because it’s the cheapest.
Use these questions when comparing quotes:
- Do the quotes have the same scope of work? Labor-only, help, container transport and full service moving are all different products.
- Factors that can affect price? Stairs, elevators, long carries, parking, packing, storage and extra inventory will affect the final job.
- Is your estimate binding or non-binding? When it comes to interstate moves, FMCSA explains that a binding estimate generally fixes the amount due at delivery for covered services, while a non-binding estimate does not guarantee the final cost.
- Who is really moving my goods? If you are using a broker/matching service, find out who the carrier is and confirm registration prior to your move.
- How much work can you reasonably do yourself? Some packing, disassembly or loading can reduce paid labor but only if your time and energy are worth it.
Comparable is the total cost from old home to new home, not just the initial quoted figure.
Final Verdict
Each option fits a different version of a budget move.
Bellhop Moving works best when you need to fine-tune the amount of labor and transport you purchase. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK offers several traditional and budget-oriented long-distance service formats. College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving works well when moving, packing and junk hauling must be synchronized.
If you are looking for the most diverse selection of moving services and relocation types in this guide, your best bet is Three Movers.
The best feature is that you start with the move you need and check prices from providers who can do local, long distance and international moves. Determine your needs up front, compare apples to apples written estimates, then decide which company offers you the best overall value.