Sean Donnelly is a writer for USA TODAY Homefront. His content draws on more than three years of experience in the moving industry. He started as a laborer and was quickly promoted to moving crew leader. Sean also served as a move coordinator, where he conducted in-home and virtual estimates for customers. During his time in the industry, Sean assisted more than 500 clients with their relocation needs. Thanks to his years of hand-on experience, he understands all aspects of moving — from proper preparation to the quote process to effective packing techniques. Sean studied English literature and creative writing at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and is still located in the greater Springfield area. When he isn’t writing, Sean is a cohead coach of the boxing team at his alma mater.
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Maine is known as Vacationland for a reason — the northernmost U.S. state’s sandy beaches, picturesque mountains and plentiful lobster shacks attracted 15.3 million tourists in 2022. But moving in this New England state requires a few special considerations.
First, aim to move during summer to avoid Maine’s cold and snowy winters. If you’re from rural Maine, which has notoriously narrow, winding roads, your mover might have difficulty accessing your home or charge more to drive out to you. Further, some of Maine’s islands, inlets and waterways lack bridges (or have structurally deficient ones), which may require your mover to detour and potentially increase costs.
We recommend North American Van Lines (NAVL) and United Van Lines for long-distance Maine moves. NAVL’s bottom-line and not-to-exceed pricing options can help you better anticipate costs, while United’s transparent insurance options ensure that your household goods are covered if they’re damaged while moving through Maine’s often hilly and rugged terrain. Plus, both movers have office locations in the state.
If you’re moving locally — less than 50 miles from your current home — we like Local Muscle Movers. The Maine-based company has tons of positive reviews and gave us a ballpark quote via email within an hour of our request.
The companies below are our top picks for Maine moves. We used our proprietary scale to rate them on service options, coverage area, reputation and more.
We rated the following providers as the best moving companies in Maine based on our research and in-house methodology. Read our provider summaries to learn more about each one.
Long-distance:
Local:
The following movers rated highly on our grading scale. We considered factors such as coverage area, service offerings, quote process and customer review scores when vetting each provider.
The following nationwide and long-distance providers each offer direct service to clients in Maine.
North American Van Lines (NAVL) is a moving carrier with more than 500 locations across the country. This includes Allen and Coles Moving Systems, an NAVL local agent that services Maine with a focus on the greater Portland area. We like NAVL’s bottom-line pricing structure and shipment-tracking system.
Service area: 50 states
Base services:
Add-on services:
Storage: NAVL offers short- and long-term storage options.
Quote type: This mover offers binding quotes for long-distance moves.
Pricing: Estimates are based on move distance, shipment weight and add-on services.
Sample cost: We reached out to NAVL for an interstate moving quote. After a few minutes on the phone, the representative said we should call a local agent to get a direct and precise moving quote. To get an accurate estimate from this moving company, prepare an inventory list and set aside 30 to 60 minutes for a video call or over-the-phone estimate.
Deposit: None required
Payment methods: This mover accepts cash, certified checks and money orders.
Aside from released-value protection, NAVL offers valuation options for lost or damaged goods. This full replacement value coverage allows you to assess your shipment’s total value and set a maximum dollar amount for reimbursement. Your added cost will be between 5% and 6% of this declared value.
NAVL’s Portland location, Allen & Coles Moving Systems, has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews. After parsing through more than 100 reviews, we noticed clients praise the quick booking process and attentive customer service staff. Past customers also mentioned reasonable pricing as a positive.
United Van Lines is a national carrier with a highly rated local office in Portland. Earle W Noyes & Sons has more than a century of moving experience and has been a United local agent since 1947. It offers both commercial and residential services for local and long-distance moves in Maine.
Service area: 46 states
Storage: United offers climate-controlled storage at its Portland location.
Quote type: All long-distance moves receive binding estimates.
Pricing: Binding rates are determined by move distance and shipment weight. Full-value protection is automatically included in estimates.
Sample cost: We called United and got a quote for a 2,900-mile interstate relocation. We said we couldn’t book a video call or in-person estimate, but we got a ballpark rate for service within five minutes. Our quote for this three-bedroom move totaled $11,300–$12,500. The addition of full-service packing increased our range to $14,200–$15,700.
Payment methods: United accepts cash, traveler’s checks, money orders, cashier’s checks and all major credit cards.
Aside from released-value protection, United includes full-value protection in all moving quotes. For this protection option, you’re covered for a dollar amount determined by multiplying your shipment weight by $6. For example, your maximum coverage for a 5,000-pound shipment would be $30,000. Your added cost is a low percentage of this amount, but you can opt out of this higher coverage tier if you don’t want to pay for it.
Earle W. Noyes & Sons Moving Specialists has a 4.8 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews. In reviews, customers praise moving crews and booking staff alike, with former customers noting efficiency during all points of contact with this company. As of this writing, there were no negative reviews within the last calendar year.
If you’re considering a DIY move for budget reasons or just want more control over your moving process, U-Pack is one of our top self-service options. This provider offers long-distance relocation assistance to Maine customers with a compact 8-foot ReloCube or a 27-foot trailer to accommodate moves of all sizes.
Storage: If you rent ReloCubes for your move, you’ll be able to store your goods at a U-Pack facility. This provider doesn’t offer a storage option for trailers.
Quote type: You can get instant binding pricing online for basic long-distance moves.
Pricing: Move pricing is based on the square footage of space used in a trailer (or the number of ReloCubes used) and your total move distance.
Sample cost: We got a sample rate for a three-bedroom, 1,800-mile relocation from this provider. This only requires filling out your basic move information and contact information on an online form. We selected a full trailer for our move (28 linear feet); you can adjust the amount of total space required in a trailer to reduce your costs. In all, this move would cost $8,566.
Deposit: You do not have to pay a deposit upfront. However, the credit card you use to reserve your move will be billed $50 if you cancel within seven days of your move date. This increases to $150 if you cancel on moving day.
Payment methods: U-Pack accepts all major credit cards.
You’ll be able to select one of three levels of insurance coverage when you book with U-Pack. These coverage tiers are as follows:
U-Pack’s Portland branch has a rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews. These reviews report on-time deliveries and all-around reliable service. U-Pack’s service model and easy moving labor booking process make it a top choice for DIY and semi-DIY long-distance relocations.
We rated and got quotes from local Maine movers and found that the following providers offer the most reliable moving options for local needs.
Local Muscle Movers is a Maine-based moving company with an office location in Vermont. Both offices offer local and interstate service and have positive reputations demonstrated by positive customer reviews.
Service area: This mover offers local service throughout Maine and Vermont and interstate service throughout the U.S.
Quote type: This mover offers ballpark rates for local moves based on hourly rates.
Pricing: Hourly rates are determined by the number of movers and trucks assigned to your move.
Sample cost: We got a sample rate for a two-bedroom move within Gorham. After submitting an inventory list online, we received an email reply within an hour with a ballpark estimate. We were quoted $210 per hour for two movers and a truck with a $25 fuel surcharge and a $100 trip fee. Our representative estimated the move would take two to four hours, which gave us a final estimated total of $545–$965.
Deposit: This mover requires a $250 deposit, which is fully refundable if you cancel at least seven days before your scheduled move date.
Payment methods: This mover accepts cash and major credit cards for payment.
The quote we received included only basic released-value protection. Valuation coverage comes with a minimum fee of $150. This covers a maximum of $6,000 in loss or damage. Additional coverage can be purchased at 2.5% of the added declared value of goods.
Local Muscle Movers’ Portland location has 4.7 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews. Reviews include positive remarks about moving crews’ punctuality and care. One recent review lauded the movers’ efficiency when lifting a 400-pound kitchen appliance up two flights of stairs.
Bisson is a Maine mover with more than 100 years of experience in the industry. It now operates as an agent for Atlas Van Lines and services local and interstate moving needs throughout Maine and to the rest of the country.
Service area: Bisson offers service to the entire state of Maine with interstate options to the rest of the U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii.
Quote type: This mover provides ballpark rates based on hourly charges for local moves.
Pricing: Hourly rates are set by the number of movers and moving trucks assigned to a move.
Sample cost: We reached out to Bisson for a ballpark rate for a three-bedroom move within Gorham. A company representative replied within the same business day and noted that we would have to call to set up an in-depth consultation before even ballpark pricing was rendered.
Deposit: This mover did not mention deposit requirements during our exchange with them.
Payment methods: Bisson accepts credit cards and cash for payment.
Aside from released-value protection, this mover offers valuation options at an increased cost. You’ll have to speak with your Bisson/Atlas company representative during the quote process if you want additional coverage. They’ll help you determine your shipment’s total value and the corresponding cost of increased protection.
Bisson currently has 4.3 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews. One recent review mentions highly responsive customer service and moving staff for a multistep move that involved stops at storage facilities. Another recent review mentioned damaged belongings, but Bisson promptly responded to the negative feedback to attempt a resolution.
Integrity Movers is a local mover based in Scarborough that has a strong track record for customer service and move quality, as demonstrated by positive customer reviews. It offers local and labor-only moves within Maine and long-distance moves to the rest of New England.
Service area: Integrity Movers services the entire state.
Quote type: This mover offers ballpark rates for local service.
Pricing: All local moves are priced at hourly rates, which are set by the number of movers and moving trucks assigned to your move.
Sample cost: We contacted Integrity Movers for a ballpark rate for service for a three-bedroom relocation within Gorham. We received a prompt text message response per our selected communication preference. This included a link to submit a comprehensive inventory list. Be prepared to fill this out when you contact this mover for pricing.
Deposit: No deposit required
Payment methods: This mover accepts cash, checks and all major credit cards.
Like all movers, Integrity Movers offers released-value protection for no additional cost. This provides 60 cents per pound per item in reimbursement for lost or damaged goods. You can always ask your move coordinator about possible added insurance options.
Integrity Movers has 4.5 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews through more than 100 individual reviews. These mention polite moving crew members and efficient moving processes. Reviews also mention that estimates were consistent and closely matched the actual balances due on moving day.
There are a few things to consider before you get quotes from any Maine moving company. We’ve outlined them below.
Your moving service requirements will play a large role in determining your overall costs. All moves will include released-value protection, transportation of goods, basic furniture padding and labor for loading and unloading. Beyond this, movers offer the following:
To determine which of these services you’ll need, conduct a full walk-through of your home. Document your total inventory and any related add-on services you’ll need. Remember to discuss these with your move coordinator during your quote for the most accurate estimate.
Be aware of your mover’s service model before you book. Moving companies operate either as carriers or as brokers. Carriers directly handle all moving services for clients. For this reason, they’re typically more reliable.
Brokers are rally booking agents that act as middlemen between clients and moving carriers. They take a large upfront payment as a deposit and convenience fee when you schedule your move. Brokers aren’t liable for lost or damaged items during your move — that will fall on the carrier you’re assigned.
When booking a local or long-distance move, ensure your movers are properly licensed. We’ve listed licensing and registration requirements for Maine movers below.
All interstate moving companies are federally licensed and regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This organization requires that all movers carry active United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. Use these to confirm a mover’s registration status on the FMCSA database.
Maine has no registration requirements for intrastate and local moving companies. Such providers must carry active USDOT numbers and basic business licensing, however.
Your moving bill structure depends on the distance and scope of your move.
All long-distance moves are priced according to move distance and estimated shipment weight. These factors, along with add-on services, determine your final cost. Most long-distance movers offer binding estimates that won’t change before moving day unless your inventory or service needs do.
Local moves are priced at hourly rates, which are determined by the number of movers and moving trucks needed. Local movers assign nonbinding or ballpark estimates to moves based on how many hours a relocation should take. If your move takes more time than what a ballpark quote states, then you’ll pay more than your quoted rate.
All moving companies offer released liability coverage for lost or damaged items during your move. This provides 60 cents per pound per item in reimbursement and comes with no additional cost to you. Most movers offer additional valuation coverage. You’ll be able to discuss this coverage with your move coordinator during any free quote. Under such coverage plans, you’ll have to set a maximum amount of reimbursement for potential damages during your move. Your additional cost will be a low percentage of this maximum value.
Based on our research, rating and review process, we recommend NAVL or Allied Van Lines for a long-distance Maine move. Both receive high customer review scores and offer transparent pricing and insurance options.
For a local move, we like Local Muscle Movers for its many positive reviews, reasonable hourly rates and comprehensive contents coverage.
Begin researching moving companies at least six to eight weeks before your move date. About a month before, get quotes from at least three movers to get an idea of costs and book the best mover for your needs and budget.
Our moving recommendations are all backed by our detailed rating methodology. To fairly assess both interstate and local movers, we have tailored two sets of review standards for long-distance and intrastate movers.
Both sets of review standards assess factors including reputation and customer satisfaction, availability and range, services offered, pricing and quote practices and customer service. We rate each moving company out of 100 possible points. We then divide the final score by 20 to obtain the 5-star rating we feature in our reviews.
Google Reviews ratings are accurate as of April 2024.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
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