10 best movers in Seattle, Washington

International Van Lines is the best moving company for interstate moves. If you're moving near Seattle, use the filters below to find other movers in your area.

Top companies for moving out of Washington

Interstate moving servicers must have federal licensing active through the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), as well as a Motor Carrier (MC) number, both of which validate that they meet federal operating requirements. Confirm a moving company’s licensing status by searching its name or license info in the FMCSA’s database.

Interstate moving companies that are based in the state of Washington must carry both state and federal licensing. In Washington, local movers also must be licensed by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission.

What factors affect the cost of moving in Seattle?

Local and long-distance moves have different billing methods. Local movers charge by the hour, and won't give you a binding estimate, so your costs will correlate with how much time your move ends up taking in total.

Long-distance moves are billed at an all-inclusive rate. These take your relocation distance and shipment weight into account, and provide binding estimates for your move. A binding estimate means the total cost will not change unless you switch your relocation plan between your quote day and moving day.

The average cost of moving in Seattle

With closer moves, such as within your area or to somewhere nearby, you'll pay an hourly rate. With Seattle's cost of living higher than 95.4% of U.S. cities, you can expect higher than average moving rates in your area.

Quotes should include your move's anticipated number of hours. Multiply that by the hourly amount, and you'll get a ballpark estimate for your total bill. Watch for minimum fees and extra charges as well.

Tipping your mover

While tipping not mandatory, you can choose to tip movers who show extra care in handling your belongings. If you feel they reduced your relocation frustrations, consider gratuity as a way to give extra thanks.

For same-day local moves, customers typically tip $5 per mover, per hour worked. On longer, multiple-day jobs, daily gratuities between $40 and $50 per worker are more customary.

Prepare for other moving costs

When budgeting, prepare for costs to be higher than mover estimates by 25%. The extra money leaves room in your budget if you need to pay for extra moving services, a storage unit or packing supplies from stores before or during your relocation.

Things to consider when moving in Seattle

Bringing on movers is highly recommended if relocating in a metropolitan area like Seattle. Moving companies familiar with the tight city roads will lessen your stress compared to maneuvering a rental truck yourself. Review the following points when hiring movers or mapping out your relocation.

Is my mover properly licensed and insured?

All legitimate moving companies will show proof of registration on their transport trucks, as well as on paperwork like estimates and agreements. If you're arranging an interstate move, check the company's USDOT and MC numbers on the official FMCSA website. Moving companies in Washington are also required to have a license from the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission.

You should also look into a mover's insurance policies. Every company should offer released-value coverage, which insures items at 60 cents per pound, per item. A full-value protection policy may be sensible if your belongings are worth a lot, so ask to explore rates.

When should I start forwarding my mail?

Give the post office ample notice about your upcoming move and address change, about one month ahead of time, and specify a future date for your mail to begin forwarding to your new address. By filling out a change of address form, you'll help the USPS shift delivery of your mail more efficiently. Additionally, notify any other important service providers so they know of your new location.

Do I need to change my driver's license if I move out of Washington?

All Washington residents are required to transfer their licenses, whether they relocate in or out of state. Make an appointment with your local department of motor vehicles as soon as possible once you've moved in.

When is the best time of year to move?

The peak time period for relocations countrywide is between May to September, leading to much higher demand and substantially elevated pricing for moves both sizable and small. The high summer rates could understandably dissuade you from moving at that time of year. We advise moving in the springtime or early autumn so that you have optimal weather conditions and more affordable pricing for services.

What things should I leave to the movers, and what should I transport myself?

To be safe, put items like important financial records, keepsakes and identification documents in your personal car. We also recommend keeping valuable gadgets with you while moving.

Most moving businesses limit insurance coverage for high-value items, such as jewelry and heirlooms. If you're concerned about irreplaceable and valuable items being lost or damaged, take those possessions with you.

There are certain goods and materials that movers aren’t allowed to move. These include:

• Toxic chemicals or cleaners
• Flammable chemicals of any kind
• Aerosols
• Plants
• Perishable foods and produce
• Batteries
• Fuel sources
• Compressed tanks or gas
• Fertilizers

Our methodology for selecting moving companies

The Homefront Local team employs a proprietary scoring algorithm that evaluates companies based on key factors you value, such as average customer review ratings and trustworthiness indicators. Our method for determining trust involves a comparative analysis of the number of reviews a company receives compared to its local competitors. This leads to companies that have earned more trust from your local community being awarded a higher score.

We review national moving providers against our full methodology. We score movers based on reputation and customer experience, service availability, cost and pricing practices, insurance options, customer service and communication.