Charleston

Top 5 Best Moving Companies in Charleston, SC – Find the perfect mover for you!

Moving can be a strenuous task which can dampen the excitement that comes from relocating to a new space. The transportation of heavy possessions and prized valuables can be tricky and may be damaged or lost during personal moving. Thankfully, there are residential movers that are available to aid with the smooth transition of personal items to new locations at affordable rates and with utmost care.

This piece will highlight 5 major moving companies located in Charleston, South Carolina that can help make moving easy. This article will provide you with the required information that you need to decide on which moving company best suits your needs.

MovingWaldo's list of the 5 best movers in Charleston, SC

What is MovingWaldo?

MovingWaldo is a Free Moving Concierge Service. Since 2016, we help millions of people tackle moving tasks in minutes. We care to take the stress away from moving by offering free tools, tips and tricks and referral of service providers that you can trust. MovingWaldo is everything moving under the same roof!

 

How are Moving Companies selected?

Our network of movers you can trust is carefully built based on professionalism, years of experience, accreditation, awards and social proofs from customers. We care to help you through the maze of information the web provides about this unique industry. You can trust the movers listed here to guide you and your family safely into moving day!

 
 
 
 

Are you a good, trustworthy company?

4.6/5
4.6 stars based on 445 reviews from around the web

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About

Smooth Move Charleston is a South Carolina based company that is committed to offering the best quality services. The company offers competitive prices and a low-price guarantee. Serving the Charleston Area and the Rocky Hill Area, Smooth Move makes it a priority to see that every moving need of their customer is met. Whether that need is packing, loading, labor only, residential or commercial. They offer a safe, courteous and reliable service every time.

Services / Products offered in Charleston

Residential moving
Long distance moving
Storage
Packing and unpacking services
Junk removal
Delivery services

Company rate

Starts at $104
Ends at $134
Additional fees for extra movers

BBB Bureau Rating

A+

In Business Since

2013

Area Covered

South Carolina

Pros

Packing and unpacking services are available

Provides labor only services if customers provide their own trucks.

Cons

They charge an overnight holding fee

Why should you choose Smooth Move Charleston?

Smooth Move Charleston offers safe, courteous and reliable moving services. Their services include everything a customer might need to make a move. Their professional movers provide packing services, loading and unloading assistance, and long-distance moves. Each job is accompanied by one of Smooth Move’s trucks. The trucks are equipped and fortified to protect customers belongings properly and ensure safe transportation. Smooth Move also offers for customers to provide their own moving trucks while the company provides the labor for packing, unpacking, loading and unloading.

4767 Rivers Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405, United States
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4.9/5
Facebook Logo Ratings
4.2/5
5/5
5 stars based on 442 reviews from around the web
High-quality customer service

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About

In 2020, Swamp Rabbit Moving opened its doors as a full service moving company in the Greenville, South Carolina area. The company offers residential and commercial moving services not only in South Carolina but also nationwide for long distance moves. Swamp Rabbit Moving’s mission is to provide its customers with the best moving experience possible by going above and beyond. As a moving company, they strive to make the process stress-free, fast, and friendly for everyone. The professional staff at Swamp Rabbit Moving specializes in handling large furniture and fragile items.

Services / Products offered in Charleston

• Packing & unpacking
• Furniture & fragile item moving
• Appliance moving
• Commercial moving
• File cabinet moving
• Electrical equipment moving
• Warehouse moving
• Long-distance moving
• Apartment moving
• Local moving
• College moving
• Specialty moving
• Piano moving
• Hot tub moving
• Fine art & antique moving
• Pool table moving

Company rate

Starting at $160/hr to $260/hr for local moves
*Weekend and peak season pricing may vary

BBB Bureau Rating

A (accredited since 2021)

In Business Since

2020

Area Covered

• John’s island, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Pawleys Island, and the surrounding.
• Offers nationwide services as well for long distance moves.

Pros

• A superior level of customer service
• Recent company with competitive pricing
• Free estimates and useful resources on website
• All tools and vehicles are licensed and insured to handle any move

Cons

• At the moment, they do not offer junk removal or hauling services.
• Do not offer international moves.
• Younger company

Why should you choose Swamp Rabbit Moving?

Swamp Rabbit Moving is aware that moving is a stressful and hectic experience for both individuals and companies. As local residential and commercial movers with great expertise, they know what it takes to get the job done right. Also, with the Swamp Rabbit Guarantee, there is a dedicated customer service department behind you to assist you with any issue that you may encounter. So, don’t hesitate to give them a chance to experience some top tier moving services.

1501 Belle Isle Ave, Suite 110, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
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5/5
Facebook Logo Ratings
5/5
4.9/5
4.9 stars based on 160 reviews from around the web

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About

The staff and crew of Professional Movers of Charleston is made up of experienced Citadel Alumni and Cadets. Every worker is a professionally trained mover. The unique nature of Professional Movers of Charleston is what makes it stand out among its peers. Their primary mission is that of service, whether that be to the families in their community or the realtors. They are committed to easing the moving experiences of the residents of their Charleston community.

Services / Products offered in Charleston

Local and long distance moves
Junk removal
Packing services
Pickups and deliveries
Commercial moving

Company rate

Available on demand

BBB Bureau Rating

A+

In Business Since

2018

Area Covered

Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Daniel Island, Sullivan’s Island, North Charleston, James Island, Summerville and Folly Beach

Pros

Licensed and insured.

Affordable rates.

Cons

Special requests are required for out of state service

Why should you choose Professional Movers of Charleston?

The Professional Movers of Charleston are a very community-oriented business. They provide specified services with the aim of serving their community. They offer an affordable hourly rate that is suitable for different income levels. They also offer pick up and delivery services of furniture and other large objects involved with moving. Their full-sized moving trucks are convenient and available for use. Some special services they offer include home staging assistance, event staging and realtor assistance home staging.

South Carolina
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4.8/5
Facebook Logo Ratings
5/5
4.6/5
4.6 stars based on 362 reviews from around the web

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About

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is a large franchised moving company that caters to clients from different states of the US. They started as a local mover more than 30 years ago and are now one of the country’s top moving companies. From the start, the goal was to exceed customers’ expectations. They were able to accomplish it then and are still doing it today. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® takes pride in their professionally trained staff that are courteous, responsible and perfectly capable of moving your belongings to wherever you need them, safe and sound. This moving company has been a consistent recipient of awards for their exemplary services from reputable institutions such as the Franchise 500 of Entrepreneur magazine.

Services / Products offered in Charleston

• Residential moves
• Business moves
• Apartment/condo moves
• Piano moves
• Mobile and portable storage
• Furniture rearranging
• Junk removal
• Delivery
• Loading and unloading

Company rate

Available on demand

BBB Bureau Rating

A+

In Business Since

1985

Area Covered

Any location within the United States

Pros

• Offers expedited services for long-distance moves
• Provides ValueFlex service for more affordability and efficiency
• Offers packing, unpacking, loading and storage services
• Provides all kinds of packing supplies at an affordable cost

Cons

• Franchises are independently owned and operated so rates may vary across different locations.

Why should you choose TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®?

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® has spent more than three decades moving people’s things across the country and they can certainly be called masters of the industry. Their service is very comprehensive and includes not only all kinds of moving but also packing and storage. They have an impressive 96 percent referral rate from satisfied customers, which only reflects the world-class performance they deliver with every move.

2410 Air Park Rd, North Charleston, SC 29406, United States
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4.5/5
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4.7/5
4.6/5
4.6 stars based on 12 reviews from around the web

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About

U-Pack is a moving company specialized in self serve container. Unlike the other companies listed here, U-Pack is a hybrid moving service that only charges you the services you actually need for your move. For example, you can save money by packing, loading and unloading, and leave the transportation to U-Pack. Or add moving labor and storage to customize the move to meet your needs.

Services / Products offered in Charleston

• Military moves
• Cross country moves
• Senior moves
• Student moves
• Job relocation
• Small and large moves
• Door-to-door delivery
• Storage
• Guaranteed transit

Company rate

Available on demand

BBB Bureau Rating

A+

In Business Since

1997

Area Covered

All 50 states of the US, Canada, Puerto Rico

Pros

• Charges only for the space that you use
• Exceptional customer service
• Known for their very affordable fees
• Comes with carrier negligence liability coverage and catastrophic liability coverage

Cons

• Services do not include packing, loading and unloading but you can have moving labor included at an additional cost

Why should you choose U-Pack?

U-Pack provides superior moving services that will take all the stress away from your moving experience. From the flexibility and comprehensiveness of their moving services to the professionalism and competence of their moving crews and the surprising affordability of their fees, there is nothing that will disappoint you at all. They also have a wide coverage of locations that reach all the way north to Canada and all the way south to Puerto Rico.

3153 Pacific St, North Charleston, SC 29418, United States
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4.6/5

Conclusion

Finding local movers does not have to be a tedious task. MovingWaldo created a list of the best moving companies in Charleston to make your move as easy and seamless as possible. It is recommended to always research the credibility and experience of the local moving company you choose for your next move. Specifically, in regard to customer reviews, services offered, location, the strengths and limitations of the company. 

By choosing any of the moving companies recommended by MovingWaldo, you are sure to have a smooth and seamless move for you and your family. These local movers in Charleston will be a quote away from moving you into your dream home!

Frequently Asked Questions about Moving

In general, it is cheaper to move in the middle of the week, in the middle of the month, and during the winter.  

Moving prices change a lot throughout the year. Like Uber, the more demand there is, the higher the prices are. The general rules to get a discounted rate are:

  • It is usually cheaper to move during the week than during the weekend. For instance, some companies will have a different hourly rate on Wednesday than on Saturday. This is likely due to the fact that people avoid taking time off from work to move, hence, there is more demand on weekends.
  • Moving in the middle of the month is likely to be cheaper than moving on the last or first day of the month. This is due to the fact that most leases are renewed on the first day of the month, hence, there is more demand on this day.
  • Moving during the winter is usually cheaper. December, January or February are most likely less expensive months. April to September is often more expensive since it coincides with the end and the beginning of the school year.

Usually, a moving company will provide 2 or 3 movers. The number will depend on the company politics as well as the size of the move.

For instance, if you are moving from a one or two-bedroom apartment without large appliances, two movers will likely do it. On the contrary, if you are moving a house, 3 movers will be a better option.

If the moving company charges by the hour, the total hourly rate will be higher if there are 3 movers. This said, your move could also take less time, and the movers are less likely to accidentally scratch some furniture out of tiredness.

For a move to the same city, the minimum will be 3 to 4 hours, but it is likely to be more than this. A two-bedroom apartment can take 4 to 6 hours, and a complete home could go up to 10 hours. Keep in mind that many things can influence the number of hours a move will take:

  • The number of movers, usually 2 or 3.
  • The number of boxes and furniture. Boxes are fast to move around, but appliances, sofas and specialty items can take a while. If a piece of furniture does not fit the stairs, for instance, you can count up to an hour to take it out through the balcony.
  • On what level is your home located? Moving from the tenth floor will take more time.
  • How long will it take for the movers to drive from their office, to your current home, then to your new home, and finally go back to the office? Most movers charge from door to door.

Try to evaluate how many trips the movers will need to load and unload everything, then estimate the time for each run. Finally, add the travel time and you should have a first approximation.

Moving services rates are usually around 90$ to 120$ per hour for two men. For instance, at $90 per hour, a 6 hours – 2 men move would cost 540$. You would then need to add gas, insurance, and tip.

Here is some sample data. Please make sure to get a proper quote to budget your move, as every move is different!

  • Two-bedroom townhouse between $375 and $450
  • Three-bedroom house around $800 and $900
  • Four-bedroom home around $3,000.

Read our full article on the cost of moving.

Selecting a mover is always a tricky thing to do. Since you do not move every year, you usually never had experience with the mover we end up selecting. There are rarely very poor decision, but here are a few things to consider that will help you make an appropriate choice:

  1. Make sure the moving company offers insurance for your belongings.

  2. Look for the BBB Rating. A BBB rating is a measure of customer satisfaction. The highest, the better. Note that not all companies use this rating.

  3. How long have they been in business? It is often a great thing when a company is in business for 50 years. We are not saying that young companies are not good, but harder to evaluate.

  4. Where are they located? The closest to you and your new home, the cheaper it will be.

  5. Do they hire full-time employees, or work with contractors? Full-time employees will often give you a guarantee that the reviews are relevant to the team.

  6. Look for reviews from friends and family or turn to online reviews. Take the time to read the reviews and understand it.

  7. Make sure you get more than one moving company quote!

First, let’s settle it. Yes, you should tip movers, especially if they did a great job and were respectful of you and your furniture. Moving is not an easy job!

  • For an average or small size move of 3 to 4 hours, a reasonable tip would be $20 per mover.
  • For a larger move, or if it is a very hot day for instance, do not hesitate to go up to $40 per mover.
  • In addition to tips, movers are likely to appreciate non-alcoholic beverages, such as water or Gatorade, or small snacks during the course of the move.
  • It is usually recommended to tip at the end when paying the final bill.
  • Final note: Reviews. The moving industry is not easy, and online reviews are very important for these companies and also for other families that will be seeking their services later on. Share your experience!

For more information, read our full post here on how much to tip movers.

 

There are a number of things to consider before deciding to hire professional movers or moving by yourself, but the quick answer is: hiring movers is definitely a simpler choice, but will often be more expensive. Here are the things to consider:

  1. What are you moving? Do you only have a few boxes to move, or are you moving a full-size home with a piano and pool table? Try imagining yourself moving the largest piece of furniture, could you do it?
  2. To the first point, how is your physical health? Moving is hard on the body, and you surely do not want to break your back over the cost of moving. Hire movers if you think the effort could be too much.
  3. Are you on a tight schedule, or can you move furniture over a week or a month? The more time you have, the easier it is to do it yourself.
  4. Do you have specialty items, such as a pool table, a hot tub or a piano? These are expensive and need technical skills to be moved without properly. Make sure to get professional movers.

What are 5 tips for a perfect move in Charleston?

  1. Plan your move. The more planning, the better.
  2. Take measurement at your current and new address. Make sure everything fits.
  3. Create a Google Drive with all reservations, quotes, lists, insurance, and documents related to your move.
  4. Label your boxes!
  5. Always double confirm every reservation.

Special Mentions

Moving is often synonymous of stress, long administrative tasks and a significant waste of time and money. MovingWaldo helps you solve all these problems in just a few clicks! After some shameless self-promotion, we invite you to discover our free moving tools available to all.

  • Update your address on all your accounts
  • Connect the Internet, TV and phone.
  • Secure home and auto insurance
  • Find resources, checklists and more.

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