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Best Moving Companies in Iowa

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If you are looking for the best moving companies in Iowa, you have come to the right place. Moving is a big life event, and it can seem overwhelming. From hiring the right company to figuring how to properly prepare, there are a lot of factors to consider. You may be moving for a new job, for a loved one, to downsize, or for a change of lifestyle. You may be moving cross country or just next door. We understand that no two moves are the same, so regardless of your reason for moving or the scope, we will match you with the right relocation expert based on your needs.

Our network of professionals in The Hawkeye State are certified with the proper credentials and internet reputation for the best value. You can spend hours trying to sift through reviews and pricing, or you can get up to 3 quotes from Move Honcho’s hand selected Iowa movers.

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Give us some information about your move so we can find the right experts for you.

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You choose the company to book with based on their rate and services.

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Iowa Moving FAQ

1. What are my options for moving?

You have several options for moving. Based on your budget and timeframe, you will want to determine the most effective choice. Here are some options, in order from cheapest to most expensive:

Rent a truck: This is your cheapest option but requires the most amount of work, and a favor from friends or family.
Hire moving help: With this option, you rent the truck and hire one or two extra hands as “labor only” help, meaning they do just that, labor. They don’t provide a truck or tools.
Rent a moving container: Renting a moving container can be a cost-effective option to move. With moving containers, the container provides two things: the container for your items and the transportation. You do the packing, loading, and unloading. An added benefit is your container can double as storage.
Hire a full service moving company: Full service moving means you hire someone to load up your items, transport your items, and unload them. While hiring a full service mover can cost some money, we highly suggest it for moves of 2 bedrooms or more, or moving interstate. The peace of mind and time savings will be worth it.

2. What services do movers provide?

Packing: While many people pack themselves, movers will also pack for you, typically billed per box.
Loading: A primary service movers provide is loading your equipment safely and efficiently onto their truck.
Storage: As an add-on, your moving company can store your goods in-between destinations.
Assembly/Disassembly: Many times movers will disassemble items for two reasons. 1, it makes transportation through doorways easier and 2, it allows items to be loaded more safely and space-efficiently. Don’t worry, they will reassemble your items too.
Transportation: Moving companies will provide their own truck and transport your goods to your new home.
Unloading: Once they arrive at the new location, they will move your items off of their truck into your new home.
Unpacking: While a less common service, movers will even unpack your items. Just be willing to pay a premium for this service.

3. If I hire movers, how can I reduce costs?

Since movers typically bill by the hour, the faster you can make their job go, the cheaper your bill will be. Here are some things you can do:

Box everything up: You can certainly pay your moving company to box and unbox your items, but if watching costs, we suggest doing this yourself. In addition, box everything that fits into a box, and tape the tops so your movers can stack on top of them. This will speed up the process significantly.
Assemble/disassemble: Large furniture, dining room tables, exercise equipment, etc. Odds are, if it can be disassembled, your moving company will disassemble it in order to efficiently and safely transport it. So save time by doing this yourself.
Clear pathways/prop open doorways: Your movers are navigating through your home dozens of times with limited visibility and heavy items in their hands. If you can give them a clear route, the time savings will add up (not to mention your movers will appreciate it).
Hire a sitter: Similar to clearing pathways, pets and children can get in the way of your movers. It can also be unsafe. So be sure to book a sitter prior to your move out day.
Be available to direct what goes where: You don’t want your movers standing around because they don’t know where to move your stuff or have any other questions. Simply being within earshot or next to your phone if they have questions will make sure there is no wasted time.

*bonus tip: during the walk-through or quote finalization, be sure to let your moving company know that you will have all of this done so they know to quote you less!

4. How do I prepare for my move?

If you plan ahead, stay organized, and box up as many items as possible it will help ensure a smooth move. Here’s a quick pre-move checklist:

USPS address change: Make sure you receive mail to your new address, you can update your mailing address here.
Utilities and cable switch: This is never fun but always necessary. So check it off the list right away!
Declutter and downsize: Organize and get rid of stuff. If you don’t need it, why pay to move it? A good rule of thumb is if you haven’t used an item in over a year you should consider getting rid of it.
Book your movers: Book your move at a time that works best for you. We suggest having a set date at least 3 weeks in advance to get the best rate and allow time for you to prepare.
Pack up and label boxes: Packing things will keep you organized and reduce trips to and from the moving truck. We suggest starting to pack at least 2 weeks prior to move-out day. Be sure to label the boxes in detail as well.

5. What will it cost to hire a moving company in Iowa?

While your moving cost will vary based on the size and scope of your move, distance travelled, time of year, and who you hire, here are some estimates:

Estimated rates to move from Iowa

1 bdr. house

~50 miles: $300 – $600

~250 miles: $800 – $1,900

~1,000 miles: $900 – $2,600

2,500 miles+: $1,200 – $3,300

2-3 bdr. house

~50 miles: $750 – $1,350

~250 miles: $1,600 – $3,500

~1,000 miles: $2,000 – $6,000

2,500 miles+: $4,000 – $7,000

4-5 bdr. house

~50 miles: $1,300 – $2,900

~250 miles: $1,900 – $4,400

~1,000 miles: $5,000 – $7,900

2,500 miles+: $8,000+

6. Are movers obligated to charge the same price they quote?

It depends if the estimate is binding or nonbinding. For a moving quote or estimate to be official it must be in writing and specify whether the quote is binding or nonbinding.

In general, you want to be wary of moving companies offering guaranteed rates, especially on a short distance move. Moving costs can vary onsite based on a number of factors and should be quoted as such. The exception is long distance moves, where the relative rate will depend more heavily on travel costs and the total weight of your items.

7. What paperwork is required during my move?

Before your move

A physical copy of your estimate
The Order for Service
A copy of “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move”
Info on dispute settlement
Contact information for questions and complaints

At the time of pick-up

A copy of the Bill of Lading

At the time of drop-off

A filled out Bill of Lading that you will need to sign for

8. What happens if the movers damage my items?

Moving companies assume a majority of the liability when it comes to your goods being damaged – that includes damage to your house such as the banisters or flooring. If this happens, first and foremost be sure to notate the damage on the Bill of Lading before signing at the time of drop-off. Then call them as soon as possible to file a claim. You legally have 9 months to file the claim, but the sooner the better.

9. How much should I tip my movers?

It is suggested that $20 per mover for a full day of satisfactory work is a good amount. If they did an exceptional job, had to maneuver multiple staircases, or extra heavy items, consider a little extra.

However, if you were anything less than satisfied or simply strapped for cash, don’t sweat passing on the tip. Unlike other industries, moving tips are not expected.

10. Is there anything movers won’t move?

Movers will move most of your items, but some things they either cannot move or may refuse to move. They cannot move hazardous materials such as batteries, gasoline, or fertilizers. They will not move perishable food items. They also might not move plants or very valuable items such as jewelry, keys, and checkbooks.

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Iowa Information

Whether you are moving to or from Iowa, here are some state statistics to keep in mind when planning your move.

Demographics

Iowa’s population is estimated at 3,155070 making it the 31st most populous state. The racial composition is 90.6% White, 3.4% African American and 2.3% Asian. Iowa is more urban than rural with 61% living in urban areas. Its largest cities in from most to least populous include Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Sioux City, and Iowa City.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iowa

Economy

CNBC’s Top States for Business recognized Iowa as the 6th best state, ranking #1 for the “cost of doing business”, #10 for economy, and 12th for “business friendliness”. While they are known for their agricultural production, this actually accommodates for a relatively small part of their economy. Leading their economy by GDP is manufacturing, followed by government, real estate, and finance.

Climate

Iowa has a humid climate with extremes of both heat and cold throughout the year. The average high in Iowa is 74 degrees and the average low is 17 degrees.

Attractions

Notable Iowa attractions include the RAGBRAI bike race, Iowa State Fair, Maquoketa Caves State Park, the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, Amana Colonies. and the Bridges of Madison County.

About Us

Move Honcho provides free moving estimates, rate comparison, and moving tips from a network of top rated moving companies from coast to coast. Our mission is to simplify your move by taking the heavy lifting out of your search process.