Because your moving needs are as unique as you are, choosing the right mover can get complicated. No mover can check all the boxes; (big national movers can’t help you move locally with 24-hour’s notice, for example).

By the way we’re Bellhop Movers, experts at local Atlanta moves and long-distance moves in Atlanta. Yes, as a highly rated mover (#2 by USNews in 2022) we put our name on the list of best Atlanta movers. – all worthy competitors, even in some cases folks we partner with.

Best Movers in Atlanta

To help you find the best moving companies in Atlanta, we’ve compared features and services, scoured rating sites, and read a bunch of reviews. We’ve thrown out the 800+ movers (85%) NOT accredited by the Atlanta Better Business Bureau (a great source for safeguarding your money).

We are scrappy,  competitive and have a keen respect for worthy fellow movers. We’ve included them on this list. (We even partner with some to expand our services, like storage, for example.) If you decide to go with one because, say, we cannot move your car, we hope you’ll consider Bellhop for a later move.

Why Bellhop for your Move

Bellhop can handle 90% of what full-service Movers can do. We partner with others like PODS for storage and North American Van Lines to do it all. We’ve included them on the list below, but we can manage the details for you from our Atlanta movers. Our Atlanta movers are rated highly on moveBuddha and nationally by USNews. We also offer packing services in Atlanta.

Bellhop - "Best Movers Ever'

Full-Service Movers

These movers handle local and long distance, offer packing, storage, junk removal, packing supplies.

Two Men and a Truck – Offers free quote, a defined service area, strong national ratings on comparison websites (Money, Forbes, US News), 4.3 rating on Google based on 305 ratings.

Peachtree Movers – Family-owned since 1975. Offers a free phone estimate and a simple form-fill free quote email. Rated 4.0 on Google with 144 reviews, 4.58 out of 5 on moveBuddha, plus a noteworthy A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Check first if you have heavy items like pool tables and safes. The many return customers in their reviews is a good thing.

24 / 7 Movers: In business since 2009 with an impressive 4.9 Google rating based on 1,400+ reviews, 4.4 on Yelp. Recommended for local moves and moves within Georgia (intrastate). Offers storage though it’s not climate controlled.

When to tip your Bellhop Movers

Labor Only Movers

FYI Bellhop also offers hourly labor service to help with your move.

A good place to look for labor-only service is HireAHelper. The website shows many choices with reviews, ratings and a ‘no show’ count. Also, a dollar hourly rate quote ($80 – $150 per hour, typically for a 2-hour minimum) and the number of moves booked from the HireAHelper website. Scroll to find companies like Brookwood Moving in Lawrenceville with strong ratings and 400+ reviews.

Storage moving

A container is delivered to your home (typically on your driveway), and you fill it up. Then it’s taken away to storage. Services like PODSoffer various size options with a storage center you can visit for access. These are ideal for homes with private drives, maybe more challenging for apartments and condos.

Long-Distance Moving

These have the infrastructure, manpower and organization for complicated large moves and long-distance relocation. Given their higher operating costs you can expect to pay more compared to smaller movers.

DIY How to Find the Best Movers in Atlanta

Start by opening a private or incognito tab on a search browser to save spamming pain later.

What to Research to Find the Leading Movers in Atlanta

Here are topics to research to determine which Atlanta moving company is the best match:

  • Services: What do they offer? No mover will check all the boxes; (National movers can’t help you move with 24-hours notice like Bellhop can). Do they match your needs?
  • What ‘satisfaction guarantees’ are offered? Bellhop and most offer them. Take it as a flag if a mover doesn’t have one in writing or have a clear write-up on reimbursement for damages. Check the Terms of Use and FAQs, typically found in the footer page section.
  • Pricing:
    • Can you get a quote with details broken out?
    • How fast can you get a quote?
    • Do they have a ‘guaranteed’ lock-in price, so you know it won’t change the day the movers show up?
    • Can you compare their quote’s details to the other movers? (Transparency)
    • Check the ‘fine print’ for ‘extra fees.’ It’s hard for movers to know exactly what your contents’ weight and dimensions are. How do they handle a difference?
    • Cancellation policy: Critical if your plans or even dates may change. How soon before the agreed move date can you cancel and is there a penalty payment?
  • Reputation: because it matters most, read our section about it.
  • Insurance: Is it available? Did the mover downplay the need for insurance? (Potentially a flag). If your move is within the state, do they offer both Full Value Protection and Released Value insurance, required on interstate moves by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).
  • Availability: Are they licensed to work in your area, and the state you are moving to? (Movers are regulated by state and federal agencies).
  • Responsiveness: More than just offering an online quote, are you being treated as a person who will potentially be spending thousands with promptness?
  • Broker versus Mover: Brokers like Bellhop arrange your move with third party movers who own the trucks and hire the crew. It shouldn’t make a difference in service, but … ?
  • Can they resell your information? What do their Terms of Use say.
  • What does your gut say? Your intuition can often be a better judge, particularly if it’s a coin flip between two movers. If you have the time, sleep on it and then decide.

Reputation Matters Most in Finding Top-Rated Atlanta Movers

Reviews: Reputable movers know their reputation is key and must be earned with each customer. Not every customer can be pleased; (we all know grumpy, blaming types…) so expect some low ‘star ratings’ on Google, Bing and Yelp reviews. Look for repeat customers; they’re a good indicator of consistent quality.

  • Read the ‘1 stars’ and then the ‘5 stars’. Ideally, these reviews were generated in Atlanta. Disregard the griper but pay attention if you see a pattern in the complaints: late, no show, ‘charged more.’ Compare the number of 5s to 1s and 2s. How did the mover respond? What does your gut say? (While I once recommended All My Sons, its average review ratings vary wildly today (4.2 on Google and 1.2 on Yelp). That’s a flag to me now.
  • If you can’t sort reviews on the mover’s site by quality, enter keywords associated with poor service like ‘broken,’ ‘late,’ ‘never heard back,’ ‘poor,’ ‘damaged’ to view reviews.
  • Is there a pattern of ‘canned’ responses? Do the responses seem sincere?

Rating Agencies: The Better Business Bureau of Atlanta has 970+ moving companies in its database, with only 145+ accredited (15%). That means there is a one in seven chance that any mover you find online will NOT be accredited. Read comments and complaints. Play it safe and only use a mover accredited by the Atlanta BBB.

Regulators: Check for proper licensing and accreditation for long-distance movers through the DOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration database. You can read their safety record and review complaints.

The Better Way to Move

Court Proceedings: It’s worth checking local databases to see if there are past lawsuits or legal actions as you narrow your search.

Should I use a comparison website to find the best movers in Atlanta?

It’s true that these can simplify your search. Know simply that movers can pay to be placed on their website in a prominent ‘above the fold’ position and that the publisher will receive a commission if you click through to a mover and book. (I worked for a comparison site which got paid several hundred dollars if a viewer signed up for insurance).

Look for ‘sponsor’ labels and too-good-to-be true, glowing reviews. Read their methodology. Don’t click through to the mover but do open a new tab and explore on your own.

If you see the same moving company on different sites, it could be worth researching (or simply mean they had a big marketing budget).

Cheap Moving – Moving on a Budget

Nationwide Moving for Cheap

Moving always seems expensive because it’s a ‘shock’ price we don’t encounter every day. And if your last move was before Covid, you will be surprised how much moving has gone up –  in Atlanta too.

MoveBuddha.com quotes the average costs of a local move nationally as:

  • “A studio or small one-bedroom apartment typically requires 2 workers, and it takes two to four hours to complete, with an estimated cost of $455 to $1,370.
  • A larger two-to-four-bedroom home may take six to ten hours, require three to five workers, and cost $799 to $3,000 for the move.’

Cheap Moving in Atlanta

Moving locally in Atlanta costs more for a 2-bedroom move between Washington Park (30314) and In-Town (30316) neighborhoods.  moveBuddha shows an average cost of:

  • Professional Movers in Atlanta: $870 – $2,120
  • Container Move – $400 – $1,071
  • DIY Move – Rental Truck – $49 – $107

When we used the ‘Quote Estimator’ for various moving company services to quote a 2-bedroom move with 30-days notice to homes in those zip codes:

  • Bellhop –  $970.
  • 24 / 7PENDING
  • PODS – (assuming 3 8x8x16 containers, move only, no storage) – $888
  • Labor Only – Hourly labor costs range from $80 – $150 on FindAHelper.com with typically a 2-hour minimum.

Tips for Moving for Cheap

It’s pricey to move even across town, but these ideas can help:

  • What you can do:
    • Declutter / Donate / Downsize
    • DIY wrapping and packing
    • Sources free boxes from supermarkets / liquor stores
    • Make it a party to get friends to help (packing, for example)
    • Move some items yourself – particularly fragile, personal items
  • With professional movers:
    • Get accurate quotes by inventorying your belongings honestly.
    • Negotiate – Your bid will most likely start with an automated quote form. You can expect a follow-up phone or email interaction where you can find out about deals the agent will offer. It pays to haggle!
    • Look for Deals – don’t be shy to ask. Expect them. Hold out.
    • Seasonality impacts pricing. Can you move off-season (typically during the school year)?
    • Ask for used boxes
    • Share a moving truck for long-distance moving
    • Be flexible and positive, it can sway the agent!
    • DON’T skimp by NOT buying insurance

Should I Put my Move on a Credit Card?

It can happen that at your destination, you will be asked to pay the balance of the moving charge before unloading. Make sure your card has the available  balance and then some for unexpected fees. Given today’s high interest rates, pay this off as quickly as possible. Have the mover’s office phone handy in case you want to dispute added charges.

What to Do Before You Start Looking for the Best Movers

  • Start early. Moving is a stress-filled activity. Even across town. Remove some stress with extra time and preparation.
  • Build an inventory move list for each room. Be honest about the big furniture items etc. if asked. Most quotes ask about the size of your home, number of rooms, etc. Low-balling this info can hurt you later.
  • Know Your Needs so you can build a list of the movers who can meet them. Is this a budget move? Is this a local move happening fast? Do you need to transport a car? When and where matter too.
  • Use the Free Quote engine: This is an easy way to get comparisons if answering the same for each mover.
  • Search thoroughly. Start with comparison sites but don’t stop there. Check ratings and reviews on Google, Yelp and others. Ideally you want three. See our ‘how-to’ section for more info. Don’t be shy about asking for an in-home visit, particularly for a large family, or long-distance move.
  • Compare quotes. Yes, this takes time too but you’re spending your money, and some moves are pricey. The best-rated movers we include here will let you ‘save’ a quote so you can think about it.
  • Call and confirm heavy items to move: Safes, slate-top pool tables, grand pianos, hot-tubs can be a challenge for any mover. Check first. You may be better off hiring special moving help for them.
  • Ask neighbors, coworkers, family. Everyone moves and you trust them.

How Can I Protect My Personal Information When Searching for Top Rated Movers in Atlanta?

Stick to Pros – Again, we recommend you stick to the Atlanta BBB database of accredited movers. Here are some general tips when contacting other top-rated movers in Atlanta:

Can the Mover Resell your Personal Info? Review the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Bellhop will never sell your personal data but be cautious when contacting others. Note: we amy share info with other moving companies to assist in your move.

Be Incognito When Getting Initial Quotes (as much as you can). Use one-use emails, VPNs, private browsing, zip codes rather than your physical address. Go to home-selling sites, find homes in your zip code and your planned move to zip code and use their addresses.

Contact info brokers to opt-out

Don’t be surprised if your quote adds unwanted emails and spam calls. Here’s what to do:

  • Data Broker Lists: Use websites like OptOutPrescreen.com to get off credit offer lists and DMAchoice.org to reduce junk mail.
  • Broker Opt-Outs: Visit data broker websites like Acxiom, Spokeo, or MyLife to opt-out of their databases.

Consider Bellhop for your Next Atlanta Move

Hopefully this ‘best movers in Atlanta list’ gave you a place to start your search. If you want to save time, contact any Bellhop office throughout Greater Atlanta for local moves (Buckhead, Woodmont, Concord Hall, Seven Oaks). If we can’t help you now, we hope to later.

If you have specialized needs, check out our special services:

Thanks again for reading!

Warren Sly