Best movers in Des Moines, Iowa

If you're thinking about hiring a professional moving company to handle your move, you'll want to make sure you pick the right mover for the job. We know that's easier said than done, so we compiled a list of some of the top movers in the Des Moines area and scored them based on criteria like Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditations and rating , licensing and compliance with local regulations, customer reviews and more. According to our proprietary ranking system, these are the best moving companies in Des Moines, Iowa.

Top Des Moines movers

The best moving company in Des Moines for YOU

Selecting the right moving company can feel overwhelming, and while we stand behind every mover included here, the ideal choice will ultimately be the one that matches your specific needs and budget. If storage will be necessary, focus on providers that include storage options. Moving oversize or bulky items that require extra care? Then you’ll want movers with the right equipment for heavy lifting. If saving money is your main concern, compare quotes and find out which company gives you the most value. We recommend contacting at least three movers before you decide.

Adamantine Spine Moving is our top scorer for the best moving company in Des Moines. To move a three-bedroom, 1,400-square-foot house locally, we were quoted a ballpark estimate of $1,200 to $1,500. This price range includes the hourly cost for labor ($65 per man, per hour), a 26-foot truck, travel fees and a non-refundable deposit. To get an accurate quote, they'll need to take an inventory of your belongings via a scheduled virtual survey. We were also told that everyone on the moving crew is background checked and drug-screened.

Two Men and a Truck (Des Moines location) is another great option for professional movers in the area. For the same local move, we were given a rough estimate of $1,440 to $1,800. This includes the hourly rate for two movers ($180 per hour), a 26-foot truck and any travel costs. Much like other moving companies, Two Men and a Truck requires a full inventory of your belongings to get an accurate quote. There's no deposit required to book with them, but they do charge extra for specific heavy and bulky items, like exercise equipment, safes, pool tables and large TVs. The moving crew is made up of full-time employees, who are trained, background-checked and drug-screened.

Table of contents

• Best overall mover in Des Moines

• Top alternative Des Moines mover

• Best national moving company

• More best Des Moines movers

• Why you can trust Yahoo Local moving advice

• Iowa moving FAQs

• Methodology

Best moving companies in Des Moines, Iowa

Adamantine Spine Moving is the best overall Des Moines moving company

Founded in 2002, Adamantine Spine Moving's mission is to make every move as "stress-free" and "fun" as possible. You can book them for local and long-distance moving, as well as packing, storage, piano moving and white-glove services. We called Adamantine Spine Moving to get an estimate for a local move, moving a three-bedroom, 1,400-square-foot house in Des Moines.

During our call, we spoke with Erin, a sales representative with the company, who was friendly, knowledgeable and excited to hear all about our move. We were quoted a ballpark range between $1,200 and $1,500, which includes the cost of labor ($65 per person, per hour), a 26-foot truck and a local travel fee ($90 to $250). The travel fee is calculated based on the driving distance to and from the company's nearest warehouse. To get an accurate quote, you'll need to schedule a virtual survey call with the company. During this call, they'll help you perform a walkthrough of your home to get a better idea of the volume of items that need to be moved.

Services offered

• Local moving and long-distance moving

• Packing services

• Storage services

• Piano moving

• White-glove services

• Packing materials

There is a deposit required to book your move, but the amount you'll pay depends on the total cost of your move. Our deposit fee was quite large, at around $420, and it's non-refundable. Plus, there's a three-hour minimum that can drive up the costs even more for shorter moves. Based on the hour minimum, the hourly rate per mover and the deposit fee we were given, the total cost is likely going to be at least $810. This factors in the hourly cost for two movers, but doesn't account for travel and fuel fees.

You can make any payments using cash, ACH or card. Be aware that there is a 2.9% processing fee for any credit or debit card payments. Everyone on the moving crew is trained, background-checked and drug-screened. Erin tells us that most of the movers have been with the company for many years, so they're very experienced.

Adamantine Spine Moving is a BBB-accredited business with an A+ rating and no complaints on file. It has a perfect 5-star rating on Google (469 reviews) and Yelp (4 reviews). The business address is 4701 NW Urbandale Drive., Suite #230, Des Moines, Iowa, 50322. To get a free estimate, you can call them at 515-207-2727 or visit the company's website . Business hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Adamantine Spine Moving is closed on Sundays.

Customer testimonial

Had a great experience from start to finish with Adamantine Spine Moving. Getting a quote from them was easy, and they even helped compare other quotes I had received from other companies to ensure we were getting the best price. The crew members arrived on time and were extremely respectful. The job was completed in about 8 hours, and the estimate we had received ended up being very accurate. - Madeline G., Google reviews (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

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Two Men and a Truck is our top alternative Des Moines mover

Two Men and a Truck's Des Moines location has been in business for more than 25 years, servicing homes and businesses within Des Moines and surrounding counties. The company assists with both local and long-distance moves, as well as packing, storage and specialty item moving services.

When we called to get an estimate for a local move for our three-bedroom house, we spoke with Sue, a customer service representative who's been with the business since 2006. She quoted us a ballpark estimate between $1,440 and $1,800. This price range includes the hourly rate for two movers ($180 per hour) and a 26-foot moving truck. Keep in mind that Saturday moving rates are higher than normal. To get a more accurate quote, they'll need to take a full inventory of your household belongings.

They have a one-hour minimum for every job, and there are no travel fees for moves under 100 miles of round-trip driving distance. However, they do charge an additional fee to move specific items, like heavy exercise equipment, safes, pool tables and TVs that are 50 inches or larger. We told Sue we had a 55-inch TV, which she said would be an additional $100 to move.

Services offered

• Local and long-distance moving

• Packing services

• Storage services

• Packing materials

• Specialty item moving

There's no deposit or money down required to book your move. You can make any payments with cash, card or a check from an Iowa bank, and you won't be charged a processing fee when paying with a credit or debit card. Everyone on the moving crew is a full-time employee who's been trained, background-checked and drug-screened.

Two Men and a Truck is BBB-accredited with an A+ rating and one filed complaint. The company has a 4.7-star rating on Google (697 reviews) and a 3.5-star rating on Yelp (24 reviews). The business is located at 2601 104th Street, Urbandale, Iowa, 50322. You can request a quote by calling them at 515-216-3654 or visiting the website . Business hours are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, with a closure on Sundays.

Customer testimonial

My move was flawless. The office staff was friendly and helpful, even though I had to reschedule three times due to delays in closing on my home. The movers were friendly and efficient. I would recommend Two Men and a Truck to anyone. - Colleen L., Google reviews (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

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BLVD Moving is the best national moving company

At Yahoo Local, we strive to spotlight outstanding local businesses, but we also recognize that national moving companies can sometimes be the better fit, particularly for long-distance moves. After evaluating several national providers, we selected BLVD Moving as the leading choice on our list of best national moving companies . For a detailed explanation of how to make a decision, see our guide to comparing local and national movers .

Founded in 2000, BLVD Moving is operated by professionals with decades of experience in relocation services. Although it maintains only four offices in California, the company provides both local and nationwide moving assistance across the United States. This independent, family-owned business manages its own trucks and staff movers, though its terms clarify that subcontractors or agents may sometimes be used. This practice is fairly standard in the moving industry to handle spikes in demand, but it’s worth noting.

We requested a quote from BLVD Moving for a 500-mile relocation involving approximately 1,340 cubic feet of household goods — roughly the size of an average three-bedroom move without major appliances. The estimate came in at about $6,700, which aligns with other cross-country movers. Customers must pay a 33% deposit when signing, followed by 50% of the remaining balance at pickup. The final portion is due once delivery is complete.

Services offered

• Local and long-distance moves

• Residential, office and commercial moves

• Packing services

• Storage

• Financing

Cancellations are permitted, with deposits refundable if you cancel at least two full business days prior to pickup. Delivery windows range from two to 21 business days, depending on distance. The timeline begins on your preferred delivery date, so in some cases, shipments may take just over a month to arrive.

BLVD advises scheduling moves at least a month in advance, especially during peak times such as the summer season and at the beginning or end of the month. (See our guide on the best and worst times to move for more details .) Getting a quote is straightforward, whether through virtual consultations or by submitting an online inventory form for faster pricing. Financing options are also available, with interest rates starting as low as 0% for qualified customers.

The company holds BBB accreditation with a B+ rating and 87 recorded complaints. While that may sound high, such numbers are typical for large moving firms. On Google, it has a 4.3-star average (based on 1,198 reviews), while on Yelp, it carries a 2.3-star rating (369 reviews). All movers are employees — not contractors — and each undergoes a background check.

BLVD Moving’s headquarters is at 21622 Plummer St., Chatsworth, Calif., 91311. Its business hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. To reach BLVD Moving, call 844-274-0500 or visit its website to request an estimate.

Customer testimonial

I had an amazing experience with this moving team! Kevin and Edwin were amazing! They were on time, super friendly and incredibly professional. They wrapped all of my furniture and took such great care with everything, which gave me total peace of mind. The whole process was smooth and stress-free thanks to how efficient and positive they were. I’d absolutely recommend them to anyone looking for movers who go above and beyond! - Camille B., Google reviews (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

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More best Des Moines movers

You can count on Yahoo Local moving advice, and this is why

For decades, Yahoo has been committed to delivering reliable details about local businesses. Our Yahoo Local guides carry that legacy forward, designed to help you find the businesses most deserving of your time and money. We don’t simply expect you to take our word for it — we back it up by explaining the methodology and criteria behind every recommendation we make. With a proprietary ranking system developed in-house, we’ve built what we believe is the most unbiased approach to showcasing the top local companies in your community. You can be confident that our lists are never pay-to-play; no business can buy its way into our rankings, and we do not feature sponsored selections. Curious about how it all works? Visit our complete methodology page for a detailed breakdown.

Below is everything that went into the rankings for our list of the best moving companies in Des Moines:

• 14 movers evaluated

• 6,196 customer reviews and ratings from five sources

• 14 ranking criteria incorporated

• Interviewed or connected with all three featured movers

• Independent price quotes sourced from all three featured moving companies

• Independently researched and fact-checked by Yahoo

• Recommendations are maintained and updated regularly

Iowa moving FAQs

What info should you have when requesting an estimate?

What’s needed to receive a moving quote varies by company and how thorough its pricing process is. Some movers only request basic details such as your home’s square footage, number of bedrooms and your starting and ending addresses. Others won’t calculate a price until they have a full inventory of everything you plan to move.

At a minimum, you should be ready to provide the size of your current and new homes, the addresses, and whether you have any oversize or specialty items (like pianos, safes, appliances, etc.) that may be more difficult to move. Many companies add surcharges for belongings that exceed a certain weight limit, so sharing that information early can help you avoid surprise costs. It’s equally important to mention if there are stairs or elevators at either property, since movers often charge extra for those conditions.

What should you know about packing and storage in Iowa?

Iowa experiences all four seasons, though the climate generally skews colder. In Des Moines, for example, average summer highs reach around 82 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit, while winter lows can dip to about 14 degrees Fahrenheit in January, according to U.S. Climate Data .

Certain belongings like electronics, art supplies, synthetic fabrics, cosmetics, and medications don’t hold up well in extreme heat or cold. For those items, it’s best to keep them in climate-controlled vehicles. And if you’ll need storage, it’s worth paying extra for an indoor or climate-regulated unit to help protect them.

What's different about condo and apartment moving in Iowa?

When relocating to or from an apartment or condo, chances are you’ll be dealing with stairs. Many movers add extra charges for hauling belongings up several flights, and some even apply fees for elevator use. In certain cases, companies may bill you based on the number of steps climbed. Policies differ by provider. You might not see an additional fee for just one flight of stairs, but if your unit is on the third floor or higher, you'll be more likely to face an extra cost.

Do you need moving permits or licenses to move in Iowa?

Yes, moving companies that transport household goods within state boundaries must obtain an Intrastate Motor Carrier Permit from the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT). This requirement is mandated under Iowa Code Chapter 325A, which establishes the legal framework for motor carriers operating within the state. For more details, check out our guide on Iowa's moving company licensing and regulations .

How much should you tip movers in Iowa?

A common guideline for tipping movers is to tip between 10% and 20% of the total cost of your move. This standard works for both local and long-distance moves. Keep in mind, though, that tipping is optional. It’s meant as a gesture of appreciation. If the service doesn’t meet your expectations, there’s no obligation to provide a tip.

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