Best movers in Pittsburgh, Pa.

With a history in steel production, Pittsburgh is known as "The Steel City." Its steel has been used to build iconic structures, such as the Brooklyn Bridge and the Empire State Building. Whether you're ready to venture to this city or are moving to a different town or state, the first step is finding the right moving team. Yahoo Local knows how overwhelming it can be to plan a move. To help, our team of moving experts examined the best Pittsburgh movers to ensure each one is Yahoo-approved. We evaluated customer reviews, licensing and accreditation, Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditations and more. We also contacted each company to discuss pricing structures and more. Keep reading for more on the best Pittsburgh moving companies. 

Quick overview

The best moving company in Pittsburgh for YOU

Picking the right moving company can be a time-consuming task. Any major city or town will have several moving companies available in the area, making it even more challenging to choose the right one. It's essential to find a moving company that suits your needs. Whether your priority is the quality of movers or price, we researched each moving company on this list to ensure you don't get stuck with an unreliable team. By examining customer reviews, services offered, prices, and overall reputation, we identified the five best moving companies for every type of moving need.

Gardner Moving ranked in the top spot for the best overall mover in Pittsburgh. This fourth-generation, family-owned moving company has been relocating Pennsylvania residents for more than 100 years. When asked how much it would cost to move a three-bedroom, 1,300-square-foot house locally within Pittsburgh, the owner quoted us $1,380. While the company does charge a four-hour minimum for moving services, you won't need to pay any money up front to secure your preferred move date.

Best moving companies in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Gardner Moving is the best overall Pittsburgh mover

What's most impressive about Gardner Moving is its track record within the moving industry. The company has been in business for over 100 years and is on its fourth generation of ownership. Along with moving, packing and storage services, you can expect great customer service from the owners and representatives.

When we called in for a quote to move a three-bedroom house locally within Pittsburgh, we spoke with Mike Gardner, the current owner of the company. Gardner was very friendly and more than happy to answer any questions from potential customers. Our move would cost $1,380. This estimated price includes the hourly rate for three movers ($230 per hour), one truck and travel between locations.

Keep in mind that the company also charges a four-hour minimum for moving services, regardless of how long or short the job is. Because of that, expect to spend at least $920 to book a team of three movers. Thankfully, there's no extra deposit or down payment necessary to schedule your move.

Services offered

• Local and long-distance moving

• Packing services

• Storage services

• Piano moving

• Commercial moving

• Senior moving services

All payments are due after the move is complete and can be made with cash, card or check. Note that there's a 3% processing fee when paying with a credit card. We were also told that the movers on staff are the company's full-time employees who have been trained and background-checked.

Gardner Moving is a BBB-accredited business with an A+ rating and no filed complaints. It has a 4.7-star rating on Google (102 reviews) and a 4.6-star rating on Yelp (56 reviews). If you're thinking about getting a quote, you can call in or fill out the lead form on the company's website. The business is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and closes early at 12 p.m. on Saturdays. They aren't open at all on Sundays.

See Google reviews See Yelp reviews

South Hills Movers is the top alternative Pittsburgh moving company

Pittsburgh is home to many local businesses that have managed to withstand the test of time. South Hills Movers is no different, as it's steadily approaching the 100-year mark. The company offers moving, packing and storage services in and around the Greater Pittsburgh area.

For this guide, we asked for a quick estimate to move a three-bedroom house within the city. Hourly rates are given out freely over the phone, but if you're looking for a precise estimate, you'll need to schedule an on-site survey of your home, where a representative will take an inventory of all the furniture and boxes that need to be moved.

The hourly rate for three movers and one truck is $224 per hour. If four movers are needed, the hourly rate bumps up to $282 per hour. There is a separate travel fee for fuel and mileage, but since those numbers are dependent on where you live, that's something that will be discussed during the on-site estimate.

Services offered

• Local and long-distance moving

• Packing services

• Storage services

• Commercial moving

• Senior moving

• Corporate relocation

On moving day, the movers will show up with free wardrobe boxes any clothes you have hanging in the closet, as well as floor runners and padding for doorframes to protect your home. Furniture will be wrapped in moving blankets and taken apart as necessary.

There's a four-hour minimum charge for local moves, which means you'll spend at least $896 for three movers. Keep in mind this doesn't include travel or material costs. To book your move, you'll pay the first hour of labor upfront as a deposit. It's fully refundable so long as you cancel at least 48 hours before your scheduled move date.

The rest of your payment is due after the move is complete. Payments can be made with cash, card or check. However, there's a 3% processing fee when paying with a credit card. All of the company's movers are full-time and receive background checks.

South Hills Movers is a BBB-accredited business with an A+ rating and one filed complaint. It has a 4.6-star rating on Google (281 reviews) and a three-star rating on Yelp (44 reviews). Quotes can be obtained by calling the business directly or visiting its website. Business hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. It's only open for scheduled appointments on Saturdays and completely closed on Sundays.

See Google reviews See Yelp reviews

Make Moves is the best Pittsburgh moving company for local moves

Since 2012, Make Moves has operated locally in Pittsburgh. This business began as two cousins helping people load and unload their U-Hauls. Through referrals and repeat clients, the company grew into a full-service moving company. Make Moves is a locally operated company, meaning it handles only intrastate moves within Pennsylvania. Whether a family or a business, the company helps with all types of moves, from a single item to an entire home. Note that the company only moves within Pennsylvania, so out-of-state moves are off the table.

Three movers cost $170 per hour. This charge covers the crew and a fully-equipped truck. For moves exceeding 30 minutes, an additional travel and fuel fee applies based on the distance between locations. A non-refundable deposit equal to one hour of moving services is required.

Services offered

• Local moves

• Long-distance moves within Pennsylvania

• Commercial moves

• Residential moves

• Single-item moves

• Packing

• Labor-only moves

Make Moves requires a three-hour minimum, which is longer than the minimums of other moving companies in this review. You can expect to pay a minimum of $510 for a three-man crew, plus travel time and fuel fee for moves greater than 30 minutes away. This Pittsburgh mover accepts checks, cash, Venmo and credit cards. Venmo and credit card payments come with variable fees.

Make Moves is fully licensed and insured, and its movers receive background checks. The company is not accredited by the BBB and has a B- rating. It has one unresolved complaint on record with the BBB related to service or repair issues. It has a 4.8-star rating on Google (392 reviews) and a 3.8-star Yelp rating (44 reviews).

Call Make Moves or visit the website to schedule a free estimate. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

See Google reviews See Yelp reviews

BLVD is our top national moving company

At Yahoo Local, our focus is on supporting and showcasing outstanding local businesses. That said, we recognize that for some customers and certain types of moves, national companies may be the more suitable option. For more insight, take a look at our comparison of local movers vs. national moving providers . Among the best national mover options we reviewed , BLVD came out on top in our rankings.

BLVD Moving is led by a team with extensive experience in the moving business. Although the company operates just four locations within California, it provides both local and long-distance relocation services across the United States. It's a privately owned, family-operated business that utilizes its own moving crews and fleet of trucks. According to its service agreement , however, it may occasionally rely on subcontractors or agents for certain jobs — a standard practice in the industry to help manage high demand.

To gather pricing details, we requested an estimate from BLVD Moving for a 500-mile relocation involving around 1,340 cubic feet of household items — a typical volume for a standard three-bedroom home without major appliances. The company provided a quote of roughly $6,700, which is comparable to other long-haul moving providers. A deposit of 33% is required when you book, followed by 50% of the balance due at the time of pickup. The final payment is made upon delivery.

Services available

• Local and long-distance relocations

• Moves for homes, offices, and commercial spaces

• Packing assistance

• Storage options

• Payment plans

If a customer needs to cancel, BLVD Moving will issue a refund of the deposit as long as the cancellation occurs at least two full business days before the scheduled pickup date. The company provides a delivery timeframe that spans from two to 21 business days, depending on the distance of the move. The delivery countdown begins from the customer's requested delivery date, which means it's possible for shipments to take over a month to arrive after you're ready to receive them.

The company advises booking your move at least 30 days in advance — and even earlier during peak times like the summer season or around the beginning or end of each month. The process to get a quote is straightforward: you can request a virtual walkthrough or complete an online inventory form for a faster estimate. BLVD also offers financing options, with interest rates starting at 0% for eligible customers.

BLVD Moving is accredited by the BBB and holds a B rating. It has received 94 customer complaints, which, while notable, is in line with what's seen across national movers. The company earns a 4.5-star average rating on Google (from 1,664 reviews) and a 2.4-star rating on Yelp (based on 395 reviews). All movers employed by BLVD are fully vetted through background checks and work as direct hires.

The company's office hours are from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. To receive a quote, call or head to the company's website.

See Google reviews See Yelp reviews

Friendly Movers is the best Pittsburgh moving company for weekend moves

Friendly Movers has been around since 2012, offering full-service moving for both homes and businesses in the greater Pittsburgh area. Just like with the other moving companies on this list, we called Friendly Movers for a quick estimate to move a three-bedroom house across town.

When we called the company's main phone number, we spoke with Debbie, a moving consultant, who told us we'd likely need a team of three movers. The hourly rate for three movers and one truck is $290 per hour. There is a travel and fuel charge, but it's calculated based on the distance between pickup and drop-off locations, so it'll be different every time.

All of your furniture will be wrapped in blankets, unless otherwise stated. Plastic wrap is available upon request. We weren't given a straight answer on whether shrink wrap costs extra, so just be aware of any extra material charges. Larger pieces of furniture will be disassembled and reassembled as necessary.

Services offered

• Local and long-distance moves

• Packing

• Heavy and specialty item moving

• Commercial moves

In order to secure your preferred moving date, you'll need to pay a $300 deposit, which is non-refundable regardless of how much cancellation notice you provide. Many moving companies in the Pittsburgh area also have a four-hour minimum charge for local moves, and Friendly Movers is no different. This means you should expect to spend at least $1,160 for a team of three movers.

Payments can be made with cash, card or check. Note that there's a 3% processing fee when paying with a card. All of the company's movers are drug-screened and background-checked, and your move will never be contracted out.

Friendly Movers is not a BBB-accredited business , but it does have an A+ rating and zero filed complaints. It has a 4.8-star rating on Google (187 reviews) and a 4.5-star rating on Yelp (65 reviews). Those interested in obtaining a quote can call or visit the company's website. The business is open every day of the week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

See Google reviews See Yelp reviews

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

We have decades of experience providing trustworthy information on local businesses at Yahoo. We put in the work to show you why you should trust us, rather than just telling you. Our exclusive rankings system, for example, incorporates reviews from multiple established sources of user ratings, like Google, Yelp and Angi, and weights them to deliver what we believe is the most authoritative and transparent local business ranking system. We provide details on what goes into our rankings so you can decide on trustworthiness, which are listed below. Yahoo Local does not accept payment for inclusion or placement. We are pleased to share that our independent picks aren't "sponsored" or otherwise influenced by other sources. Visit our full methodology page for additional information.

Here is more on how Yahoo Local selected the best Pittsburgh moving companies: 

• 83 movers evaluated

• 12,852 customer reviews and ratings from five sources

• 14 ranking criteria incorporated

• Interviewed or connected with all five featured movers

• Independent price quotes sourced from all five featured moving companies

• Independently researched and fact-checked by Yahoo

• Recommendations are maintained and updated regularly

Pittsburgh moving FAQs

What info should you have when requesting an estimate?

When you request a moving estimate, each company will need specific information to provide an accurate quote . The more information you can provide, the better. Here is some information you should have ready before requesting a quote:

• The zip codes of where you're moving to and from and your desired moving date.

• The services you need include loading and unloading, storage, and moving.

• A general list of items that need to be moved and how many, such as boxes and furniture.

• Consider special requests, such as if you need a large piano moved.

• The number of floors the moving team would need to climb and whether there are stairs or elevators, since this could slow down the overall moving process.

You can save time by checking the website for each company before calling to ensure they offer the services you need. These details help each mover determine the number of movers required, the estimated time and the cost.

What should you know about packing and storage in Pittsburgh?

Condos and apartments moving in any major city may have some unique requirements or restrictions. Pittsburgh is a city, meaning some areas may have restricted parking or loading zones. Some condos and apartments may also have specific guidelines or time limitations for moving, due to policies established by the homeowner's association (HOA) or management. Many buildings also require you to reserve an elevator for moving . To ensure you are following the proper policies, please check with your building manager in advance.

Once you select a mover, let them know the type of home you live in, such as a single-family home, condo or apartment. Due to potential policies, the type of home you live in can affect your quote.

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

If you're downsizing your home or have a few weeks in between when you need to move out and then move in, you may need storage services. This is what you should know about storage in Pittsburgh:

• Pittsburgh is often humid in the summer. If you require storage during the warmer months, ensure your items are stored in a temperature- or climate-controlled space to prevent mold from forming on them.

• If you require vehicle storage, check which storage spaces have space for cars, RVs and other large vehicles.

• Pittsburgh is a large city, so there are numerous storage spaces available. Shop around to find the one with the best price, climate, space, and amenities.

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

Moving permits and licenses are required to move anywhere in Pittsburgh. Moving companies typically list on their websites whether they are licensed and insured. Permits can be obtained through the city's website . There also must be "No Parking" signs posted at least two days before your move. Check with the movers you choose on these policies, as they'll likely have a system in place for handling permits and licenses.

Want to learn more? Read our complete guide to Pennsylvania moving company licensing and regulations for all of the details.

How much should you tip movers in Pittsburgh?

Picking up and moving large items for hours is not an easy task. Tipping movers shows that you appreciate all of their hard work. It is recommended to tip them between 10% and 20% of the total moving cost, which is the typical recommendation for tipping movers anywhere. The amount you choose will depend on the quality of services provided, the complexity of the move, and any conditions that potentially make the move more difficult, such as rain or humidity.

Contact the moving company you choose to see if you can add the tip to the final bill. Otherwise, you can hand the movers cash. Explore our detailed guide to tipping movers for more information.

More Yahoo Local-approved Pennsylvania providers

Best Pennsylvania movers

Lancaster / Philadelphia / Pittsburgh / York

• See all Yahoo Local moving articles

Best Pennsylvania roofers

Allentown / Lancaster / Philadelphia / Pittsburgh

• See all Yahoo Local roofing