Best movers in St. Louis, Mo.

Getting ready to move in St. Louis? Finding a reliable moving company in the city can be a slog, especially with so many to choose from. That's why we spent hours researching St. Louis movers to find the best with proper licensing, excellent reviews, Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation and a wide range of services. We also contacted each of our top picks to get the latest information on hourly rates, background checks and everything else you need to know to make the right choice for your move.

The best moving company in St. Louis for YOU

When you're getting ready to move, it's always best to start early. Moving companies are busiest during the summer season, at the start and end of the month and on weekends. The earlier you reach out to get a quote, the more likely you are to get your preferred moving date. To narrow down your timeline, check out our guide on the best and worst times to move .

Start by researching the reputations of the movers you're considering through online reviews and recommendations from friends and family. Pay special attention to companies that are accredited by the BBB and those that hold certifications from industry groups, such as the American Trucking Association's (ATA) ProMover designation . Our list of the best St. Louis moving companies is meant to give you a head start, but these tips can apply to any moving company.

All-Star Moving is our pick for the best overall mover in St. Louis. They can help with moving, packing and labor-only jobs. The company will also accommodate emergency (or last-minute moves). However, there are more fees associated with this mover, including a deposit and truck fee that covers travel, fuel and materials.

Best moving companies in St. Louis, Mo.

All-Star Moving is the best overall St. Louis mover

All-Star Moving was founded in 2007 by owner Mathew Heldenbrand, who used his experience in the moving industry to create a company focused on professionalism, customer service and attention to detail. Nearly 20 years later, the company has gained experience navigating the challenges of moving around the St. Louis area and has even delivered and assembled furniture and appliances for Sears and American TV & Furniture. Whether you need something delivered, furniture assembled or full-service moving, All-Star Moving can take on your project.

The company quoted us a rate of $210 per hour for a crew of three movers when we contacted it for this article. That's roughly in the middle of the range among companies on this list, though it's approaching the high end. In addition to the hourly rate, there's a $295 truck fee that covers travel time for the crew, the truck and moving materials.

Services offered

• Residential and business moves

• Local and long-distance moves

• Labor-only services

• Packing and unpacking

• Specialty item moves

• Furniture assembly and disassembly

• Emergency moves

There's a two-hour minimum for each move, which means you can expect to pay at least $420 for a three-person crew. All-Star Moving also requires a deposit equal to one hour of your moving rate to lock in your spot on the calendar. However, it's refundable as long as you cancel at least 48 hours before your move. The company accepts cash, checks and credit/debit cards for payment, but cards incur a 3% transaction fee.

While All-Star Moving says that its customers tend to schedule moves at least a week or two in advance, it can accommodate emergency moves either for same-day or next-day service. Your success in booking an emergency move will depend on the moving crew's availability, however.

Though it doesn't have BBB accreditation , All-Star Moving has an A+ rating and one registered complaint. It also has excellent review ratings with 4.7 stars on Google (267 reviews) and four stars on Yelp (80 reviews). The All-Star Moving representative we spoke with stated that all of its movers are full-time employees who undergo a thorough background check.

The All-Star Moving office is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. 

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Simple Moves is the top alternative mover in St. Louis

Company owner Chris Gianino founded Simple Moves in 2000 after he spent years working for another moving company. As the company's name suggests, Gianino's goal with Simple Moves was to create a company that was more friendly to customers seeking someone to handle smaller moves at affordable rates and without lengthy minimum hour requirements. While the company still upholds that tradition today, it is also equipped to handle moves of any size for those relocating both locally and out of Missouri.

We reached out to Simple Moves for more information on its pricing, and a representative explained that the company uses different pricing for weekdays (Monday through Thursday) and weekends (Friday and Saturday). On weekdays, a three-person crew is $190 per hour, and the weekend rate bumps that to $210 per hour. There's only a one-hour minimum for every job, so Simple Moves is a great choice even if you only have to move a few things.

Services offered

• Residential and commercial moves

• Local and long-distance moves

• Packing and unpacking

• In-home moves

• Labor-only services

• Last-minute moves

• Storage

• Moving supplies

In addition to the hourly rate, Simple Moves charges a $125 travel fee that covers the crew's travel time, the cost of the truck and the moving materials. There's a $100 deposit required as well, though you can get a refund if you cancel with at least 48 hours' notice. For payment, Simple Moves accepts cash, checks, money orders and credit/debit cards. However, there's a 3% transaction fee applied to card payments.

Simple Moves is accredited by the BBB and carries an A+ rating with 11 registered complaints. It also has a 4.6-star rating with Google (1,059 reviews) and 3.7 stars on Yelp (238 reviews). Simple Moves confirmed to us that all of its movers are background-checked.

It's open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and closed on Sunday. However, it takes calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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BLVD Moving is our pick for best national mover

Yahoo Local is here to help people make smart decisions. While it's great to shine a light on local businesses, sometimes a national moving company makes more sense depending on what you need. If you're trying to decide between the two, take a look at our guide comparing local and national movers . For anyone leaning toward a nationwide option, BLVD Moving is our top national pick .

BLVD Moving is run by a team that has spent decades working in the moving industry. It may only have four locations in California, but it handles both local and long-distance moves throughout the U.S. The company is family-owned and independent, with its own trucks and crew. Still, the fine print says it might bring in subcontractors or agents to help with some moves — something that's pretty common in the industry, especially when things get busy.

We reached out to BLVD Moving for a quote on a 500-mile move that included about 1,340 cubic feet of stuff — roughly what you'd expect for a basic three-bedroom house without big appliances. The estimate came in around $6,700, which lines up with what other cross-country movers charge. It asks for a 33% deposit when you sign the contract, with half of what's left due at pickup. The rest is paid when everything gets delivered.

Services offered

• Local and long-distance moves

• Residential, office and commercial moves

• Packing services

• Storage

• Financing

If you end up needing to cancel, BLVD Moving will give your deposit back as long as you cancel at least two full business days before your scheduled pickup. The delivery window runs anywhere from two to 21 business days, depending on how far you're moving. That window starts from the delivery date you prefer, so you might be waiting just over a month once you're ready for your stuff to arrive.

BLVD recommends booking at least a month ahead of your move — maybe even sooner if you're moving during busier times like summer or the beginning or end of the month. (You can check out our full guide on the best and worst times to move for more on that.) Getting a quote is pretty easy — you can either set up a virtual walkthrough or fill out a form online with an inventory of your things to get a faster estimate. It also offers financing with rates starting at 0% interest for people who qualify.

BLVD Moving has BBB accreditation and an A rating , along with 94 listed complaints. That might seem high, but it's not unusual for nationwide movers. It has a 4.5-star average on Google (based on 1,704 reviews) and a 2.4-star rating on Yelp (from 392 reviews). All of its movers are actual employees, and everyone goes through background checks.

The main office is open every day from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time.

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Two Men and a Truck is the best St. Louis moving company for senior moves

While Two Men and a Truck is a national moving chain, the St. Louis branch got its start in 1994 with a single truck. More than 30 years later, the company now operates out of the Sunset Hills area in South St. Louis County, with over 40 trucks. It says it completes more than 10,000 relocations each year, offering a combination of moving, storage and junk removal services across the city.

We spoke with a Two Men and a Truck representative at the St. Louis office, who said its rates for a three-person crew can fluctuate between $245 and $265 per hour based on demand, making it tied for the highest rates among companies on this list. However, there's only a one-hour minimum for each job, so you aren't locked into paying for multiple hours if you only need to move a few items. In addition, there's a $245 service fee that takes care of the cost of travel time for your crew, the truck and moving materials.

Services offered

• Residential and commercial moves

• Local and long-distance moves

• Packing and unpacking

• Junk removal

• Moving supplies

• Senior moves

• Furniture rearranging and staging

• Specialty item moves

The good news is there's no deposit to lock in your moving date, which puts the company in the minority for this list. However, if you have to cancel, you must do so with at least 48 hours ' notice, or you'll be charged a $250 penalty fee to the card you provide when booking. For payment, Two Men and a Truck accepts cash, checks and cards without an additional transaction fee.

Two Men and a Truck is the only company on this list that specifically advertises senior moves as one of its specialties, making it a good pick if you're helping an elderly loved one downsize or move into an assisted living facility. These moves typically take a special touch with unique considerations, so read our guide to moving with senior citizens for more .

The Two Men and a Truck location in St. Louis is BBB-accredited and has an A+ rating with 14 registered complaints. It has a 4.8-star rating on Google (from 2,847 reviews) and a 2.9-star rating on Yelp (159 reviews). The Two Men and a Truck representative we spoke with said that all of its crew members are full-time employees who have undergone background checks.

You can call or visit the Two Men and a Truck St. Louis website to book your move. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. It's closed on Sunday.

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Cord Moving and Storage is the best St. Louis mover for international moves

Founded in 1920, Cord Moving has been in the relocation game for more than 100 years. As an agent for North American Van Lines, a national moving company, they offer pretty much every type of moving you can think of, including international moving services. But for the purpose of this article, we asked how much it would cost to move a three-bedroom house within the local area.

During our call, we spoke with Tim, a representative with the business management team, who told us that our move would likely require a team of three or four movers. Three movers cost $200 per hour, and a team of four movers costs $252 per hour. There's also a $25 fuel fee, and you'll pay for the movers' travel time.

The clock starts when the movers leave the office and ends when they make it back. An in-home estimate is required before scheduling. This allows the movers to get a decent idea of how many boxes and pieces of furniture you have. In other words, they want to know exactly what they're getting into beforehand.

Services offered

• Local and long-distance moves

• International moves

• Packing

• Storage

• Senior moves

• Military moves

• Specialty item moving

• Commercial moves

Since the company has a four-hour minimum charge for local moves, expect to pay at least $800 for three movers. Thankfully, there's no deposit or down payment required to lock in your move date. Payment is due after the move is complete and can be made with cash, card or certified check. There aren't any extra hidden processing fees when paying with a credit or debit card. We were also told that all the movers undergo background checks.

Cord Moving and Storage is a BBB-accredited business with an A+ rating and no filed complaints. It has a 4.6-star rating on Google (393 reviews) and a one-star rating on Yelp (three reviews). The company is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and closes early at 12 p.m. on Saturdays. It's closed on Sundays.

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College Hunks is the best St. Louis mover for junk removal and donations

With locations all over the country, College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving has huge national reach and offers a great combination of moving services. The St. Louis franchise has been in business for more than 17 years and can help with moves or junk removal across the city. The company also aims to give back through charity partnerships and claims it recycles or donates up to 70% of everything it hauls away.

When we spoke with College Hunks, the company representative told us it has different rates for weekdays and weekends. For a three-person crew, the weekday rate (Monday through Thursday) is $245 per hour, which is tied for the highest on this list. The weekend rate (Friday through Sunday) is $265 per hour — again, tied for the highest on this list. With a two-hour minimum, you can expect to pay at least $490 on weekdays and $530 on weekends.

Services offered

• Residential and commercial moves

• Local and long-distance moves

• Packing and unpacking

• Junk removal

• Hourly labor-only services

• Donation pickup

• Furniture arranging

College Hunks requires a $99 deposit to book your move, though it's refundable if you cancel at least five days ahead of your move. For payment methods, College Hunks accepts cash, check and credit cards with a 3% fee for card payments.

The St. Louis location for College Hunks is not BBB-accredited , but it has a B- rating with 15 registered complaints. However, it has a 4.9-star rating on Google (4,263 reviews) and 3.4 stars on Yelp (148 reviews). A company representative confirmed to us that all members of its moving crews receive background checks.

College Hunks is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

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Here's why you can count on Yahoo Local moving advice

We take our recommendations seriously, and we show you why you can trust them rather than just telling you to. All of our local business picks are chosen through an objective, custom ranking system that takes into account everything from review scores from reputable sources to proper licensing. We never accept money in return for placement, and none of our picks are sponsored (unlike some of the other guys). With decades of providing trustworthy information on local businesses, we're confident you'll find a company that will work for you. You can read about what went into our choices for the best St. Louis movers below. For more details, visit our full methodology page and read our list of St. Louis ranking criteria below.

• 70 movers evaluated

• 19,467 customer reviews and ratings from five sources

• 14 ranking criteria incorporated

• Interviewed or connected with all six featured movers

• Independent price quotes sourced from all six featured moving companies

• Independently researched and fact-checked by Yahoo

• Recommendations are maintained and updated regularly

St. Louis moving FAQs

What info should you have when requesting an estimate?

Moving companies will often ask for the same information to give you an accurate quote , so it's helpful to have it ready to go. This includes basic information like the addresses for homes on both ends of the move, along with the number of bedrooms and square footage of each home. Also note whether you're moving to or from a house, townhouse, condo or apartment and how many flights of stairs are involved (these can add extra charges).

If you don't know or have an address for the home you're moving to yet, most companies should be able to work with a zip code. If you're working with a company that bills in flat rates instead of hourly, they'll usually ask for a full inventory of the items you plan to move. Take note of any specialty items, like a piano or safe, because these are usually charged separately due to their weight and special precautions your movers have to take (check out our guide to items moving companies charge extra for ).

What should you know about packing and storage inSt. Louis ?

St. Louis is known for its hot, humid summers and wet winters, so it's good to prepare to shield your belongings from potential water damage. Store your belongings in a cool, dry place to prevent mold and mildew growth. If you have particularly sensitive items, read our guide to moving antiques and other valuables for specific tips.

If you plan to put your stuff into storage at any point during your move, shop around for one that is climate- or temperature-controlled to further protect it from shifts in temperature and humidity. You can also take steps to protect your boxes in storage from water damage in case the worst happens and your unit is flooded.

What's different about condo and apartment moving inSt. Louis ?

If you're moving out of or into an apartment or condo , there are some specific challenges you may have to deal with. Your building may have rules around times and days that you're allowed to move, or you might have to reserve a specific elevator. The best way to know for sure is to consult with your building manager and coordinate times with your moving crew to avoid scheduling conflicts.

You may also need to get a certificate of insurance (COI) from your moving company, which is a document that certifies it carries a certain level of insurance to cover damage its movers may do to the building during your move. Ask your building manager if one is required and speak with your moving company to request one if so. Note that some movers charge to provide a COI, so it may add a small amount to your moving costs.

Do you need moving permits or licenses to move in St. Louis?

Any company that moves household goods for hire in Missouri must obtain a Housemover License from the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) to legally do so on Missouri highways. The licensing process requires companies to provide proof of insurance, provide a list of its vehicles to the state, provide proof of financial fitness and more.

Moving companies that provide interstate services must also be properly licensed and authorized to do so by the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DoT). You can verify whether a company is authorized through the U.S. DoT's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website .

Finally, you might need a permit to block a portion of the street if you need to park a moving van in public spaces for an extended period of time. You can find more information and apply for permits at the city of St. Louis website . And you can find even more details in our Missouri moving company licensing guide .

How much should you tip movers in St. Louis?

Tipping your moving crew is a good way to show your appreciation for a job well done. While they aren't required, movers often make a decent portion of their pay through tips. Generally, it's recommended to tip anywhere between 10% and 20% of the overall move cost, split between the crew members. Most prefer cash, as it's easy to split, but some companies may have a line for you to tip on the final bill.

You can read through our guide to tipping movers for more information.

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