8 Best Movers Near Ames, IA
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When every moving company in Ames, IA claims they're the best, how do you really know? We analyzed 8 moving companies in Ames across 3,517 review data points and more than 20,000 movers nationwide using our 11-point rating system to help you determine the best moving company in Ames. See the top 8 Ames movers below (our top recommendation is: Smooth Moves Inc.), get data-based information on Ames moving costs (expect to pay somewhere between $364 and $1,161), or filter movers to display the cheapest movers in Ames, or the top recommendation for a Ames long distance move out of Iowa.
Best Moving Companies in Ames, IA
| Rank | Company | Score  | BBB Rating | Avg Move Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smooth Moves Inc. | 9.24 | A | 4.25 hours |
| 2 | Iowa Home Consulting | 9.24 | A+ | 3 hours |
| 3 | The College Moving Crew | 9.19 | A+ | 2.75 hours |
| 4 | Hemmen Moving | 9.12 | A+ | 3 hours |
| 5 | Iowa Moving 1 | 9.08 | A+ | 2 hours |
| 6 | Two Men and a Truck | 8.66 | A+ | - |
| 7 | Jake N' Jose Moving Service | 8.08 | A+ | - |
| 8 | Adam's Moving | 7.24 | A+ | - |
How Much Do Movers Cost in Ames, IA?
Movers in Ames, IA cost on average $364 for a crew of 2 movers and a truck to move a 1 bedroom apartment up to an average of $2,185 for 4 movers and a truck to move a 4 bedroom house. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by type of move and home size.
| Home Size | Crew Size | Labor Only | Movers & Truck | Full Service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2 | $91 | $228 | $410 |
| 1 Bedroom | 2 | $146 | $364 | $637 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 3 | $328 | $819 | $1,434 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 3 | $464 | $1,161 | $2,116 |
| 4 Bedrooms | 4 | $874 | $2,185 | $3,823 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | 4 | $1,092 | $2,731 | $4,733 |
Tipping Movers in Ames, IA
When hiring movers in Ames, Iowa, it’s customary to tip them for their hard work, especially if they’re navigating tight spaces around the Iowa State University campus or dealing with busy traffic on I-35. Most people tip 10–20% of their total moving cost or about $5 per mover per hour, depending on the size and complexity of the job. To show a little extra thanks, consider offering your crew a cold glass of fresh-squeezed lemonade at the end of the day.
Detailed 11-Point Review Analysis
We've analyzed more than 3,517 review data points to compare the top Ames movers across 11 important moving criteria. Here's how they stack up:
 Quality |  Punctuality |  Affordability |  Communication |  Stick to Prices |  Speed |  Friendliness |  Will Hire Again |  Professionalism |  Conflict Handling |  Precision & Care | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Smooth Moves Inc. Exceptional9.24 | 84 | 82 | 81 | 84 | 97 | 83 | 85 | 87 | 84 | 92 | 82 |
2 | Iowa Home Consulting Exceptional9.24 | 93 | 92 | 86 | 87 | 83 | 92 | 83 | 94 | 91 | 91 | 85 |
3 | The College Moving Crew Exceptional9.19 | 95 | 97 | 94 | 95 | 71 | 80 | 93 | 94 | 91 | 88 | 84 |
4 | Hemmen Moving Exceptional9.12 | 88 | 86 | 94 | 88 | 91 | 93 | 87 | 88 | 82 | 71 | 92 |
5 | Iowa Moving 1 Exceptional9.08 | 76 | 73 | 67 | 90 | 87 | 92 | 81 | 78 | 80 | 89 | 77 |
6 | Two Men and a Truck Fabulous8.66 | 65 | 49 | 38 | 56 | 76 | 64 | 57 | 67 | 58 | -- | 66 |
7 | Jake N' Jose Moving Service Good8.08 | 64 | 41 | 77 | 46 | 48 | 81 | 68 | 67 | 64 | 20 | 72 |
8 | Adam's Moving 7.24 | 28 | 47 | 17 | 44 | 20 | 13 | 20 | 30 | 17 | 86 | 39 |
Percentile Ranking
Ames Moving Companies Historical Ranking
DIY Moves in Ames, IA
Taking on a DIY move in Ames might seem cheaper upfront, but costs can add up quickly when you factor in truck rentals, fuel, and extra supplies. You’ll be responsible for packing, loading, and dealing with any issues that pop up, such as directing volunteers through Old Town Ames or navigating construction on I-35. If you’re ready to tackle the challenge, check local truck rental options, and remember to plan for plenty of time and a realistic budget.
Dependable Rankings You Can Count On!
Our rankings are data-driven — movers cannot purchase a spot on our list. Here's why you can have confidence in our recommendations:
- No Paid Placements: Every company earns its spot through merit, not payment.
- Extensive Analysis: Evaluated over 24,000 movers across the country for our rankings.
Compare The Top-Ranked Ames Movers
These are the top recommended movers based on our unbiased & regularly updated ranking algorithm (NOT paid promotions)
Smooth Moves Inc.
4137 120th St
Urbandale, IA, 50323
About Smooth Moves Inc.
This locally owned and operated moving company has been helping residents of Des Moines, IA, move since 2015. Smooth Moves Inc...
Services
- Local Moving
- Residential Moving
- Commercial Moving
- Packing Services
Pros
- Professional and efficient
- Friendly and courteous team
- Quick and worked hard entire time
- Reasonably priced and great value
Cons
- Rare instances of scuffs to walls and floor
- Some cases of getting lost going to new place
- Occasional communication issues about delays
- Infrequent feedback about not moving all items
Iowa Home Consulting
923 N 4th St
Ames, IA, 50010
About Iowa Home Consulting
Iowa Home Consulting is a trusted handyman service in Iowa that provides a comprehensive list of services for your home improvement....
Services
Pros
- Competitive pricing
- Professional and hard-working crew
- Efficient and quick moves
- Friendly and polite movers
Cons
- Price a little higher than desired in some cases
- Mark on lower part of leather couch
- Furniture was damaged during transit
- Rare occurrences of unmet assurances
The College Moving Crew
Ankeny, IA
About The College Moving Crew
Established in 2018, The College Moving Crew offers moving services with a focus on excellent customer service. It’s a full-service moving...
Services
- Local Moving
- Pack & Move
- Labor Only
- Box Packing
- Load Only
- Unload Only
- In-Home Moving
- Moving Labor
- Movers & Truck
- Full-Service Storage
Pros
- Extremely efficient, wasted no time
- Highly professional and courteous service
- Fair and reasonable pricing
- Excellent communication throughout the process
Cons
- Rare cases of damage to items like TV and lamps
- Estimate sometimes off from the actual price
- Occasional slow start to moving process
- Infrequent follow-up issues from office
Moving Licenses
| License Type | Number | Status | Last Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDOT | 3833578 | Not Authorized | 1/10/2025 |
Hemmen Moving
1293 W Ave
Ames, IA, 50014
About Hemmen Moving
For over 25 years, Hemmen Moving has served the Ames area with full-service moving solutions. It provides services for residential and...
Services
- Local moving
- Long distance moving
- Small moving
- Piano moving
- Appliance moving
- Last-minute moving
- Furniture moving
- Packing services
- Storage services
- Commercial moving
Pros
- Very affordable and reasonably priced
- Professional and efficient movers
- Always on time or early
- Exceptional care with customer's belongings
Cons
- Rare cases of not rectifying issues suitably
- Some reports of super unorganized and unprofessional behavior
- Infrequent communication issues noted
- Isolated complaint about being fully booked and unhelpful
Moving Licenses
| License Type | Number | Status | Last Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDOT | 608245 | Authorized For Property, HHG | 1/10/2025 |
Iowa Moving 1
2958 99th St # 5
Urbandale, IA, 50322
About Iowa Moving 1
If you've been looking for an affordable alternative to full-service movers in Des Moines, IA, Iowa Moving 1 could be perfect...
Services
- Local Movers
- Professional Furniture Movers
- Load and unload services
- Furniture rearranging
- Packing services
- Kitchen Tables moving
- Chairs moving
- Living Room Furniture moving
- Coffee Tables moving
- Dressers moving
Pros
- Efficient and quick service
- Professional and hardworking crew
- Affordable compared to other companies
- Excellent customer service and communication
Cons
- Some cases of overpriced services
- Rare issues with furniture not being properly wrapped
- Occasional timing and scheduling problems
- Infrequent reports of movers being distracted (e.g., on phone)
Moving Licenses
| License Type | Number | Status | Last Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDOT | 3299875 | Authorized For Property | 1/10/2025 |
Two Men and a Truck
2335 230th St # 100
Ames, IA, 50014
About Two Men and a Truck
As one of the fastest-growing moving franchises in the country, Two Men and a Truck has built a mighty name in...
Services
- Local moving
- Long-distance moving
- Junk removal
- Storage
- Packing services
- Boxes & supplies
- Piano moving
- Pool table moving
- Appliance moving
- Furniture moving
Pros
- Highly professional and polite.
- Quick and efficient moving process.
- Outstanding care and professionalism with belongings.
- Consistent, upfront pricing with no surprises.
Cons
- Workers on their phones a lot, reducing focus.
- Some cases of minor bumps and bruises to items.
- Rare complaints about service quality.
Moving Licenses
| License Type | Number | Status | Last Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDOT | 739369 | Authorized For Property, HHG | 1/10/2025 |
Jake N' Jose Moving Service
50 Duff Ave
Ames, IA, 50010
About Jake N' Jose Moving Service
Jake N' Jose Moving Service is an Ames area moving company committed to providing a positive moving experience no matter how...
Call NowServices
- Local moving
- Long-distance moving
- Cross-country moving
- Small moves
- Piano moves
- Furniture assembly
- Packing services
- Residential moving
- Commercial moving
- Hourly moving rates
Pros
- Efficient and fast in completing moves
- Professional and friendly service
- Reasonable and competitive pricing
- No damage to belongings or property
Cons
- Rare cases of no-shows reported
- Some instances of late arrivals
- Occasional communication issues mentioned
- Somewhat disorganized process in minor cases
Adam's Moving
6723 US-69
Ames, IA, 50010
About Adam's Moving
Adam's Moving is proud to be a moving company with over 30 years of experience. It’s a local family-owned and operated...
Services
Pros
- Very responsive
- Professional and friendly staff
- Efficient and quick service
- Showed up on time
Cons
- Rare cases of poor communication
- Prices higher than expected in some cases
- Infrequent issue with moving items left behind
- Some instances of unprofessional conduct
Moving Licenses
| License Type | Number | Status | Last Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDOT | 354534 | Authorized For Property | 1/10/2025 |
How do we review a moving company?
Imagine the challenge of sifting through and reading every single review a moving company has ever received. Could you spot the fake reviews? Could you formulate a well-rounded analyses, or would you be left relying on a gut feeling?
Our rigorous evaluation process addresses this by meticulously vetting each moving company based on 11 crucial aspects of the moving experience:
- 1. Quality
Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.
- 2. Punctuality
Did the crew show up on-time with the required equipment?
- 3. Affordability
1 = extremely expensive, 10 = extremely affordable
- 4. Communication
Was the office staff quick to respond to questions prior to moving day? Did the moving crew notify you on the day of move regarding any changes to the original schedule? If there were any issues to resolve after moving day, was an office manager quick to respond and address problems encountered?
- 5. Stick to Prices
Was a lowball quote provided to earn business only to see the final moving day price increase substantially?
- 6. Speed
Did the movers seem to take their precious time in an attempt to increase the overall cost of the move? Remember, moving is HARD work and some breaks should be expected!
- 7. Friendliness
Was the moving crew cordial and friendly to be around on moving day?
- 8. Will Hire Again
How likely a customer is to hire the same movers again for their next move.
- 9. Professionalism
Did the moving crew behave in a professional manner on moving day?
- 10. Conflict Handling
Accidents can and will likely happen at some point on moving day. How a moving company responds to these accidents can say a lot about the company.
- 11. Precision & Care
Were walls scratched? Did furniture get scuffed, broken, or lost?
Labor-Only Moves in Ames, IA
If you already have a rental truck and just need help with the heavy lifting in Ames, opting for a labor-only move can be an excellent choice. Whether you’re taking boxes from a dorm near Campustown or hauling furniture from one side of Ames to the other, labor-only movers can make all the difference. Be sure to book in advance if your move falls around busy times like the start or end of a university semester.
List of All Ames Moving Companies Analyzed
See all of our Ames moving company reviews- Iowa Moving 1
- Smooth Moves Inc.
- The College Moving Crew
- Iowa Home Consulting
- Hemmen Moving
- Jake N' Jose Moving Service
- Adam's Moving
- Two Men and a Truck
Specialty Moves in Ames, IA
For specialty moves in Ames, you’ll want experts who know how to handle pianos, pool tables, hot tubs, and beyond. Hiring dedicated piano movers ensures delicate keys and internal components stay intact, especially if you live in a historic home with tight hallways. Meanwhile, pool table movers can keep your game equipment balanced and free of scratches. Having pros who understand Iowa’s weather and local roads can truly help safeguard your prized possessions.
Special Considerations for Moving in Ames
Moving to a new location involves careful planning and preparation, especially when considering the unique weather and city-specific conditions of your destination. While natural disasters can't be precisely predicted and would override any moving plans, understanding and preparing for more predictable weather or city-specific issues can help ensure a smoother transition. The following chart outlines some essential considerations for moving to Ames, IA, to help you plan effectively and mitigate potential moving day challenges.
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Ames Moving Services
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