Best Flat-Rate Moving Companies

If you’re looking at a big, complicated move – especially long-distance or international – International Van Lines (IVL) is probably already on your radar. They’re one of the biggest players in the game. Here’s the thing about them: they function as both a mover and a broker. That means if they can’t handle your move with their own fleet, they’ll connect you with a partner who can. This gives them massive reach.

My “experience” with them felt very professional. Their quote process was thorough, almost painstakingly so. They wanted pictures, lists, the whole nine yards. But that’s what you want for a binding estimate. The more detail they have, the more accurate the price.

They can handle just about anything, from packing your fine china to shipping your car overseas. The downside? They’re not the cheapest. You’re paying for their experience and comprehensive service, and their deposit is a bit higher than some others. But for a complex move, that extra cost can feel like a worthy insurance policy.

Now, if you’re a bit wary of the whole “broker” thing and want to deal directly with the people who will be carrying your couch, American Van Lines (AVL) is a fantastic choice. They are a direct carrier, not a middleman. They’ve been around for ages and have a reputation for having really experienced crews. This is the company you call when you have precious cargo. Think pianos, fine art, or that antique wardrobe you inherited from your grandmother.

They pride themselves on their flat-rate pricing model. When I talked to them, they were very clear about what was included and what wasn’t.

Their movers are trained specialists, not just guys who can lift heavy things. That expertise comes at a price, of course, and you might need to book them well in advance. But if quality and care are your top priorities, AVL is tough to beat.

Let’s be clear: IMRG is a broker. They don’t own any trucks. Their job is to be the ultimate matchmaker, connecting you with a moving company in their network that fits your needs and budget. Using a broker like IMRG can be great if you’re short on time and want to compare multiple offers without making dozens of phone calls yourself.

The experience is a bit of a mixed bag, and it’s important to know that going in. Your satisfaction totally depends on the specific local mover they pair you with. IMRG does the legwork of vetting their partners, which is a plus.

But you absolutely have to do your own homework on the carrier they recommend. Check their reviews, their DOT number, everything. IMRG is a useful tool, but think of them as the starting point, not the final destination.

If you’re looking for the white-glove, luxury-car version of moving, you’ve found it with JK Moving Services. These guys are the real deal, especially for corporate relocations or high-value moves. Everything about their process feels premium, from their customer service to their shiny trucks. They even offer financing, which is pretty unique in the moving industry.

When I researched them, I was blown away by the level of customization they offer. Need a custom crate for a sculpture? No problem.

Need your tech setup disassembled and reassembled? They have a team for that. Of course, this level of service doesn’t come cheap. JK Moving is an investment. They are probably not the right fit for a simple one-bedroom apartment move across town, but if you have a complex situation and a budget to match, they are top-tier.

Moving APT is another one of the big brokers, similar to IMRG. They have a massive network and can help you find a mover pretty much anywhere, anytime. Their strength lies in their ability to cast a wide net and find available options, which can be a lifesaver if you’re moving on short notice during peak season.

Like with any broker, you’re rolling the dice a little bit. I’ve read stories of fantastic experiences and some that were less than stellar.

It all comes down to the local company that handles the job. Moving APT has been around for a while and has a generally good reputation for customer service, and they are there to mediate if issues arise. My advice is the same as with IMRG: use them to find options, but then vet the actual mover yourself before signing anything.

North American Van Lines (NAVL) is a household name for a reason. They’ve been moving families since before our grandparents were born. They operate on a huge agent-based model, which is kind of a hybrid between a carrier and a broker.

You’ll work with a local agent under the North American umbrella, giving you both local attention and the resources of a massive national company.

What I like about them is their flexibility. They offer “not-to-exceed” pricing, which is a fantastic type of flat rate. The price they quote is the absolute maximum you’ll pay, but if your move ends up weighing less than estimated, your bill could actually go down. How cool is that?

They also have great options for container-based moves (like PODS) if you want a more DIY approach. They are a solid, reliable choice for almost any kind of move.

Allied Van Lines is right up there with North American in terms of size and history. They are another industry giant with a massive fleet and a network that covers the entire country and beyond. If you need to move your car along with your household goods, Allied is particularly great – they have robust vehicle shipping services.

Their reputation is built on reliability. They show up when they say they will, and they get the job done. Their quote process is straightforward, and they offer binding estimates to give you that flat-rate peace of mind.

You might not get the same boutique feel as a smaller company, but you get the confidence that comes with a company that has successfully completed millions of moves. They are a safe, dependable bet.

Safeway is a newer player compared to some of the old-timers on this list, and they operate as a broker. But they’ve built their entire brand around, well, safety and trust. They make a big deal about their intensive vetting process for the carriers they work with, which is meant to address the main fear people have about using a broker.

They focus on long-distance moves and try to provide a more hands-on, concierge-style service than some of the larger brokerages. When I looked into them, their customer service reps seemed genuinely focused on finding the right fit.

They are a solid choice if you like the idea of a broker doing the shopping for you but want extra reassurance about the quality of the actual moving crew.