Planes Moving & Storage - Review by National Movers

Planes is what we call a “full-service” mover. They aren’t just two guys and a truck who lift boxes. They offer the whole menu. Here is what you can actually hire them to do.

Knowing what they do is one thing, but knowing how they actually operate is what saves you from pulling your hair out. Here is the typical workflow.

Getting a quote from a major carrier like Planes isn’t as instant as ordering a pizza. You can’t just click “buy.”

1. The Initial Contact: You fill out a form on their site or call them. You’ll interact with a coordinator. In my experience, their phone support is pretty polite.
2. The Survey: This is crucial. They will either send someone to your house to look at your stuff or do a virtual survey via video call. Do not skip this. If you want a fixed-price estimate, they need to see exactly how many bookcases and dusty treadmills you have.
3. The Quote: They will give you an estimate. It might be a “non-binding” estimate (can change based on weight) or a “binding” estimate (locked in). Always push for the binding estimate if you can.
4. Communication: Once you book, you get a move coordinator. This person is your lifeline. From what I’ve seen in customer experience reports, Planes’ coordinators are generally responsive, though weekends can be hit-or-miss.

So, the big day arrives. Here is what generally happens with a company of this caliber.

1. The Arrival: The moving crew usually calls to let you know they are on the way. They will show up in a branded truck (either Planes or Atlas).
2. Prep: They should lay down floor runners to protect your carpets and pad the banisters. If they don’t do this immediately, ask them to.
3. Loading: They tag every single item with a number and put it on an inventory sheet. This is tedious, but necessary.
4. The Change Order: Here is a pro tip from my days in the industry. If on moving day you suddenly decide to add ten boxes you said you weren’t taking, they will issue a change order. This adjusts the price on the spot. Be prepared for this.
5. Delivery: For long-distance, you will get a “delivery window” (e.g., June 1st to June 5th). You won’t get an exact time until about 24 hours before. This is standard in the moving industry, even if it is annoying.

Nothing is perfect. Here is the honest breakdown.

These are estimates. Your actual price will depend on weight, distance, and services.

Okay, talking money is tough because every move is different. You can use our moving cost calculator to get a general idea. However, I can give you some ranges based on the average normalized moving cost for this tier of company.

While they can move you anywhere, they have physical brick-and-mortar locations in the Midwest. This is great if you live near one because it means you are getting their own trucks and crews, not just an agent from the network.

• Cincinnati, OH: This is their HQ.
• West Chester, OH
• Dayton, OH
• Columbus, OH
• Indianapolis, IN
• Chicago, IL

If you are in these areas, you are in their “sweet spot.”

Look, here is my final verdict. If I were moving my own house again (please, no, not for a while), and I had a budget that allowed for a full-service mover, Planes Moving & Storage would be on my shortlist.

They are a “safe” bet. You aren’t rolling the dice like you are with a broker you found on page 10 of Google. They have the assets, the history, and the backing of Atlas. Are they perfect? No. You might run into a grumpy driver or a delayed delivery window. But regarding moving company regulations and protecting your furniture, they are solid.

However, if you are trying to move on a shoestring budget, they might give you sticker shock. They are for people who value peace of mind over saving the absolute last penny.

Maybe Planes isn’t feeling right for you. Or maybe you just want to compare moving quotes (which you should always do – get at least three!).

• Allied Van Lines: Another huge player similar to Atlas. Good for long-distance.
• PODS or U-Pack: If you want to save money and don’t mind loading the boxes yourself.
• Mayflower: Very comparable to Planes regarding service levels.
• Specialty Movers: If you are moving something really weird, like a mobile home, Planes isn’t the right call. That requires specialized equipment. We actually have a whole article on how much it costs to move a mobile home and another on the factors affecting moving mobile home cost if that’s more your speed.

Also, you might stumble across something like an Extra Mile Movers Review while researching. It’s easy to get lost in the rabbit hole of smaller companies. Just remember to check if they are a broker or a carrier. Planes is a carrier (via Atlas), which gives them more control.