Every year, businesses — big and small — relocate to new locations that better suit their needs and goals. The best commercial moving companies are licensed and insured, have compelling offerings backed by proven experiences from satisfied customers, and help business owners get their businesses back up and running as quickly as possible.
Because all moves differ, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all company for commercial relocations. Here are our top picks for varying needs.
Our picks
Suddath Relocation Services: Best for commercial moving
JK Moving Services: Best for premium moves
Good Greek Moving and Storage: Best for junk removal
North American Van Lines: Best for flexible pricing
Mayflower: Best for large moves
Solomon & Sons Relocation Services: Best for East Coast moves
United Van Lines: Best for liability coverage
Suddath Relocation Services: Best for commercial moving
Star rating: 5 out of 5
Junk removal: Furniture and electronics disposal?
Storage: Yes
Project management: Yes
Why we picked Suddath Relocation Services
Since 1919, Suddath Relocation Services has developed an impressive variety of services to accommodate virtually every move. The company operates as a broker-carrier, giving it the flexibility to service moves with its employees and subcontract to independent carriers for broader availability nationwide and internationally.
Suddath scores high marks for helping out with all parts of the commercial moving process, including specialized support for various industries, office liquidation, ongoing facility support and employee relocation. While Suddath doesn’t offer an instant online quote, it has virtual survey options, allowing customers to complete the quote process without scheduling an in-person visit.
Who should use Suddath Relocation Services
We recommend Suddath Relocation Services to anyone looking for a long-standing moving company with consistently positive reviews. More specifically, we’d recommend them to government employees, military members, their families and others who may be moving as part of a larger commercial relocation.
Pros and cons of Suddath Relocation Services
Pros
- Operates as a broker and a carrier
- Offers IT services
- Provides real-time office move tracking
Cons
- Doesn’t offer online quotes
- Has limited branch locations
JK Moving Services: Best for premium moves
Star rating: 4.8 out of 5
Junk removal: No?
Storage: Yes
Project management: Yes
Why we picked JK Moving Services
JK Moving Services is a full-service moving provider known for its white-glove treatment. It accommodates local, long-distance and international corporate relocations and offers diverse services to fit a far-reaching clientele across many industries.
JK’s commercial moving services can streamline office and facility relocations by packing, unpacking and decommissioning unused merchandise, equipment and office space. The company also offers scalable commercial storage, supports IT infrastructure and protects business records in suitable archival conditions.
While requesting an online quote is not instant, JK Moving supports customers by offering consultant-driven and customer-driven estimate processes. Both options can be completed virtually.
Who should use JK Moving Services
We recommend JK Moving Services to customers who want to avoid taking money out of their business to pay for their move up-front. JK partners with third-party financer Enhancify to split up moves up to $50,000 into more affordable monthly installments.
Pros and cons of JK Moving Services
Pros
- Low-interest financing options through Enhancify
- Offers self-survey, virtual and in-person estimate options
- Storage facilities have fire-suppressing materials, 24/7 guards, motion sensors and climate control
Cons
- Requires a deposit at booking
- Doesn’t accommodate local moves outside Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
Good Greek Moving and Storage: Best for junk removal
Star rating: 4.7 out of 5
Junk removal: Yes?
Storage: Yes
Project management: No
Why we picked Good Greek Moving and Storage
Good Greek Moving and Storage is a Florida-based broker and carrier offering residential and commercial services across the United States and beyond. Its comprehensive moving packages can bundle services, or you can pick from a-la-carte options that fit your needs, including storage, packing and corporate relocation packages for employees. Its moving representatives are available 24/7 to discuss your upcoming move or troubleshoot a move already in progress.
Though Good Greek doesn’t have physical branches outside of Florida, its customer service team is responsive. Customers can reach out via the site’s live chat feature, by calling the contact number or submitting an inquiry using the online form.
Who should use Good Greek Moving and Storage
Good Greek Moving and Storage is an excellent contender for larger moves because you can easily add debris removal or indefinite storage to your reservation. The team doesn’t just throw everything in the trash, either. If you have recyclable or donatable items, the Good Greek team will take steps to dispose of or repurpose them safely.
Pros and cons of Good Greek Moving and Storage
Pros
- Provides furniture assembly/disassembly
- Offers stand-alone and bundled junk removal services
- 24/7 customer support
Cons
- Doesn’t have physical locations outside of Florida
- Advertises an instant quote option that isn’t actually instant
- Mostly services commercial moves in the state of Florida, but can do nationwide moves
North American Van Lines: Best for flexible pricing
Star rating: 4.6 out of 5
Junk removal: No?
Storage: Yes
Project management: Yes
Why we picked North American Van Lines
North American Van Lines (NAVL) is a seasoned moving provider with decades of experience in the industry. It covers all 50 states and many international locations. It stands out for its full-value protection, real-time GPS tracking and easy-to-find claims forms and contact details.
However, NAVL may not be the best fit for customers who exclusively want to work with a carrier that services moves with its own employees. North American Van Lines is a broker, meaning it’ll use subcontractors, which can lead to unpredictable service quality.
Who should use North American Van Lines
Companies with a lot of high-value equipment and employees who are anxious about the safety of their belongings throughout the moving process may be comforted by North American Van Lines’ additional safety measures, including live tracking, multiple tiers of insurance coverage and experience moving specialty items.
Pros and cons of North American Van Lines
Pros
- Offers optional full-value replacement insurance
- Real-time satellite tracking
- Specialty packing, including custom crating, for unconventional items
Cons
- No upfront pricing info when you request an online quote
- Requires in-person survey for binding estimate
Mayflower: Best for large moves
Star rating: 4.6 out of 5
Junk removal: Yes?
Storage: Yes
Project management: No
Why we picked Mayflower
Mayflower has over 100 years of experience, more than 500 locations and a massive nationwide fleet with a large team of service agents. The company offers customizable packages, including storage, vehicle shipping, junk removal and oversized hauling. In addition, Mayflower provides binding estimates to lock you into a firm price, with no upfront deposit required.
Mayflower is also a General Service Administration (GSA)-approved moving company. GSA companies are government contractors, and Mayflower’s experience in this area allows them to offer customizable full-service moving packages for military-related businesses and their employees.
Mayflower’s service area is more restrictive than other providers on this list; its network can’t service moves in Delaware, Hawaii, Rhode Island or West Virginia.
Who should use Mayflower
Businesses and employees who don’t have the time or resources to navigate pricing changes throughout the moving process will rejoice in Mayflower’s binding estimates. While many moving companies have stipulations for binding estimates, any quote you receive from Mayflower will be locked in unless the details of your move change.
Pros and cons of Mayflower
Pros
- Facilitates individual employee moves as part of a larger corporate relocation
- Includes basic full-value replacement insurance on all reservations
- All estimates are binding
Cons
- Doesn’t service Delaware, Hawaii, Rhode Island or West Virginia
- May subcontract to independent moving carriers
Solomon & Sons Relocation Services: Best for East Coast moves
Star rating: 4.5 out of 5
Junk removal: Yes?
Storage: Yes
Project management: No
Why we picked Solomon & Sons
Solomon & Sons Relocation Services is a Florida-based full-service moving provider that handles commercial moves of all types, including hotels, schools, offices, warehouses, labs and medical facilities. The company moves in the contiguous United States directly with its trained employees, as it is registered as a carrier, not a broker. These employees are screened by a background check and will show up on moving day in uniforms, further instilling confidence in their professionalism.
Solomon & Sons does have a steep upfront cost to book, which can range from 50% to the total cost of your services, depending on the scope of your move.
Who should use Solomon & Sons
Solomon & Sons’ multilingual staff can add value and support international businesses, especially those with offices on the East Coast. The company’s employees speak several languages, including Russian, Spanish, French, Hebrew and English.
Pros and cons of Solomon & Sons Relocation Services
Pros
- Staff is multilingual
- Offers a wide variety of commercial moving solutions tailored to specific industries
- Background checks and screens employees
Cons
- Quote isn’t instant, despite advertising it is
- Requires a 50% deposit for long-distance moves and full payment for local moves before delivery
United Van Lines: Best for liability coverage
Star rating: 4.4 out of 5
Junk removal: Yes?
Storage: Yes
Project management: No
Why we picked United Van Lines
United Van Lines (UVL) earned its spot on this list due to its diverse and flexible full-service moving options that can be customized to meet your business’s needs. Like Mayflower, it includes basic full-value protection in all moves. United Van Lines offers a full suite of commercial moving solutions, but the most compelling among them is partial packing for specific rooms. This flexibility can allow you to personally focus on the parts of your business that need the most attention while delegating the more tedious parts of the packing process to experienced movers.
That said, United Van Lines’ included full-value insurance can make its quotes seem more expensive at face value. For example, you may get sticker shock when you compare another company’s base prices to UVL’s, but it may appear more on par if you remove the included insurance coverage. Similarly, we couldn’t track down any advertised discounts — many moving companies offer savings for students, military personnel and seniors.
Who should use United Van Lines
We recommend United Van Lines to business owners who don’t mind paying a higher price tag for included insurance and a wide range of services, including debris removal after you’ve already moved out and specialized services through SnapMoves, which are tailored to small moves.
Pros and cons of United Van Lines
Pros
- Offers partial packing services if you only need help with certain rooms
- Includes basic full-value protection in all moves
- Offers trash and debris removal
Cons
- No discount options
- Doesn’t service Hawaii, Rhode Island, West Virginia or Vermont
Our picks at a glance
|
Our rating
|
Moving services offered
|
Insurance and liability
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Suddath Relocation Services | 5.0 |
Office move planning, storage, asset management, office liquidation, electronics recycling, IT support for workplace technology |
Basic valuation |
| JK Moving Services | 4.8 |
Office and facility moves, decommissioning, technology support, warehousing and storage, archival storage, industry specific services |
Basic valuation and full-value replacement |
| Good Greek Moving and Storage | 4.7 |
Small business and office moves, sports teams, hotel moves, local and nationwide charities, appliance and equipment installation, office furniture |
Basic valuation, full-value replacement through third-party sellers |
| North American Van Lines | 4.6 |
Office and employee moving |
Basic valuation, full-value replacement, declared value |
| Mayflower | 4.6 |
Full-service corporate relocation packages and employee moving |
Included full-value protection |
| Solomon & Sons Relocation Services | 4.5 |
Business relocation, employee moving and specialized services for various industries |
Basic valuation and full-value replacement |
| United Van Lines | 4.4 |
Packing/unpacking, debris removal, electronics packing/installation, specialty services, storage |
Included full-value protection |
What didn’t make the cut
Here are a few excellent moving companies that didn’t earn a spot on our best commercial movers list:
- Allied Van Lines has nearly 100 years of experience in the moving industry and offers unique services, like junk removal but doesn’t offer transition planning or large furniture/equipment moving.
- International Van Lines offers rush moving services for corporate relocations but doesn’t provide helpful additional services like document shredding, junk removal, appliance disconnection or technology support.
- American Van Lines has transparent pricing and specials for moving between specific cities but isn’t BBB-accredited and has a lot of recent negative reviews.
Types of commercial moving services
Commercial movers do more than transport your items to their new location. Here are some services you can add to your package to streamline the moving process:
- Custom crating. Custom crating protects large, fragile or otherwise unwieldy items by building a box designed for them. It also makes maximizing the available space and loading the truck efficiently easier.
- Electronics and equipment. Commercial movers may offer specialized services for businesses with many electronics and equipment. With this service, the team will take extra care to disconnect, pack and reconnect your machinery to reduce downtime.
- Junk removal: After packing and loading all your items, you can request your moving company go through your old property and dispose of any unwanted items.
- Loading/unloading. After your items are packed, your moving team can professionally load them into your moving truck so they don’t move around in transit. Professional business movers also have the experience necessary to pack the truck in a sensible order.
- Packing/unpacking. You can request a team of packers arrive a day or two before and after on either side of your move to prepare all your possessions for the move. Hiring professional packing services ensures your items are organized and well-packed to minimize confusion and potential damage in transit.
- Project management. Many commercial moving companies offer project management services throughout the moving process so you can focus on your business.
- Storage. Many commercial moving companies have partnerships with secure facilities to hold your items as long as necessary if you’re not moving into your new office immediately or need to store inventory during renovations.
How to choose the best commercial mover
You can choose the best commercial movers for your business by considering the following.
Availability and locations
Location and availability will determine whether a given company can service your move and how well its movers know your origin and destination locations. Try to book your move at least six months in advance to give yourself time to find a company with convenient locations and sufficient availability in your desired areas.
Customer reviews
Don’t take a company’s word for the quality of its services. Read as many customer reviews as possible on reputable sites like TrustPilot and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to assess past customers’ real-life experiences. We also suggest contacting other businesses and asking for referrals for companies they’ve previously used and liked.
Insurance and liability coverage for office moves
Vet every moving company you’re considering working with. Reputable moving companies will display their USDOT number, making verifying insurance and liability coverage for your move type easier. We also recommend opting for a commercial mover with additional insurance coverage options, as office, warehouse and business relocations often have high-value items intended for sale.
Price of move
Don’t book a commercial mover until you’ve had the chance to shop around. We recommend requesting quotes from at least three moving companies to ensure you find the best price and value for your desired moving services.
Additional services
Many commercial moving companies offer additional services, such as project management, custom crating and packing services, so you can continue operating your business while its employees focus on the more tedious logistics of your move.
Commercial moving costs explained
The cost to hire commercial movers depends on the scope and complexity of your move. We’ve broken down average commercial moving costs into a few common project sizes.
- Small office with 1 to 2 employees: $2,500 to $5,000
- Medium office with 3 to 5 employees: $5,000 to $10,000
- Large office with 10 or more employees: $10,000 to $50,000
- Multi-location offices with 10+ employees: $50,000+
- Retail spaces: $5,000 to $25,000
- Warehouses: $25,000 to $100,000
These figures are for local moves. Long-distance corporate relocations are more complex, which can increase prices.
Are there deals and discounts for office moves?
There aren’t many advertised deals and discounts for office moves, but when you request a quote, it’s worth asking. You may get a discount if you frequently use the company’s services, refer other businesses or move during the off-season.
How to plan for your office for a move: Tips for a smoother transition
Preparing for a corporate move requires a lot of planning. We spoke to Lisa Iverson, the director of Human Resources for Sonus Interiors. In her line of work, she’s coordinated multiple corporate relocations. Here’s what she recommended:
Develop an internal team
Because commercial moves are logistically complex, Iverson suggested delegating to an internal team with the resources to focus on and manage the moving process. She recommended determining who is responsible for each department, establishing the timeline to pack, determining how many boxes or book carts each employee needs and creating a labeling system for tracking items.
Get referrals
Iverson credited the realtor who found her company the new office space with most of the company’s seamless relocation. She added, “Realtors have the most experience with movers since they are in the business of helping companies buy and sell — which obviously requires the support of movers.” If you’re working with a real estate agent, ask for recommendations. If you’re not, ask your colleagues who they recommend.
Minimize downtime
Missed days eat into any business’s bottom line, so minimizing downtime as much as possible by moving on a weekend or after hours is important. Iverson said, “Make time to discuss with employees in each department to find out what their urgent set-up needs are to be functional on day one and what is simply nice to have once it is available.” This extra step allows you and your movers to establish an order of priorities.
Support your movers
Build goodwill with your moving team by supplying plenty of water and offering snacks, like pizza or doughnuts. Supported movers will be happier and more likely to ensure that all parts of the process go smoothly.
Methodology
CNN Underscored’s independent rating system evaluated moving companies based on the factors below:
