Suddath Relocation Systems review: Cost, services and customer experience

Suddath Relocation Systems at a glance

Suddath Relocation Systems earned a spot on our list of the best moving companies for its extensive employee training and military move expertise. However, its higher prices, lack of instant online quotes, and customer service inconsistencies may cause some customers to pause.

Fast facts

What we like

We like that Suddath makes it easy to get an estimated price for a move, even if you don’t have all the details of your relocation. It offers essential services, such as full-service packing, unpacking, junk removal, storage options and specialized shipping for fragile items like collectibles and pianos. We also appreciate that it assigns a dedicated move coordinator to ensure a smooth moving experience from start to finish.

What we don’t like

While Suddath offers top-notch services, we don’t like that the company is too pricey for people on a budget. For example, we received a ballpark starting at $12,500 for a move that other companies, like Solomon & Sons, quoted for much less ($5,142). Also, Suddath doesn’t provide a moving calculator, oversized hauling or appliance disconnect/hookup services. This may be inconvenient for customers who specifically need these.

* BBB ratings are accurate as of June 2024.

Suddath Relocation Systems pros and cons

Suddath’s extensive training program ensures employees have up-to-date skills to handle customers’ belongings carefully. Its climate-controlled storage facilities offer the convenience and flexibility to store items as needed.

Unfortunately, Suddath isn’t available in every state. If you live in Alaska or Hawaii, you’ll need another moving company. We didn’t love that we couldn’t get an instant quote by providing basic details on its website. Instead, we had to call on a weekday to talk to a representative. The one we got wasn’t knowledgeable enough to answer basic questions like what discount options were available.

Pros

Cons

How much does Suddath Relocation Systems cost?

Suddath provides rough quotes over the phone based on your current and destination ZIP codes and the type of home you’re moving to and from. To get a more accurate estimate, schedule a virtual tour, during which a representative will inventory your belongings.

Below is the ballpark quote we received for a May move from a single-story, two-bedroom, two-bathroom home in Dallas to San Diego (same home type):

While Suddath offers an AAA discount, a company representative couldn’t say what it was. She suggested we ask about potential savings when we book our move. Although the representative’s lack of detailed information was surprising, it’s good to know that Suddath offers a discount for AAA members.

Quotes vary depending on the time of year you book a move. Moves tend to be more expensive during the warmer months when families are more likely to relocate.

What services does Suddath Relocation Systems offer?

Suddath is a full-service moving company that handles local, long-distance, interstate, international and commercial moves. It offers standard moving services like junk removal, fragile-only packing, piano shipping, antiques and collectible shipping and temperature-controlled storage.

Suddath also uses advanced survey technology, such as virtual assessments and online inventory tools, to provide accurate estimates and efficient moving plans. Customers get a dedicated move coordinator to ensure a stellar moving experience and easy communication.

Suddath Relocation Systems services

Suddath add-ons and optional features

Suddath doesn’t list specific add-ons and optional features with pricing on its website. You must call and speak with an agent to get a tailored quote based on your needs. They’ll work with you to customize your move, ensuring you only pay for what you need.

For example, if you need specialized shipping, Suddath can help you move your cars, boats, motorcycles, large items like pianos and even furry friends. If your new home isn’t ready when your belongings arrive, Suddath can arrange in-transit storage.

Suddath Relocation Systems customer experience

You can request a quote on Suddath’s website, but we didn’t receive a response when we tried. We called the next day and got connected with a friendly representative. There was no wait, even though we called during peak hours before noon. She provided a rough ballpark quote based on current and destination ZIP codes and home types.

We appreciated that she could give us an estimate without asking too many questions since we were only in the early stages of planning our move. The representative explained that the quote may change and become more accurate once we schedule a virtual walkthrough, where they note everything down and quote accordingly. Still, having this rough estimate helped us quickly compare quotes from other companies for the same move.

The representative couldn’t answer our question about discounts beyond the fact that Suddath offers one for AAA members. However, she assured us savings information would be available after a virtual walkthrough.

Customer reviews for Suddath are mixed, as they often are with moving companies:

Suddath Relocation Systems liability coverage

Suddath offers two protection plans, which are typical across moving companies:

Suddath Relocation Systems vs. competitors

If you’re in the military and looking to move, Suddath can be a solid choice. The moving company works with the Department of Defense and local agents to efficiently service PCS moves. Many of its employees are military veterans or their spouses, and the company has moved military families since 1919.

Suddath’s price quote exceeded International Van Lines’ estimate ($6,000 to $8,000) for the same move in May. But it’s comparable to or slightly lower than JK Moving Services’s estimated range of $12,000 to $16,000, depending on the needed assistance level.

Unlike JK Moving, which requires a 10% deposit (or $500, whichever is greater) to book a move, or Solomon & Sons, which charges 20% to 35% of the quote upfront, Suddath doesn’t require one to secure a moving date.

Suddath Relocation Systems competitor comparison

Methodology

To create our top moving company rankings, we evaluated 52 providers in detail. Moving companies that offer more move types, including local, long-distance and international, earned the highest marks. We also considered the range of services offered, such as packing, unpacking, storage solutions and vehicle transportation. Extra points went to companies that handle fragile items like pianos and collectibles with specialized care.

Insurance options played a vital role in our evaluation process. We also examined each company’s reputation by examining its Better Business Bureau rating, complaint history and years of experience in the industry.

The extent of each company’s nationwide presence and digital offerings, like virtual quotes and real-time GPS tracking, were also factored into our assessment. Lastly, our team of moving industry experts provided valuable insights to help shape the final rankings.

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