Published by Chris Townsend
Last updated Nov, 26 2025
Are you facing the challenge of moving apartments in Pennsylvania and seeking the best movers? Look no further. This guide provides a carefully ranked list of trusted apartment movers Pennsylvania offers. We tackle your most pressing concerns, from transparent pricing to dependable cleaning services throughout the state. Start your move on the right foot without sifting through the hype; just practical advice for a worry-free relocation.
Key Takeaways
- Five top-rated transporters offer specialized services, from comprehensive packages to relocation of high-value items and nationwide coordinated moves.
- Choosing the right shifters requires careful consideration of pricing and estimates, reputation and reviews, available services, and compliance with Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission regulations.
- A successful apartment move depends on effective organizing, downsizing, proper packing, and communication with property managers. It also requires a clear understanding of moving rules and regulations for both local and interstate moves.
Top 5 Apartment Movers in Pennsylvania
Moving can be quite a task, but with the support of the right haulers, the process can be seamless. Five relocators stand out due to their exceptional services and customer satisfaction ratings. They are:
- International Van Lines
- American Van Lines
- Moving APT
- JK Moving Services
- Allied Van Lines
International Van Lines: Best for Comprehensive Services
Emerging as a standout among apartment movers, International Van Lines offers a comprehensive range of moving benefits, including packing solutions, loading, transporting, and unpacking.
They also provide specialty services such as insurance coverage options to safeguard your belongings.
Furthermore, International Van Lines' global reach, extending across 180 countries, further bolsters its reputation. This establishes them as a top choice for both domestic and international relocations. With International Van Lines, you can customize a full-service or partial-service package, providing a personalized moving experience. The company’s strong position in the industry is further bolstered by its commitment to transparency customer experience, and satisfaction.
American Van Lines: Best for High-Value Items
American Van Lines possesses ample expertise in in-depth research and handling the relocation of high-value items—a skill that sets them apart. They have carved a niche in handling high-value items like fine artwork, antiques, and pianos. With an experienced team and a fixed pricing structure, they ensure the utmost safety of your treasured items during the relocation process.
The company offers:
- Movers with an average of 10 years of experience
- Regular training for their haulers
- Comprehensive full-service offerings, including dismantling, packing, transporting, and reassembling furniture
- A fixed pricing structure ensures that your rate will remain the same if you don’t alter your move after receiving the initial quote.
Moving APT: Best for Coordinated Moves
Renowned for orchestrating seamless relocations, Moving APT attributes its success to its expansive nationwide network of the best shifters, including over 2,500 professional haulers. It stands out with its unique approach to moving apartments, which involves collaborating with professional movers to offer customized quotes that cater to its customer's specific requirements and financial constraints.
Their range of services includes:
- Full-service and partial-service relocations
- Appliance disconnection and reconnection
- Storage solutions
- Car and boat shipping services
With 24/7 customer service accessibility, Moving APT ensures constant support. Their adeptness at scheduling moves with minimal delays enhances the efficiency and smoothness of their services.
JK Moving Services: Best for Customized Solutions
They takes the lead among Pennsylvania’s apartment movers with their knack for offering highly customizable solutions. They offer comprehensive full moving service packages that include an array of customizable packing choices and advanced inventory methods.
What sets JK Moving Services apart is its dedication to making its hauling accessible. It offers financing options through Enhancify, helping customers manage moving costs. In addition, it has adopted advanced technology, including AI-assisted home surveys and a mobile app, enabling customers to monitor estimates and manage their bookings conveniently.
Allied Van Lines: Best for Customer Service
Allied Van Lines excels in customer service, a pivotal aspect of the process, earning them wide recognition for their exceptional performance. They offer a diverse range of services, including full-service moving and relocation groups, packages, Do-It-Yourself (DIY) support, and vehicle relocation options.
Allied Van Lines, a reputable company within the North American Van Lines network, is particularly recognized for its expertise in vehicle relocation services. Its commitment to customer satisfaction and service quality makes it a top choice for anyone looking to execute a stress-free move, whether local or long-distance.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Apartment Mover
Selecting the apartment moving company goes beyond choosing the first name on the list. Many aspects warrant consideration while making this decision. These include the company's pricing and estimates, reputation and reviews, and services.
Pricing and Estimates
Understanding the distinctions between flat-rate and not-to-exceed pricing and providing online estimates is critical to evaluating pricing and estimates. Factors like mileage, selected usefulness, and the weight and volume of the inventory can significantly impact costs.
While self-moving is usually more cost-effective, full-service movers offer considerable value for larger homes or those with substantial belongings. Thus, be mindful of potential hidden costs, such as:
- fees for additional pickup or delivery stops
- fuel and travel fees
- packing fees
- furniture assembly fees
It is recommended to clarify all potential costs with the haulers before deciding to engage their services.
Reputation and Reviews
Assessing a moving company’s reputation and reviews forms an indispensable part of the selection process. Here are some steps to follow:
- Verify their licenses and insurance through the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
- Ensure the presence of a physical address.
- Read online reviews from reputable sources.
- Consider recommendations from trustworthy individuals.
Following these steps can provide valuable insights when choosing shifters.
Equally important is to exercise caution with companies that demand substantial upfront deposits or offer unusually low estimates. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Ensure you request a written contract outlining the services and associated costs before committing.
Available Services
The scope of services offered by a full-service moving company plays a pivotal role in the selection process. These could include full-service and partial-service packages, free online estimates, local moves, and specialty moving services for items like antiques, pianos, and artwork.
Also, consider the availability of service options like storage, which may vary based on local availability. Before making your final selection, ensure the company can cater to your specific needs and preferences.
Tips for a Smooth Apartment Move in Pennsylvania
Relocation is a significant life event that necessitates meticulous planning and organization. Here are some tips to ensure a smooth apartment move in Pennsylvania, including organizing and downsizing, packing tips and materials, and communication with property managers.
Organizing and Downsizing
Organizing and downsizing can significantly ease the moving process. Decluttering can simplify the relocation and lower the overall expenses. It is advisable to commence the process in advance, prioritize belongings, and dispose of unnecessary items. This will make the packing and moving process more efficient and manageable.
Recommended downsizing strategies include exploring storage solutions and accurately assessing the new living space. Keeping a record of possessions can also be helpful. These practices will enhance the organization and efficiency of your relocation to Pennsylvania.
Packing Tips and Materials
Packing forms an integral part of the process. Here are some tips to make it easier:
- Label all boxes according to the room they belong to.
- Prioritize keeping essential items in a separate and easily accessible container.
- Reduce belongings before packing to minimize the number of boxes.
When packing fragile items, appropriate packing materials like bubble wrap, packing paper, and foam peanuts are recommended to safeguard them during transit. Filling any void spaces in the boxes with packing peanuts or bubble wrap can prevent movement during transport.
Communication with Property Managers
Maintaining effective communication with property managers is crucial for coordinating moving day logistics, such as reserving elevators or loading zones, to facilitate a seamless transition without incurring penalties or encountering scheduling conflicts.
It is crucial to communicate the following information to your property manager:
- Contact information
- Rent payment instructions
- Rules regarding alterations
- Proof of payments and reports
- Tenant complaints
Moreover, informing your property manager about your plans to move out at least 30 days in advance is advisable to allow them sufficient time to make necessary arrangements.
Understanding Regulations
Pennsylvania’s moving regulations safeguard consumers and mandate high service standards for shifting agencies. Understanding these regulations can help you make an informed choice when choosing a haulers.
Local Movers
Transporters fall under the state’s Public Utility Commission (PUC) purview. It oversees its operations to ensure compliance with state regulations. The PUC oversees and enforces safety and service standards to ensure consumer protection. Movers must possess a certificate of public convenience issued by the PUC to provide moving services within the state.
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If consumers have any issues or concerns, the PUC provides a dedicated complaint hotline for them to report their grievances. This ensures that consumers' rights are protected and any issues are promptly addressed.
Interstate Movers
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates interstate movers. The FMCSA mandates registration with the Federal government and acquiring a U.S. DOT number for all interstate haulers.
Interstate movers must also comply with a comprehensive set of regulations and policies established by the FMCSA. These regulations are designed to uphold safety and safeguard consumer interests during all interstate moving and relocations.
Summary
Whether you’re shifting locally or across state lines, finding the right moving company is critical. From understanding the comprehensive services of International Van Lines to the specialty of American Van Lines in handling high-value items, from the coordinated moves offered by Moving APT to the customized solutions of JK Moving assistance and the excellent customer service of Allied, this guide has provided you with extensive information to make an informed choice. Consider factors such as pricing and estimates, reputation and reviews, and the available services before making your final decision. With careful planning and organization, your move to Pennsylvania can be a smooth and stress-free experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most apartment moves in Pennsylvania range $450–$1,200 for local jobs and $1,200–$3,500 for longer intrastate distances. Crews generally use 2–4 movers, and pricing changes with apartment size, stair-only access in older buildings, elevator reservations in mid-rise or high-rise complexes, and long-carry distances from street parking. Winter weather can extend loading time, especially in central and northern counties. For added context, many renters compare rates using nearby service examples such as those in Scranton.
The biggest influences are unit size, crew size, and packing requirements. Additional cost drivers include long hallways, shared elevators, tight access around older rowhouse neighborhoods, parking restrictions, and seasonal traffic congestion. Local moves are usually under 50–100 miles, while longer in-state routes add labor hours and fuel. Buildings with loading dock schedules or HOA rules often create fixed move windows, increasing overall time. Movers also adjust plans during peak periods like late summer when leases commonly renew.
A standard apartment move takes 3–6 hours for studios and one-bedroom units and 6–8 hours for larger layouts. Timing changes with elevator access, distance to the loading zone, and building policies that limit elevator reservations to specific blocks. In dense areas or multi-building complexes, crews may need additional time for staging trucks or navigating shared parking areas. Weather delays are more common in western and northern Pennsylvania, adding steps for protecting floors and walkways during loading.
Yes. Most professional crews routinely work in mid-rise and high-rise buildings, following requirements for certificates of insurance, service elevator reservations, hallway protection, and loading dock check-ins. In downtown areas, movers often coordinate truck staging during approved time windows to comply with municipal rules. These logistical requirements can influence both cost and timing. For example, similar management procedures apply in several county-level markets such as Upper Merion.
Monday through Thursday is typically the smoothest period to schedule a move. Weekdays reduce elevator competition, minimize weekend parking congestion, and avoid higher-demand periods near lease-turnover weekends. Many buildings limit weekend loading hours, which can compress crews’ working time. Weekday scheduling also helps avoid rush-hour slowdowns on major commuter corridors connecting Philadelphia suburbs and central Pennsylvania cities.
Yes. Long-distance apartment moves follow federal FMCSA standards for state-to-state transportation. Delivery windows typically range 5–14 days, depending on distance, season, shipment weight, and whether your apartment has stair-only access or a required elevator schedule. Movers commonly prepare long-distance apartment shipments across multiple routes. For related reference, the broader apartment-moving network includes pages like the apartment movers index, which outlines nationwide service categories.
