Best Ames Movers
Updated Jun 8, 2025
Looking for reliable Ames movers? See our top 8 recommended movers in Ames, IA based on extensive analysis. We analyzed 8 moving companies in Ames across 3,748 review data points and more than 18,000 movers nationwide using our 11-point rating system to help you determine which Ames moving company to hire. See the top 8 Ames movers, get data-based information on Ames moving costs, the cheapest movers in Ames, and our top recommendation for Long distance movers.
Key Takeaways:
- Iowa Home Consulting is our overall top recommended moving company in Ames
- The College Moving Crew is the most affordable movers in Ames
- Expect to spend somewhere between $364 and $1,161 on local Ames moving services
- Our rankings and results are unbiased & backed by data… NOT paid promotions
Best Moving Companies in Ames, IA
| Rank | Company | Score | BBB Rating | Avg Move Duration | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa Home Consulting | 9.24 | A+ | 3 hours | |
| 2 | Smooth Moves Inc. | 9.24 | A | 4.25 hours | |
| 3 | The College Moving Crew | 9.19 | A+ | 2.75 hours | |
| 4 | Hemmen Moving | 9.11 | A+ | 3 hours | |
| 5 | Iowa Moving 1 | 9.09 | A+ | 2 hours | |
| 6 | Two Men and a Truck | 8.64 | A+ | - | |
| 7 | Jake N' Jose Moving Service | 8.06 | A+ | - | |
| 8 | Adam's Moving | 7.19 | A+ | - |
Our Top Recommendations
Iowa Home Consulting
923 N 4th St, Ames, IA, 50010
11-Point Rating
Best moving company overall in Ames, IA. Iowa Home Consulting takes the #1 spot for our overall ranking and is the top recommended movers in Ames.
Iowa Home Consulting is the number 1 ranked moving service in Ames, IA with an overall score of 9.24 out of 10. Based on our extensive analysis, this is an Exceptional score and places it in the top 96.53% of all movers in Iowa and the top 94.86% of moving companies nationwide. They score better than 7 other Ames moving companies and better than 166 movers in Iowa.
Our Research
11 Point Rating
| Metric | Score Out of 10 | vs Nationwide Comparison between Iowa Home Consulting & the average of all
moving companies nationwide | Positive Reviews The total number of reviews that rated the metric positively (a score of 7-10) | Negative Reviews The total number of reviews that rated the metric negatively (a score of 1-6) | Positive Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | 9.72 | ↑ 17.0% | 109 | 0 | 100.0% | |
| Punctuality | 9.65 | ↑ 20.9% | 44 | 0 | 100.0% | |
| Affordability | 9.28 | ↑ 22.5% | 26 | 0 | 100.0% | |
| Communication | 9.27 | ↑ 24.7% | 25 | 1 | 96.2% | |
| Stick to Prices | 8.40 | ↑ 40.9% | 5 | 0 | 100.0% | |
| Speed | 9.77 | ↑ 15.7% | 46 | 0 | 100.0% | |
| Friendliness | 9.73 | ↑ 11.4% | 53 | 0 | 100.0% | |
| Will Hire Again | 9.69 | ↑ 20.4% | 107 | 0 | 100.0% | |
| Professionalism | 9.67 | ↑ 18.2% | 51 | 0 | 100.0% | |
| Conflict Handling | 7.06 | ↑ 73.5% | 3 | 0 | 100.0% | |
| Precision & Care | 9.46 | ↑ 19.4% | 38 | 1 | 97.4% |
Recent Iowa Home Consulting Reviews
Quality - 9.72/10
Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Punctuality - 9.65/10
Did the crew show up on-time with the required equipment?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Affordability - 9.28/10
How affordable was the moving service?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Communication - 9.27/10
Was the office staff quick to respond to questions prior to moving day? Did the moving crew notify you on the day of move regarding any changes to the original schedule? If there were any issues to resolve after moving day, was an office manager quick to respond and address problems encountered?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Stick to Prices - 8.40/10
Was a lowball quote provided to earn business only to see the final moving day price increase substantially?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Speed - 9.77/10
Did the movers seem to take their precious time in an attempt to increase the overall cost of the move? Remember, moving is HARD work and some breaks should be expected!
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Friendliness - 9.73/10
Was the moving crew cordial and friendly to be around on moving day?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Will Hire Again - 9.69/10
How likely a customer is to hire the same movers again for their next move.
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Professionalism - 9.67/10
Did the moving crew behave in a professional manner on moving day?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Conflict Handling - 7.06/10
Accidents can and will likely happen at some point on moving day. How a moving company responds to these accidents can say a lot about the company.
Overall Review Distribution
Precision & Care - 9.46/10
Were walls scratched? Did furniture get scuffed, broken, or lost?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Additional Details
Moving Services Offered by Iowa Home Consulting
N/A
Licenses
We do not currently have license data to display for Iowa Home Consulting
Detailed Customer Insights
Based on our analysis of Iowa Home Consulting 's customer reviews:
3 hrs
Local Move Duration
based on 4 reviews
Smooth Moves Inc.
4137 120th St, Urbandale, IA, 50323
11-Point Rating
Best movers to hire for honesty and transparency. Smooth Moves Inc. sticks to their quoted prices better than the rest.
Smooth Moves Inc. is the number 2 ranked moving service in Ames, IA with an overall score of 9.24 out of 10. Based on our extensive analysis, this is an Exceptional score and places it in the top 95.95% of all movers in Iowa and the top 94.81% of moving companies nationwide. They score better than 6 other Ames moving companies and better than 165 movers in Iowa.
Our Research
11 Point Rating
| Metric | Score Out of 10 | vs Nationwide Comparison between Smooth Moves Inc. & the average of all
moving companies nationwide | Positive Reviews The total number of reviews that rated the metric positively (a score of 7-10) | Negative Reviews The total number of reviews that rated the metric negatively (a score of 1-6) | Positive Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | 9.56 | ↑ 15.1% | 101 | 2 | 98.1% | |
| Punctuality | 9.43 | ↑ 18.2% | 34 | 1 | 97.1% | |
| Affordability | 9.12 | ↑ 20.4% | 27 | 0 | 100.0% | |
| Communication | 9.16 | ↑ 23.2% | 21 | 1 | 95.5% | |
| Stick to Prices | 9.26 | ↑ 55.3% | 14 | 0 | 100.0% | |
| Speed | 9.66 | ↑ 14.4% | 55 | 1 | 98.2% | |
| Friendliness | 9.74 | ↑ 11.5% | 57 | 0 | 100.0% | |
| Will Hire Again | 9.51 | ↑ 18.2% | 89 | 2 | 97.8% | |
| Professionalism | 9.52 | ↑ 16.4% | 58 | 1 | 98.3% | |
| Conflict Handling | 7.29 | ↑ 79.3% | 3 | 0 | 100.0% | |
| Precision & Care | 9.40 | ↑ 18.6% | 39 | 1 | 97.5% |
Recent Smooth Moves Inc. Reviews
Quality - 9.56/10
Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Punctuality - 9.43/10
Did the crew show up on-time with the required equipment?
Overall Review Distribution
Affordability - 9.12/10
How affordable was the moving service?
Overall Review Distribution
Communication - 9.16/10
Was the office staff quick to respond to questions prior to moving day? Did the moving crew notify you on the day of move regarding any changes to the original schedule? If there were any issues to resolve after moving day, was an office manager quick to respond and address problems encountered?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Stick to Prices - 9.26/10
Was a lowball quote provided to earn business only to see the final moving day price increase substantially?
Overall Review Distribution
Speed - 9.66/10
Did the movers seem to take their precious time in an attempt to increase the overall cost of the move? Remember, moving is HARD work and some breaks should be expected!
Overall Review Distribution
Friendliness - 9.74/10
Was the moving crew cordial and friendly to be around on moving day?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Will Hire Again - 9.51/10
How likely a customer is to hire the same movers again for their next move.
Overall Review Distribution
Professionalism - 9.52/10
Did the moving crew behave in a professional manner on moving day?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Conflict Handling - 7.29/10
Accidents can and will likely happen at some point on moving day. How a moving company responds to these accidents can say a lot about the company.
Overall Review Distribution
Precision & Care - 9.40/10
Were walls scratched? Did furniture get scuffed, broken, or lost?
Overall Review Distribution
Additional Details
Moving Services Offered by Smooth Moves Inc.
- Local Moving
- Residential Moving
- Commercial Moving
- Packing Services
Licenses
We do not currently have license data to display for Smooth Moves Inc.
Detailed Customer Insights
Based on our analysis of Smooth Moves Inc.'s customer reviews:
4.25 hrs
Local Move Duration
based on 4 reviews
The College Moving Crew
Ankeny, IA
11-Point Rating
Best Ames movers to hire if you're on a very tight budget. The College Moving Crew is the most affordable moving company on our list.
The College Moving Crew is the number 3 ranked moving service in Ames, IA with an overall score of 9.19 out of 10. Based on our extensive analysis, this is an Exceptional score and places it in the top 94.8% of all movers in Iowa and the top 93.93% of moving companies nationwide. They score better than 5 other Ames moving companies and better than 163 movers in Iowa.
Our Research
11 Point Rating
| Metric | Score Out of 10 | vs Nationwide Comparison between The College Moving Crew & the average of all
moving companies nationwide | Positive Reviews The total number of reviews that rated the metric positively (a score of 7-10) | Negative Reviews The total number of reviews that rated the metric negatively (a score of 1-6) | Positive Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | 9.72 | ↑ 17.1% | 201 | 4 | 98.0% | |
| Punctuality | 9.75 | ↑ 22.2% | 46 | 0 | 100.0% | |
| Affordability | 9.51 | ↑ 25.6% | 25 | 0 | 100.0% | |
| Communication | 9.55 | ↑ 28.5% | 55 | 1 | 98.2% | |
| Stick to Prices | 7.75 | ↑ 29.9% | 5 | 1 | 83.3% | |
| Speed | 9.63 | ↑ 14.1% | 79 | 3 | 96.3% | |
| Friendliness | 9.83 | ↑ 12.6% | 133 | 1 | 99.3% | |
| Will Hire Again | 9.68 | ↑ 20.3% | 192 | 4 | 98.0% | |
| Professionalism | 9.66 | ↑ 18.1% | 121 | 3 | 97.6% | |
| Conflict Handling | 6.63 | ↑ 62.9% | 6 | 3 | 66.7% | |
| Precision & Care | 9.42 | ↑ 18.8% | 80 | 5 | 94.1% |
Recent The College Moving Crew Reviews
Quality - 9.72/10
Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Punctuality - 9.75/10
Did the crew show up on-time with the required equipment?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Affordability - 9.51/10
How affordable was the moving service?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Communication - 9.55/10
Was the office staff quick to respond to questions prior to moving day? Did the moving crew notify you on the day of move regarding any changes to the original schedule? If there were any issues to resolve after moving day, was an office manager quick to respond and address problems encountered?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Stick to Prices - 7.75/10
Was a lowball quote provided to earn business only to see the final moving day price increase substantially?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Speed - 9.63/10
Did the movers seem to take their precious time in an attempt to increase the overall cost of the move? Remember, moving is HARD work and some breaks should be expected!
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Friendliness - 9.83/10
Was the moving crew cordial and friendly to be around on moving day?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Will Hire Again - 9.68/10
How likely a customer is to hire the same movers again for their next move.
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Professionalism - 9.66/10
Did the moving crew behave in a professional manner on moving day?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Conflict Handling - 6.63/10
Accidents can and will likely happen at some point on moving day. How a moving company responds to these accidents can say a lot about the company.
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Precision & Care - 9.42/10
Were walls scratched? Did furniture get scuffed, broken, or lost?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Additional Details
Moving Services Offered by The College Moving Crew
- Local Moving
- Pack & Move
- Labor Only
- Box Packing
- Load Only
- Unload Only
- In-Home Moving
- Moving Labor
- Movers & Truck
- Full-Service Storage
Licenses
State & federal license information
USDOT Interstate License
Status: Not Authorized for Interstate Moves (last checked 6/27/25)- USDOT: 3833578
- ENTITY TYPE: Carrier
4
Registered Trucks, Tractors, or Vans
10
Registered Drivers
1/08/25
Most Recent USDOT Update
20,000
Annual Interstate Miles (2024)
Detailed Customer Insights
Based on our analysis of The College Moving Crew's customer reviews:
2.75 hrs
Local Move Duration
based on 9 reviews
Hemmen Moving
1293 W Ave, Ames, IA, 50014
11-Point Rating
Iowa Moving 1
2958 99th St # 5, Urbandale, IA, 50322
11-Point Rating
Two Men and a Truck
2335 230th St # 100, Ames, IA, 50014
11-Point Rating
Jake N' Jose Moving Service
50 Duff Ave, Ames, IA, 50010
11-Point Rating
Adam's Moving
6723 US-69, Ames, IA, 50010
11-Point Rating
How Much Do Movers Cost in Ames, IA?
Movers in Ames, IA cost on average $364 for a crew of 2 movers and a truck to move a 1 bedroom apartment up to an average of $2,185 for 4 movers and a truck to move a 4 bedroom house. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by type of move and home size.
| Home Size | Crew Size | Labor Only | Movers & Truck | Full Service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2 | $91 | $228 | $410 |
| 1 Bedroom | 2 | $146 | $364 | $637 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 3 | $328 | $819 | $1,434 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 3 | $464 | $1,161 | $2,116 |
| 4 Bedrooms | 4 | $874 | $2,185 | $3,823 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | 4 | $1,092 | $2,731 | $4,733 |
*Please note: These Ames moving prices are rough approximations based upon nationwide data as well as local Ames and/or Iowa data. To determine the exact costs associated with your move, get a quote from a licensed Ames mover.
How we ranked the top Ames movers
Why you should trust us
We take reviews seriously to protect people just like you! Our team has been crunching data on moving companies since 2010. Our math-based ranking system uses data, manual review, and statistical analysis to help you hire the best movers in Ames, IA.
Rating Methodology
Here's the methodology we used to come up with the best movers in Ames:
Our original review-based ranking algorithm
We started with a total of 8 companies that offer moving services in the Ames area.
From these 8 companies, we analyzed a total of 1,099 reviews dating all the way back to January 2013.
We also reviewed a total of 0 state and federal moving licenses from these 8 companies and 45 different 3rd party review and social profiles.
Each of the ~1,000 reviews was scored according to our detailed 11-point rating criteria
This gave us a total of 3,748 data points to compute individual company scores.
Reviews are time-weighted so that more recent reviews carry more weight. This helps you understand how a mover is doing today... not 5 years ago. We have 416 Ames moving company data points from the past 2 years that carry more weight.
Bayesian averages calculated to fairly account for the differences between companies that are newer(like Jake N' Jose Moving Service) vs older more established companies (like Adam's Moving).
The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown
Our 11-point rating criteria scores every Ames moving company across 11 of the most important criteria for a succesful moving experience.
Quality
Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.
Punctuality
Did the crew show up on-time with the required equipment?
Affordability
How affordable was the moving service?
Communication
Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.
Stick to Prices
Was the final price consistent with the original quote?
Speed
Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.
Friendliness
Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?
Will Hire Again
How likely a customer is to hire the same movers again.
Professionalism
Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?
Conflict Handling
How well the company responds to accidents and issues.
Precision & Care
Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?
Charts & Visualizations
With 3,748 data points across 8 moving companies and 1,099 reviews, we've got a lot of data to work with. Here are some of the charts and visualizations we've created to help you understand the moving industry in Ames.
Comparing ratings, review history, and total data points
Bubble size represents the number of analyzed data points. Hover over bubbles for details.
Ranking history
How the currently ranked top 8 Ames movers have performed over time
11-Point Rating Comparison
Detailed breakdown of Ames moving company 11-point ratings
Iowa-wide 11-Point Percentile Comparison
See how the top movers in Ames compare to all movers in Iowa
 Quality |  Punctuality |  Affordability |  Communication |  Stick to Prices |  Speed |  Friendliness |  Will Hire Again |  Professionalism |  Conflict Handling |  Precision & Care | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Iowa Home Consulting Exceptional9.24 | 93 | 92 | 86 | 87 | 83 | 92 | 83 | 94 | 91 | 91 | 85 |
2 | Smooth Moves Inc. Exceptional9.24 | 84 | 82 | 81 | 84 | 97 | 83 | 85 | 87 | 84 | 92 | 82 |
3 | The College Moving Crew Exceptional9.19 | 95 | 97 | 94 | 95 | 71 | 80 | 93 | 94 | 91 | 88 | 84 |
4 | Hemmen Moving Exceptional9.11 | 88 | 86 | 94 | 88 | 91 | 93 | 87 | 88 | 82 | 71 | 92 |
5 | Iowa Moving 1 Exceptional9.09 | 76 | 73 | 67 | 90 | 87 | 92 | 81 | 78 | 80 | 89 | 77 |
6 | Two Men and a Truck Fabulous8.64 | 65 | 49 | 38 | 56 | 76 | 64 | 57 | 67 | 58 | -- | 66 |
7 | Jake N' Jose Moving Service Good8.06 | 64 | 41 | 77 | 46 | 48 | 81 | 68 | 67 | 64 | 20 | 72 |
| 8 A | Adam's Moving 7.19 | 28 | 47 | 17 | 44 | 20 | 13 | 20 | 30 | 17 | 86 | 39 |
Percentile Ranking
List of All Ames Moving Companies Analyzed
See all of our Ames moving company reviews
- Iowa Moving 1
- Smooth Moves Inc.
- The College Moving Crew
- Iowa Home Consulting
- Hemmen Moving
- Jake N' Jose Moving Service
- Adam's Moving
- Two Men and a Truck
Frequently Asked Questions About Moving in Ames
How much should you tip movers in Ames, IA?
When hiring movers in Ames, Iowa, it’s customary to tip them for their hard work, especially if they’re navigating tight spaces around the Iowa State University campus or dealing with busy traffic on I-35. Most people tip 10–20% of their total moving cost or about $5 per mover per hour, depending on the size and complexity of the job. To show a little extra thanks, consider offering your crew a cold glass of fresh-squeezed lemonade at the end of the day.
Is it cheaper to make a DIY move in Ames?
Taking on a DIY move in Ames might seem cheaper upfront, but costs can add up quickly when you factor in truck rentals, fuel, and extra supplies. You’ll be responsible for packing, loading, and dealing with any issues that pop up, such as directing volunteers through Old Town Ames or navigating construction on I-35. If you’re ready to tackle the challenge, check local truck rental options, and remember to plan for plenty of time and a realistic budget.
Should I hire labor-only movers?
If you already have a rental truck and just need help with the heavy lifting in Ames, opting for a labor-only move can be an excellent choice. Whether you’re taking boxes from a dorm near Campustown or hauling furniture from one side of Ames to the other, labor-only movers can make all the difference. Be sure to book in advance if your move falls around busy times like the start or end of a university semester.
What if I need to move something special like a piano or pool table?
For specialty moves in Ames, you’ll want experts who know how to handle pianos, pool tables, hot tubs, and beyond. Hiring dedicated piano movers ensures delicate keys and internal components stay intact, especially if you live in a historic home with tight hallways. Meanwhile, pool table movers can keep your game equipment balanced and free of scratches. Having pros who understand Iowa’s weather and local roads can truly help safeguard your prized possessions.
