Best James Island Movers
Want help with the heavy lifting?
Updated Jun 19, 2025
Looking for reliable James Island movers? See our top 10 recommended movers in James Island, SC based on extensive analysis. We analyzed 73 moving companies in James Island across 29,710 review data points and more than 21,000 movers nationwide using our 11-point rating system to help you determine which James Island moving company to hire. See the top 10 James Island movers, get data-based information on James Island moving costs, the cheapest movers in James Island, and our top recommendation for Long distance movers.
Key Takeaways:
- R&S Movers is our overall top recommended moving company in James Island
- Smooth Move Charleston is the most affordable movers in James Island
- Expect to spend somewhere between $848 and $1,817 on local James Island moving services
- Our rankings and results are unbiased & backed by data… NOT paid promotions
Best Moving Companies in James Island, SC
| Rank | Company | Score | BBB Rating | Avg Move Duration | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | R&S Movers | 9.25 | A+ | 4.5 hours | |
| 2 | Smooth Move Charleston | 9.21 | A+ | 2.75 hours | |
| 3 | Ready Set Movers | 9.12 | NR | 3.5 hours | |
| 4 | Apartment Movers Etc | 9.11 | NR | - | |
| 5 | Professional Movers of Charleston | 9.11 | A+ | 3 hours | |
| 6 | Elite Movers, LLC | 9.03 | A+ | 3 hours | |
| 7 | Riverdog Moving | 8.95 | NR | 4 hours | |
| 8 | Arnold Brothers Moving LLC | 8.80 | NR | - | |
| 9 | Two Men and a Truck | 8.77 | A+ | 6.25 hours | |
| 10 | A Helping Hand Moving Company | 8.72 | NR | - |
Our Top Recommendations
R&S Movers
8128 Saveur Ln, Charleston, SC, 29406
11-Point Rating
Best moving company overall in James Island, SC. R&S Movers takes the #1 spot for our overall ranking and is the top recommended movers in James Island.
R&S Movers is the number 1 ranked moving service in James Island, SC with an overall score of 9.25 out of 10. Based on our extensive analysis, this is an Exceptional score and places it in the top 97.27% of all movers in South Carolina and the top 96.66% of moving companies nationwide. They score better than 72 other James Island moving companies and better than 313 movers in South Carolina.
Our Research
11 Point Rating
| Metric | Score Out of 10 | vs Nationwide Comparison between R&S Movers & 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 | ↑ 18.3% | 121 | 3 | 97.6% | |
| Punctuality | 9.51 | ↑ 22.1% | 47 | 1 | 97.9% | |
| Affordability | 8.86 | ↑ 19.5% | 25 | 3 | 89.3% | |
| Communication | 9.06 | ↑ 25.0% | 50 | 4 | 92.6% | |
| Stick to Prices | 9.22 | ↑ 57.7% | 12 | 0 | 100.0% | |
| Speed | 9.71 | ↑ 17.9% | 43 | 0 | 100.0% | |
| Friendliness | 9.62 | ↑ 13.1% | 67 | 1 | 98.5% | |
| Will Hire Again | 9.38 | ↑ 19.7% | 124 | 6 | 95.4% | |
| Professionalism | 9.44 | ↑ 18.4% | 77 | 3 | 96.3% | |
| Conflict Handling | 7.73 | ↑ 94.4% | 4 | 0 | 100.0% | |
| Precision & Care | 9.69 | ↑ 25.2% | 53 | 0 | 100.0% |
Recent R&S Movers Reviews
Quality - 9.56/10
Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.
Overall Review Distribution
Punctuality - 9.51/10
Did the crew show up on-time with the required equipment?
Overall Review Distribution
Affordability - 8.86/10
How affordable was the moving service?
Overall Review Distribution
Communication - 9.06/10
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?
Overall Review Distribution
Stick to Prices - 9.22/10
Was a lowball quote provided to earn business only to see the final moving day price increase substantially?
Overall Review Distribution
Speed - 9.71/10
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 - 9.62/10
Was the moving crew cordial and friendly to be around on moving day?
Overall Review Distribution
Will Hire Again - 9.38/10
How likely a customer is to hire the same movers again for their next move.
Overall Review Distribution
Professionalism - 9.44/10
Did the moving crew behave in a professional manner on moving day?
Overall Review Distribution
Conflict Handling - 7.73/10
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 - 9.69/10
Were walls scratched? Did furniture get scuffed, broken, or lost?
Overall Review Distribution
Additional Details
Moving Services Offered by R&S Movers
- Residential Home and Apartment Moving
- Labor Only Moves / Loading / Unloading
- Commercial Business Relocation Moves
- Senior Assisted Living Moves
- Local and Long Distance Furniture Delivery
- Furniture Assembly
- Moving and Packing
- Storage Units
- Junk Removal / Move In / Move Out Cleanout
- Piano Moves
Licenses
We do not currently have license data to display for R&S Movers
Detailed Customer Insights
Based on our analysis of R&S Movers's customer reviews:
4.5 hrs
Local Move Duration
based on 7 reviews
Smooth Move Charleston
4767 Rivers Ave, North Charleston, SC, 29405
11-Point Rating
Get the best bang for your buck hiring Smooth Move Charleston of North Charleston. They have the best affordability index score which measures both quality and affordability.
Smooth Move Charleston is the number 2 ranked moving service in James Island, SC with an overall score of 9.21 out of 10. Based on our extensive analysis, this is an Exceptional score and places it in the top 96.97% of all movers in South Carolina and the top 96.04% of moving companies nationwide. They score better than 71 other James Island moving companies and better than 312 movers in South Carolina.
Our Research
11 Point Rating
| Metric | Score Out of 10 | vs Nationwide Comparison between Smooth Move Charleston & 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 | 9.65 | ↑ 19.4% | 586 | 19 | 96.9% | |
| Punctuality | 9.45 | ↑ 21.4% | 180 | 8 | 95.7% | |
| Affordability | 9.41 | ↑ 27.0% | 67 | 3 | 95.7% | |
| Communication | 9.04 | ↑ 24.6% | 104 | 10 | 91.2% | |
| Stick to Prices | 9.30 | ↑ 58.9% | 39 | 2 | 95.1% | |
| Speed | 9.74 | ↑ 18.3% | 291 | 7 | 97.7% | |
| Friendliness | 9.74 | ↑ 14.5% | 353 | 8 | 97.8% | |
| Will Hire Again | 9.57 | ↑ 22.2% | 569 | 22 | 96.3% | |
| Professionalism | 9.48 | ↑ 18.9% | 313 | 16 | 95.1% | |
| Conflict Handling | 6.46 | ↑ 62.4% | 20 | 12 | 62.5% | |
| Precision & Care | 9.49 | ↑ 22.6% | 257 | 12 | 95.5% |
Recent Smooth Move Charleston Reviews
Quality - 9.65/10
Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.
Overall Review Distribution
Punctuality - 9.45/10
Did the crew show up on-time with the required equipment?
Overall Review Distribution
Affordability - 9.41/10
How affordable was the moving service?
Overall Review Distribution
Communication - 9.04/10
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?
Overall Review Distribution
Stick to Prices - 9.30/10
Was a lowball quote provided to earn business only to see the final moving day price increase substantially?
Overall Review Distribution
Speed - 9.74/10
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?
Overall Review Distribution
Will Hire Again - 9.57/10
How likely a customer is to hire the same movers again for their next move.
Overall Review Distribution
Professionalism - 9.48/10
Did the moving crew behave in a professional manner on moving day?
Overall Review Distribution
Conflict Handling - 6.46/10
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 - 9.49/10
Were walls scratched? Did furniture get scuffed, broken, or lost?
Overall Review Distribution
Additional Details
Moving Services Offered by Smooth Move Charleston
- Full Service Packing and Unpacking
- Short or Long Distance Moves
- Residential or Commercial Moves
- Junk Removal
- Delivery Service
- Labor Only (No Truck)
- Packing and Unpacking
- Junk Removal/Handling
- Delivery Services
- Overnight Holding Fee
Licenses
State & federal license information
USDOT Interstate License
Status: Authorized for Interstate Moves (last checked 6/26/25)- USDOT: 2357653
- MC: 834668
- ENTITY TYPE: Carrier
10
Registered Trucks, Tractors, or Vans
12
Registered Drivers
6/10/25
Most Recent USDOT Update
100,000
Annual Interstate Miles (2024)
Detailed Customer Insights
Based on our analysis of Smooth Move Charleston's customer reviews:
2.75 hrs
Local Move Duration
based on 39 reviews
2 days
Interstate Move Duration
based on 5 reviews
Ready Set Movers
454 Deanna Ln, Charleston, SC, 29492
11-Point Rating
Best moving company for on-time arrivals. Ready Set Movers is the most likely mover to show up on-time and prepared for moving day.
Ready Set Movers is the number 3 ranked moving service in James Island, SC with an overall score of 9.12 out of 10. Based on our extensive analysis, this is an Exceptional score and places it in the top 95.76% of all movers in South Carolina and the top 94.83% of moving companies nationwide. They score better than 70 other James Island moving companies and better than 308 movers in South Carolina.
Our Research
11 Point Rating
| Metric | Score Out of 10 | vs Nationwide Comparison between Ready Set Movers & 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 | 9.48 | ↑ 17.3% | 146 | 6 | 96.1% | |
| Punctuality | 9.76 | ↑ 25.3% | 68 | 0 | 100.0% | |
| Affordability | 9.13 | ↑ 23.2% | 35 | 2 | 94.6% | |
| Communication | 9.11 | ↑ 25.7% | 58 | 5 | 92.1% | |
| Stick to Prices | 8.35 | ↑ 42.8% | 23 | 4 | 85.2% | |
| Speed | 9.62 | ↑ 16.8% | 54 | 1 | 98.2% | |
| Friendliness | 9.76 | ↑ 14.7% | 81 | 0 | 100.0% | |
| Will Hire Again | 9.45 | ↑ 20.6% | 144 | 6 | 96.0% | |
| Professionalism | 9.58 | ↑ 20.2% | 86 | 2 | 97.7% | |
| Conflict Handling | 6.66 | ↑ 67.6% | 7 | 3 | 70.0% | |
| Precision & Care | 9.44 | ↑ 22.0% | 84 | 4 | 95.5% |
Recent Ready Set Movers Reviews
Quality - 9.48/10
Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.
Overall Review Distribution
Punctuality - 9.76/10
Did the crew show up on-time with the required equipment?
Overall Review Distribution
Affordability - 9.13/10
How affordable was the moving service?
Overall Review Distribution
Communication - 9.11/10
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?
Overall Review Distribution
Stick to Prices - 8.35/10
Was a lowball quote provided to earn business only to see the final moving day price increase substantially?
Overall Review Distribution
Speed - 9.62/10
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 - 9.76/10
Was the moving crew cordial and friendly to be around on moving day?
Overall Review Distribution
Will Hire Again - 9.45/10
How likely a customer is to hire the same movers again for their next move.
Overall Review Distribution
Professionalism - 9.58/10
Did the moving crew behave in a professional manner on moving day?
Overall Review Distribution
Conflict Handling - 6.66/10
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 - 9.44/10
Were walls scratched? Did furniture get scuffed, broken, or lost?
Overall Review Distribution
Additional Details
Moving Services Offered by Ready Set Movers
- Local and interstate moves
- Full-service moving
- Accurate and detailed estimates
- Packing and unpacking services
- Full-service packing
- Self packing with delivery of supplies
- Unpacking and placement of items
- Free estimate walk-throughs
- Boxes and packing materials
- Junk and trash removal
Licenses
State & federal license information
USDOT Interstate License
Status: Authorized for Interstate Moves (last checked 6/26/25)- USDOT: 2150739
- MC: 756179
- ENTITY TYPE: Carrier
2
Registered Trucks, Tractors, or Vans
4
Registered Drivers
3/08/23
Most Recent USDOT Update
10,000
Annual Interstate Miles (2022)
Detailed Customer Insights
Based on our analysis of Ready Set Movers's customer reviews:
3.5 hrs
Local Move Duration
based on 5 reviews
Apartment Movers Etc
105E Miller Rd, Mauldin, SC, 29662
11-Point Rating
Professional Movers of Charleston
1583 Harborsun Dr, Charleston, SC, 29401
11-Point Rating
Elite Movers, LLC
6486 Dorchester Rd Lot 67, North Charleston, SC, 29418
11-Point Rating
Riverdog Moving
Edisto Beach, SC, 29438
11-Point Rating
Arnold Brothers Moving LLC
Charleston, SC, 29492
11-Point Rating
Two Men and a Truck
854 Kingswood Dr, Conway, SC, 29526
11-Point Rating
A Helping Hand Moving Company
Hilton Head Island, SC, 29928
11-Point Rating
How Much Do Movers Cost in James Island, SC?
The average moving cost in James Island, SC is $1,401, which is based on an analysis from 58 customer reports across 6 different moving companies. In general, expect to pay somewhere between $848 and $1,817 for a typical move.
- Median Reported Cost: $1,401
- Expected Range: $848 - $1,817
- Expected Time To Complete: 3.5 hours
- See detailed James Island Moving Costs for a full breakdown
| COMPANY | MEDIAN REPORTED MOVING COST | AVG MOVE DURATION |
|---|---|---|
| College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving | $720 | 3 hours |
| Miracle Movers of Charleston, SC | $848 | 6 hours |
| PODS Moving & Storage | $1,298 | - |
| All My Sons Moving & Storage | $1,504 | 3.25 hours |
| Holy City Moving | $1,817 | - |
| All The Right Moves Moving & Storage | $3,434 | 3.5 hours |
*Please be aware that the listed prices derive from historical customer feedback spanning several years and might not mirror the exact current rates of a company. Additionally, the anticipated cost range provided represents the 25th to 75th percentiles from the comprehensive reports of all James Island-based companies in our dataset.
How we ranked the top James Island 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 James Island, SC.
Rating Methodology
Here's the methodology we used to come up with the best movers in James Island:
Our original review-based ranking algorithm
We started with a total of 73 companies that offer moving services in the James Island area.
From these 73 companies, we analyzed a total of 14,938 reviews dating all the way back to March 2010.
We also reviewed a total of 0 state and federal moving licenses from these 73 companies and 224 different 3rd party review and social profiles.
Each of the ~14,000 reviews was scored according to our detailed 11-point rating criteria
This gave us a total of 29,710 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 908 James Island 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 Professional Movers of Charleston) vs older more established companies (like R&S Movers).
The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown
Our 11-point rating criteria scores every James Island 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 29,710 data points across 73 moving companies and 14,938 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 James Island.
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 10 James Island movers have performed over time
11-Point Rating Comparison
Detailed breakdown of James Island moving company 11-point ratings
South Carolina-wide 11-Point Percentile Comparison
See how the top movers in James Island compare to all movers in South Carolina
 Quality |  Punctuality |  Affordability |  Communication |  Stick to Prices |  Speed |  Friendliness |  Will Hire Again |  Professionalism |  Conflict Handling |  Precision & Care | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 R | R&S Movers Exceptional9.25 | 90 | 90 | 77 | 82 | 98 | 95 | 80 | 84 | 82 | 97 | 99 |
2 | Smooth Move Charleston Exceptional9.21 | 92 | 83 | 95 | 80 | 98 | 94 | 87 | 91 | 82 | 87 | 91 |
3 | Ready Set Movers Exceptional9.12 | 86 | 99 | 87 | 86 | 88 | 88 | 93 | 88 | 90 | 88 | 91 |
4 | Apartment Movers Etc Exceptional9.11 | 84 | 92 | 91 | 89 | 91 | 81 | 83 | 87 | 71 | 98 | 87 |
5 | Professional Movers of Charleston Exceptional9.11 | 90 | 97 | 85 | 85 | 86 | 82 | 95 | 81 | 83 | 95 | 71 |
6 | Elite Movers, LLC Exceptional9.03 | 100 | 98 | 73 | 82 | 90 | 99 | 99 | 99 | 99 | 66 | 94 |
| 7 R | Riverdog Moving Superb8.95 | 91 | 96 | 54 | 80 | 83 | 95 | 74 | 94 | 86 | 90 | 88 |
8 | Arnold Brothers Moving LLC Superb8.80 | 83 | 79 | 71 | 83 | 58 | 68 | 64 | 85 | 76 | -- | 84 |
9 | Two Men and a Truck Superb8.77 | 72 | 96 | 60 | 75 | 99 | 75 | 77 | 77 | 79 | 59 | 71 |
| 10 A | A Helping Hand Moving Company Superb8.72 | 85 | 36 | 62 | 40 | -- | 76 | 62 | 78 | 79 | -- | 85 |
Percentile Ranking
List of All James Island Moving Companies Analyzed
See all of our James Island moving company reviews
- Smooth Move Charleston
- College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving
- Undergrads Moving | Movers Charleston SC
- Ready Set Movers
- We Love Moving LLC
- Professional Movers of Charleston
- Reads Moving Systems of Carolina, Inc.
- Strong Men Moving Llc
- Elite Movers, LLC
- Affordable Movers of Charleston
- Liberty Moves
- Happy Movers, LLC
- UNITS Moving and Portable Storage
- All My Sons Moving & Storage
- Two Men and a Truck
- Holy City Moving
- Nilson Van & Storage
- Miracle Movers of Charleston, SC
- Cougar Moving
- Smith Dray Line Movers of North Charleston
- Low Country Moving Specialists, LLC
- Mt. Pleasant Movers
- PODS Moving & Storage
- Mobile Attic
- R&S Movers
- Timmy Hayes Moving
- College Movers Summerville SC
- Gold Medal Moving LLC
- JB Moving
- Two Men and a Truck
- Uni Movers Charleston
- Apartment Movers Etc
- Executive Movers & Logistics LLC
- U-Pack
- A Helping Hand Moving Company
- Armstrong Relocation
- 1-800-PACK-RAT Moving and Storage
- Carwin Logistics & Moving
- Mako Movers
- Island Moving Professionals, LLC
- Gentle Movers
- McCorquodale Transfer, Inc.
- Allied Van Lines
- One Call Move
- Westbrook Charleston LLC.
- Hauling Hubbies and Handymen
- Lawmen's Moving & Cleaning Services
- Surv Charleston
- Delancey Street Moving And Trucking
- Riverdog Moving
- Arnold Brothers Moving LLC
- MoveCrew of Charleston
- Coleman Worldwide Moving
- Zippy Shell
- All The Right Moves Moving & Storage
- Liberty Pro Moving
- QuikMoves Charleston
- Johns Island Movers
- Two Twigs Moving Company
- Noflex Moving
- We Love Moving LLC
- Uniform Movers
- Topher Transports LLC
- Island Wrangler
- Moving Re-Imagined
- Simply Downsizing 4U
- Dern Moving
- Charleston Moving Company
- Live Junkless Charleston
- Ryan's Home Services
- Will Move Ya
- Mt Pleasant Movers
- Charleston Piano Transport
Frequently Asked Questions About Moving in James Island
How much should you tip movers in James Island, SC?
In James Island, tipping your movers is a thoughtful way to show gratitude for their hard work, especially when they’re navigating island traffic and the salty coastal air of South Carolina. A common guideline is to tip 10–20% of the total moving cost or around $5 per mover per hour, depending on your budget and satisfaction. If your movers brave crowded roads like Folly Road during a rush, consider a higher tip to acknowledge the extra effort. To really treat them on a hot day, you might offer a refreshing glass of cold sweet tea.
Is it cheaper to make a DIY move in James Island?
A do-it-yourself move in James Island can be an adventure, but be sure to plan for hidden costs like truck rentals, tolls, and equipment rentals, especially when driving around neighborhoods near Fort Johnson. It’s also wise to be cautious with heavy lifting and weather conditions in coastal South Carolina. Before starting your DIY trip, you can explore local truck rental options to find the right vehicle and gear.
Should I hire labor-only movers?
If you’ve already got a truck or just need loading and unloading help around James Island, a labor-only move might be your best bet. This option is popular for residents who are tackling shorter moves within Charleston County or rearranging furniture between neighborhoods like Riverland Terrace and Sol Legare. Check out hourly movers in James Island for help with on-the-spot labor requests.
What if I need to move something special like a piano or pool table?
Some items require specialized care, like moving a grand piano or a delicate pool table between neighborhoods near the Stono River. Experienced crews can transport your treasured belongings using the right equipment to keep them safe, from hot tubs to gun safes and beyond. If you need professional handling, contact James Island piano movers for instruments and James Island pool table movers for those heavier recreational pieces.
