Moving in the Raleigh area means navigating a market full of options — from national franchises to local outfits with deep roots in the Triangle. Whether you’re relocating from a Cary townhouse to a bungalow in Five Points or downsizing from a family home in North Hills, the mover you choose will shape the entire experience. We looked at seven of the most prominent moving companies serving Raleigh, compared their reputations across Google, Yelp, and third-party review sites like MoveBuddha, and broke down what each one actually offers.
Raleigh Moving Companies at a Glance
| Company | Google Rating | Reviews | Type | Services | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dogwood Moving Co. | 5.0 ★ | ~2,300 | Local | Full-service residential & commercial | Best overall local mover |
| Little Guys Movers | 4.9 ★ | ~870 | Local | Full-service, packing, storage | Experienced local veteran (30+ years) |
| Two Men and a Truck | 4.7 ★ | ~1,200 | National | Full-service, packing, storage | Brand consistency & availability |
| College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | 4.8 ★ | ~1,470 | National | Full-service, junk removal, packing | Moving + decluttering combo |
| TROSA Moving | 4.3 ★ | ~240 | Nonprofit | Full-service residential & commercial, packing, storage | Mission-driven choice |
| All My Sons Moving & Storage | 4.5 ★ | ~6,700 (national) | National | Full-service, packing, storage | Large-scale availability |
| Undergrads Moving | 4.9 ★ | ~460 | Local (Labor-Only) | Loading, unloading, packing labor | Budget-conscious movers (save ~30%) |
Dogwood Moving Co.
Dogwood Moving has built what might be the most impressive review profile of any local mover in the Triangle. With a 5.0-star average across more than 2,300 Google reviews, they’ve managed to maintain a near-perfect reputation at scale — something that’s remarkably difficult in an industry where a single damaged dresser can tank a rating. Dogwood is a locally owned Raleigh company that handles residential and commercial moves, and reviewers consistently praise their punctuality and careful handling of furniture. They’re a strong choice if you want a full-service local mover and don’t mind paying full-service rates. Forbes included them in their 2025 list of the best moving companies in Raleigh, and they’re frequently recommended in local Reddit threads by residents who’ve used them firsthand.
Little Guys Movers
Little Guys Movers has been moving people in Raleigh for over three decades, which makes them one of the longest-tenured movers in the area. They hold a 4.9-star Google rating from nearly 870 reviews, a 4.5-star Yelp rating, and an A+ with the BBB. MoveBuddha gives them a 4.52 composite score with 94% positive reviews. They offer local and long-distance moves, packing services, and storage options. Little Guys has earned a reputation for fielding friendly, professional crews, and their longevity in the market speaks to a consistent level of service. The trade-off is pricing — as a full-service operation with experienced staff, overhead, and a fleet to maintain, their quotes tend to land on the higher end.
Two Men and a Truck
As the largest franchised moving company in the country, Two Men and a Truck brings name recognition and a standardized process to the table. Their Raleigh location holds a 4.7-star Google rating from nearly 1,200 reviews, which reflects a generally positive track record. They offer full-service local and long-distance moves, packing, and storage. The franchise model means you get a polished booking experience, branded trucks, and uniformed crews. The downside is that franchise pricing tends to reflect corporate overhead, and some reviewers note that the experience can vary depending on which specific crew shows up on moving day. That said, for people who value a recognizable brand and a structured process, Two Men is a reliable pick.
College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving
College Hunks markets itself on energy and enthusiasm — their crews are generally younger workers, and the brand leans into a fun, approachable vibe. They hold a 4.8-star Google rating from over 1,470 reviews in Raleigh, which puts them in strong territory. Beyond moving, they also offer junk removal, which makes them a convenient one-stop shop if you’re decluttering before or after a move. The company started as a college project and has since grown into a national franchise. Their rates tend to be competitive with other full-service movers, though add-on services like packing and junk hauling can push the final bill higher than expected if you’re not careful about scoping the job upfront.
TROSA Moving
TROSA stands apart from every other company on this list because it’s a nonprofit. The organization runs a residential substance-abuse recovery program in Durham, and its moving service is one of several social enterprises that help fund the program and provide vocational training to its residents. TROSA Moving has over 25 years of experience and holds a 4.3-star Google rating from 240 reviews, a 4.5-star Yelp rating from 109 reviews, and an impressive 4.8-star Angie’s List rating from 252 reviews. MoveBuddha rates them at 4.52 out of 5. Reviewers frequently mention the work ethic and politeness of the crews, and the fact that you’re supporting a meaningful cause adds a feel-good element to the transaction. They handle both residential and commercial moves and offer packing and storage services. Their rates are generally competitive, and they’re a favorite in Reddit discussions about Triangle-area movers.
All My Sons Moving & Storage
All My Sons is a national brand with more than 25 years in the industry and a Raleigh location that’s been serving the area for a long time. Their review picture is more mixed than the other companies on this list. They carry a BBB rating of A and a 4.5-star rating on Birdeye from nearly 6,700 reviews nationally, but their Yelp rating for the Raleigh area sits at just 1.6 stars from 343 reviews — a significant red flag that prospective customers should factor into their decision. MoveBuddha gives them a 4.5 composite but notes only 43% positive reviews, the lowest on their Raleigh rankings. Full-service pricing, as with most national brands, reflects the cost of maintaining a large operation. Some customers report excellent experiences, while others cite issues with pricing transparency and damage claims. If you’re considering All My Sons, it’s worth reading recent local reviews carefully before booking.
Undergrads Moving
Undergrads takes a fundamentally different approach to moving, and it’s one worth understanding if you’re cost-conscious. Rather than providing a truck and a crew that drives your belongings from point A to point B, Undergrads provides the labor — trained local college students who load your rental truck, pack your boxes, and unload at your destination. You handle the truck yourself, or rent one from a company like U-Haul or Penske. This labor-only model is what allows Undergrads to charge roughly 30% less than traditional full-service movers.
The cost savings are real and meaningful. On a typical Raleigh-area move that might run $2,000 to $3,000 with a full-service company, that 30% difference can put $600 to $900 back in your pocket — money that can go toward a security deposit, new furniture, or just easing the financial stress of a transition. And the service doesn’t suffer for the price. Undergrads holds a 4.9-star Google rating from over 460 reviews, which puts them alongside Dogwood and Little Guys at the very top of the local market. Their movers are college students from nearby universities like NC State and Meredith College — young people who know the neighborhoods, who’ve navigated the tight stairwells in Cameron Village apartments and the hilly driveways in North Hills, and who show up motivated to work hard.
The labor-only model isn’t for everyone. If you’d rather hand the keys over and let someone else handle the logistics end to end, a full-service mover is the simpler choice. But if you’re comfortable driving a rental truck — or you already have one — Undergrads offers a combination of affordability and quality that’s hard to match in the Raleigh market. They also serve surrounding areas including Cary, Chapel Hill, and Durham.
The Bottom Line
The Raleigh moving market has strong options at every price point. Dogwood and Little Guys represent the gold standard in full-service local moving, with review profiles that speak for themselves. Two Men and a Truck and College Hunks bring the consistency and infrastructure of national franchises. TROSA offers solid service with the added benefit of supporting a cause that matters. All My Sons has the brand recognition but warrants a closer look at recent reviews before committing.
And then there’s Undergrads, which has quietly built one of the best reputations in the market by rethinking how much a move actually needs to cost. If you’re willing to rent your own truck and let a team of sharp, well-trained college students handle the heavy lifting, you could save 30% without sacrificing quality. In a city where cost of living keeps climbing, that’s a value proposition worth considering.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I book movers in Raleigh?
For the best availability and pricing, aim to book your movers two to three months before your move date, especially if you’re moving during the busy season between May and September. If you’re on a tighter timeline, most Raleigh companies can accommodate bookings made three to four weeks out, though your preferred date and time slots may be limited. Weekend slots fill up fastest. Labor-only services like Undergrads tend to have more scheduling flexibility since they don’t need to coordinate truck logistics.
What information do I need when getting a moving quote?
To get an accurate quote from any Raleigh mover, have the following ready: the square footage of your current home, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, your move-in and move-out addresses (including floor level and elevator access), a general inventory of large or specialty items like pianos, gun safes, or antiques, and your preferred move date. Be upfront about narrow hallways, long carry distances from the door to the truck, or flights of stairs — these factors directly affect the final price. Most companies offer free in-home or virtual estimates, and getting quotes from at least three movers is a smart way to benchmark pricing.
Where are people moving to in the Raleigh area?
Raleigh continues to be one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the Southeast, and the growth is spreading well beyond downtown. Within the city, neighborhoods like North Hills, Five Points, and Brier Creek remain popular for their walkability and access to restaurants and shopping. South of Raleigh, Cary and Apex consistently rank among the best places to live in North Carolina, attracting families with strong school districts and a suburban feel that’s still close to Research Triangle Park. Holly Springs and Fuquay-Varina are drawing buyers priced out of closer-in neighborhoods. To the west, Chapel Hill and Durham offer their own distinct character and continue to pull new residents from across the country. Wake Forest and Knightdale are growing quickly to the north and east, offering newer construction at more accessible price points.
What is a labor-only moving company?
A labor-only moving company provides the crew — the people who load, unload, and sometimes pack your belongings — but does not provide the truck. You rent your own moving truck from a provider like U-Haul, Penske, or Budget and drive it yourself. This model strips out a significant portion of traditional moving costs, since the company doesn’t need to maintain a fleet of trucks, pay for fuel, or carry commercial driving insurance. The result is typically a 25–30% savings compared to a full-service mover. Undergrads Moving is the most well-known labor-only option in the Raleigh market.
How much does it cost to hire movers in Raleigh, NC?
For a local move within the Raleigh area, expect to pay between $400 and $1,500 for a one-bedroom apartment and $1,500 to $4,000 for a three- to four-bedroom house, depending on the company, distance, and amount of furniture. Full-service movers that provide the truck and crew tend to be at the higher end of those ranges. Labor-only movers like Undergrads can bring those costs down by roughly 30%, with the trade-off being that you handle the truck rental yourself. Rates also vary seasonally — summer months and end-of-month dates command premium pricing across the board.
