Frequently Asked Questions

Boston Best Rate Movers has been serving the Greater Boston area since 2002. With over two decades of experience and more than 33,158 successful moves, we are one of the most trusted moving companies in Massachusetts.

Yes. We are fully licensed and insured. We hold USDOT #1718049 for interstate moves and MDPU #31391 for Massachusetts intrastate moves. License status is publicly verifiable on the FMCSA SAFER database. We carry comprehensive liability coverage and workers' compensation insurance so you are protected on every move.

We serve all of Greater Boston and Eastern Massachusetts, including Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Brookline, Newton, Waltham, Quincy, and surrounding communities. We also handle long-distance moves throughout New England and the East Coast.

You can request a free, no-obligation quote on our website using the online form, or call us directly at (617) 787-3528. After submitting, you'll get instant access to your personal client portal where you can view your quote, customize it, submit inventory, message your moving specialist, and book your move online. We typically respond within minutes during business hours.

Yes, we offer moving services seven days a week, including weekends and most holidays. Weekend and holiday moves are subject to availability, so we recommend booking as early as possible.

Yes, the City of Boston requires temporary parking permits for moving trucks on public streets. We recommend applying 2–3 days in advance (one week is ideal) through the Boston Transportation Department. Permits cost approximately $60–$80 and fines can reach up to $100 without one. We can advise you through the process.

Local moving rates start at $149/hour for two professional movers and a truck. Three-mover crews range from $179–$209/hour depending on the season and date. All services are billed by the hour with a 3-hour minimum. The total billable time includes travel time (from our office to your pickup, and from your destination back to our office) plus labor time (loading, driving with your items, and unloading). Studio and one-bedroom apartments typically take 3–5 hours; two to three-bedroom homes require 5–8 hours. See our full Boston moving cost breakdown and hourly rates.

Yes, there is a 3-hour minimum for all moves. This minimum includes both travel time and labor time. If a job takes less than 3 hours total, the charge will still be 3 hours. Any time above the minimum is billed in 15-minute increments.

No. We pride ourselves on transparent pricing. Your hourly rate includes the truck, moving blankets, furniture disassembly and reassembly, dollies, equipment, basic insurance ($0.60/lb/article), and taxes. There are no extra charges for stairs or extra stops. The additional costs are packing materials (boxes, tape, shrink wrap, bubble wrap, mattress covers) and, if you pay by credit card, a 5% convenience fee — cash payments receive a 5% discount instead. Full details are on our company policy page.

Yes, travel time is part of the total billable time. Travel time is the time from our Waltham office to your pickup location, plus the return trip from your destination back to our office. For example, if it takes 30 minutes each way, that's 1 hour of travel time. Labor time (loading, driving with your items, unloading) is billed separately on top of travel time. Total billable time = travel time + labor time.

The average price for a long-distance cross-country move is $3,000 to $10,000 but can differ based on your specific inventory, distance, and services required. Additional services like packing, unpacking, storage, and fragile item handling increase costs. Contact us for an accurate estimate.

Pack all small items in boxes, disassemble furniture if possible, empty dresser drawers, disconnect appliances, and clear pathways. Label boxes by room for faster unloading. Our crew handles the heavy lifting, wrapping, and loading.

Yes, the customer or an authorized representative must be present at all times during the move. Your guidance is required for directing the crew, and you must complete a final walk-through to confirm all items have been moved before the crew departs.

We use professional-grade moving blankets, shrink wrap, and corner protectors for furniture. We also lay down floor runners and use door jamb protectors to prevent damage to your home.

All moves include basic liability coverage at $0.60 per pound per article, up to $10,000. All damage claims must be submitted in writing and noted on the bill of lading on the day of the move, before the crew leaves. Full payment is required before claims are processed. We do not sell additional insurance, but recommend third-party providers like MovingInsurance.com or Baker International for full-value coverage.

Yes, we move pianos, gun safes, and gym equipment. Large upright pianos are moved ground floor to ground floor only — we do not move them up or down interior stairs. Gun safes and heavy items over 300 lbs are moved when it can be done safely, with the customer accepting risk for floor damage. All specialty items are wrapped with professional padding and moved using dollies and specialized equipment.

Yes. Our long-distance moving service covers the East Coast and beyond. We hold full interstate authority under USDOT #1718049 and MC #630047. Unlike most companies that charge by volume or weight, we charge long-distance moves by the hour using the same billing structure as local moves. This is more transparent — you pay for actual time worked.

Moving over 100 miles or crossing state lines qualifies as a long-distance interstate move. This type of move requires additional planning and federal licensing. We hold full interstate authority and charge by the hour — the same billing structure as local moves.

Yes. When you book a long-distance move with us, our crew loads your belongings at your home and the same crew delivers them to your destination. Your items stay on one truck the entire time — no transfers to a warehouse, no reloading onto a different truck. This eliminates the risk of damage and loss that happens with brokers.

For moves under 300 miles (Boston to New York, for example), delivery typically happens the same day or next day. For longer routes, delivery windows are coordinated in advance. Boston to Washington DC is typically 1-2 days; longer cross-country moves are scheduled based on the specific route.

Yes. We offer full-service packing (everything packed), partial packing (fragile or complicated items only), and specialty packing for artwork, antiques, and electronics. Our packers use high-quality materials and are billed at hourly moving rates plus material costs.

Packing supply bundle packages range from $159.50 for a studio apartment to $1,275 for an x-large house. Packing materials are billed separately based on actual usage, so you only pay for what your move requires.

Yes. Our moving and storage service handles overnight holds, short-term storage (days to weeks), and long-term storage (months). One crew, one truck, and one point of contact manages loading, transport, and delivery — no self-storage hassles.

The first month of storage is due on move day. Monthly storage fees apply based on the volume of items stored. Our facility is secure, climate-controlled, and private — not accessible to the public. Retrieval requires a docking fee starting at $99. We recommend completing our inventory list in advance for an accurate monthly storage fee.