Local Movers in the Upper Peninsula

Finding the best, most reliable local moving company in Northern Michigan depends on various factors. According to Forbes Home, “Hiring local movers involves doing some research to ensure you work with a professional moving company. Ideally, you want to work with a trustworthy local moving company that’s well-known in the area.” To best assist you in finding the most reliable professional local movers, here are a few questions to consider: 

• Is the moving company part of a large chain or independent and locally owned? Branches of moving chains are usually so institutionalized that they cannot provide the same level of personalized service that an independently and locally owned moving company can, as they have their owner on the premises. 

• Does the company have any accreditations or awards? Some common examples include awards from van lines like the Spire Quality Awards, an A+ accreditation from the BBB, and being certified as a Pro-Mover from the American Trucking Association: Moving & Storage Conference.

• What is their overall rating on Google Reviews, and how many total reviews do they have? Overall Ratings for moving companies on Google Reviews should be at least a 4.5 or above. The more ratings the company has, the better, as results are more accurate from a larger group of people. Knowing you’re making the right decision can give you peace of mind.

• Does the company partner with a van line; if so, is the van line listed on their website? Common Van Lines, such as Wheaton World Wide, have over 400 moving companies as interstate agents that operate under the van line’s USDOT number. Big-name van lines are highly credible, and their credibility extends to each of their interstate agents, which will give you the confidence of knowing the company meets national standards and can handle all moves efficiently.

Now that you have an itemized list of things to look for, you can easily determine which moving companies are the most reliable in Northern Michigan. “At Guindon, we suggest getting at least three free estimates for your local move to get the best value for your needs,” states Owner Scott Jensen, who has worked for the company for over 30 years.

After reviewing the questions above, we’re sure you’ll agree that Guindon Moving and Storage, an interstate agent of Wheaton World Wide Van Lines, stands out as the most reliable local mover in Northern Michigan. As a locally owned and operated moving company, we’re proud recipients of the Spire Quality Award for four consecutive years (2019-2022), a testament to our consistent, high-quality services.

With over 80 years of experience serving the Upper Peninsula, our commitment to excellence in service delivery has garnered us an outstanding reputation among our customers. With an A+ accreditation from the BBB, a Pro-Mover certification from the American Trucking Association, and a 4.7/5 star overall rating from Google Reviews, Guindon has a trusted reputation as the go-to moving company in Northern Michigan.

Local moving costs vary significantly based on various factors, including the size of your space, the amount and weight of the items that need to be moved, and the distance from your current destination to your new place. According to this Forbes article, “However, you can expect to pay between $300 and $6,900 for a short-distance move and between $3,200 and $17,000 for a long-distance move.” While this is just an average range, an accurate estimate can be achieved through a thorough home survey. This in-depth assessment allows movers to understand the scope of the job, leading to a precise cost projection. 

As a member of the Preferred Movers Network, Guindon Moving & Storage offers in-home and virtual surveys. We comprehensively evaluate all items involved in the move, ensuring an accurate estimate that reflects your specific needs. “Our company prides itself on transparency; hence, we never provide over-the-phone estimates that may be prone to inaccuracies. All our formal estimates are written,” states company Owner and President Scott Jensen. Request your free, no-obligation moving estimate with Guindon today by filling out the online estimate form or calling us at our Escanaba (906) 786-6560 or Marquette/Negaunee (906) 475-4139 location.

The timeframe for a local move depends on several factors, including the volume of items, distance, and specific services requested. In terms of advance notice, moving companies usually only need a week or two advanced notice to prepare for your move to meet your scheduling needs best.

“The moving process takes on average about six to seven weeks, from the day you reserve a moving company to the day you finish unpacking,” states Move.org, “This can extend for interstate moves… Alternatively, you can expect a shorter moving window if you’re moving locally from one small apartment to another.”

At Guindon Moving & Storage, we leverage our extensive experience and well-equipped fleet of 4+ moving trucks to ensure timely and efficient moves, always striving to work with our customers’ schedules. When you request a quote from Guindon, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive time estimate for your move. We can adjust the size of our moving team to accommodate your schedule and deadlines. “During our initial meeting, we encourage you to share any timing requirements or unique circumstances, as this information helps us create the most effective moving strategy for your situation,” states Owner and President Scott Jensen.

Moving companies must secure a Michigan State Moving License (CVED) to legally complete local moves in Michigan. Most reliable moving companies put all their licenses in the header or footer of their websites. “To check if a mover has the authority to make moves in Michigan of over 40 miles one way (an intrastate move), check with the Michigan State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division at  https://mspcapsearch.state.mi.us/,” states the Michigan Movers Association. 

Guindon Moving & Storage is a fully licensed and insured company offering you peace of mind for your move. We hold a Motor Carrier (MC) license #87113 and a CVED license #18884. Guindon Moving also operates under Wheaton World Wide Van Line’s United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) license #70719. “Our licenses and insurance aren’t just paperwork – they represent our dedication to protecting your belongings and providing professional service on every move,” says Scott Jensen, owner of Guindon Moving & Storage. “We’ve built our 80 year long reputation on trust and reliability.”

All moving companies should have recent reviews on a third-party site, such as Google Reviews or Yelp. This ensures that the reviews are direct from the customer and not edited or manipulated by the moving company, as some curated website reviews may be. 

A reliable moving company should have at least one, if not more, customer reviews within the last month to ensure consistent customer satisfaction. If these reviews are on the company’s site, they should be linked directly from a third-party website such as Google or Yelp. The more reviews a moving company has, the better, as a larger amount of reviews makes the overall score more accurate. 

Big Ideas for Small Businesses states, “Before committing to a purchase, 98% of shoppers see the opinions of others as essential resources to help gauge product or service quality.” It is important to look at reviews to see if other customers were happy with the service they received or not and why.

At Guindon, we are transparent about our reviews and want to ensure that you are confident in choosing us as your Northern Michigan local mover. Our most recent Google Customer Reviews are displayed directly on our site. With an overall rating of 4.7/5 stars, we invite you to read the many reviews of our satisfied customers by viewing our Google Customer Reviews. “We’re proud of our strong reputation in Northern Michigan, but what matters most is earning the trust of each new customer,” says Scott Jensen, owner of Guindon Moving & Storage. “Every positive review represents a family or business who trusted us with their move, and we take that responsibility seriously.”

Moving companies must offer a warranty on the safe transport of your items to your new space. If some of your belongings are broken or damaged during the move, federal law requires moving companies to offer Limited Liability Coverage free of charge with every move. 

This level of coverage requires moving companies to compensate you 60 cents per pound for every lost or damaged item. However, as this level of coverage isn’t enough for all customers, most moving companies offer higher coverage plans at an additional cost. To learn more about “moving valuation,” go to our section on “What Policies are in Place in Case of Damaged or Lost Items?”

One ‘guarantee’ some moving companies offer is a binding estimate. “A binding estimate guarantees that you do not have to pay more than the estimated amount at the time of delivery,” states the FMCSA. You must provide an inventory of all your items for a binding estimate. If you need to add additional items or services to your move, the mover must write an additional moving estimate. This is why many moving companies offer non-binding moving estimates.

At Guindon Moving & Storage, we believe in transparency and honest business dealings, which is why we provide you with accurate cost quotes that reflect the scope of your move. We offer Limited Liability Coverage with every move and have additional valuation plans for purchase. “There are never any hidden fees associated with our moving services, so you can have peace of mind when you partner with Guindon Moving for your local move,” states President and Owner Scott Jensen.

Even though all companies do their best to keep all your belongings safe and secure, sometimes items still break or get lost during the transition. Federal law enforces all moving companies to offer Limited Liability Coverage free with every move, so be sure the local movers you are considering have the correct licensing. 

This valuation plan, which is how “insurance” is referred to in the moving industry, requires each moving company to compensate the customer 60 cents per pound for all damaged and lost items. Often, customers want more coverage than Limited Liability, which is why most companies offer Full Value Protection Coverage at an additional cost. “Under Full Value Protection, your mover is responsible for the replacement value of lost or damaged goods in your entire shipment,” states the FMCSA.

At Guindon, we prioritize the safety of your items during your move. However, in the rare event of damage or loss, we offer moving valuation options: Limited Liability Coverage and Full Value Protection Coverage at Guindon Moving & Storage. These options are designed to provide assurance and compensation should any mishap occur during the move. “While our expert movers carefully handle every item, we believe in being prepared for any situation,” explains Scott Jensen, Owner of Guindon Moving & Storage. “Our comprehensive coverage options give our customers the peace of mind they deserve during their move.”

All reliable moving companies should be able to work with your schedule to accommodate your preferred moving date. Usually, moving companies only need a week or two to prepare for your move, but the sooner you can let your company know your schedule, the more likely they will have your moving date available. “Moving companies often charge more for moves scheduled at the last minute or during peak season. If your schedule is flexible, you may save by booking your move at an off-peak time,” states This Old House.

At Guindon Moving & Storage, we understand that every move is unique, just as your moving schedule is. As full-service movers, we work flexibly to accommodate your preferred moving date, including working on weekends, to ensure a convenient and seamless moving experience.

“We pride ourselves on being there when our customers need us,” says Scott Jensen, Owner and President of Guindon Moving & Storage. “Whether it’s a weekday or weekend move, our team is committed to making your local move as smooth as possible.” 

However, our schedule fills up fast during our busy seasons, such as the summer months of June, July, and August, so make sure you contact us as soon as possible for scheduling so that you can get your preferred moving date and time.