Choosing the right moving company can make all the difference between a stress-free transition and a chaotic moving day that you dread—not to mention the difference it can make for your wallet. There are many well-known and top-rated moving companies to pick from, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed deciding who you want to trust with your belongings. In this post, we’ll be looking at UniMovers and Two Men and a Truck, comparing their rates, pricing, services, and customer reviews. You’ll have a clear understanding of which best fits your budget, timeline, and expectations by the end!
Table of Contents
Overview
Before diving into the specifics of each of these top moving companies, let’s outline the criteria used to compare both companies fairly and consistently. No two moves are exactly the same, but we’ll be evaluating these two movers across the same core categories listed below to paint a clear picture of what you can expect from each.
- Services offered
- Locations
- Pricing
- Customer satisfaction
Now, for price, we’ll be comparing the prices for two potential moves in the same general location. This is intended to help you understand the associated costs for choosing either UniMovers or Two Men and a Truck for your move. I chose to compare a simple, one-bedroom apartment move and a larger two-bedroom house move with a home office, both in the city of Des Moines, IA. These hypothetical moves include both loading and unloading and focus primarily on the cost of labor.
Two Men and a Truck
Two Men and a Truck is one of the top moving companies in the country, easily recognized by name alone. Its large presence and straightforward approach make it a popular choice for many movers.
Services
Two Men and a Truck offers a wide range of services designed to cover nearly every aspect of the moving process at competitive rates. This includes both local and long-distance moves, loading and unloading, junk removal, portable storage containers, and warehouse storage. However, not every location offers every service, so you will have to check in advance by calling or using the filter on their website to narrow down what you need.
Most locations have a sizable fleet of moving trucks, but customers also have the option to use their own vehicle, if desired. Altogether, their service lineup makes them a versatile choice for people looking for a full-service moving experience.
Locations
Two Men and a Truck has locations in all 48 states across the continental US, giving it one of the largest footprints in the industry. They are convenient and accessible in most major cities across the country. Because each franchise operates semi-independently, available services and scheduling can vary by location, but the company’s broad network remains one of its biggest advantages.
Rates
When it comes to pricing, the cost for Two Men and a Truck and its hourly rates can vary depending on factors like distance, location, and the size of your home. As a franchise-based company, each local branch sets its own rates. The price of a similar move with similar services in one city might cost more or less in another. Generally, customers can expect hourly pricing for local moves and customized quotes for long-distance relocations, depending on the distance and amount of cargo transported.
Here’s where it gets a little complicated. Beyond what specific services you require, many things can influence the price of your quote, and your quote is only an estimate, not the final price tag. The exact square feet of your property, whether it is a house, business, apartment, the date of your service, any additional stops you might make on the way, how far in advance you book, how well-trained the moving specialists you enlist are, how many rooms, what specific items are in each room, and what supplies (boxes, zip ties, mattress bags, etc.) you need can all influence the final cost for Two Men and a Truck’s services.
I’m using my two example moves to get my quotes, but keep in mind that Two Men and a Truck rates do vary by location, and checking your local branch is the only way to get a reliable estimate. However, even with an estimate, the final cost for Two Men and a Truck’s services isn’t set in stone.
My Quotes
When requesting quotes from Two Men and a Truck, the process proved to be a bit more involved than I had expected. For the first quote, an uncomplicated move for a one-bedroom apartment with sparse furnishings in the city of Des Moines, the form still required a surprisingly detailed breakdown of items and details of the move for accuracy’s sake. The quote estimated my move would take anywhere between 2-4 hours, charging $165/hr, coming to anywhere between $330-660, plus an additional travel fee of $85, for a final cost of anywhere between $415-745 before tax.
The second quote I requested was for a two-bedroom house with an additional office space, which required even more information, including detailed breakdowns of each piece of furniture in each room and even pictures. The system prompted extensive questions about my furniture, the number of boxes I needed, specialty items, and the layout of both the current home and the hypothetical destination. The time estimation for this move was anywhere between 5-7 hours, costing $825-$1,155, plus the travel fee of $85, for a final cost of anywhere between $910-1,240 before tax.
- One-bedroom apartment loading and unloading: $415-745
- Two-bedroom house with an office loading and unloading: $910-1,240
Looking to move soon?
Check out UniMovers and save 30-50% on your move as compared with traditional moving!
Customer Satisfaction
When looking at Two Men and a Truck reviews, customer satisfaction tends to vary depending on the specific location, which is common for large, franchise-based moving companies. Two Men and a Truck’s Des Moines location used for this example is currently sitting at 4.7/5 stars on Google Reviews and 3.4/5 stars on Yelp. In general, Two Men and a Truck’s reviews are mixed, with a few particular caveats. Many customers in recent years highlight that they are unsatisfied with the rates Two Men and a Truck offers on local moves, often charging over $1,000 even for straightforward moves in the same city.
The company’s overall reputation is solid, but the mixed feedback underscores the importance of checking with your local branch instead of relying on name recognition alone.
UniMovers
UniMovers is a smaller, labor-only moving service that emphasizes affordability, transparency, and customer service. Unlike large franchise-based movers, UniMovers is straightforward, offering competitive pricing and a more personalized experience.
Services
UniMovers offers a focused set of services designed to cover the essentials of moving residential or commercial spaces while keeping things simple and affordable. Their core services include local moving with loading and unloading services, accommodating both residential and business moves. This approach gives customers a lot of flexibility if they are able to provide their own mobile storage unit or truck. In addition to moving services, UniMovers offers packing assistance for those who want professional support with boxes and fragile items.
Locations
UniMovers primarily operates in major cities across a few select regions, focusing on areas where they can provide consistent, reliable service. They don’t have the nationwide footprint of a large franchise, but their targeted coverage allows them to maintain strong local knowledge and a more personalized approach for each move. Namely, UniMovers has locations in:
- Florida: Boca Raton, Orlando, Tampa
- Iowa: Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Dubuque, Forest City, Iowa City
- North Carolina: Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Cary, Durham, Raleigh, Wilmington
- South Carolina: Charleston, Columbia, Rock Hill, Summerville
- Texas: Austin, Lubbock, San Antonio
Rates
UniMovers uses a flat hourly rate model for their labor and moving services. This means you pay based on the number of movers and the hours worked, without worrying about hidden fees or surprise add-ons. They operate with a two-hour, two-mover minimum, so even short jobs will still meet that base amount. On their website, they offer a handy calculator to help estimate moving time and get a clear idea of what you’ll need.
My Quotes
For the location I used, the rates were plainly listed as $60/hr/mover. The estimator pegged my first move, an uncomplicated, one-bedroom apartment move with loading and unloading services, as taking a minimum of two hours, coming to $240. For the larger, two-bedroom house move with an office, the time estimation was about four hours, which would come to $480.
Unless the move was a longer distance and required a travel fee, it really is that straightforward. Even if I had incurred a travel fee, it would have been transparently represented on their website using their travel fee calculator.
- One-bedroom apartment loading and unloading: $240
- Two bedroom house with a home office loading and unloading: $480
Customer Satisfaction
Looking at customer reviews for UniMovers across different locations, the feedback is overwhelmingly positive. The UniMovers Des Moines location I calculated my estimate from currently has 4.9/5 stars on Google Reviews and consistently exceptional reviews on Yelp and Thumbtack. Bottom line: UniMovers’ customer satisfaction is strong in its core markets. Reviews consistently highlight the team’s friendliness, professionalism, and efficiency, and many movers appreciate their community- and student-focused vibe.
How They Compare
Two Men and a Truck offers a broader spectrum of services to a wider variety of locations. They’re a one-stop shop for a full-service move. UniMovers, on the other hand, focuses on labor-only services—local moves plus loading/unloading labor, with optional packing and assembly services. Their service menu is simpler, which can be a positive or a negative thing, depending on what you’re looking for.
When it comes to pricing, Two Men and a Truck tends to run on a more traditional model that is both more expensive and less transparent. The cost for Two Men and a Truck can vary significantly depending on the branch and services used, as well as your own inventory. The location I chose cost $165/hr. UniMovers used a flat hourly rate of $60/hr/mover with a minimum of two movers, coming to $120/hr. For a quick price snapshot, that looks like:
| Two Men and a Truck | UniMovers | |
| 1 bedroom apartment move | ~$415–$745 | ~$240 |
| 2 bedroom house move with office | ~$910–$1,240 | ~$480 |
Two Men and a Truck’s reviews are generally not unfavorable but rather mixed. Customer satisfaction and rates vary by location. UniMovers, meanwhile, earns strong praise across its select service areas.
In short, choose Two Men and a Truck if you need their broad service options or are planning a long-distance move and want a well-known brand with national coverage. Though not as thrifty as UniMovers, Two Men and a Truck’s rates are still competitive for full-service moves, though full-service moving companies come with their own downsides. Opt for UniMovers if you’re in one of their operational areas and don’t need full-service moving (or are okay renting your own truck).
Conclusion
Choosing the right moving company comes down to balancing your specific needs, budget, and priorities. Two Men and a Truck comes with the services and the convenience of a well-established brand. It’s a solid choice, but not always a straightforward or consistent one.
UniMovers, by contrast, provides a more focused, affordable approach with strong customer satisfaction in its regional markets. UniMovers is ideal for local moves within their limited coverage area or situations where you’re handling your own transportation. Ultimately, the best mover for you depends on your location, the size and complexity of your move, and how much support you want from your movers.
FAQs
What do Two Men and a Truck’s reviews say?
Two Men and a Truck’s reviews are generally positive but can vary by franchise. What you get in one location is not necessarily what you’ll get in another.
What is the overall cost for Two Men and a Truck?
Checking with your local franchise is the best way to get an accurate estimate for your move. When I contacted the Des Moines, IA location, the Two Men and a Truck rates were $165/hr and an $85 travel fee.
How does UniMovers’ pricing work?
UniMovers charges a flat hourly rate with a two-hour and two mover minimum, though the rate can depend on which location you are using. Because they focus on labor-only services, you won’t pay for any extra hidden fees, which can make them more affordable for smaller moves.
Should I hire a full-service moving company or labor-only movers?
Whether you hire full-service or labor-only movers depends on the type of support you’re looking for. In general, labor-only movers offer more flexibility and affordability, whereas full-service movers offer more services.
J. Dailey has an English degree with a focus in technical writing. When not busy blogging, find J. Dailey hiking, playing tabletop games, or spending time with cats.
