Suddath Relocation Systems
Suddath Relocation Systems is a full-service moving company that handles local, long-distance, interstate, international and commercial moves. It has over 100 years of experience and completes over 80,000 moves annually. Suddath specializes in military moves and helps more than 38,000 military members relocate annually.
Our rating: 4.2
Best for: Military moves
USDOT#: 2100494
Suddath Relocation Systems at a glance
Suddath Relocation Systems earned a spot on our list of the best moving companies for its extensive employee training and military move expertise. However, its higher prices, lack of instant online quotes, and customer service inconsistencies may cause some customers to pause.
Fast facts
- Suddath has been in business for 100+ years, boasting an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
- Its niche is helping military families relocate locally, long-distance and internationally.
- The moving company has over 2,000 employees who complete 80,000 residential moves every year.
What we like
We like that Suddath makes it easy to get an estimated price for a move, even if you don’t have all the details of your relocation. It offers essential services, such as full-service packing, unpacking, junk removal, storage options and specialized shipping for fragile items like collectibles and pianos. We also appreciate that it assigns a dedicated move coordinator to ensure a smooth moving experience from start to finish.
What we don’t like
While Suddath offers top-notch services, we don’t like that the company is too pricey for people on a budget. For example, we received a ballpark starting at $12,500 for a move that other companies, like Solomon & Sons, quoted for much less ($5,142). Also, Suddath doesn’t provide a moving calculator, oversized hauling or appliance disconnect/hookup services. This may be inconvenient for customers who specifically need these.
* BBB ratings are accurate as of June 2024.
Suddath Relocation Systems pros and cons
Suddath’s extensive training program ensures employees have up-to-date skills to handle customers’ belongings carefully. Its climate-controlled storage facilities offer the convenience and flexibility to store items as needed.
Unfortunately, Suddath isn’t available in every state. If you live in Alaska or Hawaii, you’ll need another moving company. We didn’t love that we couldn’t get an instant quote by providing basic details on its website. Instead, we had to call on a weekday to talk to a representative. The one we got wasn’t knowledgeable enough to answer basic questions like what discount options were available.
Pros
- Employees and movers have gone through 250+ hours of mentored training
- Offers robust storage locations within the US and internationally
- All crews and drivers are background-checked
Cons
- Doesn’t service 50 states (only 48)
- Doesn’t provide online quotes
- Not reachable by phone on weekends
How much does Suddath Relocation Systems cost?
pro tip
- Pricing for military moves may differ. You must have your military ID to get a quote specifically for a military move. From there, you’ll be transferred to the correct department to assist you better.
Suddath provides rough quotes over the phone based on your current and destination ZIP codes and the type of home you’re moving to and from. To get a more accurate estimate, schedule a virtual tour, during which a representative will inventory your belongings.
Below is the ballpark quote we received for a May move from a single-story, two-bedroom, two-bathroom home in Dallas to San Diego (same home type):
- Price range: $12,500 to $13,750
- Includes: Wrapping, disassembly, assembly, loading, unloading and transport
- Excludes: Storage and car shipping (additional costs apply depending on your unique needs and circumstances, such as how long you need storage for or the year, make and model of your car)
While Suddath offers an AAA discount, a company representative couldn’t say what it was. She suggested we ask about potential savings when we book our move. Although the representative’s lack of detailed information was surprising, it’s good to know that Suddath offers a discount for AAA members.
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Quote for a May move, single-story, 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom home*
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|---|---|
| Suddath Relocation Services | $12,500 to $13,750 |
| JK Moving Services | $12,000 to $16,000 |
| International Van Lines | $6,000 to $8,000 |
| Solomon & Sons Relocation Group | $5,152 |
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Discount available?
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|---|---|
| Suddath Relocation Services | AAA savings available, but the amount is unclear |
| JK Moving Services | None available for the expected moving date we provided |
| International Van Lines | 15% if you have them move your car or if you’re a senior |
| Solomon & Sons Relocation Group | Up to $150 off for seniors |
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Deposit to secure move?
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|---|---|
| Suddath Relocation Services | No |
| JK Moving Services | 10% of the quoted amount or $500, whichever is greater |
| International Van Lines | 25% of the quoted amount |
| Solomon & Sons Relocation Group | 20% to 35% of the quoted amount (Floridians only pay 20%) |
Quotes vary depending on the time of year you book a move. Moves tend to be more expensive during the warmer months when families are more likely to relocate.
What services does Suddath Relocation Systems offer?
Suddath is a full-service moving company that handles local, long-distance, interstate, international and commercial moves. It offers standard moving services like junk removal, fragile-only packing, piano shipping, antiques and collectible shipping and temperature-controlled storage.
Suddath also uses advanced survey technology, such as virtual assessments and online inventory tools, to provide accurate estimates and efficient moving plans. Customers get a dedicated move coordinator to ensure a stellar moving experience and easy communication.
Suddath Relocation Systems services
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Offered?
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|---|---|
| Antiques | ✓ |
| Appliance disconnection | - |
| Art and collectibles | ✓ |
| Junk removal/haul away | ✓ |
| Loading and unloading | ✓ |
| Oversized hauling | - |
| Packing and unpacking | ✓ |
| Pianos | ✓ |
| Storage | ✓ |
| Vehicle shipping | ✓ (through third-party) |
Suddath add-ons and optional features
Suddath doesn’t list specific add-ons and optional features with pricing on its website. You must call and speak with an agent to get a tailored quote based on your needs. They’ll work with you to customize your move, ensuring you only pay for what you need.
For example, if you need specialized shipping, Suddath can help you move your cars, boats, motorcycles, large items like pianos and even furry friends. If your new home isn’t ready when your belongings arrive, Suddath can arrange in-transit storage.
Suddath Relocation Systems customer experience
You can request a quote on Suddath’s website, but we didn’t receive a response when we tried. We called the next day and got connected with a friendly representative. There was no wait, even though we called during peak hours before noon. She provided a rough ballpark quote based on current and destination ZIP codes and home types.
We appreciated that she could give us an estimate without asking too many questions since we were only in the early stages of planning our move. The representative explained that the quote may change and become more accurate once we schedule a virtual walkthrough, where they note everything down and quote accordingly. Still, having this rough estimate helped us quickly compare quotes from other companies for the same move.
The representative couldn’t answer our question about discounts beyond the fact that Suddath offers one for AAA members. However, she assured us savings information would be available after a virtual walkthrough.
Customer reviews for Suddath are mixed, as they often are with moving companies:
Suddath Relocation Systems liability coverage
Suddath offers two protection plans, which are typical across moving companies:
- Released-value protection: Basic coverage comes at no extra cost but provides minimal protection up to 60 cents per pound per item.
- Full-value protection: Comprehensive coverage offers better protection for your items but comes at an added cost (exact coverage amount to be discussed when requesting a quote).
Suddath Relocation Systems vs. competitors
If you’re in the military and looking to move, Suddath can be a solid choice. The moving company works with the Department of Defense and local agents to efficiently service PCS moves. Many of its employees are military veterans or their spouses, and the company has moved military families since 1919.
pro tip
- Save money by moving during the off-season (October to March) if you have flexibility.
Suddath’s price quote exceeded International Van Lines’ estimate ($6,000 to $8,000) for the same move in May. But it’s comparable to or slightly lower than JK Moving Services’s estimated range of $12,000 to $16,000, depending on the needed assistance level.
Unlike JK Moving, which requires a 10% deposit (or $500, whichever is greater) to book a move, or Solomon & Sons, which charges 20% to 35% of the quote upfront, Suddath doesn’t require one to secure a moving date.
Suddath Relocation Systems competitor comparison
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Our score (out of 5)
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|---|---|
| Suddath Relocation Systems | 4.2 |
| Atlas Van Lines | 4.5 |
| North American Van Lines | 4.5 |
| Mayflower | 4.4 |
| United Van Lines | 4.2 |
| Solomon & Sons Relocation Group | 4.1 |
| Allied Van Lines | 4.1 |
| JK Moving Services | 4.0 |
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Best for
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|---|---|
| Suddath Relocation Systems | Military moves |
| Atlas Van Lines | Overall |
| North American Van Lines | Flexible pricing |
| Mayflower | Large moves |
| United Van Lines | Liability coverage |
| Solomon & Sons Relocation Group | East Coast moves |
| Allied Van Lines | Full-service moves |
| JK Moving Services | Premium moves |
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State availability
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|---|---|
| Suddath Relocation Systems | 48 (excludes AK, HI) |
| Atlas Van Lines | 50 |
| North American Van Lines | 50 |
| Mayflower | 45 (excludes DE, HI, RI, SD and WV) |
| United Van Lines | 46 (excludes HI, RI, VT, WV) |
| Solomon & Sons Relocation Group | 50 (Limited availability in ND, MT and SD) |
| Allied Van Lines | 50 |
| JK Moving Services | 50 |
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Country availability
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|---|---|
| Suddath Relocation Systems | 180 |
| Atlas Van Lines | 17 |
| North American Van Lines | 130+ |
| Mayflower | 150 |
| United Van Lines | 150+ |
| Solomon & Sons Relocation Group | Not listed |
| Allied Van Lines | 175 |
| JK Moving Services | 170+ |
Methodology
To create our top moving company rankings, we evaluated 52 providers in detail. Moving companies that offer more move types, including local, long-distance and international, earned the highest marks. We also considered the range of services offered, such as packing, unpacking, storage solutions and vehicle transportation. Extra points went to companies that handle fragile items like pianos and collectibles with specialized care.
Insurance options played a vital role in our evaluation process. We also examined each company’s reputation by examining its Better Business Bureau rating, complaint history and years of experience in the industry.
The extent of each company’s nationwide presence and digital offerings, like virtual quotes and real-time GPS tracking, were also factored into our assessment. Lastly, our team of moving industry experts provided valuable insights to help shape the final rankings.