All Iowa Movers - Review by All Movers

When you are hiring a moving company, you need to know exactly what is on the menu. It’s not one-size-fits-all.

Understanding the “how” is just as important as the “what.” Here is how the sausage gets made.

First, you have to reach out. You can call them or fill out a form online. Based on my interactions, their phone support is generally decent. You aren’t stuck in an endless robot loop.

Here is the critical part: The Estimate.

They will likely offer a phone estimate or an in-home estimate.

• Phone Estimate: You list your stuff; they give a price. This is risky if you forget to mention the treadmill in the basement.
• In-home Estimate: A rep comes over and looks at your stuff. Always do this if you have a 3+ bedroom home.

Once you get the quote, look for the fine print. Is it a binding estimate (fixed price) or a non-binding estimate (hourly)? All Iowa Movers typically leans toward hourly for local moves. This means if the crew is slow, you pay more. I always advise getting a “not-to-exceed” clause if you can. It puts a cap on the pain.

On the big day, the crew shows up. Hopefully on time. They will do a walkthrough with you. This is your chance to point out the antique dresser that belonged to your Great Aunt Mildrid and say, “Be careful.”

They will wrap the furniture in blankets (pads) and shrink wrap. Then, the Tetris game begins. As a former logistics coordinator, I respect a good truck pack. A tight pack means less shifting and less damage. If you have questions before signing paperwork, make sure to refer to our guide on understanding moving contracts.

Policies to Watch:

• Delays: If the truck breaks down, what happens? All Iowa Movers usually has backup plans, but communication is key here.
• Damages: This is the awkward conversation nobody wants. If they scratch the floor or break a TV, you have to file a claim. Most basic liability coverage is 60 cents per pound per item. That means if your 50-pound flat-screen TV ($800 value) breaks, you get $30. I know, it’s criminal. Ask about “Full Value Protection.” It costs extra, but it saves tears.

Every company has its warts. Let’s lay them out.

These are estimates. If you have a grand piano or a hot tub, add a few zeros (kidding… sort of).

Money talks. Pricing in the moving industry is notoriously slippery because every house is different. However, based on the average normalized moving cost for this region, here is what you might expect.

One thing that drives me nuts is the “Change Order.” If you show up on moving day with 20 more boxes than you claimed on the estimate, the foreman can issue a change order, raising the price on the spot. Be accurate with your inventory!

If you decide these are your guys, you need to know where to find them. They aren’t hiding, but they have specific hubs.

Primarily, you will find their operations centered around the major Iowa hubs:

• Des Moines: The HQ and main
• Cedar Rapids: Satellite coverage for the eastern part of the state.
• Ames: Heavy presence here due to the university crowd (lots of student moves).

They cover the whole state, but if you are way out in the rural corners, they might charge a “travel fee” just to get the truck to your door.

Is All Iowa Movers perfect? No. No moving company is. I’ve seen the best of them drop a sofa. But, are they good? Yes.

They strike me as a solid, middle-of-the-road option for the average family. They aren’t the super-premium “white glove” movers who will organize your bookshelf by color, but they also aren’t the shady operators who hold your stuff hostage for cash. For additional ways to avoid the bad ones, feel free to read through our guide to recognizing moving scams.

Their claims ratio (the percentage of moves that result in a damage claim) seems to be within industry standards. They are legitimate, licensed, and insured. If you are a woman managing a household move, dealing with kids and a job, you need reliability. All Iowa Movers offers that.

My advice? Book them for local moves. They know the area, and their hourly rates are fair. For cross-country moves, I might shop around a bit more just to compare with the big national lines, but for getting from one side of Des Moines to the other? They are a safe bet.

If your gut is telling you “maybe not,” or if they are fully booked (which happens a lot in summer), here are some other places to look:

• Extra Mile Movers Review: I mentioned them earlier. They are often praised for going the – wait for it – extra mile on customer service. A good backup.
• National Van Lines: If you are moving to California or New York, sometimes the big networks have better logistics for the long haul.
• PODS: If you want to pack at your own pace and just have someone drive the box, this is a great hybrid option.