Born to Move - Review by All Movers

Okay, let’s break down what they actually do. It’s not just lifting heavy boxes, though that’s a big part of it.

Knowing what they do is one thing; knowing how they do it is another. I’m all about the process. When I was coordinating trucks, a breakdown in the process was usually why a client ended up screaming on the phone.

Getting a price estimate with Born to Move is refreshingly straightforward. You can do the typical online form, but I always suggest calling. You want to hear a human voice.

Here’s the kicker: they are big on fixed-price estimates. In the moving world, this is gold.

Most companies give you a “non-binding estimate,” which is fancy talk for “we think it costs this much, but if your couch is heavier than it looks, you owe us $500 more.” Born to Move tries to lock that price in.

To get this, you usually need to provide a detailed inventory. And I mean detailed.

Don’t lie about how many boxes you have. If you say 20 and you have 50, that’s on you. Once they have the list, they give you a number. That number includes fuel, tolls, and labor.

Communication-wise, they confirm via email and text. They usually send a reminder a day or two before the move. It’s that proactive check-in that lowers the blood pressure.

On the big day, the moving crew shows up. Usually, the foreman introduces himself. This is the person you want to be best friends with. Offer them water. Seriously.

First, they do a walkthrough. They look at what needs to go, check for pre-existing damage on your walls or floors (so they don’t get blamed for it later), and plan the load.

Then, the prep work starts. They wrap furniture in moving blankets and shrink wrap. They use floor runners to protect your hardwood or carpet. This is standard for good movers, but you’d be surprised how many skip it.

During the load, they play real-life Tetris. Heavy stuff on the bottom, lighter stuff on top, locked in tight so nothing shifts during transit.

If there’s a change order – say, you suddenly decide to move that piano you said you were selling – they will adjust the price on the spot before moving it.

They don’t just do it and surprise you with the bill later. Policies on damages are standard: basic valuation is included (that 60 cents per pound thing that is legally required), but they offer options for full value protection.

Nothing is perfect. Even the best logistics plan hits traffic.

These are estimates. Seasonality (moving in summer is more expensive), stairs, and elevators affect the final price.

Okay, let’s talk numbers. Money is usually the biggest stressor aside from the packing itself. It’s hard to pin down exact numbers without a specific inventory, but you can estimate your costs with our moving cost calculator and what I’ve seen in client reviews, here is a ballpark.

Since they started locally, their physical footprint matters. You generally want a mover that has a hub near either your origin or your destination. It makes the logistics easier if something goes wrong with the truck.

Currently, their main operational hubs are concentrated on the East Coast, but they have expanded.

• Boston, MA: (Headquarters) – They cover the entire Greater Boston area, Cambridge, Newton, etc.
• New York City, NY: Strong presence for moves into and out of the city.
• Miami, FL: A popular destination for people moving south from New England, so they established a route here.
• Chicago, IL: Another major hub for their cross-country routes.
• Washington, D.C.: Handling the Mid-Atlantic corridor.

If you are a woman like me, juggling a career, maybe a family, and the chaos of life, and you just want the move to happen without you having to micromanage every second of it – then yes, Born to Move is a solid choice.

They aren’t perfect. No mover is. There will always be customer complaints in this industry because sometimes trucks break down or rain ruins a schedule. But their claims ratio (the number of times people file for damages) seems to be lower than the industry average.

I value communication over almost everything else. I want to know that if I call, Sarah (or whoever is at the desk) will pick up. Born to Move scores high on customer experience. They give you a fixed price, they show up on time, and they respect your stuff.

If you have a very tight budget and don’t mind doing a lot of the heavy lifting or risking a delay, you might look elsewhere. But if you view your sanity as a valuable asset, they are worth the premium.

Maybe they are booked, or maybe the quote came in a little too high. Here are a few other avenues you could explore:

1. Gentle Giant: Another high-end, high-quality mover based in the Northeast. Very similar vibe and service level, also pricey.
2. Two Men and a Truck: A franchise model. It’s hit or miss depending on the local owner, but they are everywhere and usually a bit cheaper for local moves.
3. PODS: If you want to handle the labor yourself but not the driving. They drop a box, you fill it, they move it. Good for storage needs too.
4. U-Pack: Similar to PODS but usually a bit cheaper. You pay for the space you use in a commercial trailer.

At the end of the day, trust your gut. Read the contract. And for heaven’s sake, label your “Open First” box with the coffee maker and toilet paper. You’ll thank me later.