Planes Moving & Storage of Indianapolis - Review by All Movers

When I was coordinating logistics, I learned quickly that “we do moving” is too vague. You need to know exactly what they can handle. Planes offers a pretty wide menu. Here is the breakdown of what you can actually hire them to do.

Understanding the process helps lower the blood pressure. Here is how it usually goes down with them, based on industry standards and what I know of their specific operations.

First off, you can’t just book a move with a click like you’re ordering Uber Eats. You shouldn’t want to, anyway.

1. The Inquiry: You contact them (phone or online).
2. The Survey: This is crucial. To get an accurate moving quote, they need to see your stuff. Planes offers both in-home estimates and virtual surveys. Personally? If you have a lot of stuff or a tricky house (lots of stairs, narrow hallways), make them come to your house. It prevents surprises later.
3. The Estimate: They should provide you with a detailed estimate. Look for a fixed-price estimate (or binding estimate). This protects you. It means the price won’t magically double on moving day unless you suddenly decide to move a piano you didn’t tell them about.
4. Communication: You usually get a move coordinator. This is your point person. In my logistics days, I was this person. Treat them nicely; they are the ones who can pull strings for you if things go sideways.

On the big day, the moving crew shows up. With a company like Planes, they should be in uniform.

• The Walkthrough: The lead driver will walk through the house with you. Show them everything. Point out the scratch on the floor that was already there so they don’t get blamed, and point out the antique vase that needs extra love.
• Inventory: They will tag everything. Every box, every chair gets a numbered sticker. This is your inventory sheet. Do not lose your copy.
• Loading: They load the truck. It’s like 3D Tetris.
• The “Change Order”: I need to warn you about this. If the crew arrives and you have significantly more stuff than was on the estimate (like you decided to empty the attic last minute), they might issue a change order. This adjusts the price before they load. It’s standard in the moving industry, but it feels like a gut punch if you aren’t expecting it. Be honest during the estimate to avoid this. If you want to check for other common pitfalls, glance through our checklist on avoiding common moving mistakes.
• Delivery: They unload, place furniture where you want it, and if you paid for unpacking, they help with that too. Before signing off on the final arrival sheets, it is always a wise choice to review our reference on understanding moving contracts to verify your protections.

No company is perfect. Here is the good, the bad, and the reality.

These are estimates based on industry averages for high-end carriers. Always get a specific quote.

Okay, talking money is tricky because every move is different. A studio apartment move is different from a five-bedroom mansion. Also, the average normalized moving cost fluctuates based on fuel prices and season.

However, I can give you a rough idea of how the pricing structure works compared to the industry.

The thing to remember is that for long-distance moves, you are usually paying based on weight. For local moves, you are paying by the hour.

As you can see, Planes sits in that “Premium/Reliable” tier. You aren’t hiring them to save ten bucks; you’re hiring them to make sure your TV arrives with the screen intact.

If you are in Indiana, you’ve probably seen their trucks. They have a strong presence in the region. While they cover the whole state, their hubs are specific.

Their main operation is centered around Indianapolis, but being a major player, they service the surrounding suburbs easily – Carmel, Fishers, Zionsville, Greenwood, etc. For secondary midwestern loops, they also run routes matching key hubs like Columbus, OH.

Because they are part of the United network, if you are moving to Indianapolis from somewhere else, you might start with a different local United agent in your current city, and Planes might be the one delivering you at the end. It’s a seamless handoff usually. If you are tracking general interstate destination trends, feel free to look over our overview of the top cities people are moving to.

Is Planes Moving & Storage of Indianapolis a good company? Yes.

Would I recommend them to my best friend? It depends on the friend.

If you are someone who values peace of mind, has some valuable furniture, and wants a structured, professional experience, then yes, absolutely. They are one of the adults in the room in an industry full of toddlers. Their association with United Van Lines gives a layer of accountability that I really value.

However, if you are a student moving a futon and three boxes of books across the street, they might be overkill (and over budget).

If you aren’t sold, or if you got a quote and it made your eyes water, here are a few other paths you could take:

• Two Men and a Truck: Generally more affordable for local moves. They are franchises, so quality varies wildly by location, but they are a solid middle-ground option.
• PODS / U-Pack: If you don’t mind loading the boxes yourself, this is a great way to save money. You do the labor, they do the driving. Great if you need storage for a while in your driveway.
• Allied Van Lines Agents: Allied is the main competitor to United. You might find a local Allied agent in Indy to get a comparable quote just to see if the pricing is competitive.
• Mayflower / United: Another big van line name. Similar service structure to United (and actually owned by the same parent company, Unigroup, so the service will be very similar to Planes).

Look, moving is a journey. Hopefully, this helps you figure out if Planes is the right co-pilot for yours. Good luck, and don’t forget to label the box with the coffee maker “OPEN FIRST.” Trust me on that one.