Once Upon A Move review 2026 (Chicago, IL)
Updated
Once Upon A Move, a Chicago, IL moving company, ranks #280 of 313 movers in Illinois, with a moveBuddha rating of 3.30/5.
99% of Once Upon A Move's 113 verified customer reviews are positive. Customers most often praise its affordable rates, while the most common complaint involves unauthorized subcontracting. Ratings reflect moveBuddha’s independent analysis of customer reviews and FMCSA records.
How Once Upon A Move measures up
Once Upon A Move ranks #280 out of 313 movers in Illinois with a moveBuddha Score of 3.30 out of 5.
What goes into our score
Each category is scored out of 5. The line shows the overall score of 3.30.
- Review quality
- 3.5
- Brand
- 3.0
- Website
- 3.0
- Customer service
- 3.0
- Industry experience
- 3.0
Is Once Upon A Move moveBuddha Certified?
Once Upon A Move is not moveBuddha Certified. Certified movers are licensed carriers vetted by moveBuddha and spot-checked every quarter. They meet higher standards for insurance, pricing transparency, and customer care.
With a Certified mover, moveBuddha does the vetting for you and provides added protection. Once Upon A Move hasn't gone through that certification process, so it's important to check licensing, insurance, estimates, and claims policies yourself before booking.
What movebuddha certified movers offer
- Up to $1,000 in added move coverage*. Extra protection for eligible moves.
- Vetted for licensing and insurance**. We verify state-required insurance for local movers and liability and cargo coverage for interstate movers.
- Dedicated moveBuddha support. Help through the move process.
- Dispute mediation. moveBuddha steps in if issues arise.
Before you book, check:
- USDOT and MC numbers. Look up the license and complaint history on FMCSA's site.
- Insurance coverage. Ask for proof of liability and cargo insurance.
- A written estimate. Binding or not-to-exceed, with every fee listed.
- The claims process. Ask how damage claims are filed and how long they take.
* Added move coverage is not replacement-value insurance, or insurance, or an indemnity of any kind. About moveBuddha Certified
** Local movers must hold insurance that meets state requirements for local moves. Interstate movers must carry auto liability of at least $750,000, general liability of at least $1M, and motor truck cargo coverage at or above $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 per occurrence.
What do customers say about Once Upon A Move?
Out of 113 verified reviews, 99% of customers left a positive review about Once Upon A Move in Chicago, IL. 0.9% of reviews are negative. Once Upon A Move has a 10% higher positive review percentage than the average Illinois moving company (99% vs the Illinois state average of 89%).
- Positive99.1%(112)
- Negative0.9%(1)
Based on 113 reviews across Google, Yelp, and other review sites.
What customers like about Once Upon A Move
Affordable rates
Many reviewers found Once Upon A Move to be more budget-friendly than competitors without sacrificing quality.
Organized packing
Once Upon A Move is often recognized for labeling boxes clearly and packing with structure and care.
Flexibility
Clients liked that Once Upon A Move was willing to adjust schedules or accommodate last-minute changes.
Good communication
Reviewers frequently mention clear, consistent updates from Once Upon A Move throughout the moving process.
Respectful of property
Customers appreciated how carefully Once Upon A Move's team maneuvered furniture through tight spaces without damaging walls or floors.
What positive reviewers say
“Excellent, efficient, professional, very accommodating, and a great price. Alex set it up and followed up to verify the date and estimate. I’ll use this company again.”
Bibi AndradeVerified ReviewerGoogle“The crew was fast and efficient, protected our furniture, avoided marks, and communicated honestly about what would fit. The price was very good for all the work.”
April AlonsoVerified ReviewerGoogle“Their pricing was very fair, and when I had more to move than expected, they were flexible, patient, and accommodating. Everything arrived in perfect condition.”
Niana RiveraVerified ReviewerGoogle“They packed and stacked boxes expertly, worked fast but carefully, communicated well, and were flexible when my schedule changed. Their prices were reasonable.”
Trish !Verified ReviewerGoogle“Every piece of furniture was wrapped, the truck was organized, and the crew used shoe covers and floor protection. They treated the house like their own.”
Phillip JeffreyVerified ReviewerGoogle
Most common complaints about Once Upon A Move
Unauthorized subcontracting
In some cases, Once Upon A Move handed off the job to another moving service without informing the customer.
What negative reviewers say
Once Upon A Move
3.30Chicago, IL
Save more than 30% on average by comparing movers before you book.
Once Upon A Move
3.30
Chicago, IL
Save more than 30% on average
On average, moveBuddha users save more than 30% by comparing movers before they book. Get a quote from Once Upon A Move, then see how it compares with other top-rated movers in Chicago.
Compare prices side by side
See where Once Upon A Move lands against similar movers.
Vetted movers only
Licensing and reviews checked, just like this page.
Free, no obligation
Nothing is booked until you choose a mover.
What services does Once Upon A Move offer?
Once Upon A Move is a full-service local and long-distance mover in Chicago, IL, listing 13 services on moveBuddha, including small moves, packing, and unpacking.
Services offered
Is Once Upon A Move licensed and insured?
Registered with the FMCSA
US DOT 4143101. Operating status is not on this profile. Check on SAFER
Verified against the FMCSA, not by moveBuddha
Once Upon A Move is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration under US DOT number 4143101.
Insurance is a separate question, and one this profile cannot settle: moveBuddha does not receive carriers' insurance filings, so nothing here confirms what cover Once Upon A Move holds. Ask for a certificate of insurance before you book.
- FMCSA safety rating
- Not ratedMost carriers are unrated. A rating is only assigned after a compliance review. It is not a failed one.
How much does Once Upon A Move cost?
Once Upon A Move does not publish hourly rates or flat fees publicly. Based on moveBuddha's data on moving companies operating in Illinois, you can expect to pay approximately $122/hr. Total local-move costs from similar movers typically run $400–$750 for a studio or 1-bedroom, $850–$1,750 for a 2-3 bedroom, and $1,700–$3,400 for a 4+ bedroom home. Long-distance (500-1,000 mi) 2-3 bedroom moves from similar movers typically run $4,500–$7,500.
What similar movers typically bill for a local move
Full-service Illinois moving companies similar to Once Upon A Move typically bill the amounts below using a $122/hr rate for a 2-person crew and scaling up for larger homes that need more movers and hours.
| Home size | Typical total | Time and crew |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $400–$750 | 3–5 hours, 2 movers |
| 2-3 bedrooms | $850–$1,750 | 5–8 hours, 2–3 movers |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,700–$3,400 | 8–12 hours, 3–4 movers |
What similar movers typically bill for a long-distance move
Once Upon A Move offers interstate moves, which are typically priced by weight and distance. Ranges below reflect totals from similar full-service Illinois moving companies.
| Home size | Distance | Typical total |
|---|---|---|
| 2-3 bedrooms | 500–1,000 mi | $4,500–$7,500 |
| 4+ bedrooms | 500–1,000 mi | $7,000–$11,500 |
What payment options and discounts does Once Upon A Move offer?
- Accepts
- No credit cards
- Deposit
- Not listed, so ask
Once Upon A Move does not list any accepted payment methods on moveBuddha. Confirm how they take payment before moving day. Deposit policies vary by mover, so ask whether one is required when you request a quote.
How Once Upon A Move compares with the top 10 Chicago movers
Once Upon A Move's moveBuddha score of 3.30 out of 5 places it #38, outside the top 10 Chicago movers, 1.22 points behind Elite Moving & Storage, the tenth-placed mover. Once Upon A Move's score rests on 113 reviews, fewer than any of the ten. Where Once Upon A Move falls behind is quote accuracy, with the lowest quote accuracy score in the group.
The ten highest-scoring local movers near Chicago, by moveBuddha score.
| # | Mover | Score | Reviews | Yelp | BBB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New City MovingChicago | 4.70 | 1,451 | 4.8 | 4.5 | — |
| 2 | STI Moving & Storage Inc.Skokie | 4.64 | 1,590 | 4.7 | 2.9 | A+ |
| 3 | Alliance Moving & StorageRolling Meadows | 4.64 | 896 | 4.8 | 3.8 | A+ |
| 4 | The Professionals Moving SpecialistsChicago | 4.58 | 5,591 | 5.0 | 4.6 | A+ |
| 5 | Move-tasticChicago | 4.58 | 4,873 | 5.0 | 4.6 | A+ |
| 6 | Windy City Movers Inc.Chicago | 4.58 | 789 | 4.6 | 4.0 | A+ |
| 7 | MiniMoves Inc.Hillside | 4.58 | 516 | 4.4 | 3.0 | A+ |
| 8 | H2H Movers IncChicago | 4.56 | 4,892 | 4.9 | 4.2 | A+ |
| 9 | Jay MoversChicago | 4.56 | 514 | 4.1 | 3.9 | B- |
| 10 | Elite Moving & StorageLincolnwood | 4.52 | 2,057 | 4.7 | 2.8 | A+ |
| 38 | Once Upon A MoveThis mover · ranks #38 | 3.30 | 113 | — | — | — |
How does Once Upon A Move compare to other Illinois movers?
- moveBuddha score#280 of 313(worse than average)
3.30vs 3.69 avg
Once Upon A Move scores 3.30, below the Illinois average of 3.69, and ranks #280 of 313 Illinois movers.
- Positive reviews#60 of 313(better than average)
99%vs 89% avg
Once Upon A Move has 99% positive reviews, above the Illinois average of 89%, and ranks #60 of 313 Illinois movers.
- Negative reviews#57 of 313(better than average)
1%vs 11% avg
Once Upon A Move has 1% negative reviews, below the Illinois average of 11%, and ranks #57 of 313 Illinois movers. A lower percentage is better.
- Reviews analyzed#162 of 313(worse than average)
113vs 376 avg
Once Upon A Move has 113 reviews analyzed, below the Illinois average of 376, and ranks #162 of 313 Illinois movers.
| Metric | This moverOnce Upon A Move | Illinois avg | Illinois rank | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| moveBuddha score#280 of 313 in Illinois | 3.30 | 3.69 | #280 of 313 | −0.39(worse than average) |
| Positive reviews#60 of 313 in Illinois | 99% | 89% | #60 of 313 | +10 pts(better than average) |
| Negative reviewsLower is better#57 of 313 in Illinois | 1% | 11% | #57 of 313 | −10 pts(better than average) |
| Reviews analyzed#162 of 313 in Illinois | 113 | 376 | #162 of 313 | −263(worse than average) |
Compared with 313 Illinois movers with moveBuddha profiles. Rank #1 is the best in Illinois.
Once Upon A Move
3.30Chicago, IL
Save more than 30% on average by comparing movers before you book.
Save more than 30% on average
On average, moveBuddha users save more than 30% by comparing movers before they book. Get a quote from Once Upon A Move, then see how it compares with other top-rated movers in Chicago.
Compare prices side by side
See where Once Upon A Move lands against similar movers.
Vetted movers only
Licensing and reviews checked, just like this page.
Free, no obligation
Nothing is booked until you choose a mover.
Once Upon A Move
3.30
Chicago, IL
Final verdict: Once Upon A Move
Once Upon A Move earns a 3.30/5 moveBuddha Score and ranks #38 among Chicago movers, with 99% positive feedback across 113 customer reviews.
Customers consistently praise its affordable rates and organized packing. It is best for customers prioritizing strong communication, helpful crews, and reliable service experience.
The most common complaint is unauthorized subcontracting.
All ratings reflect moveBuddha's analysis updated October 2026, based on independent research and verified customer reviews.
Once Upon A Move
3.30
Chicago, IL
Why moveBuddha?
- 30%+Average savings
On average, moveBuddha users save more than 30% by comparing movers before booking.
Calculate your Illinois moving cost - $1,000Added move coverage*
When you choose a moveBuddha Certified mover, you get $1,000 in added move coverage*, plus dedicated support throughout your move.
- 1-on-1Dispute mediation
If something goes wrong, moveBuddha provides dispute mediation with Certified movers to help resolve the issue and protect your move.
* Added move coverage is not replacement-value insurance, or insurance, or an indemnity of any kind.
Contact Once Upon A Move
- Phone
- (773) 389-4868
- Website
- onceuponamover.com
- Profiles
How we score moving companies
Every mover on moveBuddha is scored on the same six factors, weighted by how much each one changes a move.
- Quotes & payment optionsWeighs most
The heaviest factor, because price certainty is where moves go wrong. We reward estimates you can hold a mover to, and terms disclosed before you pay.
- Online reputationMajor factor
An objective read from third parties rather than from the mover. The Google rating for the company's headquarters sets the band; Trustpilot, BBB, and independent review sites are read alongside it.
- ServicesMajor factor
The range a mover can actually cover, scored across seven categories, with extra credit for the uncommon ones most companies hand off to a subcontractor.
- Customer supportSupporting factor
How easily you can reach a human, and how clearly the mover sets expectations before, during, and after the move. Verified against company documentation and direct outreach.
- Review feedbackSupporting factor
A company's share of positive customer feedback, converted straight to points, with no curve and no editorial adjustment.
- State availabilityMinor factor
The lightest factor, and deliberately so: wide coverage helps more readers reach a mover, but it says nothing about how good the move will be.
What the scores are built on
- 4,500+Moving companies analyzed
- 1M+Authenticated reviews
- 25+Independent data sources
- 1,000+Live price points a month
- $0Paid for a ranking
- MonthlyRefreshed and re-verified
Written by
Ryan CarriganCo-founder, moveBuddha
Ryan Carrigan is the co-founder of moveBuddha and a leading voice in the moving industry, helping hundreds of thousands of Americans make smarter, safer relocation decisions each year. With more than a decade of experience analyzing moving companies, pricing trends, and industry regulations, Ryan brings hands-on industry knowledge and data-driven insight to every guide and review. His research has been featured in Forbes, Consumer Reports, The New York Times, and NBC News.