The Ideal Move review 2026 (Albany, NY)
Updated
The Ideal Move, an Albany, NY moving company, ranks #292 of 505 movers in New York, with a moveBuddha rating of 3.30/5.
85% of The Ideal Move's 135 verified customer reviews are positive. Customers most often praise its knowledgeable staff, while the most common complaint involves damage to items. Ratings reflect moveBuddha’s independent analysis of customer reviews and FMCSA records.
How The Ideal Move measures up
The Ideal Move ranks #292 out of 505 movers in New York 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 The Ideal Move moveBuddha Certified?
The Ideal 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. The Ideal 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 The Ideal Move?
Out of 135 verified reviews, 85% of customers left a positive review about The Ideal Move in Albany, NY. 11.1% of reviews are negative and 3.7% are neutral. The Ideal Move has a 3% lower positive review percentage than the average New York moving company (85% vs the New York state average of 88%).
- Positive85.2%(115)
- Neutral3.7%(5)
- Negative11.1%(15)
Based on 135 reviews across Google, Yelp, and other review sites.
What customers like about The Ideal Move
Knowledgeable staff
Several reviewers pointed out that The Ideal Move's crew answered questions confidently and provided useful advice.
Consistency and follow-up
Reviewers liked that The Ideal Move stayed in touch before and after the move to ensure everything went smoothly.
Good communication
Reviewers frequently mention clear, consistent updates from The Ideal Move throughout the moving process.
Respectful of property
Customers appreciated how carefully The Ideal Move's team maneuvered furniture through tight spaces without damaging walls or floors.
Friendly and approachable staff
Many customers felt at ease working with the courteous and personable team at The Ideal Move.
What positive reviewers say
“Jake took care of the paperwork -super nice, knowledgeable, and efficient -while Denny and Rock worked to pack and load the truck.”
Nancy W.Verified ReviewerGoogle“They worked with and for me. Answered all my questions quickly. Communicated by phone, text, and email. Both moving crews showed up exactly on time.”
jr danceVerified ReviewerGoogle“The movers arrived exactly on time were friendly, careful and quick. They wrapped all my furniture and taped each piece.”
ellen silversteinVerified ReviewerGoogle“The office staff who set up my move were friendly and informative. They answered all my questions and help guide me through the moving process.”
H RICHARDSONVerified ReviewerGoogle“They were prompt, efficient, and best of all, I could always get in touch with someone when I had questions. The price was reasonable, and there were no surprises on my bill after the move.”
Colleen AndrianoVerified ReviewerGoogle
What mixed reviewers say
“The entire move was accomplished in under four hours. So, naturally, I assumed I would be charged less than the full amount of the estimate. Color me surprised when the full amount appeared on my credit card.”
Paul TigheVerified ReviewerGoogle“Very professional at first. The guys were great, but they charged me much more than the quote and never sent me a requested itemized receipt.”
Lindles JVerified ReviewerGoogle“The packers were almost 2.5 hours late, and packed some things that were not supposed to be packed. It was raining and many of my boxes and some of my furniture got wet.”
Jane FeldmanVerified ReviewerGoogle
Most common complaints about The Ideal Move
Damage to items
Some customers reported that items were damaged during packing or loading.
Delayed arrival or delivery
Several reviewers experienced frustrating delays either on moving day or with final delivery.
Lack of communication
Poor or inconsistent updates from The Ideal Move left some customers feeling in the dark.
What negative reviewers say
“They did not wrap our bedroom furniture prior to loading. We even heard them bang it and then they had the audacity to list it as Pre-Existing Damage.”
John RybitskiVerified ReviewerGoogle“Local team never showed up the day they were scheduled. After several calls they came the following day.”
Eric ChewVerified ReviewerGoogle“The movers would not be moving our things to our new location until a day after the initially agreed upon date of delivery. This reality presented significant issues as arranging additional time off was uncomfortable at best.”
Christian RayVerified ReviewerGoogle“I have been waiting for 6 weeks for delivery of my new furniture that has been in their warehouse for month now. The lack of communication is unreal. I'm extremely displeased with the whole ordeal.”
Elizabeth SpeeceVerified ReviewerGoogle
The Ideal Move
3.30Albany, NY
Save more than 30% on average by comparing movers before you book.
The Ideal Move
3.30
Albany, NY
Save more than 30% on average
On average, moveBuddha users save more than 30% by comparing movers before they book. Get a quote from The Ideal Move, then see how it compares with other top-rated movers in Albany.
Compare prices side by side
See where The Ideal 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 The Ideal Move offer?
The Ideal Move offers full-service moving, local moves, and long-distance moves. It also provides international moves, commercial moves, and small moves.
Services offered
Is The Ideal Move licensed and insured?
Registered with the FMCSA
US DOT 12993. Operating status is not on this profile. Check on SAFER
Verified against the FMCSA, not by moveBuddha
The Ideal Move is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration under US DOT number 12993.
Insurance is a separate question, and one this profile cannot settle: moveBuddha does not receive carriers' insurance filings, so nothing here confirms what cover The Ideal 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 The Ideal Move cost?
The Ideal Move does not publish hourly rates or flat fees publicly. Based on moveBuddha's data on moving companies operating in New York, you can expect to pay approximately $139/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 New York moving companies similar to The Ideal Move typically bill the amounts below using a $139/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
The Ideal Move offers interstate moves, which are typically priced by weight and distance. Ranges below reflect totals from similar full-service New York 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 The Ideal Move offer?
- Accepts
- No credit cards
- Deposit
- Not listed, so ask
The Ideal 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 The Ideal Move compares with the top 6 Albany movers
With a moveBuddha score of 3.30 out of 5, The Ideal Move trails the six highest-scoring Albany moving companies, 0.54 points behind Capital Movers. Where The Ideal Move falls behind is quote accuracy, with the lowest quote accuracy score in the group.
The six highest-scoring local movers near Albany, by moveBuddha score.
| # | Mover | Score | Reviews | Yelp | BBB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mabey's Moving & StorageRensselaer | 4.56 | 706 | 4.8 | 3.7 | A+ |
| 2 | Clark Moving & StorageSchenectady | 4.48 | 150 | 4.6 | 3.0 | A+ |
| 3 | Arnoff Moving & StorageMalta | 4.42 | 591 | 3.8 | 2.0 | A+ |
| 4 | Don's Moving & StorageAlbany | 4.36 | 951 | 4.9 | 4.0 | A+ |
| 5 | Schaap Moving Systems IncColonie | 4.14 | 57 | 4.3 | 2.1 | — |
| 6 | Capital MoversColonie | 3.84 | 76 | 4.5 | 4.3 | — |
| 7 | The Ideal MoveThis mover · ranks #7 | 3.30 | 135 | — | — | — |
How does The Ideal Move compare to other New York movers?
- moveBuddha score#292 of 505(worse than average)
3.30vs 3.63 avg
The Ideal Move scores 3.30, below the New York average of 3.63, and ranks #292 of 505 New York movers.
- Positive reviews#322 of 505(worse than average)
85%vs 88% avg
The Ideal Move has 85% positive reviews, below the New York average of 88%, and ranks #322 of 505 New York movers.
- Negative reviews#296 of 505(level with average)
11%vs 11% avg
The Ideal Move has 11% negative reviews, in line with the New York average of 11%, and ranks #296 of 505 New York movers. A lower percentage is better.
- Reviews analyzed#184 of 505(worse than average)
135vs 287 avg
The Ideal Move has 135 reviews analyzed, below the New York average of 287, and ranks #184 of 505 New York movers.
| Metric | This moverThe Ideal Move | New York avg | New York rank | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| moveBuddha score#292 of 505 in New York | 3.30 | 3.63 | #292 of 505 | −0.33(worse than average) |
| Positive reviews#322 of 505 in New York | 85% | 88% | #322 of 505 | −3 pts(worse than average) |
| Negative reviewsLower is better#296 of 505 in New York | 11% | 11% | #296 of 505 | ±0 pts |
| Reviews analyzed#184 of 505 in New York | 135 | 287 | #184 of 505 | −152(worse than average) |
Compared with 505 New York movers with moveBuddha profiles. Rank #1 is the best in New York.
The Ideal Move
3.30Albany, NY
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 The Ideal Move, then see how it compares with other top-rated movers in Albany.
Compare prices side by side
See where The Ideal 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.
The Ideal Move
3.30
Albany, NY
Final verdict: The Ideal Move
The Ideal Move earns a 3.30/5 moveBuddha Score and ranks #7 among Albany movers, with 85% positive feedback across 135 customer reviews.
Customers consistently praise its knowledgeable staff and consistency and follow-up. It is best for customers prioritizing strong communication, crew professionalism, and reliable service experience.
The most common complaint is damage to items.
All ratings reflect moveBuddha's analysis updated October 2026, based on independent research and verified customer reviews.
The Ideal Move
3.30
Albany, NY
Why moveBuddha?
- 30%+Average savings
On average, moveBuddha users save more than 30% by comparing movers before booking.
Calculate your New York 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 The Ideal Move
- Phone
- (518) 459-0800
- Website
- idealallied.com
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.