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Guardian Relocation review 2026 (Columbus, OH)

In business since 1973 · Updated

Guardian Relocation, a Columbus, OH moving company, ranks #43 of 282 movers in Ohio, with a moveBuddha rating of 4.42/5.

78% of Guardian Relocation's 50 verified customer reviews are positive. Customers most often praise its good communication, while the most common complaint involves damage to home.

In business since 1973, Guardian Relocation holds active FMCSA registration (USDOT #595681). Ratings reflect moveBuddha’s independent analysis of customer reviews and FMCSA records.

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How Guardian Relocation measures up

Across 50 reviews, Guardian Relocation in Columbus, OH is rated 4.4/5 on Google (38 reviews) and 2.3/5 on Yelp (3 reviews), and has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Guardian Relocation ranks #43 out of 282 movers in Ohio with a moveBuddha Score of 4.42 out of 5.

  • moveBuddha Score

    moveBuddha Score

    The moveBuddha Score is a single 0–5 rating that combines everything we know about a mover, so you can compare companies without cross-referencing a dozen review sites.

    It weighs customer service, quote accuracy, review quality, industry experience, website quality, brand strength, and ratings from Google, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau.

    It is not a paid placement. Partners and non-partners are scored the same way.

  • Google rating

    Based on 38 reviews
  • Yelp rating

    Why does the Yelp score look different?

    Guardian Relocation has a 2.3 rating on Yelp across 3 reviews, noticeably lower than its 4.4 on Google (38 reviews) and its A+ rating at the BBB.

    Yelp volume is low, so a small number of negative reviews has an outsized effect.

    We weight the much larger Google sample more heavily, but flag the Yelp score transparently so you can judge for yourself.

    If you’re comparing movers, get a free Guardian Relocation quote and see how their price and responsiveness feel in practice.

    Based on 3 reviews
  • Better Business Bureau

    Other names on file at BBB

    The Better Business Bureau also lists Guardian Relocation as Guardian Relocation of Ohio, Inc., HMSC Acquisition, Inc. (FKA), and Home Moving & Storage Co,. Inc. (FKA).

    Businesses are often filed at BBB under a legal, parent-company, or former name rather than the one they trade under, so if you look Guardian Relocation up on BBB, search for these names too.

    View the BBB profile

    Based on BBB profile
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Is Guardian Relocation moveBuddha Certified?

Guardian Relocation 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. Guardian Relocation 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 Guardian Relocation?

Out of 50 verified reviews, 78% of customers left a positive review about Guardian Relocation in Columbus, OH. 18% of reviews are negative and 4% are neutral. Guardian Relocation has a 12% lower positive review percentage than the average Ohio moving company (78% vs the Ohio state average of 90%).

  • Positive78%(39)
  • Neutral4%(2)
  • Negative18%(9)

Based on 50 reviews across Google, Yelp, and other review sites.

What customers like about Guardian Relocation

  • Good communication

    Reviewers frequently mention clear, consistent updates from Guardian Relocation throughout the moving process.

  • Efficient service

    Many customers praise Guardian Relocation for completing moves smoothly and with minimal downtime.

  • Friendly and approachable staff

    Many customers felt at ease working with the courteous and personable team at Guardian Relocation.

  • Professional and polite staff

    Customers say the Guardian Relocation's crews and service representatives handled their move professionally and were friendly and helpful throughout the move.

  • Quick moving process

    The team at Guardian Relocation often gets the job done faster than expected, saving clients time.

What positive reviewers say

  • “We used Guardian Relocation for an out of state move this past summer and were completely satisfied. The movers took good care of our belongings, as well as our homes and properties. They were prompt and professional. Communication was great.”

    GoogleVerified Reviewer
  • “Packing team was incredibly helpful, hardworking, friendly, thorough, and efficientโ€ฆ”

    GoogleVerified Reviewer
  • “I would highly recommend Guardian relocation of Ohio to anyone. Every person I dealt with was very professional and very proficient. My move went exactly as promised. I was always able to call through the whole move.”

    GoogleVerified Reviewer
  • “The move was a good price, next day delivery, and a full time staff of movers (not someone from a temp agency). James the driver was remarkably skilled. He was also a pretty friendly guy.”

    GoogleVerified Reviewer
  • “Moving is stressful, but this group of men were the best part of the project! They were prompt, professional, friendly and extremely careful and helpful over the two days of our move.”

    GoogleVerified Reviewer

Most common complaints about Guardian Relocation

  • Damage to home

    Customers reported scratched floors, dinged walls, or other property damage during the move.

  • Hard-to-resolve claims

    Customers found it difficult to file or finalize claims for damaged or lost items.

  • Damage to items

    Some customers reported that items were damaged during packing or loading.

What negative reviewers say

  • “I was extremely upset that when moving in they scratched our hardwood floors but would not do anything about it because it was after the 7 day claim period.”

    GoogleVerified Reviewer
  • “Company had seller sign off on all damage caused by their movers and then left the new owner to repair. Seller sent the buyer a link to report damage which was promptly dismissed by the company.”

    YelpVerified Reviewer
  • “They called me the day before the scheduled move to change the date. They promised to put back together anything they took apart, but there were several items I had to reassemble. They also broke some furniture including our bed.”

    John KeyserVerified ReviewerGoogle

Guardian Relocation

4.42Columbus, OHSince 1973

Save more than 30% on average by comparing movers before you book.

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What services does Guardian Relocation offer?

Guardian Relocation offers full-service moving, local moves, and long-distance moves. It also provides international moves, commercial moves, and packing.

Services offered

Is Guardian Relocation licensed and insured?

Federally licensed, operating authority active

US DOT 595681 Check on SAFER

Verified against the FMCSA, not by moveBuddha

Yes, Guardian Relocation is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration under US DOT number 595681, as ATLAS VAN LINES INC, and its operating status is currently active. It also holds a Ohio intrastate license, number 00011474.

Insurance is a separate question, and one this profile cannot settle: moveBuddha does not receive carriers' insurance filings, so nothing here confirms what cover Guardian Relocation holds. Ask for a certificate of insurance before you book.

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State license number
00011474Issued by Ohio. Covers moves within the state, which the FMCSA does not
Registered legal name
ATLAS VAN LINES INCThe entity behind the trading name, as filed with the FMCSA
FMCSA safety rating
SatisfactoryAssigned after a compliance review
Miles driven
59,154,522Reported to the FMCSA for 2024
Roadside inspections
0Recorded by the FMCSA
FMCSA record last updated
July 2026

How much does Guardian Relocation cost?

Guardian Relocation does not publish hourly rates or flat fees publicly. Based on moveBuddha's data on moving companies operating in Ohio, you can expect to pay approximately $130/hr. Total local-move costs from similar movers typically run $400โ€“$750 for a studio or 1-bedroom, $850โ€“$1,750 for a 2-3 bedroom, and $1,700โ€“$3,400 for a 4+ bedroom home. Long-distance (500-1,000 mi) 2-3 bedroom moves from similar movers typically run $4,500โ€“$7,500.

What similar movers typically bill for a local move

Full-service Ohio moving companies similar to Guardian Relocation typically bill the amounts below using a $130/hr rate for a 2-person crew and scaling up for larger homes that need more movers and hours.

Typical local move totals from similar movers
Home sizeTypical totalTime and crew
Studio / 1 bedroom$400โ€“$7503โ€“5 hours, 2 movers
2-3 bedrooms$850โ€“$1,7505โ€“8 hours, 2โ€“3 movers
4+ bedrooms$1,700โ€“$3,4008โ€“12 hours, 3โ€“4 movers

What similar movers typically bill for a long-distance move

Guardian Relocation is licensed for interstate moves, which are typically priced by weight and distance. Ranges below reflect totals from similar full-service Ohio moving companies.

Typical long-distance move totals from similar movers
Home sizeDistanceTypical total
2-3 bedrooms500โ€“1,000 mi$4,500โ€“$7,500
4+ bedrooms500โ€“1,000 mi$7,000โ€“$11,500

What payment options and discounts does Guardian Relocation offer?

Accepts
No credit cards
Deposit
Not listed, so ask

Guardian Relocation 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.

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How Guardian Relocation compares with the top 10 Columbus movers

Guardian Relocation's moveBuddha score of 4.42 out of 5 places it #14, outside the top 10 movers in Columbus, 0.02 points behind Krupp Moving & Storage LLC, the tenth-placed mover. At 50 reviews, Guardian Relocation has fewer reviews than nine of the ten. Where Guardian Relocation falls behind is industry experience, with an industry experience score that trails nine of the ten.

The ten highest-scoring local movers near Columbus, by moveBuddha score.

#MoverScoreReviews
1MVM Moving & StorageHilliard4.66989
2All American Moving and StorageColumbus4.621,051
3E.E. Ward Moving & StorageGrove City4.56504
4Leaders Moving & Storage Co.Columbus4.524,028
5TWO MEN AND A TRUCKColumbus4.523,021
6Integrity Moving & StorageColumbus4.50743
7Dearman Moving & StorageWesterville4.5077
8EkoMoversColumbus4.5019
9Planes Moving & Storage CompanyColumbus4.48692
10Krupp Moving & Storage LLCColumbus4.441,555
14Guardian RelocationThis mover ยท ranks #144.4250

How does Guardian Relocation compare to other Ohio movers?

  • moveBuddha score#43 of 282(better than average)

    4.42vs 3.72 avg

    Guardian Relocation scores 4.42, above the Ohio average of 3.72, and ranks #43 of 282 Ohio movers.

  • Positive reviews#181 of 282(worse than average)

    78%vs 90% avg

    Guardian Relocation has 78% positive reviews, below the Ohio average of 90%, and ranks #181 of 282 Ohio movers.

  • Negative reviews#173 of 282(worse than average)

    18%vs 10% avg

    Guardian Relocation has 18% negative reviews, above the Ohio average of 10%, and ranks #173 of 282 Ohio movers. A lower percentage is better.

  • Reviews analyzed#144 of 282(worse than average)

    50vs 403 avg

    Guardian Relocation has 50 reviews analyzed, below the Ohio average of 403, and ranks #144 of 282 Ohio movers.

  • Yelp rating#79 of 282(worse than average)

    2.3vs 3.3 avg

    Guardian Relocation has a Yelp rating of 2.3, below the Ohio average of 3.3, and ranks #79 of 282 Ohio movers.

  • Years in business#28 of 282(better than average)

    53 yearsvs 34 years avg

    Guardian Relocation has been in business for 53 years, above the Ohio average of 34 years, and ranks #28 of 282 Ohio movers.

MetricThis moverOhio avg
moveBuddha score#43 of 282 in Ohio4.423.72
Positive reviews#181 of 282 in Ohio78%90%
Negative reviewsLower is better#173 of 282 in Ohio18%10%
Reviews analyzed#144 of 282 in Ohio50403
Yelp ratingBased on only 3 reviews#79 of 282 in Ohio2.33.3
Years in business#28 of 282 in Ohio53 years34 years

Compared with 282 Ohio movers with moveBuddha profiles. Rank #1 is the best in Ohio.

Guardian Relocation

4.42Columbus, OHSince 1973

Save more than 30% on average by comparing movers before you book.

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Final verdict: Guardian Relocation

Guardian Relocation earns a 4.42/5 moveBuddha Score and ranks #14 among Columbus movers, with 78% positive feedback across 50 customer reviews.

Customers consistently praise its good communication and efficient service. It is best for customers prioritizing strong communication, crew professionalism, and reliable service experience.

With a track record dating to 1973, it has more history than the average Ohio mover, and the most common complaint is damage to home.

All ratings reflect moveBuddha's analysis updated October 2026, based on independent research and verified customer reviews.

Guardian Relocation

Columbus, OH ยท Since 1973

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No obligation · Fast, easy, and free

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Why moveBuddha?

  • 30%+Average savings

    On average, moveBuddha users save more than 30% by comparing movers before booking.

    Calculate your Ohio 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.

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

Read the full scoring methodology

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.

Guardian Relocation
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