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North Western Movers review 2026 (Rapid City, SD)

In business since 1932 · Updated

North Western Movers, a Rapid City, SD moving company, ranks #12 of 27 movers in South Dakota, with a moveBuddha rating of 4.06/5.

81% of North Western Movers' 43 verified customer reviews are positive. Customers most often praise its knowledgeable staff, while the most common complaint involves poor packing quality.

North Western Movers has been in business since 1932. Ratings reflect moveBuddha’s independent analysis of customer reviews and FMCSA records.

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How North Western Movers measures up

Across 43 reviews, North Western Movers in Rapid City, SD is rated 4.4/5 on Google (30 reviews) and 4.2/5 on Yelp (6 reviews).

North Western Movers ranks #12 out of 27 movers in South Dakota with a moveBuddha Score of 4.06 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 30 reviews
  • Yelp rating

    Based on 6 reviews
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Is North Western Movers moveBuddha Certified?

North Western Movers 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. North Western Movers 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 North Western Movers?

Out of 43 verified reviews, 81% of customers left a positive review about North Western Movers in Rapid City, SD. 16.3% of reviews are negative and 2.3% are neutral. North Western Movers has a 4% lower positive review percentage than the average South Dakota moving company (81% vs the South Dakota state average of 85%).

  • Positive81.4%(35)
  • Neutral2.3%(1)
  • Negative16.3%(7)

Based on 43 reviews across Google, Yelp, and other review sites.

What customers like about North Western Movers

  • Knowledgeable staff

    Several reviewers pointed out that North Western Movers's crew answered questions confidently and provided useful advice.

  • Consistency and follow-up

    Reviewers liked that North Western Movers stayed in touch before and after the move to ensure everything went smoothly.

  • Flexibility

    Clients liked that North Western Movers was willing to adjust schedules or accommodate last-minute changes.

  • Affordable rates

    Many reviewers found North Western Movers to be more budget-friendly than competitors without sacrificing quality.

  • Good communication

    Reviewers frequently mention clear, consistent updates from North Western Movers throughout the moving process.

What positive reviewers say

  • “They were almost half the cost of other moving companies. Ron was friendly, reassuring, and patient, and Zach kept me informed and was equally friendly.”

    YelpVerified Reviewer
  • “Mike Sherry was informative, helpful, easy to work with, and returned my emails and calls promptly. I highly recommend Northwestern Warehouse.”

    YelpVerified Reviewer
  • “Mike was very flexible and accommodating, working with us through several schedule changes during the pandemic. He and his crew were fantastic.”

    GoogleVerified Reviewer
  • “Jason handled the transaction with patience and professionalism, carefully explained interstate moves, and meticulously managed the inventory. The warehouse was clean and organized.”

    GoogleVerified Reviewer
  • “The loading, transport and unloading were well-communicated, exactly as planned, and there were no surprise charges.”

    GoogleVerified Reviewer

What mixed reviewers say

  • “My driver was a 5, but the salesperson stopped responding after receiving my information. Firearms were delayed, and the unloading crew put boxes in wrong rooms, assembled furniture backward, and provided poor communication.”

    GoogleVerified Reviewer

Most common complaints about North Western Movers

  • Poor packing quality

    Subpar packing techniques by North Western Movers led to crushed boxes or damaged goods for some clients.

  • 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.

What negative reviewers say

  • “The packers were not properly trained; I had to teach them how to pack, and many items arrived damaged. The second truck had items thrown in without protection or blanket wrapping.”

    GoogleVerified Reviewer
  • “Movers dragged furniture across floors and gravel, shattered vases, and damaged stored furniture. The company lost the original claim and required a second claim; months later, neither claim was resolved.”

    GoogleVerified Reviewer
  • “It has been six weeks since pickup, and our belongings still had not arrived. The company gave no firm date, blamed driver shortages, and stopped communicating after the delay passed one month.”

    GoogleVerified Reviewer
  • “The crew could not move our heavy workout equipment downstairs, while three of us succeeded after they left. We paid $360 for extensive discussion and little moving.”

    GoogleVerified Reviewer

North Western Movers

4.06Rapid City, SDSince 1932

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

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What services does North Western Movers offer?

North Western Movers offers full-service moving, local moves, long-distance moves, international moves, and commercial moves.

Services offered

Is North Western Movers licensed and insured?

Registered with the FMCSA

US DOT 076235. Operating status is not on this profile. Check on SAFER

Verified against the FMCSA, not by moveBuddha

North Western Movers is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration under US DOT number 076235.

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

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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 North Western Movers cost?

North Western Movers does not publish hourly rates or flat fees publicly. Based on moveBuddha's data on moving companies operating in South Dakota, you can expect to pay approximately $120/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 South Dakota moving companies similar to North Western Movers typically bill the amounts below using a $120/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

North Western Movers offers interstate moves, which are typically priced by weight and distance. Ranges below reflect totals from similar full-service South Dakota 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 North Western Movers offer?

Accepts
Credit Cards
Deposit
Not listed, so ask
Discounts
Mover’s own offer

North Western Movers accepts credit cards. Deposit policies vary by mover, so ask whether one is required when you request a quote.

North Western Movers also offers discounts on request. It also lists: Catch-A-Trip offers discounted shipping and moving costs by using partly loaded or returning trucks. Ask what you qualify for and how much you could save before you book.

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How North Western Movers compares with other local movers

With a moveBuddha score of 4.06 out of 5, North Western Movers places third when ranked against the four top-rated movers near Rapid City, 0.24 points behind Green's Moving & Storage and 0.56 points ahead of Roush Moving & Storage, Inc.. At 43 reviews, North Western Movers has more reviews than three of the four.

The four highest-scoring nearby movers, by moveBuddha score.

#MoverScoreReviews
1Thomas & Sons Moving CompanyRapid City4.34188
2Green's Moving & StorageRapid City4.3031
3North Western MoversThis mover ยท ranks #34.0643
4Roush Moving & Storage, Inc.Rapid City3.5018
5Hanson-Maves CoRapid City3.4214

How does North Western Movers compare to other South Dakota movers?

  • moveBuddha score#12 of 27(better than average)

    4.06vs 3.79 avg

    North Western Movers scores 4.06, above the South Dakota average of 3.79, and ranks #12 of 27 South Dakota movers.

  • Positive reviews#19 of 27(worse than average)

    81%vs 85% avg

    North Western Movers has 81% positive reviews, below the South Dakota average of 85%, and ranks #19 of 27 South Dakota movers.

  • Negative reviews#18 of 27(worse than average)

    16%vs 14% avg

    North Western Movers has 16% negative reviews, above the South Dakota average of 14%, and ranks #18 of 27 South Dakota movers. A lower percentage is better.

  • Reviews analyzed#14 of 27(worse than average)

    43vs 164 avg

    North Western Movers has 43 reviews analyzed, below the South Dakota average of 164, and ranks #14 of 27 South Dakota movers.

  • Yelp rating#4 of 27(better than average)

    4.2vs 3.7 avg

    North Western Movers has a Yelp rating of 4.2, above the South Dakota average of 3.7, and ranks #4 of 27 South Dakota movers.

  • Years in business#1 of 27(better than average)

    94 yearsvs 34 years avg

    North Western Movers has been in business for 94 years, above the South Dakota average of 34 years, and ranks #1 of 27 South Dakota movers.

MetricThis moverSouth Dakota avg
moveBuddha score#12 of 27 in South Dakota4.063.79
Positive reviews#19 of 27 in South Dakota81%85%
Negative reviewsLower is better#18 of 27 in South Dakota16%14%
Reviews analyzed#14 of 27 in South Dakota43164
Yelp ratingBased on only 6 reviews#4 of 27 in South Dakota4.23.7
Years in business#1 of 27 in South Dakota94 years34 years

Compared with 27 South Dakota movers with moveBuddha profiles. Rank #1 is the best in South Dakota.

North Western Movers

4.06Rapid City, SDSince 1932

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

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Final verdict: North Western Movers

North Western Movers earns a 4.06/5 moveBuddha Score and ranks #12 among South Dakota movers, with 81% positive feedback across 43 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.

With a track record dating to 1932, it has more history than the average South Dakota mover, and the most common complaint is poor packing quality.

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

North Western Movers

Rapid City, SD ยท Since 1932

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Why moveBuddha?

  • 30%+Average savings

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

    Calculate your South Dakota 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.

North Western Movers
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