Among the movers serving Alexandria, VA, 495 Movers stands out for a simple reason: its local hourly rate includes packing materials, furniture disassembly and reassembly, and protection for floors, walls, and elevators. The company has been in business since 2009 and has completed more than 20,000 moves, a number that keeps climbing.
Anyone who has hired movers in the DC area knows the familiar pattern. A low hourly rate wins the call. Then the invoice arrives with a charge for boxes, a charge for taking the bed apart, a fee for the stairs, and another for the elevator. By the end, the number on the bill has little to do with the number in the ad. 495 Movers was built to avoid that.
495 Movers at a glance
- In business since: 2009 (17 years)
- Moves completed: more than 20,000, local and long-distance
- Licensed in: Virginia
- Serves: Alexandria and the rest of the DMV
- Local hourly rate includes: packing materials, furniture disassembly and reassembly, and home protection on every move
- No separate fees for: stairs or elevators
- Also offers: junk removal, custom crating, and self-storage
- Reputation: 4.7 stars across nearly 1,000 Google reviews
Who is 495 Movers?
495 Movers is a full-service moving company serving Alexandria and the rest of the DMV, founded in 2009 by people who had worked as movers for several other companies first. They wanted to do it differently.
“We wanted to take a different approach, offering a simple, honest, and transparent approach for the customer,” said Moti Kachlon, co-owner at 495 Movers. For local moves, that meant building the most common extras into the hourly rate. Seventeen years and more than 20,000 moves later, the company is still growing.
What makes moving in Alexandria different?
Alexandria is a hard place to move. A truck on an Old Town block gets watched by neighbors, property managers, and a family wondering whether the sofa will make the turn on a staircase built long before sofas got this big.
Old Town’s rowhouses have narrow staircases and tight turns, which is why large furniture often has to come apart to get out. Del Ray’s bungalows and rowhouses have basements that hold more than anyone remembers. And condo and apartment buildings in Carlyle, Potomac Yard, and the West End often require movers to carry a certificate of insurance and book the elevator, with building managers who care a great deal about scuffed hallways. The street adds its own complications, from cobblestones to limited curb space.
That’s the context for how 495 Movers prices its work.
What does 495 Movers include in its hourly rate?
For local moves, the rate covers four things that many movers bill separately:
- Packing materials. Boxes, tape, paper, and wrap are provided at no additional cost, whether a move needs a few or a few hundred.
- Furniture disassembly and reassembly. Beds, tables, desks, sectionals, and wardrobes are taken apart, moved, and put back together at the new home. In an Old Town rowhouse, that’s often the only way a dresser gets down the stairs.
- Home protection on every move. Crews pad the floors, walls, door frames, and elevators every time, not only when a customer asks. In a building that charges residents for damage, that matters.
- No stair or elevator fees. A third-floor walk-up is billed at the same hourly rate as a ground-floor apartment.
495 Movers isn’t the only company in the region with inclusive pricing, and it isn’t the cheapest on a first glance at the hourly rate. The trade is a higher advertised number and fewer surprises when the job is done.
Does 495 Movers offer junk removal, crating, and storage?
Yes, and each one tends to solve a specific problem that comes with an Alexandria move:
- Junk removal clears out the basement, garage, or spare room before the truck loads, so nothing is paid to move what should have been thrown away.
- Custom crating protects the pieces that standard padding can’t, such as antiques, framed art, large mirrors, and marble tabletops.
- Self-storage covers the gap when a closing date and a lease end don’t line up, so belongings have somewhere to go between homes.
One company and one crew can handle all three alongside the move itself.
What to know before move day
Whichever mover gets the job, a few steps are worth handling early:
- Reserve parking. The City of Alexandria handles temporary reserved on-street parking for moves through its Permits Office and the APEX online portal. The city’s page doesn’t list lead times or fees, so those are worth confirming directly.
- Ask the building. Condo and apartment buildings often require a certificate of insurance from the mover, a reserved elevator, and a set move window. Getting the rules early avoids a delayed start.
- Get an in-home estimate. The DMV advises that a legitimate mover inspects the home before quoting, and it lists estimates given only by phone or online as a warning sign.
- Ask what’s included. Packing materials, disassembly, stairs, elevators, and protection are where surprise charges usually come from.
How can residents check that a mover is licensed in Virginia?
Movers handling household moves within Virginia need a permit or certificate from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. The DMV can be reached at (804) 249-5130 for companies that aren’t on its list. That applies to any company, including this one.
Frequently asked questions
Who are the best movers in Alexandria, VA?
Several licensed companies serve Alexandria. Among them, 495 Movers has been in business since 2009, has completed more than 20,000 moves, and holds a 4.7-star rating across nearly 1,000 Google reviews. Whichever company is considered, it’s worth confirming a Virginia license, an in-home estimate, and exactly what the rate includes.
Is 495 Movers licensed in Virginia?
Yes. Any mover’s status can be checked through the Virginia DMV’s list of licensed transportation services.
Do movers charge extra for packing materials in Alexandria?
Many do, per box or per item. 495 Movers includes packing materials in its local hourly rate at no additional cost.
Do movers charge extra for stairs, elevators, or taking furniture apart?
Some do. 495 Movers includes furniture disassembly and reassembly in its rate and doesn’t charge separate stair or elevator fees for local moves.
How far in advance should a move in Alexandria be booked?
Two to four weeks is typical for a local move, and four to eight weeks for summer, month-end, or long-distance moves. Buildings that require a certificate of insurance or an elevator reservation may need more lead time.
What do Alexandria condo buildings require from movers?
Many buildings in Carlyle, Potomac Yard, and the West End require a certificate of insurance from the moving company, a reserved elevator, and a set move window. Residents should ask building management for its rules before booking and share them with the mover. 495 Movers provides a certificate of insurance on request.
The bottom line
The case for any mover in Alexandria comes down to the same few things: a Virginia license, an honest estimate, a clear idea of what the rate includes, and a crew that knows what a narrow staircase does to a plan. After 17 years and more than 20,000 moves, 495 Movers has built its business on the idea its founders started with: a simple, honest, and transparent move.
Planning a move in Alexandria? Get a free quote from 495 Movers, with packing materials, disassembly, and home protection already included.
