Since July 2021, Wisconsin has added over 81,600 residents through net migration – outpacing the state’s combined net migration from the prior 18 years combined. Nearly three-quarters of that growth came from international arrivals concentrated in Dane and Milwaukee counties. On the domestic side, Wisconsin ranked first among its 12 Midwest neighbors on a per-capita basis for domestic net migration gains. Primary inbound corridors run along I-90/I-94 from Chicago and the Twin Cities, and along I-43 from the Milwaukee-Chicago suburban belt.
Intrastate movers must register with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Motor Carrier Registration Unit and obtain “LC” (Local Cartage) operating authority. Registration requires a $500 fee, proof of insurance (Form E), and valid business registration with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. Companies operating vehicles over 10,000 pounds must also hold a USDOT number. Wisconsin imposes no rate regulation, binding estimate law, or state-level consumer bill of rights for household goods moves. Complaints go to the Wisconsin DATCP through its Consumer Complaint Portal.
Most Wisconsin moves cluster between metropolitan centers: Madison to Milwaukee is roughly 80 miles, Green Bay to Madison about 135 miles. Winter from November through March adds complexity – frozen driveways, icy rural access roads, and compressed crew availability. Peak season runs June through August, with university turnover in Madison and Milwaukee driving a significant share of volume.
Top-Rated Movers in Wisconsin
Badger Brothers Moving
Address: 313 W Beltline Hwy #157A, Madison, WI 53713
Website: https://www.badgerbrosmoving.com
USDOT: #2977565
Founded in 2009 by two University of Wisconsin alumni, Badger Brothers has grown to multiple locations serving Madison, Milwaukee, Waukesha, and the broader Wisconsin market, completing over 40,000 moves in its first 15 years. The company has been ranked on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies multiple times, including #704 in 2020, reflecting unusually fast expansion for a regional household goods mover. Services include local and statewide residential moves, full and partial packing, commercial and office relocations, and specialty item handling. Badger Brothers advertises a damage rate significantly below industry averages, attributed to a rigorous hiring process and structured crew training.
Gorilla Movers of Wisconsin Inc.
Address: 310 Progress Way, Suite 140, Sun Prairie, WI 53590
Website: https://www.gorillamoversofwi.com
USDOT: #2627768
Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Sun Prairie (Dane County), Gorilla Movers serves Madison and the surrounding region extending to Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin, including Waukesha, Brookfield, Pewaukee, and Oconomowoc. The company holds FMCSA authority for interstate moves and reported 173,000 annual interstate miles in 2023. Services include local residential moves, commercial and office relocations, full and partial packing, in-house or in-building loading and unloading, and specialty items such as pianos, gun safes, and hot tubs, plus short-term warehouse storage. Gorilla Movers earned Top Rated Local recognition in Madison and a 2019 Wisconsin Top Rated Local Award. Third-party review analysis places the company in the top 5% of Wisconsin movers by customer score.
Yerges Van Liners
Address: 1230 Whitewater Ave, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538
Website: https://www.yergesmoving.com
USDOT: #46561
Originally established in 1939 as a grocery delivery operation in Fort Atkinson, Yerges evolved into a full-service household goods carrier and has partnered with United Van Lines for over 50 years, giving Wisconsin customers access to a nationwide network for long-distance and interstate relocations. As a United Van Lines agent, Yerges handles local and regional Wisconsin moves alongside interstate and international shipments through the United network. Services include full packing and unpacking, storage, piano and bulky-item moves, office and commercial relocations, library moves, and medical equipment transport. The company is family-owned and has served Jefferson County and south-central Wisconsin across multiple generations, making it among the longest-operating moving companies in the state.
Moving Companies in Wisconsin: Common Questions
Is my mover required to be licensed in Wisconsin?
For intrastate moves (entirely within Wisconsin), movers must register with the WisDOT Motor Carrier Registration Unit and obtain an LC (Local Cartage) operating authority number. This is a registration requirement rather than a full licensing regime – Wisconsin does not impose rate regulation or require movers to pass a state exam. For interstate moves, FMCSA registration and a valid USDOT number are required. You can verify a Wisconsin-registered carrier through WisDOT and check interstate authority at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov.
How much does a local move typically cost in Wisconsin?
Third-party review data based on verified Wisconsin move transactions puts the median local move duration at approximately 2.5 hours for a standard residential job, with individual move costs varying significantly by crew size, home size, and distance within the state. Wisconsin’s lack of rate regulation means movers set their own hourly rates, and unlike neighboring Minnesota or Iowa, there are no state-mandated rate caps. Request written estimates from multiple carriers and ask specifically whether the quote is binding or non-binding, since Wisconsin has no state law requiring either form.
How does Wisconsin’s climate affect moving costs and timing?
Wisconsin’s winters consistently rank among the most disruptive for moving logistics in the Midwest. From November through March, icy driveways and gravel rural roads can make large truck access impossible or hazardous, and some movers apply winter surcharges for difficult-access properties. Demand concentrates heavily in June through August, particularly in Madison and Milwaukee, where apartment lease cycles tied to University of Wisconsin academic calendars compress the moving season and drive up prices and availability constraints. If flexibility allows, April-May and September-October offer moderate weather with lower peak-season demand.
What is a binding estimate and how does Wisconsin law treat it?
A binding estimate locks the final price for services listed in the contract regardless of actual time or weight. A non-binding estimate can increase if the move takes longer or involves more items than estimated. Wisconsin has no state statute governing binding versus non-binding estimates for intrastate moves, so protections are determined by the contract you sign with the carrier. For interstate moves, federal FMCSA regulations apply: non-binding estimates cannot be exceeded by more than 10% without your written consent. Always request the specific estimate type in writing before your move date, and read the contract for any clauses allowing price increases.
How do I file a complaint against a moving company in Wisconsin?
If you have a dispute with an intrastate Wisconsin mover, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) handles consumer complaints through its online Consumer Complaint Portal at datcp.wi.gov. For interstate moves, complaints can also be filed with the FMCSA at protectyourmove.gov. Before hiring, verify a company is registered as a business with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions and holds a valid USDOT number through FMCSA’s SAFER system. Unregistered carriers operating without WisDOT authority or a USDOT number are a warning sign of a rogue operator.