Here are the questions we hear most from Bozeman students, parents, and families. If yours is not covered, call us at (888) 711-4778 or email [email protected] and we will give you a straight answer.
How do you price a move — by the hour or a flat rate?
Local moves around Bozeman and the Gallatin Valley are billed hourly: $124/hr for a two-mover crew and truck, or $164/hr for three movers, with blankets, dollies, and tools included. Long-distance moves out of Montana are a binding flat rate starting at $1,690, so the written number is the number you pay. For smaller jobs we also offer flat student bands — ask and we will tell you which makes sense for your move.
Do I have to pay a deposit to book?
Yes, a $99 deposit locks in your date and your crew, and it comes straight off your final total — it is not an extra fee. We ask for it because move-in and move-out weeks fill up fast, and the deposit lets us hold your slot instead of giving it to someone else.
I just need my dorm room moved. Is there a cheaper option for students?
There is. Our student single-load special starts at $180 for a dorm room or single-room move. If you only need muscle for loading or unloading and not the truck, we do labor-only help at $124/hr with no equipment minimum. It is the budget option a lot of MSU students go with.
Can you store my stuff over the summer so I do not haul it home?
Absolutely — this is one of the most popular things we do. Student summer storage starts at $39 a month per vault. We pick up your things in May, keep them safe through the break, and deliver them back to your new place in August, so you never have to truck a year of furniture home to Billings or Seattle and back.
What comes included in the price?
Every local crew shows up with the truck, moving blankets, dollies, hand tools, and shrink wrap for furniture, all included in the hourly rate. You are not nickel-and-dimed for basic equipment. Packing materials like boxes and tape are extra if you want us to pack for you, and we will lay that out in your estimate.
Do you pack, or do I have to box everything up myself?
Either way works. Plenty of students box their own clothes and books to save money and just have us do the heavy lifting. If you would rather not deal with it, our full-service packing crew will box up a dorm, an apartment, or a whole house with proper materials so everything is ready to load.
For a long-distance move, does the same crew drive my things the whole way?
Yes. The crew that loads your move in Bozeman is the same crew that drives it and unloads it at the other end. We do not transfer your belongings to a partner carrier or a van line, and your stuff does not sit in a warehouse mixed in with strangers' loads.
Is my stuff insured while you have it?
It is. Standard released-value protection at $0.60 per pound per item is included at no charge, and we carry up to $1,000,000 in cargo coverage per shipment. If you want coverage based on the full repair or replacement value of your items, we offer full-value protection for an added cost — just ask before your move.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. Bobcat Student Movers holds US DOT and MC authority for interstate moves and Montana Public Service Commission household-goods authority for moves within the state, and we keep all of it current. We are fully bonded and insured. You are welcome to ask for our numbers any time.
Are you a broker that hands my move off to someone else?
No, definitely not. We are not a broker, a matching service, or a lead aggregator. Bobcat Student Movers owns its trucks and employs its own crew — including the trained MSU students we hire and pay in season. When you book us, the people who quote your move are the people who show up and do it.
Are you connected to or endorsed by Montana State University?
No. We are an independent local moving company and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to Montana State University. We are proud to be run by former Bobcats and to move a lot of students and families in Bozeman, but we do not represent the university or act on its behalf.
Can you handle a last-minute booking during move-in or move-out week?
We do our best, and we add crews and run extended hours during the May move-out crunch and the August move-in rush. That said, those weeks book up early, so the further ahead you call the better. If you are in a bind at the last minute, phone (888) 711-4778 and we will tell you honestly what we can do.
Can you move a piano or other heavy specialty items?
Yes. We move uprights, gun safes, lab and shop equipment, and other oversized items with a trained crew and the right gear, starting at $329. Let us know what you have when you call so we can bring the proper equipment and the right number of hands.
How far ahead should I book?
For a normal week, a couple of weeks of lead time usually gets you the date and crew you want. For MSU move-in in August and move-out in May, book as early as you can — those windows are the busiest of our year, and the good slots go first. A quick call to (888) 711-4778 will tell you what is still open.