10 best movers in Fremont, California

International Van Lines is the best mover for interstate moves. If you're planning to move near Fremont, use the filters below to find other local movers.

Top companies for moving out of California

Interstate moving services need federal licensing to operate legally, which means that they have current United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers on file. You can use the business name or license information to confirm its licensing status in the FMCSA’s database.

Interstate moving companies that are based in the state of California must carry both state and federal licensing. In California, local movers also must be licensed by the Bureau of Household Goods and Services.

What factors affect the cost of moving in Fremont?

Local and long-distance moves have different billing methods. Local movers charge by the hour, and won't give you a binding estimate, so your costs will depend on how much time your move ends up taking in total.

The pricing method for long-distance moves is an all-inclusive rate based on weight and miles traveled. These companies will offer you binding estimates, meaning your quoted price won't change unless you alter your shipment size or requested services between getting a quote and the final move date.

The average cost of moving in Fremont

If you move within Fremont, or to a nearby town or city, expect to pay by the hour. Fremont’s cost of living is above the national average, so you may pay increased rates for service here compared to many locations across the country.

Moving companies should calculate your expected total hours during quoting, which you can use to sum up your final cost by taking the number of hours by the hourly rate. Also look for minimum charges or additional fees.

Tipping your mover

You don't have to tip, but rewarding movers who skillfully pack and transport your items with care can show appreciation for their help, especially if you feel they eased your moving stress.

For same-day local moves, customers typically tip $5 per mover, per hour worked. On multi-day jobs, daily gratuities between $40 and $50 per worker are more standard.

Prepare for other moving costs

Build wiggle room into your moving budget by planning for the final cost to be 25% over the highest quote. Padding your budget enables more flexibility if surprise costs arise. Those costs might include having the movers do more work, paying for storage space during the move or buying extra packing materials.

Things to consider when moving in Fremont

We highly recommend hiring a professional moving team when relocating to or from any urban area. Fremont's bad traffic can make moving your belongings even more inconvenient, which might put you in a tense situation. Look into key factors when hiring any moving company or planning your relocation.

Is my mover properly licensed and insured?

Any legitimate moving company will display their proof of registration on physical trucks and official files. If you're making an interstate move, you should screen companies for valid USDOT and MC numbers beforehand by visiting the official FMCSA website. Moving companies in California are also required to have a license from the California Bureau of Household Goods and Services.

Determine the complete worth of your belongings to accurately choose the most suitable insurance policy. Released-value coverage applies to all moves, which insures 60 cents per pound, per item. Also consider full-value protection coverage if you're transporting high-worth goods — just know that these plans cost extra.

When should I start forwarding my mail?

Around one month before relocating, submit a change of address form with the post office, and schedule a future date for your mail to start forwarding to your new address. This way, your mail will directly forward to your new address after you move. In addition, inform your bank, subscriptions and any other relevant services about your new address.

Do I need to change my driver's license if I move out of California?

Update your license when you change addresses — even nearby moves within California require this. Go to your local department of motor vehicles once you've moved into your new home.

When is the best time of year to move?

The prime moving period stretches from May through September, resulting in limited supply and inflated pricing nationwide for relocations of all kinds. The steep rates may prevent you from a summer move. Furthermore, you may wish to avoid relocating in the summer given Fremont's extreme heat, which could further complicate a move. We advise moving in the springtime or early autumn so that you have optimal weather conditions and more affordable pricing for services.

What things should I leave to the movers, and what should I transport myself?

For peace of mind, move items like identification documents, financial records and valuable keepsakes in your own car. Similarly, load up your vehicle with any high-end electronics that you wouldn't want lost or damaged.

Many moving companies limit insurance coverage for high-value goods, such as jewelry and heirlooms. If you're worried about irreplaceable and valuable items being lost or damaged, keep those belongings with you.

Most movers refuse to transport certain items, including:

• Aerosols
• Batteries
• Perishable foods and produce
• Compressed tanks or gas
• Toxic chemicals or cleaners
• Fuel sources
• Plants
• Flammable chemicals of any kind
• Fertilizers

Our methodology for selecting moving companies

The Homefront Local team employs a proprietary scoring algorithm that evaluates companies based on key factors you value, such as average customer review ratings and trustworthiness indicators. Our method for determining trust involves a comparative analysis of the number of reviews a company receives compared to its local competitors. This leads to companies that have earned more trust from your local community being awarded a higher score.

We review national moving providers against our full methodology. We score movers based on reputation and customer experience, service availability, cost and pricing practices, insurance options, customer service and communication.