Sean Donnelly is a writer for USA TODAY Homefront. His content draws on more than three years of experience in the moving industry. He started as a laborer and was quickly promoted to moving crew leader. Sean also served as a move coordinator, where he conducted in-home and virtual estimates for customers. During his time in the industry, Sean assisted more than 500 clients with their relocation needs. Thanks to his years of hand-on experience, he understands all aspects of moving — from proper preparation to the quote process to effective packing techniques. Sean studied English literature and creative writing at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and is still located in the greater Springfield area. When he isn’t writing, Sean is a cohead coach of the boxing team at his alma mater.
Editorial note: Homefront (defined in the Disclosure below) may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured on our site. This commission does not influence our editors’ opinions or evaluations.
Balancing an upcoming move with day-to-day life is stressful — but not impossible. Hiring the best moving company in California can expedite the process. Professional movers provide security and efficiency every step of the way, from packing to delivery.
If you’re moving across state lines, we recommend International Van Lines (IVL) or Allied Van Lines. These providers offer long-distance moves in all 50 states and international relocations in more than 100 countries.
If you’re booking in-state service, Pure Moving is one of the best options. This mover is certified to move goods throughout California and also has locations in Florida, Washington and New York. It advertises transparent hourly rates and trained moving crews for all moves.
Getting quotes from these top providers will give you a solid starting point as you vet professional movers.
Ensure the registration status and good standing of any moving company you consider booking, then get a quote from each one. We recommend getting at least three estimates. This should give you enough information to make a sound decision.
All California moving companies have to carry Cal-T numbers issued by the state Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS). This governing body handles all moving-related issues for intrastate relocations.
Long-distance moves are billed by move distance and shipping weight. In most cases, you’ll be able to get a binding estimate for your moving costs after an in-home inspection of your goods.
Local moves are billed based on the number of movers and moving trucks assigned to your move. You won’t get a binding quote for such moves. Rather, you will be given a rough estimate upfront, and your final bill will be determined by how many hours your move takes.
Interstate moves require added certifications by federal agencies and, often, more in-depth add-on service offerings. The following movers offer these added certifications and services and have excellent reputations in California and beyond.
The following movers offer services directly as carriers in the state of California with extensive reaches that span the rest of the country.
International Van Lines is a nationwide carrier and broker with brick-and-mortar locations in San Jose, Hayward and Valencia. These offices enable IVL to offer direct service as a carrier for local and long-distance moves throughout the state of California.
Service area: 50 states and 180 countries
Base services:
Add-on services:
Storage: 30 days of free storage with all long-distance moves
Quote type: IVL offers binding estimates for long-distance quotes after in-home consultations. It charges hourly rates and offers ballpark estimates for local moves.
Pricing: IVL’s long-distance pricing takes add-on services, move distance and shipping weight into account.
Sample cost: We got an IVL quote for a three-bedroom 1,800-mile relocation. Our rate for basic service with labor and transportation was $6,276. Full-service packing would increase the total cost to $7,158.
Deposit: IVL requires a deposit amount between 20% and 25% of your total move cost.
Payment methods: This provider accepts credit cards, cash and certified checks for payment.
IVL provides released-liability coverage for all moves. Beyond this, it offers full-value protection at an added cost. The exact price of this added coverage will depend on the partner company or IVL location with which you book your move.
IVL currently has a customer rating of 3.41 out of 5 stars on the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Positive reviews mention attentive moving crews and patient staff at all stages of the moving process. Negative reviews mention price hikes on moving day by the booking office. Such occurrences are fairly common when moving with brokers; however, IVL’s offices in California allow it to operate as a carrier in many cases, which should prevent this issue.
Allied Van Lines is one of the United States’ most recognized moving companies. Its orange-and-black trucks can be seen on the road in all 50 states assisting clients with local and long-distance relocations. This mover operates solely as a carrier, providing vehicle shipping and large-item moving services in-house. This means you won’t have to go through a third party for more specialized add-ons.
Service area: 50 states and 130 countries
Storage: Allied provides short- and long-term storage options for local and long-distance clients at most of its locations.
Quote type: Allied offers instant quotes online for homes with up to three bedrooms. However, I recommend calling Allied for binding pricing from a move coordinator.
Pricing: Allied prices long-distance moves at transparent flat rates. These rates take move distance and shipping weight into account. Add-on services will increase your final cost.
Sample cost: We requested a quote from Allied for a three-bedroom, 1,800-mile move. Our rate without packing services was $7,000. Full-service packing would add $3,000, while one month of storage at the destination would add $500.
Deposit: Allied doesn’t require deposits.
Payment methods: Allied accepts cash, certified checks, money orders and credit cards.
All moving packages from Allied come with released-liability coverage. Beyond this, it provides Extra Care Protection for an added cost. With this plan, you can select a dollar amount of coverage for your entire shipment. Exact payments for such coverage are usually between 3% and 5% of this total coverage amount.
Allied has numerous highly rated locations throughout the state of California. Its Fullerton location currently has a star rating of 4.9 out of 5 on Google reviews. On the flipside, two of its San Francisco Bay Area locations have respective star ratings of 3.7 out of 5 and 1 out of 5.
Positive reviews for the Fullerton branch include mentions of specific crew members, which is usually indicative of good moving experiences. However, the varied reviews among branches prove that you should research the individual location that will handle your move before confirming your booking.
North American Van Lines (NAVL) is a large-scale carrier that provides local and long-distance service throughout all 50 states. Its 500-plus locations offer comprehensive service for residences of all sizes. It also provides “bottom-line” and “not-to-exceed” pricing options for all moves upon request, which helps you negotiate a mutually agreeable price.
Storage: NAVL offers short- and long-term storage options with all moves.
Quote type: NAVL offers binding estimates for moves. However, you should ask your move coordinator whether your estimate is binding before you book.
Pricing: Pricing for long-distance moves is primarily based on shipment weight and move distance.
Sample cost: We spoke with NAVL to get a sample quote for a three-bedroom interstate move. Our company representative mentioned that we would have to call back when they were able to conduct a video survey of my home. If you’re in the market for ballpark pricing only during your initial research phase, you may or may not be able to get a baseline estimate depending on the representative who handles your call.
Deposit: NAVL doesn’t require a deposit.
Payment methods: This mover accepts cash, certified checks and money orders for payment.
Aside from released-liability coverage, NAVL provides full-value protection for lost or damaged goods at an added cost. You’ll be able to select a dollar amount of total coverage for your shipment when you speak to your move coordinator during the quote phase. Your total added cost will be between 3% and 5% of your dollar amount of coverage.
Many of North American Van Lines’ California locations are highly rated and offer quality service. Its San Diego location has 4.6 out of 5 stars on Google based on 29 reviews. However, this is one of the most-reviewed locations in the state. This mover’s crews are vetted and background checked, but it appears that its partner company, Allied Van Lines, is more widely used in most California locales.
The following California movers offer excellent service for intrastate moves with some cross-country options. Local moves are billed at hourly rates, so you typically won’t be able to get a binding estimate from a local moving company.
Pure Moving is a local and long-distance moving company with offices throughout California. It offers comprehensive residential and commercial moving services via background-checked moving crews at transparent hourly rates.
Service area: Pure Moving offers local and long-distance service throughout California.
Add-on services: This mover doesn’t advertise many specialized services. You’ll have to speak to a move coordinator about anything beyond basic service.
Quote type: Pure Moving offers ballpark pricing based on its all-inclusive hourly rates for local moves.
Pricing: This mover lists its hourly rates online. These all-inclusive rates include labor, shrink wrap, tape, moving pads and boxes, which makes pricing totally transparent when you book with this mover. Long-distance pricing is advertised as a flat rate as well, so you won’t have to pay added fees.
Sample cost: Our sample service rate for a three-bedroom, 20-mile move was $169 per hour for three movers with a $39 flat fee for the use of a moving truck. The nine- or 10-hour estimate for service puts the total cost between $1,560 and $1,729.
Deposit: My Pure Moving company representative did not mention deposits for booking, and no deposit requirements are mentioned on its site.
Payment methods: This mover accepts credit cards, cash and certified checks for payment.
Pure Moving offers released-liability coverage and its own full coverage insurance for lost or damaged goods. You should speak with your move coordinator when you call if you have goods for which released-liability coverage isn’t sufficient. Per California state moving tariffs, you cannot be charged more than $2.04 per $100 of total coverage.
Pure Moving Company currently has an A+ rating on the BBB. However, the bulk of its customer reviews can be found on Google Reviews. This is one of the best-reviewed intrastate movers in the Golden State. Its San Jose location has more than 900 reviews and a perfect rating on Google Reviews, while its Los Angeles location has a similar number of reviews with a score of 4.9 out of 5 stars on the same platform.
Positive reviews praise the communication and attentiveness of the customer service staff and the quality of the moving crews the company provides.
NorthStar Moving has been in operation since 1994. The company services moves within California and to the rest of the country. NorthStar offers comprehensive luxury and basic service options, including antique and piano moving, fragile-item packing and more.
Service area: NorthStar services all of California and conducts long-distance moves to the rest of the country.
Quote type: NorthStar advertises flat-rate pricing for local and long-distance moves.
Pricing: NorthStar’s company representative told us that they charge flat rates based on the number of movers assigned to the job and the total distance.
Sample cost: We called NorthStar for a quote and couldn’t get a ballpark estimate over the phone. This mover requires an in-person consultation before it yields any moving estimates.
Deposit: $250 for flat-rate moving prices
Payment methods: This mover accepts credit cards, cash and certified checks.
NorthStar only provides the industry-minimum released-liability coverage for all moves. However, it provides resources for booking third-party moving insurance via its customer service line.
NorthStar Moving has an A+ rating on BBB but doesn’t have many customer reviews on this platform. Its Google reviews across all California locations show a strong track record, however. Its Los Angeles and San Francisco locations both have a star rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars, with hundreds of reviews each.
This company’s hiring practices clearly help set it apart, as many reviews mention individual moving crew members along with the care and precision they provide. Such crews offer peace of mind to clients during all types of moves, from small-apartment to large-home relocations.
Cali Moving and Storage is a California moving company offering relocation services within San Diego County and all of Southern California. It features all-inclusive hourly rates for moves, which include moving labor plus furniture and floor protection.
Service area: San Diego County and Southern California
Add-on services: You’ll have to inquire about specialized services.
Quote type: Ballpark quotes via hourly rates
Pricing: Hourly rates for local moves are determined by the number of movers and moving trucks needed for a given relocation. Extra flights of stairs or elevators can influence pricing as well.
Sample cost: We couldn’t get a ballpark estimate from Cali Moving and Storage, as this mover requires an in-person or video-call consultation for pricing. All costs include tape, furniture pads and shrink wrapping for furniture.
Deposit: No deposit requirements are mentioned online.
Payment methods: This mover accepts credit cards and debit cards for payment.
Cali Moving and Storage provides released-liability coverage as required by federal moving regulations. It does not mention added insurance coverage on its website.
Cali Moving and Storage has a star rating of 4.9 out of 5 on Google with more than 100 reviews. Its personalized service offerings are represented in consistently positive reviews. Recent customer feedback mentions movers by name and praises the speed and efficiency of moves of all sizes.
When getting a quote from a moving company, ensure that it’s fully licensed, can provide your required basic and additional services, and operates at an agreeable price point within your budget.
The best way to determine what moving services you’ll need is to conduct a thorough walk-through of your home. Compile a full inventory list of all the goods you plan to keep and make plans to get rid of the rest. Break this list down by room and bring it — along with any add-ons you’ll need, such as custom crating or disassembly — to every full-service moving company you get a quote from.
You should ideally do this six to eight weeks before moving day. That way, you can weed out any movers that can’t accommodate your service needs or charge too much for them.
Different governing bodies regulate local and interstate moving companies. Make sure your chosen mover is properly registered before you book.
Long-distance moving companies are federally regulated. All movers that offer interstate or long-distance service must have active United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. Using these, you can check a mover’s registration status in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) database.
California moving companies are regulated at the state level by the Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS). All moving companies offering intrastate service only must have a Cal-T number. Use this six-digit number to look up a mover’s registration status on the BHGS website.
Moving costs for local and long-distance moves are calculated differently. Regardless of your upcoming move’s length, you should get more than one quote before deciding on a moving company.
Long-distance moving costs are determined by your total shipping weight and move distance. Add-on services will increase your cost, but these are the main two factors that your move coordinator will focus on when conducting an in-home estimate.
We got several quotes for three-bedroom, 1,800-mile relocations. In all, the total cost ranged from $4,000 (with no add-ons included) to $11,800 (with full-service packing). Add-ons such as crating, storage, vehicle shipping and piano moving can add to your final cost.
Local moving costs are determined by the number of movers and trucks required for your relocation. These factors determine your hourly rate for service. Other factors that could affect your rates include how far in advance you book your move and the time of year in which you’re moving. Most relocation companies raise their rates in the warmer months to cope with increased demand.
All movers provide a federally mandated minimum amount of insurance. This released-liability coverage provides 60 cents per pound per item in case your goods are lost or damaged during a move. Apart from this, some moving companies offer additional coverage. This is referred to as valuation coverage or full-value protection. Such coverage typically offers $6 per pound per item in reimbursement if your goods are damaged in transit. You’ll have to pay an added fee of between 3% and 5% of the total dollar amount of coverage for this protection.
We recommend getting at least three quotes for your move, regardless of how far your upcoming relocation takes you. Getting multiple quotes from professional moving coordinators will help you establish an accurate budget before booking with your preferred relocation option. Remember to also consider a moving company’s service offerings and overall customer review profile on Google and other platforms before you book.
If you’re planning an interstate relocation, we recommend starting your moving process with a free quote from International Van Lines. Its range of services makes even the longest relocations accessible, and its customer ratings show that it consistently provides attentive customer service throughout most moves.
Your local California moving process should begin with a quote from Pure Moving. Its customer service representatives and moving crews demonstrate a track record of attentiveness which can make most moves easier.
Our moving recommendations are all backed by our detailed rating methodology. To fairly assess both interstate and local movers, we have tailored two sets of review standards for long-distance and intrastate movers.
Both sets of review standards assess factors including reputation and customer satisfaction, availability and range, services offered, pricing and quote practices and customer service. We rate each moving company out of 100 possible points; that total is then translated into our 5-star rating we use in our reviews.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
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