How Much Does it Cost to Hire Movers in California?

When figuring out how much it will cost to hire movers in the state of California, it’s always a good idea to get a few quotes from different moving companies. 

On average, the cost of hiring movers for a local move in California is $122 per hour, with an average total move cost being between $400 to $4,000 depending on different factors. For a long distance move, expect to pay $3,000 to $12,000.

When deciding on hiring movers, there are multiple factors that come into play that will determine the total cost of the move. 

These factors are:

• The size of your home
• How many belongings you have
• Distance
• Zip code
• Level or service

In this article, we break down the cost of hiring movers in California and some advice on how to save money during the move.

When moving within California, most likely, you’ll be hiring a local moving company. Local moving companies charge by the hour while also having a set fee that includes the rental moving truck or any rental equipment. Local moves are within 100 miles. 

Also, the hourly rate you pay for moving includes the people needed to make the move happen. For example, if you are moving to an apartment on the first floor, you’ll most likely need two movers, but if you are moving from a big apartment or house that involves many stairs, you may need three people to successfully move heavy furniture or belongings. 

On top of the hourly rate, you’ll be paying a set fee for the moving company’s truck and equipment. Usually, movers have a minimum number of hours you have to agree to pay. Most of the time, it’s about two or three hours. 

Here’s a chart of the prices you may pay a professional moving company to move your belongings in California. 

Moving from California to another state is going to be more expensive than a local move. If your move is just right outside the border of California, the cost may be similar to the cost of a local move. 

If the move is deeper, like a couple hundred or thousands of miles, you’ll be quoted a flat fee that will cover everything. Always request a binding fee from movers, even if they have to send a representative to your home to assess your belongings, so you can get a more accurate quote.

The flat fee, on average, will be around $3,000 to $12,000 depending on how many of your belongings are going to be moved, the distance of the move, and the services you’ll be requesting, like packing and unpacking. 

There may be additional charges that may be added to your moving bill.

Most people have heavy items like appliances or furniture. To move these items, the mover may have to bring more people to help or rent equipment, resulting in more costs being added to your bill. Also, if you have valuable or delicate items, movers may charge extra to ensure these items are not damaged or lost during the move.

To ensure all of your belongings are safe during your move, you may want to purchase insurance. There are two types; full-value protection and released-value protection. Full-value protection is the most recommended because it offers repairs, replacement, or a refund for items that are lost or damaged.

All you need to pay is 1% of the total value of your belongings. Released value protection is the standard insurance most moving companies offer, and it’s cost-free. Under this insurance, 60 cents per pound per item is covered by the moving company for any lost or damaged items.

If you don't like either of these insurance options, you can purchase a third-party insurance through your homeowner’s insurance or a private lender.

If the cost is kind of scary, don’t worry, we have your back! Luckily, there are things you can do to save money during the move. 

The first tip would be to pack and unpack yourself. Just by doing this, your total cost will be reduced. 

Another tip would be to downsize your belongings before you move. For example, you can sell your belongings on an online marketplace or you can donate them. By doing this, it will decrease your total cost. 

The last tip would be to move during the off-season. Crazy enough, even moving has a peak season, which is from April to September. Many movers may offer discounts when you book their services in the Winter, and if you book in advance for a weekday.

Remember, if you are looking to move in or out of the state of California, there are other factors that come into play that can affect the total costs when hiring a professional moving company. These factors are the distance of the move, the size of your home, or the level of service you need. Also, other additional costs may be added to the total bill depending on what you need, but there are ways to save money.

Hire the best professional moving companies by using our website, IMoving.

IMoving allows you to find top movers in your area if you are looking for a local move or even nationwide movers for those making a long-distance move.

All you need to do is head over to our website, IMoving, tell us what you need, and we’lll do the rest. You can move in peace knowing all your belongings will be handled with care and taken care of by professionals.