Best Moving Companies In Los Angeles, CA

• Trek Movers. Local & Long-Distance Moving Company in Los Angeles.
• Melrose Moving Company
• Best West Moving
• Big Win Moving
• Rockstar Pro Movers
• LA Moving Star
• Affordable Quality Moving and Storage
• 4US MOVING
• Pure Moving Company Los Angeles
• NorthStar Movers

There is no limit on movers available in the Los Angeles metro area, but finding qualified California movers that will get the job done right requires extensive vetting and research. Below are 10 of the best moving companies for your Los Angeles move, both locally and nationally. Read up on each of these companies to ensure you choose the best for you and your needs.

For this list, Forbes Home analyzed the customer service quality of nearly 65 movers in the Los Angeles area. We ranked each company based on several data points within the category of customer experience.

Here’s the weighting assigned to each category:

Ratio of Low to High Star Ratings (50%)

We analyzed the number of Google reviews for each company against the ratings associated with those reviews. Companies with a higher percentage of positive reviews received more points than companies with a higher rate of negative reviews.

Response Time (25%)

Companies that offer speedy response times received more points than companies with longer or inconsistent response times.

Hours of Operation (10%)

Movers with longer operating hours are considered more accessible and thus received a higher score.

Ratio of Complaints to Reviews (10%)

We compared the number of complaints for each mover based on their reviews. A lower complaints ratio resulted in a higher score. The complaints ratio is based on the top five most relevant reviews according to Google.

Offers a Website (5%)

Movers with an official website received a higher score, as we believe it indicates professionalism and provides customers with additional information.

Other Important Methodology Notes

1. Bayesian rating: We computed a Bayesian rating for each mover based on their average rating and total number of ratings. This provides a more reliable score than a simple average rating, especially when comparing businesses with different numbers of ratings.
2. Response time: We estimated each mover’s response time based on their reviews. A faster response time results in a higher score. We surmised that a mover with more reviews and a higher average rating has a faster response time.
3. Total score: We then calculated the total score for each mover by applying the category weights to each data point.

Pricing shouldn’t be the only aspect you consider when it comes to selecting the best moving company for your move within or away from Los Angeles. This list of additional factors will help you choose the perfect team of movers and mitigate the overall stress of packing and relocating.

Regulations and Licenses

Moving companies in Los Angeles are required to have a valid Department of Transportation (USDOT) number. If the company also completes out-of-state moves, they must register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Make sure your mover is also licensed and insured so your belongings are protected during your move. All of this information lives online, so it should be easy to track down this information quickly.

Established Reputation

As with most of the products and services we buy, ratings and reviews should be a large driving force behind which moving company you choose. You can learn a lot about a moving company by the number of years they have been in business and how past customers have ranked them. Before deciding on a company, check sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Trustpilot, Google, Facebook and Yelp to read reviews and get a sense of the company’s rating and performance.

Service Area Coverage

Depending on where you’re moving to or from, service area coverage may matter a little or a lot. Either way, it’s good information to know about the company that you choose. If your move involves staying within the Los Angeles metro area, a local moving company can help you. However, if you’re planning a much larger move to or from Los Angeles across the state or nation, you will need to make sure that the moving company you choose offers long-distance moving services.

Services Available

Moving services are the bare minimum that a company offers. Many movers will also offer packing and unpacking services at an add-on cost, specialty moving for items like pianos, antique cars and expensive art, or storage services to keep your items safe long-term. Consider your particular move and which services you want to accompany the moving services provided.

Financing, Estimates and Insurance Valuations

Final costs will, of course, factor heavily into your moving company hiring decision. Be sure to seek out price estimates from multiple movers before making your final selection.

Some companies require in-person or video consultations before offering a final quote, but the additional effort is well worth it. Pricing transparency is key to avoiding any hidden fees that could come up at the end of the move. To do your part, make sure you provide a thorough itemized list to ensure you get the most accurate quote.

When it comes to insurance, get familiar with each company’s coverage options. If your belongings are more fragile and costly, it may be worth it to choose a pricier but all-encompassing insurance. Finally, to determine just how big of a moving truck you’ll need, check out our moving calculator.

Company Size

The size of any moving company should also be taken into consideration as it can highlight how much experience the business has. Larger establishments, for example, are more often able to accommodate larger moves and may have a wider selection of insurance packages.

Plus, sizeable companies also tend to have more availability than their smaller counterparts.

It’s possible to find the best Los Angeles moving company with just a bit of work, whether that’s in West Hollywood or downtown LA (DTLA) These tips will help make the process simple.

Check Local Reviews

There are few things as telling as customer reviews. They offer insight into whether a company is trustworthy and committed to ensuring client satisfaction. To get the most current moving company reviews, browse sites like Facebook and Google and search for specific local movers such as Silver Lake or Santa Monica movers to help narrow it down. You can even ask the company directly for customer testimonials.

Choose a Company That Knows Los Angeles

While you may find a few national moving companies in your area, it’s also worth ensuring that they know the lay of the land in Los Angeles, including neighborhoods such as Los Feliz, Echo Park, Pasadena, Westwood, Brentwood, Malibu, Beverly Hills, Highland Park, Eagle Rock and Glassell Park. A moving company that understands the city layout, more prominent traffic times and the particular neighborhood you live in could help reduce any confusion on the day of the move.

Look Out for Red Flags

Unfortunately, scams are prevalent in the moving industry. Ensure you find any and all red flags by asking the right questions to your potential moving company and always ask for a written contract before paying a deposit. Also, make sure that you’re dealing with an accredited and trusted company by reading reviews and checking the BBB for any complaints, violations or other major giveaways. Finally, get everything in writing.

Costs for moving in Los Angeles start at about $2,090 on average, with a price range that can stretch from $1,194 to $3,210 for a team of two professional movers on a local job of 100 miles or less. Home size, the amount of bedrooms and the distance that must be traveled can greatly affect the cost as well. So expect to pay anywhere from $3,285 and $8,510, or more, for moves in Los Angeles.

TYPE OF MOVE	LOW ESTIMATE	HIGH ESTIMATE
Local	$1,194	$3,210
Long-distance	$3,285	$8,510

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Cost for Local Moves

Moves that involve just going from one town to another, or even within your same town, are considered short-distance. But that doesn’t mean you should underestimate how much it will cost. How much you can expect to pay will depend on the size of your current home, the volume of items you have and how large your team of movers will be.

Average Cost of LA Movers Per Hour

Typically, local movers charge between $30 to $60 per mover per hour, so a two-person team working for four hours will cost a minimum of $240 to $480, just for labor. But keep in mind that other expenses will be incurred as well, like transportation fees, materials, gas and tips.

Below, we’ve included a table showing the average cost of movers (based only on the typical hourly rate of $60) for a short-distance move based on the number of bedrooms in your home.

HOME SIZE	NUMBER OF MOVERS	NUMBER OF HOURS	AVERAGE MOVING COST
Studio / one-bedroom	2	4	$717
Two-bedroom	3	6	$1,612
Three-bedroom	4	7	$2,508
Four-bedroom	4	9	$3,225
Five-bedroom	5	12	$5,375

Moving costs for this area were determined with the Cost of Living Calculator.

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LA Movers and Packers Costs

Not interested in doing the heavy lifting on packing for your move? Many moving companies will do your packing for you at an added premium. Costs are typically determined by how much there is to pack, how heavy it is and how much packing materials are used. The average cost of movers if you choose specialty moving services like full-service movers, can be $2,300 and up.

If you do choose this type of moving service, be aware that the moving company may pack up your belongings and hold them for a short period of time (a few days or weeks) before delivering and unloading. Therefore, you should pack items like clothing, medication and important documents yourself and keep these items with you.

Long-Distance Move Cost

It should come as no surprise that long-distance moves are more expensive and more complex than local or short-distance moves. Because these moves involve traveling a further distance, added expenses like gas, tolls, lodging (for multiple-day trips) and additional fees can considerably drive up moving costs.

On average, a long-distance move costs anywhere from $1,000 to more than $10,000 depending on factors like the number of items you’re moving, distance of the move and which best long-distance moving companies you choose.

Below, we’ve compiled a list of the top national moving companies and sample estimates for two different moves.

COMPANY	SAMPLE PRICE 1	SAMPLE PRICE 2	LEARN MORE
International Van Lines	$8,168	$4,165	Get Free Estimates From Participating Partners
United Van Lines	$9,005	$5,100	Get Free Estimates From Participating Partners
Allied Van Lines	$7,000	$5,570	-
Atlas Van Lines	$8,374	$6,442	Get Free Estimates From Participating Partners
North American Van Lines	$9,249	$4,802	-
JK Moving	$8,520	$5,900	Get Free Estimates From Participating Partners
Mayflower Transit	Video call or in-person survey required for a quote	Video call or in-person survey required for a quote	Get Free Estimates From Participating Partners
Bekins Van Lines	In-person survey required for a quote	In-person survey required for a quote	Get Free Estimates From Participating Partners
American Van Lines	$6,860	$4,663	Get Free Estimates From Participating Partners
Stevens Worldwide	$8,243	$6,146	Get Free Estimates From Participating Partners

NOTE: Sample price 1 covers a two-bedroom move (1,300 miles total) and sample price 2 covers a one-bedroom move (500 miles total) for mid-June.

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Specialty Moving Services Cost

If you plan to move large, fragile or specialty items, including pianos, swing sets or animal pens, this will usually impact the cost of your move. On average, the cost of specialty moving services can add an additional $400 to $2,000 to the cost of your move.

Best Moving Companies in California by City

Looking for a moving company in Los Angeles or another city in California? See our list of best moving companies by city in California here.