Best 5 Movers in Bakersfield, CA

How to Choose the Best Local Mover in Bakersfield

Make an informed choice by considering the following crucial factors when deciding on a mover in Bakersfield.

Determine Your Budget

Based on our findings, the average cost of a local move in Bakersfield is $71 per hour. The overall cost adds up to $4,099 for a two-bedroom move. Your home size, move distance, move date, and any additional tasks you need the movers to do will contribute to your actual cost.

We advise getting quotes from a minimum of three reputable movers in your area. It's essential to get written estimates, which should break down your total cost and the hourly rate or flat fee. Keep your mover's estimate on hand until the moving process is done to ensure fair pricing practices.

Read Customer Reviews

Solid customer feedback is important for all moving companies. Looking at customer reviews on Yelp, social media, the Better Business Bureau, Trustpilot, and Google Reviews will show you which movers have positive customer experiences. We suggest thoroughly researching customer reviews before selecting a moving company.

Ensure Proper Licensing

Moving companies in Bakersfield must follow different licensing requirements depending on their service area. If you are making a short-haul move that's purely within California, choose a company that carries a California Bureau of Household Goods and Services license. You can verify a company's license using the Transportation Carriers Lookup tool.

If you're moving interstate, the regulations are different. Choose a company licensed with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). It should also carry active United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers, which you can use on the FMCSA’s mover registration search tool to check a mover’s registration status and complaint history.

Services

Assess whether the mover can provide the services you need when requesting quotes. Complete an extensive inventory of your home before requesting quotes and note any basic or add-on services you may need. Furthermore, tell your moving company representative about any special conditions or specific needs you may have to gauge the company's capacity to provide adequate service.

Types of Moving Services

A full-service mover includes the following services for standard moves:

• Basic wrapping materials for furniture protection
• Loading and unloading
• Released liability coverage for loss or damage

If you require special services from your moving company, mention these during the quote process. These services may result in increased pricing for your move:

• Crating for art or antiques
• Extra flights of stairs
• Long carries
• Packing
• Piano moving
• Storage
• Unpacking
• Vehicle shipping

Tips To Consider When Moving in Bakersfield, CA

Here are some additional tips to consider when moving in Bakersfield.

Schedule an Early Move

Bakersfield usually gets congested with traffic during rush hour. Maneuvering through it can be more challenging in a moving truck compared to a personal-use car. Movers caught in traffic may result in delays and a higher cost since local moving companies charge hourly. Try to plan your move either a few hours before or after the morning rush hour to avoid this issue.

Avoid Busy Season

May to September marks the peak moving season and Bakersfield's hottest time of the year. Moving during this time can slow or worsen your moving process, especially if you start searching for a moving company too close to your move. The high demand could make it harder to secure your desired mover. If you book in advance, you should be able to schedule with your preferred mover regardless of the season. However, the movers may be hindered by the heat.

Pack in Advance

Most moving companies handle same-day packing requests similarly. In many cases, movers won't move loose items that haven’t been packed by the time your move is scheduled to begin. You should start packing around six weeks in advance. Pack a few boxes each day to avoid rushing on the day of your move. Your movers may have some extra boxes with them for last-minute packing, but you shouldn’t depend on it.

How Much do Movers Cost in Bakersfield, CA

Movers in Bakersfield cost $2,592 on average for moves less than 250 miles. It can cost up to $6,599 to move a larger 4 bedroom house the same distance. See the chart below for more moving estimates, and contact a moving company for a more accurate quote specific to your situation.