Best 5 Movers in Modesto, CA

How to Choose the Best Local Mover in Modesto

Consider each moving company's cost, customer reviews, licensing, and services before picking.

Determine Your Budget

A local move costs between $53 and $77 per hour. Based on this, a local two-bedroom move costs around $4,276 overall. Factors that affect your actual cost include the season, your home size, move distance, and any additional tasks you need done.

We suggest obtaining quotes from three or more reputable movers in your area. Get written estimates, which should break down your total cost and the flat fee or hourly rate. Keep your mover's estimate and compare it to the final cost to ensure fair pricing.

Read Customer Reviews

Customer reviews are indispensable when looking into moving companies. You can find movers that provide good customer service by reading reviews on platforms like social media, Yelp, Google Reviews, Trustpilot, and the Better Business Bureau.

Ensure Proper Licensing

Moving companies in Modesto 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 check a company's state license using the Transportation Carriers Lookup tool.

If you're moving across state lines, the regulations are different. Interstate moving companies must be licensed with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and must carry active United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. You can use these numbers to look up the company’s registration status and complaint history on the FMCSA’s mover registration search tool.

Services

Assess whether your chosen mover provides 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. Share any specific requirements or unique circumstances with your moving company representative in order to evaluate whether the company can fulfill your particular needs.

Types of Moving Services

For basic moves, full-service movers will include the following services in the starting cost:

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

Make sure that your moving company is aware of any special services you require during the quote process. The following services may lead to higher 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 Modesto, CA

Keep these tips in mind before moving to, from, or within Modesto.

Schedule an Early Move

Modesto usually gets congested 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 lead to delays and a higher cost since local movers charge hourly. You can prevent this by arranging your move a few hours before or after morning rush hour.

Avoid Busy Season

The peak moving season—between May and September—coincides with Modesto's hottest time of year. This can impact your moving process if you begin looking too late and can't find an available moving company. If you book in advance, you should be able to schedule with your preferred mover regardless of the season. However, the movers may be hampered by the heat.

Pack in Advance

Most movers won't move items that haven't been packed by the time your move begins. You should begin packing about six weeks before your move. Allocate some packing time each day to avoid last-minute scrambling on moving day.

How Much do Movers Cost in Modesto, CA

Movers in Modesto cost $2,652 on average for moves less than 250 miles. It can cost up to $7,344 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.