How to Choose the Best Local Mover in Napa
A few factors you should consider when looking for a moving company include services offered, licensing, customer reviews, and cost.
Determine Your Budget
The average cost of hiring a local mover in Napa is $91 per hour. The overall cost amounts to $4,357 for a two-bedroom move. Your home size, move distance, move date, and any additional tasks you need the movers to do will determine your actual cost.
We advise obtaining quotes from three or more reputable movers in your area. Be sure to request written estimates. These should provide a breakdown of the total cost, including the flat fee or hourly rate. Keep your mover's estimate readily available until the move is completed to ensure fair pricing practices.
Read Customer Reviews
Good customer feedback is important for all moving companies. Visit sites like Trustpilot, social media, the Better Business Bureau, Google Reviews, and Yelp to gain insights into the typical customer experience with that moving company.
Ensure Proper Licensing
Moving companies in Napa must follow different licensing requirements depending on their service area. If you're moving from one California city to another, 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.
The requirements differ if you're moving to or from another state. In this case, choose a mover licensed with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The team should also carry active United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. You can find a company's registration status on the FMCSA’s mover registration search tool.
Services
Ask if the mover you chose provides the services that meet your expectations when requesting quotes. Conduct an inventory of your home when getting quotes and document any basic or add-on services that might be necessary to ensure accurate pricing. Discuss any specific requirements or unique circumstances with your moving company representative to assess if the company can fulfill your particular needs.
Types of Moving Services
Full-service movers will provide these moving services in the base price for standard moves:
- Basic wrapping materials for furniture protection
- Loading and unloading
- Released liability coverage for loss or damage
Tell your moving company about any additional services you require during the quote process. Services that lead to higher pricing include the following:
- Crating for art or antiques
- Extra flights of stairs
- Long carries
- Packing
- Piano moving
- Storage
- Unpacking
- Vehicle shipping
Tips To Consider When Moving in Napa, CA
Keep the following in mind before moving to, from, or within Napa.
Schedule an Early Move
Napa traffic during rush hour is notoriously congested. Navigating gridlock in a moving truck is even more difficult than with a personal-use vehicle. Movers getting stuck in traffic during your local move typically leads to higher costs since they’ll still be on the clock. You can prevent this by scheduling your move several hours before or after morning rush hour.
Avoid Busy Season
The peak moving season—between May and September—coincides with Napa's hottest time of year. This can adversely affect your moving process if you start your search too late and can't find an available moving company. If you book far enough in advance, you should be able to schedule with your preferred mover regardless of the month. However, the movers may be hampered by the heat.
Pack in Advance
Most moving companies won't move items that haven't been packed by the scheduled moving time. You should start packing around six weeks before your move. Pack a few boxes every day to avoid rushing when move day comes. Your movers may have a few spare boxes with them for last-minute packing, but you shouldn’t depend on it.
How Much do Movers Cost in Napa, CA
Movers in Napa cost $2,680 on average for moves less than 250 miles. It can cost up to $7,686 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.
Distance | Studio-1 Bedroom | 2-3 Bedroom | 4+ Bedroom |
---|---|---|---|
Less than 250 miles | $2,680 | $3,334 | $7,686 |
250-999 miles | $3,296 | $3,985 | $11,110 |
1,000-2,499 miles | $3,341 | $4,549 | $11,698 |
2,500+ miles | $3,294 | $5,627 | $13,861 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Moving in Napa
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How much do movers cost in Napa?
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