How to Choose the Best Local Mover in San Jose
Consider each company's customer reviews, licensing, services, and cost before choosing.
Determine Your Budget
The average hourly rate for local movers in San Jose is $118. A two-bedroom move in the area costs approximately $4,553 in total. Your move date, move distance, home size, and any additional tasks you need the movers to do will affect your actual cost.
Consider getting quotes from a minimum of three moving companies in your area to make an educated choice. Written estimates are essential in this process. They should include a total cost breakdown, including the hourly rate or flat fee. Comparing the estimate provided by your to the final cost after your move helps ensure fair pricing is maintained.
Read Customer Reviews
Moving companies rely on positive customer feedback. You can find movers that provide good customer service by reading reviews on platforms like the Better Business Bureau, social media, Google Reviews, Yelp, and Trustpilot.
Ensure Proper Licensing
Moving companies in San Jose must follow different licensing requirements depending on their service area. If you are only moving within California, choose a company that carries a California Bureau of Household Goods and Services license. You can verify a company's state license using the Transportation Carriers Lookup tool.
If you're moving across states, the regulations are different. Choose a company licensed with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). It should also have 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 your chosen mover can provide the services you need during the quote process. Get ready for the quote process by making a thorough inventory of your belongings and writing down any services you may need. Discuss any special conditions or needs with your moving company representative in order to determine if the company can fulfill your particular needs.
Types of Moving Services
A full-service mover will include the following services for standard moves:
- Basic wrapping materials for furniture protection
- Loading and unloading
- Released liability coverage for loss or damage
If you need special services from your moving company, inform them of these when requesting a quote. The following 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 San Jose, CA
Here are some additional tips to keep in mind when moving in San Jose.
Schedule an Early Move
San Jose sees its fair share of traffic, and navigating this can be more difficult in a moving truck. Being stuck in traffic can lead to delays and significantly impact your budget, as local movers charge by the hour. You can prevent this by arranging your move several hours before or after morning rush hour.
Avoid Busy Season
The busiest time for movers—between May and September—coincides with San Jose's hottest time of year. This can impact your moving process if you start your search too late and can't find a moving company with availability. If you book in advance, you should be able to schedule with your preferred mover regardless of the season. However, your movers may be hindered by the heat.
Pack in Advance
Most moving companies won't carry items that haven't been packed by your scheduled moving time. We recommend you begin packing around six weeks before your move to avoid stressing over last-minute packing on your moving day. Spending time packing some items each day can get the task done without overwhelming you.
How Much do Movers Cost in San Jose, CA
Movers in San Jose cost $2,748 on average for moves less than 250 miles. It can cost up to $8,516 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 | $2,748 | $3,705 | $8,516 |
| 250-999 miles | $3,367 | $4,396 | $11,859 |
| 1,000-2,499 miles | $3,423 | $4,980 | $12,800 |
| 2,500+ miles | $3,437 | $6,077 | $15,003 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Moving in San Jose
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