Best 5 Movers in San Rafael, CA

How to Choose the Best Local Mover in San Rafael

Some factors to consider when looking for a moving company include customer reviews, licensing, services offered, and cost.

Determine Your Budget

Local movers in San Rafael charge an average hourly rate of $99. A two-bedroom move in the area costs around $4,422 in total. Your actual costs will depend on any additional tasks you need your movers to handle, your home size, move distance, and the season.

We advise obtaining quotes from a minimum of three reputable movers in your area. Don't forget to request written estimates. These should outline the total cost, including the hourly rate or flat fee. Keep your mover's estimate on hand until the moving process is finished to ensure fair pricing practices.

Read Customer Reviews

Customer feedback plays a crucial role for moving companies. Take the time to read customer reviews on sites such as the Better Business Bureau, Trustpilot, social media, Google Reviews, and Yelp to identify moving companies with excellent customer service.

Ensure Proper Licensing

Moving companies in San Rafael 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 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 a mover’s registration status and complaint history on the FMCSA’s mover registration search tool.

Services

Asking whether the mover offers the services you need is essential during the quote process. Get ready for the quote process by taking a comprehensive inventory of your belongings and noting any services you may need. Inform your moving company representative regarding any specific requirements or unique circumstances to see if the company can provide satisfactory service.

Types of Moving Services

Full-service movers provide the following standard services as a part of their base price:

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

Tell your moving company about any extra services you require while going through 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 San Rafael, CA

Here are a few additional tips to keep in mind when relocating to, from, or within San Rafael.

Schedule an Early Move

San Rafael sees its fair share of traffic, and navigating this can be a challenge in a moving truck. Being stuck in traffic during your move can lead to delays and significantly impact your budget, as local movers charge by the hour. You can avoid this by booking movers several hours before or after morning rush hour.

Avoid Busy Season

The peak moving season—between May and September—coincides with San Rafael's hot weather. This can adversely affect your move if you begin looking too late and can't find a moving company with availability. If you book far enough in advance, you should be able to schedule with your preferred mover regardless of the month. However, your movers may be hampered by the heat.

Pack in Advance

We recommend you start packing around six weeks in advance to prevent rushing to pack on your moving day. Spending time packing a few boxes each day can get the task done without overwhelming you. Most moving companies won't transport items that aren't packed when your move begins.

How Much do Movers Cost in San Rafael, CA

Movers in San Rafael cost $2,703 on average for moves less than 250 miles. It can cost up to $7,962 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.