Best 5 Movers in Santa Barbara, CA

How to Choose the Best Local Mover in Santa Barbara

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

Determine Your Budget

The average hourly rate for a local mover in Santa Barbara is $85. Based on this, a local two-bedroom move costs $4,357 in total. Your actual cost will depend on the season, your home size, move distance, and any additional tasks you need your movers to handle.

You should obtain quotes from at least three reputable movers in your area. Request written estimates that provide a clear breakdown of the total cost and the flat fee or hourly rate. Keep your mover's estimate handy until the company has completed your move to ensure fair pricing practices.

Read Customer Reviews

Solid customer feedback is necessary for all moving companies. Visit platforms such as Trustpilot, Yelp, Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau, and social media to learn about the typical customer experience with that mover.

Ensure Proper Licensing

Moving companies in Santa Barbara must follow different licensing requirements depending on their service area. If you are moving from one California city to another, 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.

The requirements change 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 have 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

Assess whether your chosen mover can provide the services that meet your expectations as you receive quotes. Take inventory of your belongings when seeking quotes and make a list of any additional services that might be necessary to ensure accurate pricing. Additionally, notify your moving company representative about any extra services you may need to assess the company's ability to provide suitable service.

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

Inform your moving company about the other services you require as you go through the quote process. Services that can contribute to higher pricing are:

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

Tips To Consider When Moving in Santa Barbara, CA

Here are some additional tips to consider for your Santa Barbara move.

Schedule an Early Move

Santa Barbara traffic during the morning and evening rush hours is notoriously hectic. Navigating gridlock in a moving truck is even more challenging 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 while in their trucks. Try to arrange your move either a few hours before or after the morning rush hour to prevent this issue.

Avoid Busy Season

May to September marks the busiest moving season and Santa Barbara's hottest time of the year. Moving during this time can slow or worsen your moving process, especially if you start searching for a mover too close to your move. The high demand could make it harder to secure your desired mover. By planning your move at least eight weeks in advance, you should be able to lock in your desired moving company. However, keep in mind the possibility that the hot weather could pose difficulties for your movers.

Pack in Advance

We suggest you start packing about six weeks before your move to avoid rushing to pack when moving day comes. Spending time packing some items each day can make the process less stressful. Most movers won't transport items that haven't been packed by the scheduled moving time.

How Much do Movers Cost in Santa Barbara, CA

Movers in Santa Barbara 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.