How to Choose the Best Local Mover in Santa Clarita
A few factors to consider when looking for a moving company include cost, services offered, customer reviews, and licensing.
Determine Your Budget
Local movers in Santa Clarita charge an average hourly rate of $107. A two-bedroom move in the area costs approximately $4,300 in total. Factors that contribute to your actual cost include any additional tasks you need done, move distance, your home size, and the season.
Consider getting quotes from at least three moving companies in your area to make an informed choice. Written estimates are important in this process. They should include a breakdown of the total cost, including the hourly rate or flat fee. Keep the estimate from your mover and compare it to the final cost to ensure fair pricing.
Read Customer Reviews
Customer reviews are indispensable when looking for a mover. Visit platforms such as Trustpilot, social media, the Better Business Bureau, Google Reviews, and Yelp to gain insights into customer experiences with that mover.
Ensure Proper Licensing
Moving companies in Santa Clarita must follow different licensing requirements depending on their service area. If you're only moving intrastate, choose a company that carries a California Bureau of Household Goods and Services license. You can check a company's local license using the Transportation Carriers Lookup tool.
The requirements are different if you're moving to or from another state. In this case, choose a company 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 check a company's registration status on the FMCSA’s mover registration search tool.
Services
Assess whether the mover can provide the specific services you need during the quote process. Create a list of any basic or add-on services you may require and take a full inventory of your home before seeking quotes. Furthermore, inform your moving company representative about any extra services you may need to assess the company's capability to deliver satisfactory service.
Types of Moving Services
Full-service movers offer 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 additional services you require while going through the quote process. Services that can contribute 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 Santa Clarita, CA
Keep these tips in mind before moving to, from, or within Santa Clarita.
Schedule an Early Move
Santa Clarita traffic during rush hour is notoriously congested. 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 if they charge by the hour. You can avoid this by scheduling your move several hours before or after morning rush hour.
Avoid Busy Season
The busiest moving period, which falls between May and September, coincides with the hot summer temperatures in Santa Clarita. This can slow or negatively impact your moving experience. By planning and booking at least eight weeks before your move, you should be able to lock in your desired moving company. However, keep in mind the possibility that the hot weather could make the move more difficult for your movers.
Pack in Advance
Most movers only carry items that have been packed by the scheduled moving time, so you should finish your packing before their arrival. Start packing around six weeks before your move to avoid rushing at the last minute. You can pack a couple boxes each day to make the process less stressful.
How Much do Movers Cost in Santa Clarita, CA
Movers in Santa Clarita cost $2,661 on average for moves less than 250 miles. It can cost up to $7,446 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 | $2,661 | $3,227 | $7,446 |
250-999 miles | $3,275 | $3,866 | $10,894 |
1,000-2,499 miles | $3,317 | $4,424 | $11,379 |
2,500+ miles | $3,252 | $5,496 | $13,531 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Moving in Santa Clarita
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What items should I move myself?
- Art pieces
- Cash
- Family photo albums and other cherished photographs
- Firearms
- Hazardous items like pesticides and gasoline
- Jewelry
- Personal documents
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