How to Choose the Best Local Mover in Santa Cruz
Make an informed choice by taking the following factors into consideration when choosing movers in Santa Cruz.
Determine Your Budget
A local move costs between $65 and $94 per hour. Based on this, a local two-bedroom move costs approximately $4,357 overall. Your home size, move date, move distance, and any additional services you need will determine your actual cost.
We recommend obtaining quotes from a minimum of three reputable movers in your area. Don't forget to request written estimates. These should detail the total cost, including the flat fee or hourly rate. Keep the estimate from your mover and compare it to the final cost to ensure fair pricing.
Read Customer Reviews
Customer feedback plays an important role for moving companies. Take the time to read customer reviews on websites like Trustpilot, the Better Business Bureau, social media, Yelp, and Google Reviews to find moving companies that prioritize positive customer experiences.
Ensure Proper Licensing
Moving companies in Santa Cruz must follow different licensing requirements depending on their service area. If you are only moving intrastate, 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.
If you're moving interstate, the regulations are different. Choose a company licensed with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). It should also carry 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 look up a mover’s registration status and complaint history.
Services
Assessing whether the mover provides the services you need is essential during the quote process. Conduct a thorough inventory of your home before requesting quotes and write down any basic or add-on services you may need. Discuss any specific requirements or unique circumstances with your moving company representative to evaluate if the company can accommodate your particular needs.
Types of Moving Services
A full-service mover includes the following services for standard moves:
- Basic wrapping materials for furniture protection
- Loading and unloading
- Released liability coverage for loss or damage
If you require additional services from your moving company, disclose these when requesting a quote. Services that can contribute to higher pricing include:
- 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 Cruz, CA
Consider the following before moving to, from, or within Santa Cruz.
Schedule an Early Move
Santa Cruz traffic during rush hour is notoriously hectic. Navigating gridlock with a moving truck is even more challenging than with a personal-use vehicle. Movers getting stuck in traffic typically leads to higher costs since they’ll still be on the clock while in their trucks. We advise arranging before morning rush hour, which guarantees the movers avoid heavy traffic and complete the move before evening.
Avoid Busy Season
The peak moving season—between May and September—coincides with Santa Cruz's hottest time of year. This can affect your moving process if you start your search too late and can't find an available moving company. 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 make the move more difficult for your movers.
Pack in Advance
You should start packing about six weeks before you move. Spend some time packing each day to prevent last-minute scrambling on moving day. Most moving companies treat same-day packing requests similarly. In many cases, movers won't move loose items that haven’t been packed when your move is scheduled to begin.
How Much do Movers Cost in Santa Cruz, CA
Movers in Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz
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