How to Choose the Best Local Mover in Watsonville
Consider each moving company's services, cost, licensing, and customer reviews before picking.
Determine Your Budget
The average cost of hiring a local mover in Watsonville is $61 per hour. The overall cost adds up to $4,357 for a two-bedroom move. Factors that contribute to your actual cost include the season, your home size, move distance, and any additional tasks you need done.
We recommend getting quotes from three or more reputable movers in your area. It's essential to get written estimates, which should break down your total cost and the flat fee or hourly rate. Keep your mover's estimate readily available until the moving process is finished to ensure fair pricing practices.
Read Customer Reviews
Customer reviews are valuable when looking into moving companies. Read customer reviews on platforms like Yelp, Trustpilot, the Better Business Bureau, social media, and Google Reviews to identify moving companies that prioritize positive customer experiences.
Ensure Proper Licensing
Moving companies in Watsonville must follow different licensing requirements depending on their service area. If you're 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 local 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 the company’s registration status and complaint history on the FMCSA’s mover registration search tool.
Services
Ask if the mover you chose provides the services that align with your expectations as you receive quotes. Compile a list of any services you may require and take a full inventory of your home before requesting quotes. Share any specific requirements or unique circumstances with your moving company representative to assess if the company can accommodate your specific requirements.
Types of Moving Services
Full-service movers will provide the following services in the base price for standard moves:
- Basic wrapping materials for furniture protection
- Loading and unloading
- Released liability coverage for loss or damage
When asking for a quote from your moving company, mention any additional services you require. Increased pricing may apply for the following services:
- Crating for art or antiques
- Extra flights of stairs
- Long carries
- Packing
- Piano moving
- Storage
- Unpacking
- Vehicle shipping
Tips To Consider When Moving in Watsonville, CA
Here are a few additional tips to keep in mind when moving to, from, or within Watsonville.
Schedule an Early Move
Watsonville sees its fair share of traffic, and navigating this can be difficult in a moving truck. Getting stuck in traffic during your move can lead to delays and impact your budget, as local movers charge by the hour. We suggest scheduling before morning rush hour, which ensures the movers beat the traffic and complete the move before evening.
Avoid Busy Season
May to September marks the peak moving season and Watsonville's hottest time of the year. Moving during this time can slow or worsen your move, especially if you start searching for a moving company too late. The increased demand could make it harder to secure your desired mover. If you plan far enough in advance, you should be able to schedule with your preferred mover regardless of the month. However, the movers may be hampered by the heat.
Pack in Advance
We recommend you start packing about six weeks in advance to avoid stressing over last-minute packing on your moving day. Packing some items each day can get the task done without overwhelming you. Most movers approach same-day packing requests similarly. Movers will not move loose items that haven’t been packed when your move is scheduled to begin in many cases.
How Much do Movers Cost in Watsonville, CA
Movers in Watsonville 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 Watsonville
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