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Best 5 Movers in Watsonville, CA

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Written By Jessica Hurtault|Last Updated: April 18, 2024

The vibrant city of Watsonville, California has residents who count on the services of a professional mover when moving. Let movers handle the logistics to avoid the stress of moving all your belongings yourself. We've listed the best moving companies in Watsonville below.

Consider the moving companies below for your long-distance or local move.

Top Pick
4.8
  • Best Overall
  • Full-Service Mover
  • Worldwide Availability
Most Experienced Mover
4.5
  • Experienced Crews
  • Binding Estimates
  • Price-Matching Policy
Most Customer-Oriented
4.4
  • No-fuss estimates
  • Nationwide moves
  • Donates to St Jude Children's Research Hospital

Top-Rated Moving Companies in Watsonville, CA

Cardinale Moving & Storage Logo

Cardinale Moving & Storage

4.4/5
Based on 36 customer reviews.

Services Offered

InternationalResidential MovingLong DistanceInterstateStoragePacking

Highlights

  • Transparent pricing
  • Good customer service
11360 Commercial Pkwy, Castroville, CA 831-632-4100 cardinalemoving.com
Mod Movers Logo

Mod Movers

4.7/5
Based on 33 customer reviews.

Services Offered

Art And AntiquesLong DistancePianosStorageResidential MovingPackingInterstate

Highlights

  • Reliable service
  • Free quotes
  • Helps educate customers
8880 Forest St, Gilroy, CA 408-222-8025 mod-movers.com
831 Movers Logo

831 Movers

4.6/5
Based on 18 customer reviews.

Services Offered

Residential MovingStoragePacking

Highlights

  • Good customer service
  • Free quotes
  • Transparent pricing
2234 Thomas Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 831-212-3330 831movers.com
Fairprice Movers - Santa Cruz Logo

Fairprice Movers - Santa Cruz

4.6/5
Based on 44 customer reviews.

Services Offered

Long DistanceResidential MovingArt And AntiquesPianosStoragePacking

Highlights

  • Transparent pricing
  • Free quotes
  • Helps educate customers
696 Pacific Ave Ste6, Santa Cruz, CA 831-440-7939 fairpricemovers.com

More Local Moving Companies

Southbay Moving Systems

User Reviews: 5/5 

220 Griffin St
Salinas, CA 93901

Scarr Moving and Storage

User Reviews: 4.4/5 

1353 Dayton St
Salinas, CA 93901

Tavares Packing & Loading

User Reviews: 4.2/5 

1321 Burton Ave
Salinas, CA 93901

Ace Moving - San Jose

User Reviews: 4.7/5 

276 Tradewinds Dr #12
San Jose, CA 95123

Arnoni Moving Services

User Reviews: 4.6/5 

343 Otono Ct
San Jose, CA 95111

Clutch Moving Company San Jose

User Reviews: 4.7/5 

1999 S Bascom Ave Suite 700
Campbell, CA 95008

Nevarez moving company

User Reviews: 4.7/5 

71 Gilman Ave Suite B
Campbell, CA 95008

A2B Movers San Jose

User Reviews: 5/5 

4320 Stevens Creek Blvd Suite 174
San Jose, CA 95129

Ace Relocation Systems, Inc. - Atlas Van Lines

User Reviews: 4.5/5 

675 Quinn Ave
San Jose, CA 95112

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviewsteam@thisoldhousereviews.com.

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Facts about Watsonville
Population:52,017
Median Age:33.0 years
Median Rent:$2,709
Median House Value:$820,095
Cost Of Living Percentile:97.0%
Median Income:$72,295

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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.

DistanceStudio-1 Bedroom2-3 Bedroom4+ 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

What is the job market like in Watsonville?

Watsonville has a respectable economy and a wide range of sectors and jobs. The current unemployment rate is 5%, lower than 21% of other cities.

What is the average commute time in Watsonville?

Commute time is an important factor for many when changing jobs or moving. In Watsonville, the commute is roughly equivalent to that of other places, averaging around 29 minutes.

How much do movers cost in Watsonville?

You should be prepared to pay between $126 and $181 per hour for two movers and a truck. The total cost of your move will depend on several factors, such as the number of bedrooms, specialty services, insurance, and hours billed.

When should I begin contacting moving companies?

Reaching out to movers six to eight weeks before you need to move gives you enough time to compare companies and choose one. During your research, you can gather quotes, evaluate the services offered, and read reviews to get a sense of customer satisfaction.

How should I pack things up for my move?

When packing for a move, start early and gather necessary supplies such as sturdy boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap, and tape. Declutter and organize your belongings, tackle one room at a time, and label each box. Put heavy items in separate boxes, and keep essentials apart for easy access. Take apart large furniture if you can and use appropriate packing materials to protect fragile items. Packing can be time-consuming, so you may want to consider hiring professional packing services from a moving company to take one thing off your plate.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviewsteam@thisoldhousereviews.com.