How to Choose the Best Local Mover in Bellevue
Make an informed choice by taking the following factors into consideration when choosing movers in Bellevue.
Determine Your Budget
The average hourly rate for local movers in Bellevue is $117. A two-bedroom move in the area costs approximately $4,391 in total. Your actual cost will vary depending on move distance, any additional tasks you need your movers to handle, the season, and your home size.
We recommend getting quotes from at least three reputable movers in your area. Get written estimates, which should outline your total cost and the hourly rate or flat fee. Comparing the estimate provided by your to the final cost after your move helps ensure fair pricing.
Read Customer Reviews
Customer reviews are valuable when looking into moving companies. You can identify moving companies that provide good customer service by reading reviews on platforms like Trustpilot, social media, Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau, and Yelp.
Ensure Proper Licensing
Moving companies in Bellevue must follow different licensing requirements depending on their service area. If you're making a short-haul move that's purely within Washington, your mover must have a permit from the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC). You can check the UTC's list of household goods carriers for your moving company.
The requirements are a bit 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 find a company's registration status on the FMCSA’s mover registration search tool.
Services
Assess whether your chosen mover provides the services that align with your expectations while obtaining quotes. Prepare for the quote process by making a comprehensive inventory of your belongings and noting any services you might require. Additionally, tell your moving company representative about any extra services you may need to evaluate the company's capacity to provide suitable service.
Types of Moving Services
For basic moves, full-service movers will include the following moving 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 any other services you require during the quote process. Services that can lead 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 Bellevue, WA
Here are some extra tips to consider when moving in Bellevue.
Schedule an Early Move
Bellevue usually gets congested with traffic during rush hour. Navigating it can be more challenging in a moving truck compared to a standard personal-use car. Movers caught in traffic may lead to delays and a higher cost since local movers charge by the hour. You can avoid this by booking movers several hours before or after morning rush hour.
Avoid Busy Season
The busiest time for movers—between May and September—coincides with Bellevue's fairly hot weather. This can adversely affect your moving process if you start your search too late and can't find an available moving company. You should be able to secure your preferred moving company by contacting companies well in advance. However, keep in mind that the heat may impact your movers.
Pack in Advance
You should begin packing around six weeks in advance. Pack a few boxes each day to avoid rushing when move day comes. Your movers may have some spare boxes with them for last-minute packing, but you shouldn’t count on it. Most moving companies won't carry items that haven't been packed by the scheduled moving time.
How Much do Movers Cost in Bellevue, WA
Movers in Bellevue cost $2,692 on average for moves less than 250 miles. It can cost up to $7,831 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 | $2,692 | $3,399 | $7,831 |
250-999 miles | $3,308 | $4,057 | $11,241 |
1,000-2,499 miles | $3,355 | $4,624 | $11,890 |
2,500+ miles | $3,319 | $5,705 | $14,061 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Moving in Bellevue
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