Best 5 Movers in Lakewood, WA

How to Choose the Best Local Mover in Lakewood

A few factors you should consider when choosing a moving company include services offered, customer reviews, licensing, and cost.

Determine Your Budget

The average cost of hiring a local mover in Lakewood is $68 per hour. The overall cost adds up to $4,259 for a two-bedroom move. Your actual cost will depend on your home size, any additional tasks you need your movers to handle, the season, and move distance.

You should get quotes from at least three movers in your area. Request written estimates that break down the total cost, including the hourly rate or flat fee. Keep your mover's estimate on hand until the move is completed to ensure fair pricing practices.

Read Customer Reviews

Positive customer feedback is important for all moving companies. Check websites like social media, Yelp, the Better Business Bureau, Google Reviews, and Trustpilot to learn about the typical customer experience with that moving company.

Ensure Proper Licensing

Moving companies in Lakewood must follow different licensing requirements depending on their service area. If you are only moving within Washington, your mover needs 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.

If you're moving to or from another state, 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

Assess whether your chosen mover can provide the specific services you need during the quote process. Conduct an inventory of your home when requesting quotes and make a list of any basic or add-on services that you may need to ensure accurate pricing. Notify your moving company representative about any specific requirements or unique circumstances to see whether the company can provide suitable service.

Types of Moving Services

A full-service mover includes these services for standard moves:

• Basic wrapping materials for furniture protection
• Loading and unloading
• Released liability coverage for loss or damage

If you require special services from your moving company, mention these 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 Lakewood, WA

Here are some additional tips to keep in mind when relocating to, from, or within Lakewood.

Schedule an Early Move

The morning and evening rush hours in Lakewood are widely known for their extreme traffic congestion. Movers stuck in traffic can also increase your moving costs when charged an hourly rate. Try to schedule your move either a few hours before or after the morning rush hour to avoid this issue.

Avoid Busy Season

The peak moving season—between May and September—coincides with Lakewood's fairly hot weather. This can impact your move if you begin looking too late and can't find an available moving company. By planning and booking at least eight weeks before your move, you should be able to lock in the moving company you want. However, be prepared for the possibility that the hot weather could pose difficulties for your movers.

Pack in Advance

We suggest you start packing around six weeks in advance to avoid stressing over last-minute packing when moving day comes. Spending time packing a couple boxes each day can get the task done without overwhelming you. Most moving companies handle same-day packing requests similarly. Movers will not move loose items that haven’t been packed by the time your move is scheduled to begin in many cases.

How Much do Movers Cost in Lakewood, WA

Movers in Lakewood cost $2,647 on average for moves less than 250 miles. It can cost up to $7,273 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.