How to Choose the Best Local Mover in Yakima
A few factors you should consider when choosing a moving company include customer reviews, cost, licensing, and services offered.
Determine Your Budget
Based on our findings, the average cost of hiring a local mover in Yakima is $60 per hour. The overall cost amounts to $4,221 for a two-bedroom move. Your home size, move date, move distance, and any additional services you need will affect your actual cost.
We suggest getting quotes from three or more reputable movers in your area. Always get written estimates, which should break down your total cost and the hourly rate or flat fee. Comparing the estimate provided by your mover to the final cost after the move helps ensure fair pricing is maintained.
Read Customer Reviews
Customer feedback plays an important role for moving companies. Reading customer reviews on forums such as the Better Business Bureau, Trustpilot, Yelp, Google Reviews, and social media will show you which movers have positive customer experiences. We suggest thoroughly researching customer reviews before selecting a moving company.
Ensure Proper Licensing
Moving companies in Yakima 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 permits on the UTC's list of household goods carriers.
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 the mover provides the specific services you need during the quote process. Make a list of any services you might need and take inventory of your home before requesting quotes. Moreover, tell your moving company representative about any extra services you may need to gauge the company's capacity to deliver suitable service.
Types of Moving Services
Full-service movers will include the following moving services in the base price for basic moves:
- Basic wrapping materials for furniture protection
- Loading and unloading
- Released liability coverage for loss or damage
Make sure that your moving company is informed of any special services you need in the quote process. Services that can contribute to higher pricing are:
- Crating for art or antiques
- Extra flights of stairs
- Long carries
- Packing
- Piano moving
- Storage
- Unpacking
- Vehicle shipping
Tips To Consider When Moving in Yakima, WA
Keep these tips in mind before moving to, from, or within Yakima.
Schedule an Early Move
Yakima gets hectic during rush hour. Navigating it can be more difficult in a moving truck compared to a personal-use car. Movers caught in traffic may lead to delays and a higher cost since local movers charge by the hour. We suggest planning before morning rush hour, which guarantees the movers beat the traffic and finish the move before evening.
Avoid Busy Season
The busiest period for moving, which falls between May and September, coincides with the summer heat in Yakima. This can slow or negatively impact your move. You should be able to schedule with your preferred moving company by reaching out to companies well in advance. However, keep in mind that the heat may still present challenges for your movers.
Pack in Advance
Most moving companies approach 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 start. Begin packing about six weeks before your move so you won't have to rush at the last minute. You can pack a couple boxes each day to make the process less stressful.
How Much do Movers Cost in Yakima, WA
Movers in Yakima cost $2,634 on average for moves less than 250 miles. It can cost up to $7,114 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 | $2,634 | $3,079 | $7,114 |
| 250-999 miles | $3,247 | $3,701 | $10,594 |
| 1,000-2,499 miles | $3,284 | $4,251 | $10,938 |
| 2,500+ miles | $3,195 | $5,316 | $13,074 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Moving in Yakima
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