How to Choose the Best Local Mover in San Gabriel
Some factors you should consider when looking for a moving company include customer reviews, licensing, cost, and services offered.
Determine Your Budget
Based on our findings, the average cost of a local move in San Gabriel is $66 per hour. The overall cost amounts to $4,300 for a two-bedroom move. These figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Factors that contribute to your actual cost include any additional tasks you need done, your home size, the season, and move distance.
Consider getting quotes from a minimum of three moving companies in your area to make an informed choice. Written estimates are crucial in this process. They should have a total cost breakdown, covering the hourly rate or flat fee. Keep your mover's estimate readily available until the moving process is done to ensure fair pricing practices.
Read Customer Reviews
Customer reviews are valuable when looking for a mover. Check sites such as Google Reviews, social media, Yelp, the Better Business Bureau, and Trustpilot to learn about the typical customer experience with that moving company.
Ensure Proper Licensing
The Bureau of Household Goods and Services regulates intrastate moving companies in California. Check the company's state license using the Transportation Carriers Lookup tool.
Beyond this, any San Gabriel-based moving company that handles interstate moves 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
Assess whether your chosen mover can deliver the services that meet your expectations as you receive quotes. Make a list of any basic or add-on services you might need and take a comprehensive inventory of your home before seeking quotes. Moreover, inform your moving company representative about any extra services you may need to gauge the company's capacity to provide adequate service.
Types of Moving Services
For basic moves, full-service movers often include the following services in the standard price:
- 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 extra 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 San Gabriel, CA
Here are some additional tips to consider for your San Gabriel move.
Schedule an Early Move
San Gabriel usually gets congested with traffic during rush hour. Maneuvering through it can be more challenging in a moving truck compared to a personal-use car. Movers caught in traffic may lead to delays and a higher cost since local moving companies charge hourly. We suggest arranging before morning rush hour, which makes sure the movers avoid heavy traffic and complete the move before evening.
Avoid Busy Season
May to September marks the busiest moving season and San Gabriel's hottest time of the year. Moving at this time can slow or worsen your move, especially if you begin your search for a mover too close to your move. The high demand could lead to limited availability with your desired mover. You should be able to schedule with your preferred moving company by contacting companies at least eight weeks before your move. However, remember that the heat may still present challenges for your movers.
Pack in Advance
We suggest you begin packing about six weeks in advance to avoid stressing over last-minute packing when moving day comes. Packing a couple boxes each day can make the process less overwhelming. Most moving companies approach same-day packing requests similarly. Movers will not move loose items that haven’t been packed by the time your move is scheduled to start in many cases.
San Gabriel Moving Services FAQ
What is the average commute time in San Gabriel?
The average commute in San Gabriel is longer than other places at about 33 minutes, according to the U.S. Census.
Does San Gabriel have good schools?
San Gabriel's student body of 208,667 makes it one of the highest in the state. Public primary schools in San Gabriel have received a math score of 29 out of 55 and a reading score of 29 out of 55 from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which evaluates student achievement. Those scores combined with a total academic score of 29 out of 55 provide some insight into the educational quality in the area.
When should I begin contacting moving companies?
Get in touch with potential movers six to eight weeks before your move date to get the company you want and ensure they're available. This will give you ample time to request quotes, compare companies, and make an informed decision on which moving company in San Gabriel suits your needs.
What items should I move myself?
Unforeseen events may occur when moving, leading to stolen, damaged, or misplaced items. We recommend move precious items yourself, such as:
- art pieces
- cash
- family photo albums and other cherished photographs
- firearms
- hazardous items like pesticides and gasoline
- jewelry
- personal documents
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviewsteam@thisoldhousereviews.com.
