Picking a moving company in Los Angeles is a bit like picking a mechanic. You are handing over something you care about, and you usually do not know enough to check the work until it is done. The good news is that a few simple questions will tell you most of what you need to know. Here is how we would go about it if we were hiring movers ourselves.
Start With Three Quotes, Not One
Ask at least three movers for an estimate, and give each one the same details: your addresses, your move date, the size of your place, stairs or elevators, and anything big or heavy such as a piano. If you describe the move differently to each company, you will not be able to compare the numbers.
Be careful with the cheapest quote. A price far below the others usually means something is left out, such as travel time, supplies or insurance, or that the company plans to make it up with extras on moving day. Ask each mover to put their rate and what it includes in writing.
Check the License and Insurance
In California, moving companies are regulated by the Bureau of Household Goods and Services. Ask for the company’s permit number and look it up on the Bureau’s website. It takes two minutes. Then ask what their insurance covers and what it does not. Basic coverage usually pays by weight rather than by what an item is worth, so if you own something valuable, ask about adding more protection.
If your move crosses state lines, the company also needs a USDOT number.
Read the Reviews the Way a Skeptic Would
Look at Google, Yelp and any other site where customers write about their move. Do not just count the stars. Read what people say about being on time, about damage and about whether the final bill matched the quote. A few bad reviews are normal. A pattern of the same complaint is not.
Ask How They Price the Move
Most local moves in Los Angeles are priced by the hour, based on how many movers you need. That is simple, but you should still ask a few things:
- What is the hourly rate for two, three and four movers?
- Is there a minimum number of hours or a travel charge?
- Are blankets, shrink wrap, tape and dollies included, or do they cost extra?
- Is there a different rate for paying by cash or by card?
Our own rates are on the moving rates page, so you can see what an hourly quote looks like before you call anyone.
Think About Your Building and Your Street
Moving in Los Angeles has its own headaches: permit parking, narrow streets, hillside driveways, buildings that only allow moves at certain hours and freight elevators that must be booked in advance. A mover who works in the city every day will ask about all of this. If a company does not ask about parking or elevators, that tells you something.
Notice How They Treat You Before You Book
How quickly does the company call you back? Do they answer your questions clearly, or do they push you to decide today? A company that is patient and straightforward before you hire them is more likely to be the same on moving day. Pressure to sign on the spot, vague answers and a missing address or phone number are all reasons to keep looking.
Red Flags
- No written estimate
- A price that is far below every other quote
- No license or permit number, or one you cannot find when you look it up
- Pressure to book immediately
- A large deposit demanded in cash before the move
- No physical address
A Quick Checklist
- Three written quotes, all based on the same details
- License or permit checked on the state website
- Insurance explained to you in plain words
- Reviews read, not just counted
- Hourly rate, minimums and what is included all confirmed
- Parking and elevator plans discussed
- Move date and arrival time agreed
How We Do It at LA Movings
We are a Hollywood-based crew that is licensed and insured, and we move apartments, houses, offices and pianos around Los Angeles. Our hourly rates are posted online, the basic supplies come with the truck, and you can read what our customers say about us on Yelp and Google before you decide. If you want to see what we do, start with our residential moving, apartment moving or office moving pages.
Ready to Get a Quote?
Tell us where you are moving, when and how big the place is, and we will send you a free estimate. You can book online, contact us or call (323) 426-5666. You can also write to info@lamovings.com.