Movers for a Move within California

Archived Q&A and reviews ▼

Archived Q&A and Reviews

Questions

Moving company from East Bay to Sacramento

April 2014

My family is moving to Sacramento in June and looking at movers. We've moved a few times using moving companies within the bay area and found it to be very reasonable so we're having a bit of sticker shock at the $1000 quotes we're getting to move a two bedroom house (minimal furniture, no appliances) to Sacramento. For folks who have moved similar distances, does $1000 seem like it's fair for a 70 mile, ~1- 1.5 hour driving time move or should we keep looking? If we should keep looking, any recommendations?Thanks! Katie

We paid $1400 for a similar move three years ago. We moved from Berkeley to Davis and used Moovers Inc. We moved a 2 bedroom apartment with a lot of stuff but no appliances. I remember that they charged more per hour for the travel time compared to the loading/unloading time so this probably contributes to the difference in price. anon

Moving from Oakland to LA

May 2009

Our family of 4 will be moving from Oakland to the LA area at the end of August. I would like to get some moving company recommendations for movers to come in and pack up our belongings, drive them down to LA, and unload the boxes. Has anyone used a company recently that you would recommend? Thanks! desperately seeking movers

I've moved cross country twice in the last 2 1/2 years and I had a very great experience with Mayflower. They are not the cheapest (but also not the most expensive) out there but extremely reliable, great customer service and I had no worries with them. Be very careful when you decide - absolutely use a company that gives a ''not to exceed'' quote, meaning they can not charge you more than that amount (the quote you get is an estimate and the final amount will be based on weight once they load it up and go to the weigh scales). There are many horror stories of companies holding your possessions hostage to make you pay more before they deliver. Also, you are not doing a particularly long move but make sure that the company you choose doesn't contract another company to finish your move because some of the smaller companies will do that and your items can be transferred to another truck mid-trip and stuff can get lost or damaged. I thought it was much better to meet my driver at the beginning, know I can contact him at any point of the trip, and see his familiar face at the end. Their packing services were excellent (our move back to California was with another company and after that horrible experience with packing and moving, I now realize how incredible Mayflower really was with our move.), their packers are all bonded and very careful. good luck!

We moved up to Oakland from Santa Monica last year and had Northstar Movers pack all our stuff and move it up here. We moved from a second story apartment with a set of internal stairs and a building elevator, into a house in the hills with a very steep driveway. Northstar was amazingly wonderful. The movers were professional and packed all of our stuff efficiently. They were also friendly and polite. Nothing broke. They were polite to people in our apartment building as they moved stuff from our apt to the elevator and their truck. When they got to our Oakland house it was clear that their truck could not make it up our driveway and they'd need to get a shuttle truck. Instead of waiting for the shuttle they carried all of our stuff up the hill and into our house up some flights of stairs. Unfortunately for them it was one of those awfully hot days. But, throughout it all their spirits were great, joking each other and yet being very careful carrying our stuff, including our upright paino, After all this, once they finished they took a short breather and then asked if the furniture was exactly where we wanted it. If it wasn't they moved it for us. Despite the fact that the move took them a lot more time then they anticipated they charged us their original estimate.

They were totally wonderful and I highly recommend them. I have no intention of moving again as we move it here, but if we did I wouldn't hesitate to hire them and I keep recommending them to everyone I know who's moving. You might check them out on Angie's list, I know they were included and rated high in 2008. Here's the person I worked with in LA: Gadi 800-275-7767 gadi [at] gmail.com I suggest contacting him and he could tell you who to contact up here. He might remember me so you can tell him that Reva gave you the lead. Good luck reva

Delancey Street Movers. Simply the best! 415-512-5110 Kim

Moving to San Diego in a month

Nov 2007

Hi, My husband just got a job in San Diego and we need to move in a month. Does anyone know of any trustworthy moving companies? I've read you have to be careful, that they can take off your stuff or hold it for ransom for more money. Thanks!

Hi, I know a very reputable and wonderful mover who's company is called Lozano's Moving Service. The owner, Esteban Lozano is licensed, and is a warm, funny, honest man. I know a number of people who have used his services over and over and love him. He's based in Marin County, but moves people all over the state. I think he would be able to move you to San Diego and offers free estimates. Esteban's Lozano, LMS, 415 898-8254; 415 846-4892 cell Good Luck! sarah

I can recommend Robert Krug. His moving company is called Economove and does moves within California. It's been around since 1969. He's a very nice man, as well as being a very capable mover. You can call him at 541-1455. Tell Robert that David from BNI recommended him. David

I would try Casey at Mover's Packman. I think they are located in Dublin... Call Toll Free 1-800-273-3662 E-Mail sales [at] moverspakman.com We moved the opposit direction from San Diego to SF. We have moved with them three times...my husband's job..we relocate alot..they were great!! Tell Casey we sent you! And if you need any type of information from me regarding San Diego don't hesitate to email me. Good luck! Julie

Earlier Recommendations 

Moving furniture from Southern California

May 2007

I'm seeking recommendations for a moving company to pack and/or ship some furniture up from Southern California (city of Torrance.) I can do the driving in a rented van, but need to have someone else do the packing. Would consider hiring a company to do it all, but need to compare price, service, etc. Any recommendations or caveats? azmoss

When my Dad passed away, we had to move his household from Huntsville, Alabama to Oakland. We used Delancey Street movers. They are national (I had used them only locally in the past), but was very happy with their service, polite, prompt and communicative. The costs were competitive, too. They are willing to work with you as well. My Dad's house was up on a mountain, and the semi they came in could not make it up the winding road. Trouble! We rented a truck that could go up and hill, and the Delancey folks did a 'shuttle move' by loading up the small truck, then transferring everything to their semi. Safe delivery on the date they promised. I was quite pleased with both the 2 local moves I've used them for and the long distance one. danthib

Move from LA to Alameda

May 2006

I recently relocated from the Los Angeles area to Alameda. The moving company I used Lightning Van Lines was wonderful, believe it or not I am one of the few people who had a postive moving experience. I found Lightning Van Lines on Citysearch and based on their recomendations, then the customer service; I received a FREE visual estimate and the fact that they checked out with BBB I decided to entrust them with my two bedroom move. From start to finish it was smooth and trouble-free. They arrived early, were professional and courteous at all times. The prices are not the lowest but are competitive, reasonable and well worth it! SSince I received a visual estimate my contract was a binding agreement therefore no surprise fees at delivery! I highly recomend them for any job, the corporate office is in San Leandro, and they will give you a home visual estimate at any time.
Reidun

Moving furniture from Malibu to Berkeley

Nov 2005

I am in need of a mover to pick up three pieces of furniture in Malibu and bring them to Berkeley. Does anyone have a recommendation for someone that would be willing to do this for a reasonable fee? I don't need a professional mover - could be someone with a truck interested in earning some extra money. Would love to hear recommendations! Thanks.

I just had a great experience with Navis Pack & Ship. They moved a dining table and five chairs from Tennessee to Berkeley, and the customer service was excellent at both ends. They weren't the cheapest quote I got (they weren't the most expensive either), but they were very highly rated by the Better Business Bureau, so I opted to go for confidence over cost. I would definitely use them again for a small move and recommend them highly. Here's the website: http://www.gonavis.com/ Call them and they'll put you in touch with a local franchise. Rebecca

Beal's Moving, in Sonoma Co. (707/833-5122) makes a trip to Los Angeles about once a week and will bring small loads back. Mr. Beal (he is very experienced and does a lot of the moving himself) charged us $500.00 total to bring a bed (the mattress and springs arrived neatly shrink-wrapped), cabinet, and about 10 boxes from L.A. to Berkeley. This included elevator and corridor fees, etc., and I probably could have added more boxes to the load. $500.00 seemed like a lot to me, but I understand that moves can be very expensive, and I liked the company's manners, efficiency, and the fact that they kept me and my sister in Los Angeles well informed of their movements, arrived just when they said they would, and dealt tactfully with said sister, who is difficult to deal with. Melanie

Happy with LA to Berkeley movers

April 2002

When we relocated from Los Angeles to Berkeley six years ago we were very pleased with the company that packed and moved us. So happy in fact that I have kept the paperwork all this time, just in case we needed movers again. It was Tri-Valley Bekins. We dealt with the Livermore office (510) 373-0511, but I see on their letterhead that they have locations in Pleasant Hill (510) 935-9797 and San Ramon (510) 838-1024. The person who actually performed the packing and moving was Shawn Stewart, and he was terrific. I don't know if he is still with them or not. I realize this recommendation is rather dated, but I hope it is still a good one. Janie