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12 Best Moving Companies In Los Angeles

By Jamela Adam MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE

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Moving to a new place is exciting. But let’s be honest: the process of getting all your stuff there? Not so much. Even if you’re just moving down the block, packing up all your belongings, loading them into a truck, and then unloading them again is enough to make you reconsider moving.

Fortunately, hiring professional movers can take a lot of the stress out of the equation. They can take care of all the heavy lifting (literally) and get your belongings from point A to point B. But with so many options, how do you choose the right one? We did some digging and found the best moving companies in Los Angeles.

Our Top Picks for the Best Moving Companies in Los Angeles

Best Moving Companies in Los Angeles Reviews

Tom’s Marathon Mover is an excellent choice for anyone looking to move within the Los Angeles area. They specialize in short-distance local moves and offer several services, including partial-packing, full-packing, and DIY packing using professional-grade packing products.

Apart from residential moves, the company also provides commercial relocation services. So whether you’re moving your restaurant equipment or office furniture, they can help. And since Tom’s Marathon Movers is local to Los Angeles, they have an intimate knowledge of the city that comes in handy when helping you relocate.

The company doesn’t mention flat-rate pricing on their website, but they can give you an estimate of your moving cost if you contact them directly.

We chose Trek Movers as the best company for commercial moves because of their experience in office relocation projects.

Commercial moving is Trek Movers’ specialty, and they’ve successfully relocated businesses of all sizes, from small cubicles to medium-size private offices to entire buildings. They’re a family-owned company, so they don’t subcontract any jobs and are known for their high quality of service.

To perform an office relocation, Trek Movers sends four movers and a truck to your place at an hourly rate of $250. The service includes loading and unloading, assembly, packing and unpacking, free plastic wraps, and more.

If you need a moving company that not only helps you relocate but also stores your belongings, NorthStar Moving is your best bet. The company offers individual storage units that measure 5’x7’x7.5’ and can accommodate most small appliances and furniture. If you have extra-large items like pianos or pool tables, NorthStar Moving can wrap them up and store them in their warehouse.

Also, the company keeps track of your items with an itemized inventory, so you don’t forget what you’ve moved into the storage facility. And if you ever need a specific item from your storage unit, NorthStar Moving can deliver it straight to your home.

If you’ve ever tried to move a piano, you know it’s no small feat. So it’s no surprise that most residential moving companies don’t offer this service. But Adept Moving is the exception. Though the company doesn’t help move Grand Pianos at this time, they can help transport Baby Grand Pianos. Because pianos are delicate instruments and can be damaged if they’re not handled properly, Adept Moving uses special piano boards on its trucks to stabilize the piano during transport.

Keep in mind that Adept Moving might charge a small additional fee depending on factors such as the piano’s condition and where you want it picked up and dropped off. If the piano is located above the ground floor, expect to pay a little extra since movers will have to carry it down the stairs.

American Van Lines is the best company for long-distance moves for many reasons, but one of the biggies is their flat-rate pricing for certain out-of-state moves. If you’re moving from Los Angeles to Houston, for example, you can expect to pay $3,869 for a one-bedroom apartment and $5,354 for a two-bedroom apartment. Though you should always request a binding estimate by contacting the company directly, the transparent flat-rate pricing on their website gives you an idea of what to expect.

American Van Lines operates a fleet of shuttles that run every few days to all major cities, which means you won’t have to wait weeks for your belongings to arrive at your new home. So if you’re looking for the best long-distance moving companies in Los Angeles, check out American Van Lines.

We chose International Van Lines as the best company for full-service moves because of its impressive range of services. Besides packing and unpacking, IVL offers various add-ons such as vehicle and auto transport, storage (long-term & short-term), debris removal, custom crating for fragile items, etc.

However, it’s important to note that International Van Lines operates as both a broker and a carrier. So even though the company directly conducts local moves in Texas and Florida, IVF outsources most of its local moving services in other states. Though IVF’s partners are fully licensed and insured, make sure to still ask your moving coordinator for more information on them before signing any contracts.

If you’re in the military and need to relocate on short notice, consider checking out Good Neighbors Moving. This moving company in Los Angeles offers special packages and discounts for military relocations, making the relocation process pleasant and hassle-free for soldiers. Though Good Neighbors doesn’t specify what’s included in the military relocation packages, they recommend giving them a call to get all the details.

In addition to making your military move easy, the company also offers storage services so you can keep your belongings safe while you’re away on deployment.

As its name suggests, Affordable Moving offers much more affordable rates than its competitors in the industry. To move a one-bedroom home or studio, the company sends two movers and a truck to get the job done, and the rate starts at just $129/hour. For a two-bedroom home, you’ll get the help of three movers and a truck, with a rate of $169/hr. And if you need help moving a three-bedroom home or a large office, the rate starts at $209/hr.

Remember that there’s a three-hour minimum to book, regardless of your home size. So technically, the lowest rate starts at $387 — which is still much lower than other companies’ pricing. And for long-distance moves, the company offers one month of free storage so you can take your time getting settled in without worrying about storage costs.

We believe Man With A Truck Moving is the clear winner when it comes to finding a professional moving company with the best customer service. The company has received overwhelmingly positive customer feedback on third-party review sites such as Yelp — with a 4.9 average rating. Many customers mentioned how professional and friendly the staff was and how they went out of their way to accommodate special requests.

Besides great customer service, Man With A Truck Moving Company also offers competitive rates. For residential moves, the hourly cost ranges from $129 to $234, which is quite affordable. Plus, the company provides free moving supplies such as shrink wrap and tape and doesn’t charge extra for stairs.

Looking for a moving company that’ll give you the best bang for your buck? Check out LA Moving Star. For as little as $106 an hour, you can hire two movers and a truck to haul your stuff across town. And for larger moves that require four movers and a truck, the price is still affordable compared to other companies — only $196/hr.

But that’s not all. Apart from local residential and office moves, the company even provides small move services for those who only need help with a single item, like a mattress or sofa. And if you’re ever in a rush and need to move your stuff ASAP, the company also offers emergency packing and storage services to make your last-minute relocation as stress-free as possible.

Not all moving companies physically perform the move themselves. Some companies — known as brokers — outsource the work to other businesses. Since brokers have access to a network of different moving companies, they can often get you a better deal. If you’re looking for a broker to connect you with the best mover in town, we think Moving APT is an option worth considering. With a network of more than 2,500 independent moving companies, Moving APT is one of the largest brokers in the moving industry.

The company vets all its partners to ensure they have the licenses and registration to operate legally in the area. Most companies they work with also provide specialty services such as packing, unloading, auto transport, and antique moving. If you want a ballpark estimate of how much your relocation will cost, you can use their online quote tool at the bottom of their homepage.

Moving expenses can put a serious dent in your wallet. If you dread the cost of your upcoming move, consider working with JK Moving Services. Unlike most moving companies that don’t offer financial assistance programs, JK Moving partners with Enhancify, a financing solution provider that provides financing options to qualified applicants. If you have a good credit score, DTI ratio, and income, you might be able to finance your move with zero percent interest.

Keep in mind that Ehancify’s partner network consists of many lending partners, so eligibility requirements may vary. The best way to figure out if you qualify is to get pre-approved. But don’t worry: pre-approval won’t affect your credit score since it only involves a soft credit pull.

Other companies we considered

Here is a list of other companies we considered but ultimately decided not to go with.

Move Happy

Excalibur Moving Company

REAL RocknRoll Moves

Moving Companies in Los Angeles Guide

We’ve put together this quick guide to help you find the best moving companies in Los Angeles to make your relocation as smooth as possible.

Main things to know before moving in Los Angeles

  • Understand the services you need: Before you start packing up your life into cardboard boxes, you need to decide what kind of move you’re making. Are you moving long-distance or within the city? How much stuff do you have? Do you need a full-service moving company to handle everything, or do you prefer to be more hands-on?
  • Compare multiple quotes: Don’t just go with the first company you find; compare prices and services to find the best deal. Remember to factor in additional service costs like furniture disassembly and storage. These can add up, so include them in your budgeting.
  • Get rid of unwanted stuff: By decluttering and throwing out the things you don’t need, you can save money on moving costs. You don’t want to pay to move things you’re just going to get rid of anyway.

What is the average cost of moving companies in Los Angeles?

If you’re planning a local move in LA, you can expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $1,000 for a two-bedroom apartment. However, the actual quote you receive will depend on several factors, such as the size of the load, the number of movers you need, and how many hours it will take to complete the move. If you have many specialty items — such as antiques and fine art — that are difficult to move, you can expect to pay even more. And for long-distance moves, expect to shell out anywhere from $2,500 to around $7,000.

How to avoid moving scams in Los Angeles

To avoid moving scams in Los Angeles, do your homework before choosing a company. Check online reviews, ask friends and family for recommendations, and see if the company is licensed. Sites like Yelp and Angie’s List can be great resources for finding honest reviews from other customers.

Once you’ve chosen a moving company, read the contract carefully before signing it. Pay attention to any hidden fees or unexpected charges. If something doesn’t seem right, don’t hesitate to ask questions or walk away.

Before the movers start packing your belongings, get everything in writing. The written document must include an estimate of the total cost and a list of all the services offered. That way, you can avoid being charged for services not part of the original agreement.

Is there any special law for moving companies in Los Angeles?

Yes. The Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS) regulates moving companies in California and has set rules regarding estimates, prices, and complaints. Here’s what you need to know:

  1. Moving companies must provide you with an estimate in writing after they’ve conducted a visual inspection of your items. Verbal estimates or estimates given over the Internet are not binding.
  2. Moving companies must provide a “Not to Exceed” price for your move. In other words, they can’t charge you more than the estimate unless you request additional services.
  3. If you have a problem with your move or want to file a complaint against a moving company, visit www.bhgs.dca.ca.gov. The BHGS will investigate and take appropriate action if necessary.

How do I know if a moving company is legit in Los Angeles?

In California, all legitimate moving companies must be licensed by the Bureau of Household Goods and Services. So if you’re unsure about the company, you can always do a quick license search using their carrier ID. You can also look up the company’s complaint history on the Better Business Bureau website. And lastly, try to visit the moving company in person and talk to them about your move — a legitimate business should be able to answer all your questions and put your mind at ease.

How we found the best moving companies in Los Angeles

We considered several factors to compile our list of the best moving services in Los Angeles. First, we read the customer reviews on Yelp and Angie’s list to get a more well-rounded view of each company. We also ensured each of our top picks has a good track record with the Better Business Bureau and that they’re all licensed and insured. Next, we prioritized companies that offer a wide range of services so that every customer can find what they’re looking for. Lastly, we looked at pricing to find companies that provide good value without charging an arm and a leg.

Summary of the best moving companies in Los Angeles of 2022

Jamela Adam

Jamela Adam is a personal finance writer covering topics such as savings, mortgages, investing, student loans, and more. Her work has appeared on Clever Girl Finance, RateGenius, SuperMoney, and Mint Intuit, among other publications.