Settle Into the West Coast With These Los Angeles Moving Companies

Final Verdict

While there isn't any shortage of moving companies in and around the city of L.A, your move demands a company with extensive experience in the area, a long list of moving solutions, and the right connections to make your move go as smoothly as possible amid the chaos. The major moving company that showcases these attributes best is Atlas Van Lines. Besides its experience and capacity to provide exceptional service for moves of any size or distance, Atlas Van Lines can cater to both residential and commercial small-move customers that are so prevalent in the area. 

The company also has movers that are specially trained to pack and transport fragile items, putting your mind at ease if you have any valuables. Like most competitors on our list, Atlas Van Lines does use third-party agents for local moves within L.A., but you can trust that these movers know the streets of L.A. well enough to navigate them without any hassle.

Compare the Best Moving Companies in Los Angeles

How to Choose a Moving Company in Los Angeles

Choosing the best moving company for any kind of move can be daunting, but moving to L.A. adds the extra challenge of identifying a mover that can function efficiently in a sprawling, busy place. Consider the following criteria when looking at different moving companies that offer services in L.A.

Service Area

Whether you're moving locally, long-distance, across state borders, or internationally, start your potential moving company list with providers that service L.A. If you're moving locally, strongly consider using a local mover or a local independent agent of a major moving company. Local movers will have the necessary skills and knowledge to efficiently complete moves within L.A.

Additional Services

If you're planning a large move to L.A. or don't want to deal with packing or loading, you'll likely want to find a moving company that does these tasks for you. Additional services you may consider for moves of any size or distance include packing and loading, vehicle shipping, moving fragile items, or debris cleanup. A quick search of a company's website will provide information about what kinds of services it offers, and how much it'll cost. Many companies also have an online chat or phone number you can contact to get more details about specific services. 

Availability

Moving companies are often busy, especially during the summer months—and L.A. is no exception. If you can postpone moving until the less active months (think late fall or winter), you may have an easier time getting on the mover's schedule, and you could save money since you'll avoid peak-season rates. That aside, if you know your moving date, check with your potential moving company to ensure it has time to dedicate to your move. 

Reputation and Reviews

If you're hiring a moving company in L.A., it's best to always check the service's reputation to get an overall picture of the company. Checking local and online reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website, or asking people you know who've made the move to L.A. are great places to start. When reading reviews, look for how the company handles complaints and whether the resolutions sound satisfactory. 

Price

Your move to L.A. doesn't necessarily have to cost a fortune, but it's not likely to be completely inexpensive. You can shop around for a mover by getting a quick estimate from each of your potential companies. Remember that the rough estimate provided is only an educated guess and can be subject to change if you forget to list any furniture or boxes. Choose several companies that fall into your price range based on the preliminary information, and ask each for a detailed quote. Afterward, compare which companies you feel are worth their price in order to come to a decision.

License and Insurance

It's not unheard of for a moving company to forgo acquiring proper licensing and insurance before taking your money with ill intentions. Even if you think you're familiar with the companies on your list, don't be afraid to ask for proof of business liability insurance and registration with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association, especially if you're crossing state lines to enter L.A. Every good moving company knows that you're placing your trust in it, so there shouldn't be any major issues with showing proper documentation to ease your stress. If a company is trying to dodge your questions or request for credentials, move on to the next candidate. 

Breaking Down the Cost of an L.A. Move

The cost of moving into, out of, or locally in L.A. depends on how much stuff you're moving, how far it's going, and the moving services you choose. Although prices tend to vary, there are general cost factors that will likely affect the amount of money you'll spend on your move.

Packing and Loading

The time it takes to pack your belongings is the most significant cost factor when you hire a company to do the task for you. Full-service moving typically involves packing, loading, and unloading your items. Although the cost of this optional service will show up as part of your total invoice, your moving company will usually calculate the charges at an hourly rate. 

Distance

The distance you're moving matters less if you're moving locally within L.A., and the total cost will mostly come from the amount of time it takes to load and unload your belongings. However, long-distance and interstate moves to L.A. will be more expensive as most moving companies will charge more for transporting your items across greater distances. 

Storage Cost

If your move to L.A. involves short- or long-term storage for some or all of your possessions, prepare to dish out a couple of extra dollars. Typically, large units will cost more than smaller ones—not to mention the amount of time you plan to rent a unit will affect your total price as well. However, long-distance moving companies may offer discounts if you use their storage facilities. 

Vehicle and Specialty Moving

If you need an automobile transported to your new home in L.A., prepare to spend extra money for this service. Additionally, the moving of specialty, fragile, or oversized items is subject to highly variable rates based on the specifics of handling each one. Compare quotes for such services when deciding on a moving company.

Additional Costs

Your move may be subject to several additional costs such as fuel charges, climbing stairs, or toll road travel. Sometimes additional costs aren't apparent during the pricing stage of your move, so be sure to discuss situations that could trigger higher prices with your moving company before signing a contract. 

L.A. Moving Company Red Flags

Choosing a moving company in Los Angeles is hard enough without worrying about entities that could try to take advantage of unaware moving customers. Unfortunately, the threat is real, but there are several red flags to look for when choosing a mover. If your candidate company displays any of the following attributes, simply walk away and find another company. 

• The company won't show proof of liability insurance for any move and isn't registered with the FMCSA if your move involves more than one state.
• The pricing bid is far below other bids or seems too good to be true.
• The company has no reviews or terrible reviews. Alternatively, if the company has a small number of over-the-top reviews, they're likely fake reviews.
• The company refuses to provide a breakdown of the costs associated with your move. 
• You aren't offered a method of contacting the truck driver. 
• The company demands an excessive deposit amount or asks to be paid before all services are complete.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Day Is Cheapest to Hire Movers in L.A.?

The least expensive time to hire movers in L.A. is during the winter months on weekdays, excluding Fridays. Weekday pricing for movers doesn't tend to vary between weekdays (i.e., Monday won't cost more than Wednesday) unless a company offers a promotion. 

What Is the Most Cost-Effective Way to Move in L.A.?

The least expensive way to move in Los Angeles is to find a friend with a truck and load it yourself. Barring access to a free truck, a rental truck is the next cheapest option. If you want to save even more money, renting a storage or moving container that you can transport yourself will be your best bet.

What Is the Quickest Way to Move in L.A.?

The quickest way to move is to do it yourself and not rely on anyone else's schedule. Container moving is the best method for this type of move since it allows you to pack, load, and transport your belongings on your own schedule.

Do You Pay Movers Before or After a Move?

For long-distance or international moves, you'll likely have to pay a deposit and other fees before your move. In all other situations—besides a minimal deposit for some companies—you'll always pay your movers after the move is complete. 

What's an Appropriate Amount to Tip Movers in L.A.?

Tipping between $10 to $100 per mover is a good place to start. However, like most major cities, an appropriate tipping amount in L.A. is 15 to 20 percent of the cost of your move, divided between the crew members. However, always be sure to tip your movers, they're literally doing all the heavy lifting after all.

How Do You Know If an L.A. Moving Company Is Legit?

The simplest way to know if a moving company in L.A. is legitimate is to simply look them up on the BBB website to see if the company actually exists. While some reputable services might not be registered with the BBB, you can do some research on your own via the internet and reviews to get a good idea if a company is worth your time.

What Will Movers Not Take?

Moving companies will handle almost all of your belongings, but there are some things even the best movers aren't allowed to handle. Generally, movers can't transport hazardous or flammable materials including:

• Gasoline or diesel
• Propane or pressurized tanks
• Oxygen tanks
• Paints and paint thinners or other solvents 
• Fireworks and matches
• Equipment with fuel in the tank
• Automotive batteries
  

Methodology

In order to compile a list of the best moving companies in Los Angeles, our research team made dozens of customer service calls and enlisted the help of data collectors to fill in the blanks for more than 30 criteria points. These included nationwide availability, storage options, valuation coverage offerings, and customer support channels. Each criteria point was assigned a weight, then grouped into one of six categories:

• Customer experience (23 percent) 
• Coverage and types of moves offered (20 percent)
• Moving services (20 percent)
• Pricing/price transparency (20 percent)
• Insurance/protection (10 percent)
• Reputation (7 percent)
  

Scores were calculated based on these weights, and companies were ultimately given a rating out of five stars. To ensure that the information presented is accurate, two or more data collectors verified the research. This page will be updated with any changes to the highlighted companies' offerings.