Cost to Hire Movers in Los Angeles

When you look over your moving quote for the first time, there are a few important factors that make up your final price. Let’s take a look at the major culprits:

• Distance: Whether you’re moving across town or out of state, the distance you’re traveling makes a huge difference. In fact, this may be the most important factor behind your moving price. More miles, more money. Simple.

• Physical dimensions: How much stuff are you moving? The physical dimensions of your move (either in pounds or cubic feet) are probably the second-most important factor behind your LA moving costs. If you’re not moving very far, this becomes #1.

• Packing services: Packing is optional. Should you shell out a couple hundred extra for it (or a couple thousand if you’re moving a huge house)? We recommend it if you value your time and your sanity. Plus, it’s a prerequisite for full-value insurance.

• Storage: Sometimes you need more space, and sometimes you just need more time to sell off the stuff you don’t want anymore. Either way, storage units are your friend. They come with a monthly fee, but some movers offer a free 30 days.

• Insurance: The default moving insurance that you get for free is usually only good for $0.60 per pound. That means your 4-pound laptop is going to give you a whopping $2.40 if it’s broken in transit. Want to get the full value back? You’ll need full-value insurance.

You’ve seen the major factors behind the cost of your move, but there are always other extras and add-ons that can boost the final price. Keep an eye out for the following:

• Access Fees: Long driveways, hallways, elevators, and extra flights of stairs are all additional obstacles that your movers will have to deal with. Expect to pay an extra fee for all these challenges.

• Shuttle Fees: Long-distance movers use semi trucks to transport all of your stuff. Unfortunately, most cities don’t let semis park and block traffic on their crowded little streets. You may have to pay extra for a shuttle to ferry everything to the main truck.

• Specialty Hauling: Fragile items like antiques, pianos, or artwork will have to be specially wrapped and prepared for moving day. Specialty hauling costs more money, but you’ll be thankful you paid extra for the extra TLC.

• Increased Demand: Summer is the peak moving season. Everyone’s trying to move during June, July, and August. This also means every mover is charging a premium during June, July, and August. Try to schedule your move far from holidays or vacation times.

• Tips and Gratuity: Yes, tips are TECHNICALLY optional, but in the moving industry, they’re pretty much the norm. Unless something horrible happens, set aside a 15% to 20% tip to be divvied up across your whole moving team.

You’ve seen the price tag. Now, it’s time to get in touch with some of the best moving companies in Los Angeles. Fortunately, iMoving is here to help.

iMoving is the only platform that lets you shop for LA movers, compare their prices, and book their services entirely online. No need for annoying phone interviews or intrusive in-home estimates. Just tell us more about your move, and let’s get you packing!