10 best movers in Watsonville, California

International Van Lines is the best long-distance moving company for relocating out of California. If you're moving around Watsonville, use the filters below to find other movers in your area.

Long-distance movers in Watsonville

A long-distance move means moving more than 50 miles away or from one state to another. When moving across state boundaries, make sure your moving company has the proper federal licensing. Interstate movers are required to have United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. You can use the USDOT number, MC number or mover's name to confirm a carrier’s licensing status in the FMCSA’s database.

We’ve confirmed that the long-distance moving firms below are actively licensed. These reliable movers can help get you and your belongings safely and efficiently across state lines.

Featured

4.7

Our Rating

Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.

• Includes one month of storage with long-distance moves
• Lists add-on service costs online
• Services all 50 states

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4.7

Our Rating

Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.

• Operates exclusively as a carrier
• Runs shuttles for moves between major cities
• Offers storage for high-value items and antiques

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3.7

Our Rating

Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.

• Offers flat rates for all long-distance moves
• Has secure storage facilities with 24/7 surveillance
• Includes packing and storage in all quotes

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Why is moving so expensive?

The average hourly moving rate for relocating within or out of Watsonville is higher than the national average, making itrelatively expensive. This makes sense given that the cost of living in Watsonville is higher than 97.0% of the country.

Moving expenses add up fast based on what services you need. Here are some common moving costs:

• Junk removal
• Professional labor
• Supplies
• Fuel
• Storage
• Packing

These additional factors can cause your total cost to rise even more:

Transporting specialty items

When hiring a moving companiy, you may have to pay more for moving fragile, valuable or very large items. These items commonly are more expensive to move:

• Safes
• Family heirlooms or antiques
• Pianos
• Heavy pieces of furniture or technology
• Artwork and sculptures

Find out from potential movers whether they move these items and if so, how much they charge.

Tipping your movers

While tipping movers isn’t mandatory, it's common to tip if they provide good service. For local moves, a standard tip is $5���$10 per mover per hour. For long-distance moves, tip $20–$40 per mover per day.

Unexpected delays

Delays happen. Transportation emergencies, bad weather, limited supplies and traffic can all add time and money to your move. Delays are unpredictable, but you can prepare for them by having a flexible schedule and allocating 25% more than your movers quote you to your budget.

How to save money on moving costs

Keeping the following tips in mind can save you money on moving in Watsonville.

Be communicative

To prevent unexpected charges on your moving day, maintain open communication with your movers, especially about items you add to your inventory after getting a quote from the movers.

For example, small items can usually be added to the truck without a problem, but large items — like new furniture or appliances — need to be discussed beforehand. The movers may charge more for those items and won’t begin your move until you’ve agreed to the additional charges.

Have a flexible schedule

Reliable, budget-friendly movers are highly sought after. Consider moving in the off-season or during the week to save some money and still get your preferred moving company.

Most people hire movers from May through September. If your timeline is flexible, moving during slower months may result in lower rates or less competition.

Consider alternatives to professional movers

There are several alternatives if you can't find a cost - effective mover that meets your needs.

You can move by yourself, but consider the following costs along with the labor required:

• Moving truck rental
• Fuel
• Packing supplies

You may also need to ask family, friends or neighbors for help moving bulky or heavy items such as furniture. Movers are worth the cost if you lack the time or anyone to help you move.

Hiring movers on service marketplaces such as Fiverr or Thumbtack is another option. While hiring hourly help can be cheaper, these gig workers may not have the necessary licensing or insurance coverage.

FAQ about moving in Watsonville

What’s full-service moving?

Hiring full-service movers means they will take care of every part of the moving process, including providing packing supplies, packing your belongings, transporting them and unpacking them.

Full-service moving is pricier than services that only include loading and transporting your belongings, but it can be worth the extra cost considering the time, labor and packing supplies you'll save. Additionally, full-service moving can offer more comprehensive insurance coverage, as self-packed goods are generally only covered up to 60 cents per dollar, and it can be difficult to get a claim accepted for self-packed damaged items.

How do you know a mover is licensed?

Legitimate moving companies will show proof of registration on all trucks, documents and facilities. Interstate moves require USDOT and MC numbers, so be sure to vet their registration thoroughly before hiring movers by visiting the official FMCSA website. Moving companies in California are also required to have a license from the California Bureau of Household Goods and Services.

How does moving insurance work?

You should also look into a mover's insurance policies. Released-value coverage applies to all moves, which insures 60 cents per pound per item. Also consider full-value protection coverage if you're moving high-worth goods — just be aware that these plans cost extra.

When is the best time of year to move?

The warmer months — May through September — are the prime time to move in the U.S., which results in considerably increased demand and significantly higher rates across the country for moves of all kinds. With good reason, this may steer you away from a summer move due to the higher cost.

We suggest scheduling your move in the spring or early fall months to take advantage of pleasant weather and lower costs for moving services.

What things should I leave to the movers, and what should I transport myself?

On moving day, carry personal documents like financial records and identification documents in your own car. Additionally, we recommend keeping any valuable electronics, such as laptops, with you instead of on the moving truck.

Moving businesses often restrict insurance coverage on costly items, like jewelry and heirlooms. Bring irreplaceable and valuable possessions in your own car if you're nervous about loss or damage.

Most movers refuse to transport certain items, including these:

• Perishable foods and produce
• Flammable chemicals of any kind
• Fuel sources
• Compressed tanks or gas
• Aerosols
• Toxic chemicals or cleaners
• Batteries
• Plants
• Fertilizers

Our methodology for selecting moving companies

The Homefront Local team employs a proprietary scoring algorithm that evaluates companies based on key factors you value, such as average customer review ratings and trustworthiness indicators. Our method for determining trust involves a comparative analysis of the number of reviews a company receives compared to its local competitors. This leads to companies that have earned more trust from your local community being awarded a higher score.

We review national moving providers against our full moving methodology. We score movers based on reputation and customer experience, service availability, cost and pricing practices, insurance options, customer service and communication.