Get Quotes from Top Movers in Los Angeles, CA

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Moving Company in Los Angeles?

Per the provisions of the California Household Movers Act, any individual or business that wishes to transport household goods and personal effects to or from a residence in Los Angeles is required to hold a valid Household Mover Permit. These permits are issued at the state level by the California Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS), and they can be obtained by completing an Application for Household Movers Permit Form and submitting this form to:

The completed form can also be submitted via email. Note that a filing fee will be required before this permit can be obtained. Applicants will also be required to pass a written examination, provide proof of insurance and evidence that their vehicles are in good condition, undergo a background check, and provide any additional information that the BHGS may require at the time of the application.

Per Article 8 of the Household Movers Act, parties that provide household goods moving services without possessing a valid BHGS-issued permit can face criminal and administrative penalties of up to $10,000 in fines, up to one year in jail, or a combination of both. Note that homeowners who retain the services of unpermitted movers are also considered to be in violation of the act and can face fines of up to $1,000, jail time of up to three months, or a combination of both.

To this end, you should always confirm that your intended moving company has been duly permitted to operate in Los Angeles before you finalize any hiring arrangements with them. You can do this by utilizing this bureau's online License Search portal. In situations where you intend to relocate out of state, your mover will typically be required to undergo additional registration with the Federal Motor Safety Carrier Administration. You can verify that a moving company has been registered to provide interstate relocation services via this agency's online search portal. You can also contact the BHGS at (916) 999-2041 for additional information on state-required permitting and registration procedures for moving companies in Los Angeles.

It is important to note that, besides obtaining an occupation-related permit from the state's Bureau of Household Goods and Services, movers in Los Angeles must also meet mandatory local business-related requirements before operating in the city. These requirements include obtaining a Business Tax Registration Certificate from the Los Angeles Office of Finance, either online or by submitting a properly completed Business Tax Certificate Application Form via email. Queries concerning mandatory business registration requirements for moving companies that wish to operate in Los Angeles can be directed to the city's Office of Finance at (844) 663-4411.

How Much Do You Charge Compared with Other Movers in Los Angeles?

Finding out how much your intended moving company will charge you is necessary to avoid misunderstandings down the road. Certain factors affect moving costs in Los Angeles, and some of these factors include:

• The size of your home and the volume of your belongings
• The season and date of your move
• The distance between your moving locations
• Location inconveniences, such as narrow entryways and multiple flights of stairs
• The inclusion of specialty items and extra services
• Tips for movers

Moving companies in the city typically calculate their rates based on the distance involved, the size and weight of the items being moved, or the total length of time required to complete the job. Note that the California Bureau of Household Goods and Services sets maximum rates that movers can charge for their services. In situations where these rates may be exceeded, the mover must inform you in writing no later than three days before the move and obtain your consent for the new rates to be charged.

Irrespective of this, you should always request written estimates from at least two or three movers in the city and compare their prices. Be as consistent as possible with each mover when requesting these estimates, as this makes it easier to compare their charges and get the best price for your relocation activities. Another advantage of requesting written estimates is that these estimates are binding on the mover, reducing your chances of being scammed. However, make sure that the movers visually inspect the items to be moved before providing their estimates and that the written estimates show the total estimated charges for your required services.

Transportation and material moving workers in Los Angeles earn an average annual wage of $43,860. The list below compares the hourly average wages earned by these workers in the city against those of transportation and material moving workers in other parts of the State of California as well as several other major cities in the country:

Will You Get a Moving Permit as Required by Los Angeles Regulations?

Movers in Los Angeles are generally required to obtain an Object Move Permit from the city's Bureau of Street Services, and these permits can be obtained in person at:

Note that object move permits are only valid within city limits, and this validity does not include streets or bridges with posted weight limits. Movers that obtain these permits must also comply with certain rules and regulations, which include:

• Carrying the original copy of the permit in the moving vehicle at all times
• Adhering to the approved route listed in the permit
• Operating only within the period stated on the permit. Note that moves are typically not allowed during rainy or foggy weather and on certain holidays, such as Independence Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
• Properly lighting their vehicles with warning lights and signs during night-time moves
• Arranging an inspection with the city's Department of Public Works at least 24 hours before the move for loads with an overall length of more than 110 feet. Moves involving these types of loads are also restricted to 12:00 a.m. - 6:00 a.m.
• Displaying signs that read "CAUTION-LONG LOAD FOLLOWING" and "CAUTION-LONG LOAD AHEAD" ahead and behind the load, respectively, for loads with an overall length that is more than 75 feet. These signs should consist of black letters that are at least four inches and written on a yellow background. They must also be constructed with an appropriate reflectorized material or illuminated with electric lights when traveling at night
• Keeping to the right of the highway centerline at all times. The movers must also stay off shoulders except when they have to enter or leave the highway or in other necessary situations to allow trailing traffic to pass on narrow or winding roads.
• Complying with all applicable parking restrictions as well as any relevant local and state laws and ordinances

Additional information on object move permits can be obtained by contacting the Investigation and Enforcement Division of the Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services at (213) 847-6000.

Depending on the pick-up or drop-off location, movers may also be required to obtain an appropriate parking permit from the Los Angeles Department of Transportation. This department issues three types of parking permits, namely:

• Preferential Parking Permits: these are required for parking in Preferential Parking Districts, which are areas with regulations that are aimed at reducing the impact of non-residential parking
• Oversized Vehicle Permits: these are required for parking in Oversize Vehicle Restricted Areas, which are areas with regulations that limit the parking of vehicles that are more than 22 feet in length or 84 feet in height between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.
• Overnight Parking Permits: these are required for parking in Overnight Parking Districts, which are areas with regulations that limit parking between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. to reduce criminal and public nuisance activities

Queries concerning the procedure and requirements for obtaining parking permits can be directed to the city's Department of Transportation at (866) 561-9742.

What Kind of Moving Services Do You Offer?

You should always confirm the types of moving services a moving company offers before reaching any final agreement. Movers in Los Angeles typically provide three main types of moving services, namely:

• Local Moving: this generally involves moves within the city that are not more than 50 miles from one point to the other
• Long-distance Moving: this involves moves that are more than 50 miles in distance, and it commonly includes moves from Los Angeles to other cities within the State of California
• Interstate Moving: this involves moves from Los Angeles to locations outside the State of California. Some moving companies that provide interstate moving services also provide relocation services to locations outside the United States

To this end, you should always make sure that your preferred moving company is equipped to properly provide the specific type of moving service that you require. It is also a good idea to find out whether the company offers additional services, such as packing and unloading your items or moving specialized items like artwork, antiques, and pianos. Finally,ensuret you are given a written estimate for these services and agree on these charges before your move date.

Cost estimates for common moving services provided by professional moving companies in Los Angeles are listed below:

Do You Provide Packing and Storage Services?

Hiring a moving company that also provides packing and storage services saves you from having to retain the services of multiple companies to provide these services, thereby helping you streamline your moving process. Doing this also spares you the tedious task of having to pack and unpack your items before and after your move and saves you the stress of figuring out if your items will be stored properly in situations where they cannot be moved to your new location immediately. Common situations where storage services are typically required include:

• You intend to move and settle into your new space before moving your items in
• Your new space is not adequate to accommodate all your items
• You lose access to your current location before your move date

Always find out the type of packing and storage services your preferred moving company provides and make sure that you are okay with the scope of these services. Moving companies in Los Angeles generally offer the following packing options:

• Full packing/unpacking
• Partial packing/unpacking
• Used box pick-up and disposal
• Professional box handling and organization

Similarly, these companies offer on-site or warehouse storage and mobile or portable storage options. Whatever your preference, you should always find out how your items will be labeled and stored during the packing and storage, and request an inspection of the storage facility before the items are moved there. Finally, it is a good idea to find out if you can provide your own packing materials and whether doing this will affect the total cost of your relocation activity.

What is an Appropriate Tip for Your Movers in Los Angeles?

While it is not mandatory to tip your movers in Los Angeles, it is customary to do so to appreciate the services they provide. Many homeowners utilize either a percentage-based method or a time-money ratio when tipping movers in the city. The commonly accepted standard for percentage-based tipping is 5% - 20% of the cost of your move, and you can calculate what this cost will amount to when you receive an estimate from the moving company. Likewise, the common time-money ratio utilized by many homeowners in the city is listed below:

• $10 - $20 per mover for four hours of work
• $20 - $40 per mover for eight hours of work
• $40 - $60 per mover for 12 hours of work

You should consider factors like the difficulty of the move, weather conditions, and the size and weight of items being moved when calculating your tips. You can also ask your moving company what they consider an appropriate tip for their movers before finalizing your hiring arrangements with them. Note that you are not obligated to follow their suggestion. It is also a good idea to give these tips to each mover individually. Finally, you should not tip your movers if you are unsatisfied with their services. Some situations where tipping is unacceptable include:

• The movers are late.
• The movers take too many breaks.
• The movers deliberately prolong the work on purpose to increase their fees. This usually happens in cases where they charge hourly rates.
• The movers lose or damage some of your items.
• The movers are rude or disrespectful to you or members of your family.
• The movers do not perform previously agreed-upon services.

When situations like this occur, you should always inform the moving company of their movers' unprofessional behavior.

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Movers in Los Angeles?

Road crashes cost Americans approximately $871 billion annually. Despite the best efforts of moving companies in Los Angeles, there is always the possibility of an accident occurring during your move. In situations where your mover is not adequately insured, these accidents can result in substantial financial losses to you.

To this end, the California Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS) stipulates insurance requirements that moving companies in the city must meet before they offer their services to interested parties. These requirements include carrying minimum liability coverage of $250,000 for bodily injury or death to one person, $500,000 for bodily injury or death to more than one person, and $100,000 for property damage or destruction. Movers may also carry a minimum combined single limit of $600,000 to cover the aforementioned incidents. Finally, movers must carry cargo insurance coverage of at least $20,000 per shipment and state-mandated workers' compensation insurance for any employees they have.

It should be noted that your homeowners' or renters' insurance does not cover relocation-related property damage. As such, you should always ask your intended mover to provide proof of their insurance coverage and contact the relevant insurance provider to validate this proof and confirm that it is adequate for the scope of your relocation activity. Failing to do this can make you liable for any damages or accidents that may occur during your move. You can get additional information on the insurance requirements for Los Angeles moving companies by contacting the BHGS at (916) 999-2041 or via email.

Can You Provide References or Recommendations in Los Angeles?

Professional moving companies in Los Angeles generally do not hesitate to provide their customers with references to past clients, as this is usually an attestation to their reliability. Thus, if your intended moving company cannot provide you with references, this may be a sign that you are dealing with a mover who provides shoddy services, and you should strongly consider looking for another moving company. Note that you should always check any references you are given to ensure they are legit.