The BEST Movers in Lake Forest, CA (2024 Guide)
Our Top Pick: If you're moving locally in Lake Forest, CA our top pick is Terry Moving and Storage Inc.. We've rated them 4.86 out of 5 stars. If your move extends beyond Lake Forest, our well-curated guide on the best movers in California is a valuable resource.
The key to a successful move in Lake Forest is choosing the right movers. Whether you're relocating within Lake Forest, across California, or seeking the best interstate moving companies for an out-of-state move, our unbiased reviews will help you choose the right moving company for you.
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 rating
 
4.25 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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How we chose the best movers in Lake Forest, CA
moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 279 California movers and listed the top five best movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.
Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.
Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.
Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.
Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 2,500+ moving companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving & auto transport grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
Best movers for those moving locally in Lake Forest, CA
- Terry Moving and Storage Inc.: 4.86 out of 5
- Maison Moving: 4.8 out of 5
- NorthStar Moving Company : 4.66 out of 5
- Qshark Moving Company Inc: 4.66 out of 5
- Safe-Way Moving Inc: 4.62 out of 5
Terry Moving and Storage Inc.
rating
4.86 / 5
DOT #: 649215
Years in Business: 28
25958 Commercentre Dr, Lake Forest, CA 92630Terry Moving and Storage Inc., located in Lake Forest, CA, has been a trusted name in local residential moving services since 1997. With outstanding consumer reviews—235 on Yelp with an average rating of 4.7 and 141 on Google My Business with an average rating of 4.9, plus an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau—they’re a standout choice among local movers. Unlike many competitors, they offer a comprehensive range of services, including packing, unpacking, and the specialized handling of fragile items, as well as piano and pool table moving. No deposit is required and they accept credit cards, simplifying the moving process for their clients.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 649215
- State license #: 189603
Alternative Business Names
- Terry Moving and Storage Inc
- Richards Moving Company
- Orange County Storage Movers
Maison Moving
rating
4.8 / 5
DOT #: 76628
Years in Business: 16
1371 Santa Fe Dr., Tustin, CA 92780Maison Moving, a trusted local residential moving company based in Tustin, CA, has been serving the community since 2008. Known for its reliability and professionalism, Maison Moving stands out among nearby competitors with an impressive average rating of 4.6 on Google and 4.4 on Yelp, alongside an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. The company not only offers local moving services but also specializes in office moves, packing and unpacking services, and can handle delicate items like pianos, art, and antiques. Clients appreciate that no deposit is required, and they accept credit cards, making the moving process as convenient as possible.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 76628
- State license #: 0190726
Alternative Business Names
- Orange County Movers Inc
- College Boys Moving and Storage of Orange County
- Affordable Moving and Storage of Orange County
Local Associations
NorthStar Moving Company
rating
4.66 / 5
DOT #: 1836576
Years in Business: 30
300 Spectrum Center Dr Ste 400, Irvine, CA 92618NorthStar Moving Company has been a trusted name in local residential moving services around Irvine, CA, since 1996. This well-established company stands out with its exceptional consumer reviews, boasting an impressive 4.8-star rating on Yelp and 4.7-star rating on Google, alongside an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Unlike many nearby movers, NorthStar also offers comprehensive packing and unpacking services, along with the capability to handle delicate items like pianos, art, and antiques. With flexible payment options, including cash and credit cards, and no deposit required, NorthStar makes moving stress-free and reliable for its clients.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
Additional Information
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1836576
- State license #: 0182466
Alternative Business Names
- NorthStar Moving Corporation
Qshark Moving Company Inc
rating
4.66 / 5
DOT #: 2758929
Years in Business: 10
2618 San Miguel Dr, #295, Newport Beach, CA 92660Qshark Moving Company Inc, established in 2016, offers exceptional local residential moving services in and around Newport Beach, CA. Known for its reliable and professional service, Qshark stands out with an impressive average rating of 4.7 from 256 Google reviews and a top-tier Better Business Bureau rating of A+. Unlike many competitors, they provide comprehensive packing, unpacking, and crating services, and can handle specialty items such as pianos and antiques. With no deposit required and full valuation insurance coverage, Qshark Moving Company ensures a seamless and trustworthy moving experience.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2758929
- State license #: 0191490
Alternative Business Names
- Qshark Movers
- Shark Moving Compnay
- Shark Movers
Safe-Way Moving Inc
rating
4.62 / 5
DOT #: 70719
Years in Business: 16
15041 Bake Pkwy Ste I, Irvine, CA 92618Safe-Way Moving Inc has been a trusted name in local residential moving services in and around Irvine, CA since 2008. With an impressive 4.8-star average rating from 379 Yelp reviews and a 4.5-star average from 49 Google reviews, Safe-Way Moving Inc stands out from other local movers. They also boast an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Known for their comprehensive services, they provide packing, unpacking, and crating services, and can handle specialty items such as pianos and antiques. Accepting both cash and credit cards, Safe-Way Moving Inc ensures a flexible payment process. The company's strong reputation and extensive service offerings make them a dependable choice for your local moving needs.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
Additional Information
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 70719
- State license #: 0190459
Alternative Business Names
- Safe-Way Moving & Storage
- Safe Way Moving and Storage
Local Associations
Best movers for those moving out of California
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5
- BLVD Moving: 4.25 out of 5
- PODS: 4.8 out of 5
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
- Family owned & operated
- Affordable pricing
- Binding estimates
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
Alternative Lake Forest moving options
Moving Containers
- Long distance moves only
- Only pay for the space you use
- No deposit or initial fees
- Fast delivery time frames
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
Labor Only
- HireAHelper: 4.5 out of 5
- Bellhop: 4.3 out of 5
- First call quoting, get a quote in just a couple of minutes
- Rates are typically 20-40% lower than the industry averages
- $1,000 money-back service guarantee
- Fast and accurate delivery times
- Free damage coverage with additional coverage options
- Quick and easy booking process
- National 4.75/5 star rating (these guys are good at what they do)
- Dedicated move concierge specialist
- Pay as you go service. 2-hour minimum and then prorated down to the minute
- The time clock starts when the movers arrive and ends when you tell them
Full DIY
- U-Haul Truck Rental: 4.15 out of 5
- Penske Truck Rental: 4 out of 5
- More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
- Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
- Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
- U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
- Limits environmental impact as part of the EPA's SmartWay Program
- Non-slip flooring makes loading and unloading easier
- Easily choose truck size with their Truck Wizard Tool
Average cost of movers in Lake Forest, CA
Take a look at the pricing table below to get a general idea of the costs associated with local moves in and around the Lake Forest area. For more details, you can also check out our guide on the moving costs in California.
Please note that the moving quotes provided in the table are rough estimates, and your actual costs may differ depending on the unique needs of your move. For a more precise estimate, consider using our moving cost calculator.
| Home Size | Avg. Total Cost | Cost/hour | # of Movers | # Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $293 | $101 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
| 1 Bedroom | $397 | $104 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
| 2 Bedroom | $619 | $143 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
| 3 Bedroom | $1,370 | $204 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
| 4 Bedroom | $1,617 | $198 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
| 5+ Bedroom | $2,420 | $276 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
FAQs
How do I know if my mover is properly licensed?
When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice.
All of the movers on our list are properly licensed. Take a look at our best movers in California list for more recommendations.
How do I find a reputable Lake Forest mover?
Looking for a reliable Lake Forest moving company can be difficult, but there are certain things to consider to ensure you choose a trustworthy mover. These include:
- Reputation: A mover's reputation is crucial, whether they're a new mom-and-pop business or a seasoned van lines company.
- Dispute resolution: It's best to avoid movers with lots of unresolved customer complaints. Every Lake Forest moving company will face customer issues. The best companies resolve customer disputes in a timely manner.
- Experience for your move: Even if a mover has great reviews for local moves, they may not have the experience needed to handle a cross-country move. Check if they have experience with the type of move you require.
Do Lake Forest moving companies handle long distance moves?
Some of the moving companies that service Lake Forest can handle long distance moves, while others only offer local moving services. If you're moving out of state, see our list of the best long distance movers in Lake Forest.
What is the cheapest day to hire a mover in Lake Forest, CA?
The earlier you book your move from Lake Forest, the better. Avoid weekends, holidays, and peak moving seasons (summer) to save money. Beware of choosing a mover solely based on the lowest quote, as some companies may low-ball their initial quote and raise the price significantly on moving day.
Learn more: The cheapest time to move
Do Lake Forest movers offer storage?
Most Lake Forest moving companies offer short and long-term storage solutions. However, keep in mind that some Lake Forest movers use third-party warehouses to store your items. It's best to ask about storage options and pricing when screening potential movers.
Learn more: Should you use your mover's storage solutions?
Helpful Lake Forest Resources
Lake Forest Moving Services
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