Santa Cruz, CA - Best Moving Companies Near Me
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: Our top pick for local moves in Santa Cruz, CA, is Scarr Moving & Storage, Inc., thanks to their reputation for quality customer service and specialized handling of pianos and antiques. If you’re moving out of California to another state, we recommend Safeway Moving in terms of overall value.
- Best Santa Cruz-based mover: Scarr Moving & Storage, Inc.
- Best interstate mover: Safeway Moving
- Best moving container: PODS
- Best labor-only mover: HireAHelper
- Best rental truck: U-Haul Truck Rental
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Our track record
Best movers for those moving locally in Santa Cruz, CA
- Scarr Moving & Storage, Inc.: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Lambert & Son Moving: 4.58 out of 5 stars
- Fairprice Movers: 4.34 out of 5 stars
- 831 Movers: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Southwest Moving: 4.14 out of 5 stars
- Professional and polite staff (49%)
- Efficient service (47%)
- Excellent communication (42%)
- Damage to items (19%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (16%)
- Unexpected charges (14%)
Company Info
State license #: 0095753
Years in Business: 59
DOT #: 44159
Scarr Moving & Storage, Inc. has been a trusted name in local residential moving services in and around Salinas, CA, since 1966. With consistent high ratings on Yelp (4.6) and Google My Business (4.4), and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, the company is known for its reliability and customer satisfaction. While many local movers might struggle with complex moves, Scarr Moving & Storage excels, offering specialized services such as piano, hot tub, and antique moving. Additionally, they stand out by accepting credit cards, requiring no deposit, and providing shipment tracking, making them a convenient and reputable choice for your local moving needs.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service (34%)
- Professional and polite staff (28%)
- Careful handling (26%)
- Damage to items (18%)
- Lack of communication (15%)
- Unexpected charges (12%)
Company Info
State license #: 0189973
Years in Business: 20
DOT #: 3528657
Lambert & Son Moving, a Santa Cruz-based company, has been providing top-notch local residential moving services since 2006. This reputable company stands out with an impressive average rating of 4.8 across 170 Yelp reviews and 65 Google reviews, and holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. In addition to their primary services, they offer packing, unpacking, and crating services, and are adept at moving specialty items like pianos, hot tubs, and antiques. Lambert & Son Moving accepts credit cards, though a deposit is required, distinguishing their comprehensive and reliable service from other local competitors.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Professional and polite staff (37%)
- Efficient service (31%)
- Careful handling (29%)
- Unexpected charges (20%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (16%)
- Lack of communication (12%)
Company Info
State license #: 0190880
Years in Business: 12
DOT #: 2192738
Fairprice Movers, established in 2012, offers top-notch local residential moving services in and around Santa Cruz, CA. They distinguish themselves from other local movers by providing a comprehensive suite of offerings that include packing, unpacking, and specialized services for moving pianos, art, and antiques. With a stellar reputation backed by an average rating of 4.8 on Yelp and 4.9 on Google, and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, Fairprice Movers stands out as a trusted and reliable choice. Unlike some competitors, they accept credit cards and require no deposit, making your moving process smooth and hassle-free.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service (44%)
- Professional and polite staff (36%)
- Good communication (32%)
- Damage to items (16%)
- Unexpected charges (12%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (8%)
Company Info
State license #: 0191403
Years in Business: 7
Alternate Names: Services On Demand
831 Movers, a reputable local moving company based in Santa Cruz, CA, has been providing stellar residential moving services since 2017. Widely recognized for their exceptional customer satisfaction, they boast an impressive average rating of 5.0 on Yelp and 4.9 on Google My Business, though their Better Business Bureau rating remains NR. Unlike many nearby companies, 831 Movers offers a comprehensive array of services, including packing, unpacking, and specialized moving services for delicate items like pianos, antiques, and art. They also accept flexible payment options such as credit cards and money orders, with no deposit required, making them a convenient and reliable choice for local moves.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and polite staff (53%)
- Quick moving process (47%)
- Careful handling (47%)
- Lack of communication (6%)
- Unfriendly or rude staff (6%)
- Damage to items (6%)
Company Info
State license #: 0191389
DOT #: 1922488
Southwest Moving stands out as a top-tier local moving company in Santa Cruz, CA, specializing in residential moves. With an impressive average rating of 5.0 from 142 Yelp reviews and 12 Google My Business reviews, they have established a strong reputation for excellence. Unlike many nearby movers, Southwest Moving also offers specialized services such as packing, unpacking, and crating, and they are equipped to handle delicate items like pianos and art. Payment flexibility is a plus, accepting money orders, cash, and credit cards, though a deposit is required. For those seeking reliable and comprehensive local moving services, Southwest Moving proves to be a superior choice.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Crating
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Best movers for those moving out of California
As you may guess, interstate — or out-of-state — moves are those that cross state lines. Movers must meet certain federal licensing requirements and standards to handle interstate moves. Consider one of these highly rated, fully licensed interstate moving companies if you’re leaving California for a new state:
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.75 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- 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
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- Fragile packing
- Storage options
- 24/7 shipment tracking
- Quick & efficient
- Accurate quotes
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
Best moving containers in Santa Cruz, CA
Moving containers offer a hybrid DIY solution that falls somewhere between a full-service moving company and a rental truck. With moving containers, you won’t have the help of a moving crew (you’ll have to do the loading and unloading) but you will get the benefit of a professional driver — a perk that doesn’t come with renting a truck.
Container costs in Santa Cruz vary depending on how many containers you need and how far you’re moving. Be sure to get moving quotes from multiple companies so you can best compare prices and services.
We recommend starting with these two top-tier moving container companies:
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Long distance moves only
- Only pay for the space you use
- No deposit or initial fees
- Fast delivery time frames
Best rental trucks for your Santa Cruz, CA move
If you’re looking for the cheapest way to move out of state or locally in Santa Cruz, a moving truck rental is your best option. On average, a truck rental in California costs a base rate of $19–$39 a day and a fee of $0.89–$1.39 per mile.
While you’ll certainly save money by renting a truck rather than hiring full-service movers or using a moving container, you will ultimately be responsible for every aspect of your move — including the driving.
We recommend these top truck rental companies for a full DIY move:
- 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
Labor-only movers in Santa Cruz, CA
Labor-only companies can be helpful if you are using a moving container or rental truck but still want some assistance with the heavy lifting. A labor-only mover will provide you with a moving crew to load and unload your items, and you can also pay for additional packing support, as well as disassembly and reassembly of furniture, fitness equipment, and electronics.
Check out our picks for labor-only companies in Santa Cruz:
- 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
Top-rated movers in nearby cities
How we chose the best movers in Santa Cruz
How do I find a reputable Santa Cruz mover?
If you’re looking for the best movers in Santa Cruz, here’s what you should look for:
- A good reputation: Whether they’re a new family-owned business in Santa Cruz or a large van lines company with years of experience operating all over California, a good reputation is absolutely essential. Watch out for red flags and common moving scams.
- Look into dispute resolution: All businesses may have some hiccups, but it's how they handle these incidents that shows the company’s true colors. If a mover in Santa Cruz has a history of unresolved customer complaints, it might be best to look elsewhere.
- Ensure experience aligns with your move: A mover with excellent reviews for local moves in Santa Cruz may not be the best interstate moving company. Verify that the company has adequate experience with the type of move you're planning.
- Get multiple estimates: Reputable Santa Cruz movers should provide a free estimate for your move. Getting moving quotes from multiple companies will give you a good idea of a fair price for the services you need.
Fortunately, the Santa Cruz movers on this list all pass this checklist with flying colors and have been hand selected by our experts at moveBuddha.
If you want to broaden your search to the whole state, check out the best moving companies in California.
Average cost of movers in Santa Cruz, California
The pricing table below shows ballpark costs for local moves within the Santa Cruz area and its surrounding suburbs. Or check out our post on the cost to move in California for more pricing info.
Keep in mind the price ranges listed are only averages. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the specific requirements of your move.
You can also check out our moving cost calculator for more accurate moving cost estimate.
Local moving costs in Santa Cruz
If you’re moving within 50 miles of Santa Cruz, it’s considered a local move. The cost of a rental truck combines a base fee and the mileage fees. In Santa Cruz, the base fee ranges from $19 to $39 while the mileage ranges from $0.89 per mile to $1.39 per mile.
And if you’re looking for some labor help, the average cost for movers in Santa Cruz is $99 per hour.
| Home Size | Avg. Total Cost | Cost/hour | # of Movers | # Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $384 | $139 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
| 1 Bedroom | $523 | $139 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
| 2 Bedroom | $827 | $194 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
| 3 Bedroom | $1,877 | $272 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
| 4 Bedroom | $2,149 | $272 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
| 5+ Bedroom | $3,285 | $380 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
Factors that affect the cost of your move
- Distance: Your moving costs in Santa Cruz will be determined in large part by where you are relocating. A local move within 50 miles of Santa Cruz will be less expensive than moving 450 miles across California state lines.
- Move size: The more stuff you have, the more your move will cost, since moving companies determine price based on how large your truck and moving truck need to be. For long-distance and interstate relocations out of Santa Cruz, a moving company will base your price on the total estimated weight and volume of your belongings. Decluttering and downsizing to reduce those total measurements can help you keep costs down.
- Moving method: A full-service mover will likely be the most expensive option, and renting a truck will save you the most money. Just make sure you are factoring in services with pricing, so you don’t end up skimping on the help you need for your specific move just to cut costs.
- Additional services: No matter what kind of move you opt for, extra options like packing, labor, and comprehensive insurance will all come with added fees.
- The time of the year: Relocating during peak moving season (May–September) will cost you more because demand is higher and availability is lower. If possible, plan your move between October and April for a lower rate.
FAQs
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Helpful Santa Cruz Resources
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