Native Van Lines
- Customized moves
- Award winning company
Adams Van Lines
- Efficient and timely
- Flat rate pricing
Sacramento Movers
- Local experience
- Broad range of services
At Moving APT, we do the research for you. We know movers, and we do business with them every day. It gives us an inside scoop on what customers want, and which movers are up to the task. We pulled from our 22 years of experience in the moving industry, and used authentic customer feedback to put together a list of the best movers in Sacramento.
Moving in Sacramento takes a special team that knows the area. If you’re trying to relocate from Isleton to Folsom, or just from Citrus Heights to Orangevale, read on to see our top choices for movers in Sacramento – and get some insider info you can’t find anywhere else.
In this article
How Much Does it Cost to Hire Moving Companies in Sacramento?
The cost of hiring a moving company in Sacramento for a local move ranges from $350 to $4700, while the cost for a long-distance move ranges from $1200 to $13000.
Your final price largely depends on how much stuff you have to move, and how far you are moving.
Distance | 1 Bedroom | 2 – 3 Bedroom | 4 – 5 Bedroom |
Local (Less than 100 Miles) | $350 – $700 | $850 – $1800 | $1300 – $4700 |
100 miles | $1200 – $1600 | $1250 – $1700 | $1500 – $3400 |
250 miles | $1300 – $2000 | $1500 – $3500 | $2,000 – $4800 |
750 miles | $1500 – $2900 | $2100 – $6900 | $5500 – $7900 |
1500 miles | $1700 – $3200 | $2600 – $7400 | $6700 – $9500 |
2500 miles+ | $1900 – $3700 | $3900 – $8200 | $13000+ |
The price of a local move is mainly determined by the number of movers needed, and how much time it takes to get your stuff from point A to point B. A general rule of thumb is that each room in your home takes between one and two movers.
As for how long your move takes, planning ahead of time can save you some serious money. If your movers need to sit in traffic on I-80 for a few extra hours, that’s more money out of your wallet. On the other hand, if you can plan a move for minimal traffic (and if you can downsize your stuff) you can save cash – and move easier, too.
There are a few other factors that can affect the price of your Sacramento move, and we’ll go into detail on them in this section. But, if you want to learn more about what you should look for in a Sacramento moving company, read on and check out our list of top movers.
What to Look for in a Moving Company in Sacramento?
- Licensing and accreditation. Anyone with a truck can move your stuff, but legit movers need to be licensed. If you want to be sure your belongings are in good hand, check for their DOT number and FMCSA number if they’re a long distance moving company.
- Customer feedback. Yelp and Google are your friends. While it’s common to check online reviews, don’t forget to get in touch with family and friends who’ve used the same movers. Ask around to see who’s worth your time.
- Flat-rate pricing. If a mover offers binding estimates, it’s a definite bonus: It means they won’t adjust the price of your move before, during, or after moving day (unless you do something like add a surprise pool table). It’s great for budgeting.
- Clear communication. Moves can be chaotic, but they shouldn’t be uncertain. When you’re talking with movers, make sure they’re quick to answer and easy to reach – you’ll be thankful for the ease of communication on moving day.
- A variety of services. To sweeten the deal, many movers offer specialty services. If you’re trying to move in Sacramento, you may need disassembly, packing, and even storage. Some of these services come complimentary, so look around for sweet deals.
Compare Moving Companies in Sacramento
Company | |||||
Rating | 4.8 4.8/5 | 4.9 4.9/5 | 4.7 4.7/5 | 4.8 4.8/5 | 4.6 4.6/5 |
Avarage Price (2-3 Bed) | $3210- $7320 | $3300- $7900 | $2950 - $6650 | $3050 - $6820 | $2900- $8250 |
Superlative | Best Customer Service | Best For Long Distance | Most Efficient | Most Experienced Movers | Most Affordable |
Get a Quote | Get a Quote | Get a Quote | Get a Quote | Get a Quote |
Our Top 5 Moving Companies in Sacramento
Native Van Lines has plenty of customer reviews to back up their track record of excellent service – and if that’s not enough, they’ve got a collection of awards, too. If you need to move in Sacramento, Native is a great choice.
One of Native’s strong points is their wide variety of specialized moving services. They offer corporate relocations, car shipping, storage, and more.
They’re committed to turning your move into a completely custom-tailored experience, and their website makes it easy to get a free quote if you’re still on the fence.
Pros
- Award winning moving company
- Highly rated
- Storage available
- Customized moves
Cons
- Quote required for price of extra services
Why we recommend Native Van Lines
Sacramento is pretty massive, but Native Van Lines can help you move your stuff all over the county. We always appreciate when movers offer a whole range of different moving services, and Native definitely fits that bill.
As an added bonus, they also have great customer service in case you have any questions before, during, or after your move.
If you’re moving on a budget, Adams Van Lines is a great choice. They offer a big brand move without the price tag, and just because they’re a price-conscious option doesn’t mean they go light on the care and attention.
Adams keeps their deliveries safe an on-time, and if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, you’ll really appreciate their customer service system. When you move with Adams Van Lines, they give you one point of contact for the entire move.
This means if you ever need to get in touch with them, you’ll always know who to call – and you won’t get bounced around between different departments. It’s super streamlined, and super easy on their customers.
Pros
- Easy customer service
- Efficient and timely
- Price matching
- Flat rate pricing
Cons
- Personal info required for online quotes
Why we recommend Adams Van Lines
Moving with Adams Van Lines is a great way to save money while also cutting down on the stress and chaos of your move. They’re careful professionals, and they go to great lengths to ensure you’re always in the know.
Plus, that single-contact approach to customer service makes it convenient to get in touch with them if you ever have any questions.
They take extra special care of big and unwieldy items like pianos or grandfather clocks, and understand how important family heirlooms can be and make sure they are well-wrapped and safe.
Licenses Info:
DOT#: N/A
MC#: N/A
If you’re moving in Sacramento, why not go local? Sacramento Movers is one of the largest family-owned moving companies in the Sacramento area, and they know moving just as well as they know their hometown.
They offer a whole range of services, and since they’re local, you know where to find them. Sacramento Movers offers competitive rates, and they have a great reputation as a local mover that customers trust.
Whether it’s a residential or commercial move, you’ll be in good hands. And if you’re going a little further, you’ll be in good hands, too: Despite their name, Sacramento Movers also offer long distance moving. If you need to move out of state, you know who to call
Pros
- Local knowledge and experience
- Broad range of services
- Easy to contact
- Long distance moves available
Cons
- May not have the network of a national chain
Why we recommend Sacramento Movers
A Sacramento move always goes easier with the help of some Sacramento locals. Sacramento Movers has the local know-how and experience to make your move go as smoothly as possible, and their wide range of services means you can count on them for a whole variety of specialty moves. We’re big fans of smaller, family-owned companies, and Sacramento Movers is why.
From humble beginnings, Two Men and a Truck grew into a nationally-recognized moving company. They have an extensive network all across the United States, and Sacramento is no exception.
While they have a very “mom and pop” name, they’re a sophisticated and tech-savvy company, even providing GPS tracking for your belongings. Like the others in our list, Two Men and a Truck offers a wide variety of different moving services.
One of their most useful services is their junk removal. If you haven’t been able to pawn off that old couch, they can get rid of it for you. It’s less to move, and more money saved.
Pros
- Wide range of services
- Junk removal
- Offices throughout the US
- Storage available
Cons
- Lacking up-front cost info for extra services
Why We Recommend Two Men and a Truck
Two Men and a Truck may be a national mover, but they haven’t lost touch with their small town roots. They provide a level of customer support that you usually only see with mom and pop shops, and we’re totally here for it.
Also, their junk removal and GPS tracking are both great tools to cut down on the stress of moving day.
SC Movers are hometown heroes, based in North Highlands and active all over Sacramento County. They’re a family-owned company, and it shows in their commitment to their customers and their specialized local moving services.
Despite being a boutique moving shop, SC Movers goes above and beyond what you’d expect from a mom and pop mover.
They offer full service relocations, packing and unpacking services, and even on-site moves for those times you won’t even need a truck (think moving into a different apartment in the same building, or moving your business across the office complex).
Pros
- Local knowledge and experience
- Excellent customer support
- Excellent packing and other services
- Discounts available
Cons
- May lack the larger network of a national mover
Why We Recommend SC Movers
SC Movers pack a lot of moving services for a family-owned moving company. They also place a ton of emphasis on customer satisfaction.
They’re a Sacramento moving company, and every move they handle could be a neighbor’s, friend’s, or colleague’s. That’s why they treat every customer with respect, professionalism, and a range of useful moving services. We love it.
Best Moving Companies Near Sacramento
What Factors Contribute to Sacramento Moving Costs?
Professional movers are worth the price – but how much are you really going to pay? Here’s a list of the factors behind the price of your Sacramento move.
- The amount of stuff. More stuff means you’ll need more movers, and each mover costs money. If you’re moving a five bedroom home, you’ll need an entire team of movers and equipment, and it’ll take them more time to pack, load, unload, and unpack everything.
- The amount of time. Local movers usually charge on an hourly basis. This means the more time your move takes, the more you’ll end up paying. Is there a lot of traffic getting from point A to point B? Will your movers have to disassemble anything? It all adds up.
- Access fees. Long carries (anything over 75 feet to your front door), staircases, and elevators all fall under an umbrella category we call “access fees” in the moving industry. These are extra challenges to navigate, and are priced to reflect it.
- Storage. Sometimes you aren’t sure if all your stuff will fit in your new place, or you need a little more time to get everything situated. Storage options are usually available – for a price. Ask ahead of time about any deals your movers may offer.
- Insurance. Movers are required by law to provide minimum coverage for your stuff, usually 60 cents per pound of damaged, lost, or destroyed belongings. Full coverage insurance can cover the total value of your items, but you’ll have to pay for packing, too.
- Packing. Whether you want full coverage insurance, or you’re just trying to avoid the headache, packing costs extra. It’s totally worth it if you’re trying to cut down on stress, and letting the pros handle it gives you time to focus on the rest of your move.
- Late fees. If you keep your movers waiting, you can actually throw off their entire schedule for the rest of the week – or even the rest of the month. You need to be there to open the door and sign off on important documents, and if you aren’t, you’ll pay a fee.
- Bulky items. Some items are too big to be moved without some advance planning. They may call for the removal of some doors in your house, or they may even need to be lowered out a window. This planning takes time (and money).
- Assembly and disassembly. If those big items are still too unwieldy, your movers may have to disassemble them before loading them up onto the truck. Disassembly fees vary, so ask ahead about how much you may have to pay for the service.
- Specialty moves. If you’ve got a fragile item, or anything else that requires a bit of extra care and attention, you movers will have to box it up separately to keep it protected. We’ve seen everything from pianos to vintage motorcycles get boxes built around them.
- Gratuity. Of course, you can’t forget tips. Your movers are doing a lot of hard work for you, and they deserve a little extra. We recommend tipping between 15% and 20% of the overall price, to be divided up between your movers.
How to Prepare for a Move in Sacramento
Any kind of move is a challenge, so it’s important to prepare accordingly. If you’re moving in Sacramento – whether it’s residential or commercial, we’ve got some pointers that can make your move easier.
- Downsize. The more stuff you have to carry, the more you’ll have to pay. If you can downsize your belongings (giving it away, or pawning it off to recoup some of your expenses), it’ll save you time and money on moving day.
- Avoid peak moving season. Schedule your move far in advance so you won’t have to compete with everyone who’s moving during June, July, and August. Besides, you won’t want to be dealing with the Sacramento heat when you’re moving, anyway.
- Pack an essentials bag. This is a great practice if you’re moving long distance, but it’s a good idea for local moves as well. Pack an essentials bag with all your must-haves (toiletries, some extra clothes, etc.) so you don’t have to dig through boxes in a hurry.
- Avoid rush hour. Your local movers will charge you by the hour, and an hour spent cooking in traffic on the I-80 is money down the drain. Try to plan your move when logistics will be the easiest.
Here’s How We Rank Our Sacramento Movers
Moving APT has 22 years of experience in the local and long-distance moving field, serving more than 22,000 clients to date. Unlike other recommendation sites, we do real, face-to-face business with the movers in our network.
This makes our data more in-depth and reliable than anything else you’ll find online.
Our rating methodology is based on the following:
Reviews
- Online Reputation: We sort through reviews and company profiles to make sure your movers are highly-rated and backed by plenty of experience.
- Industry-Insider Information: We work with movers to get a full picture of the services provided by other companies across the field.
- Mystery Shopping: We make sure movers are giving you the same rate they give us. Sometimes we call and pose as complete strangers to make sure they’re honest.
licensing and Accreditation
- Arbitration Program: Movers are legally required to have an arbitration program in place to compensate for lost or damaged items. We make sure it’s up to date.
- Active Claim Department: We check to see if movers have any outstanding claims to see how they handle customers who’ve reported damages – and how quickly they help.
- Safety Record: The FMCSA’s Safety Measurement System provides us with up-to-date information about a mover’s safety track record, including accidents and inspections.
- Active Moving Insurance: Long-distance movers in NYC are legally required to provide full or released-value protection on all of your items. We make sure of it.
Client Feedback
- Video and phone reviews: We ask our own clients for short video testimonies detailing their experiences with their movers. It shows which movers are exceeding expectations.
- Online surveys: We take the time to read about each completed move to get the full picture of how a mover performed.
As a moving broker, Moving APT actually deals with drivers and movers on a daily basis. We negotiate deals for our clients and ensure that movers always honor their contracts – no last-minute upselling, no overcharging, and no funny business.
It’s how we help our clients get moved with minimal fuss, and it’s part of maintaining clear communication between clients and moving companies.
More customers for better movers If a mover is exceeding expectations, we send them more business. If a mover needs to improve, we don’t. It’s simple.
Sacramento Moving FAQ
What is the cheapest way to move?
The cheapest way to move is always DIY. However, after you run the numbers, you may not be saving as much as you’d expect. When you handle a local move all by yourself, you’ll have to rent a truck, and pay for gas, not to mention all the moving equipment you’ll have to rent as well.
Did you remember to factor in the work you’ll miss? DIYing a move is usually cheaper than hiring a full service mover – but not by much. If you’re still feeling brave, check out some moving truck rentals to get started.
What items can’t movers transport?
Movers can transport pretty much everything, but there’s some stuff that’s on the no-go list. Don’t expect your movers to haul anything flammable for you. They also won’t touch anything pressurized. This means they won’t haul tanks of gas, scuba gear, and definitely not your barbecue’s propane tank.
Movers are wary about any kind of hazardous material. It’s not uncommon for movers to refuse to transport nail polish and household cleaners, just to minimize fire risks. And when it comes to your firearms, you may want to transport them yourself – or ship them through an FFL if you’re going state to state.
How far in advance should I hire movers?
We always recommend hiring your movers as far in advance as possible. Three to six months is the sweet spot; it’ll give you plenty of time to get your stuff packed, collected, or given away. The more time you allow yourself for a move, the less stress you’ll deal with on moving day – and you may even save some money by avoiding peak season.
A move that’s scheduled one month out is still technically doable, but you should keep in mind that you’ll be cramming all your packing, goodbyes, and dealing with your utilities into just a few weeks. If possible, giving yourself more time is always better.
How much should I tip?
You should always tip your movers, and you should tip them well: 15% – 20% is a good range. Unless a moving company explicitly declines gratuities, make sure your budget allows for tipping their moving team. After all, they’re hauling all your stuff – and Sacramento gets hot.
That 15% – 20% tip should be divided up across your entire moving team. Make sure they all get a cut, and make sure you don’t forget the driver!
Do I pay movers before or after a job?
Trustworthy moving companies will always charge you after the move is done. If they’re asking for advance payments, it’s a red flag. They may not have your best interests in mind, and you definitely don’t want to walk into a scam.
When you’re discussing your moving estimate with your mover, see if they’ll offer a binding estimate. A binding estimate means they won’t adjust the final price of your move before, during, or after moving day (unless you surprise them with a hefty addition such as a pool table or sectional, in which case you’ll have to get a new contract).
Binding estimates are flat rates, and they’re really helpful for setting a hard limit on your budget.
Ready for Your Sacramento Move?
Sactown covers a lot of ground, and if you’re moving in the city (or county) you’ll need some professional help. Fortunately, you can get in touch with one of the movers in our network to make moving day a breeze.
You’ve seen the top 5, and you’ve read up on how to make your Sacramento move even easier. Now all you have to do is shop for quotes. Check out our moving cost calculator, and get in touch with the movers in our network today.