Movers in Los Angeles

By Ankush Das, founder and CEO of Snestico · Published

A mover working within California needs a household movers permit from the Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS). It can only give a written estimate after seeing your things, with a not-to-exceed price, and any change needs a written change order.

Snestico doesn't move your things or recommend a mover. This page sets out the checks California's own regulator and FMCSA give, so you can compare any mover you find, and what to plan around the move itself in Los Angeles.

How do you check a mover in Los Angeles?

  • Check the mover's household movers permit with California's Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS)
  • A written estimate is allowed only after the mover has seen your things; phone or internet estimates aren't legal estimates in California
  • The estimate must give a not-to-exceed price, and any change needs a written change order you sign
  • The mover must give you "Important Information for Persons Moving Household Goods (within California)"
  • Leaving California? The mover needs a USDOT number from FMCSA as well

Moving day in Los Angeles

Ask your building about loading zones, elevator bookings and move-in hours first. For curb space, check with the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) well ahead of the date about temporary no-parking signs.

Distances are long and traffic decides the day on an hourly move; ask movers how they charge for travel time and when the clock starts.

Moving to or from another state?

For a move to another state, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the mover. It must have a USDOT number, which you can look up on FMCSA's site, and give you the booklet "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move". On a non-binding estimate you pay no more than 110% of it at delivery; the rest can be billed after 30 days. Full Value Protection is the default, and you only get the cheaper released value, 60 cents per pound per item, if you waive it in writing.

Before and after the truck

  • Get estimates from more than one mover, in writing, after each has seen what you're moving
  • Keep documents, valuables and medicines with you, not on the truck
  • Photograph every room of the old place empty, and of the new place before you unpack, for your deposit
  • Check the inventory and note any damage on the paperwork before you sign
  • Moving light? Sell big furniture before you go and furnish the new place from the local marketplace

Sources

How this was made: drafted with AI assistance, then reviewed and edited by Ankush Das, who checks every fact against the sources listed before it is published or updated.