How Much Do Palo Alto, CA Movers Cost?

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• Studio: When relocating from a studio apartment, it’s common to have two movers handle the job, which can consume up to three hours. This timeframe can shift depending on your belongings, charged by the hour at $171.
• One bedroom: When relocating from a one-bedroom residence, it’s reasonable to plan for a cost of $171 per hour. This accounts for a two-person crew over the course of four hours.
• Two bedrooms: Moving a two-bedroom home in California will cost about $240 an hour. You’ll likely need three movers for five hours.
• Three bedrooms: The cost to hire movers in California for a three-bedroom home is $336 per hour. Generally, it takes eight hours to finish with a crew of four.
• Four bedrooms: For a four-bedroom move in California, expect four movers to need about nine hours, billed at $336 per hour.
• Five or more bedrooms: The hourly rate for hiring California movers to handle a property with five or more bedrooms is $470. Moves of this scale typically involve five movers and around 10 hours.

Easily compare personalized moving quotes for your Palo Alto move using our free and instant moving cost calculator.

• Base cost: $19 – $38 per day
• Mileage fee: $2 – $1 per mile
• Fuel cost: Depends on driving distance
• Truck coverage: $20-$55 based on coverage level
• Equipment costs (optional): Dolly, straps, blankets

• Total drive distance
• Timeframe of your rental
• Insurance add-ons
• Where and how you park
• Highway tolls
• Fuel needed for the trip
• Dining stops and hotel stays
• Extra equipment rentals like ramps or blankets

• Distance: How far you’re moving has a big impact on your total moving costs. Moving within a city or even to a nearby town will usually cost far less than relocating out of state or across the country. That’s because longer distances involve mileage and fuel expenses, as well as more labor hours.
• The size of your move: Naturally, the more stuff you have, the more it will cost to move it. Larger moves are more expensive because they typically require a bigger truck and moving crew.
• Your moving date: Moving prices fluctuate based on demand. You’ll pay more during the summer, on weekends, or at the start or end of the month. Mid-week and mid-month moves usually come with lower rates.
• The type of mover: Going with full-service movers generally costs more than doing it yourself with a moving container company, where you take on the packing and loading yourself.
• Add-on services: Want help packing or extra coverage for your stuff? These kinds of add-ons cost more — and even DIY moves cost extra if you hire help for the heavy lifting.

• Evaluate the need for additional insurance. While full-service movers include basic coverage known as released value protection at no extra cost, it provides minimal security: a mere $0.60 per pound per item, regardless of its actual value. Therefore, if your 25-pound TV worth $1,000 gets damaged, reimbursement would only be $15 ($0.60 x 25 pounds). To bridge this gap, many movers and some home insurers offer full-value insurance that covers the true value of your belongings for an extra fee.
• Get your move approved. Many neighborhoods — particularly those with HOAs — have restrictions around moving. Typically, these restrictions outline which days and times moving is allowable. It’s best to double-check the rules ahead of time and to proactively inform a property management group of your moving date.
• Keep key documents ready. If you’re moving in or out of an apartment complex, you may need to present proof of mover’s insurance and possibly an elevator reservation. These details are often found in your moving agreement, so pull them together early to avoid last-minute scrambling.