5 Best Hourly Moving Services in Irvine, CA (Labor Only)

Ryan Carrigan

Last Updated: May 1, 2025 • 5 min read

Fact Checked by: Hilary Snow

Quick answer: Based on our in-depth analysis and ranking system, Best California Movers is the best hourly labor moving company in Irvine. But there’s no shortage of options in your area. Depending on your specific needs and budget, another of the top-rated Irvine-based labor-only movers may be the right fit for you.

Company	Quote	Rating	Contact
most popular Best California Movers	Get A Quote	4.9 overall rating	15 Hubble, Irvine, CA, 92591
Trek Movers	Get A Quote	4.66 overall rating	5200 Irvine Blvd A, Irvine, CA, 92620 (800) 298-0044
Laaks Moving Services	Get A Quote	4.62 overall rating	71 Mission, Irvine, CA, 92620 (877) 238-5141

Top 5 labor-only movers in Irvine, CA

These are our ratings of the top labor-only, hourly moving services that are available in Irvine, CA:

Best California Movers: 4.9 out of 5 stars
Trek Movers: 4.66 out of 5 stars
Laaks Moving Services: 4.62 out of 5 stars
Move Central Moving & Storage: 4.58 out of 5 stars
Best Fit Movers: 4.48 out of 5 stars

Best California Movers

15 Hubble, Irvine, CA 92591

Customer Praise

Efficient service (41%)
Professional and polite staff (37%)
Good communication (36%)

Customer Complaints

Damage to items (18%)
Delayed arrival or delivery (14%)
Unexpected charges (10%)

Review Analysis

Moving perfection is rare, but Best California Movers comes close. Out of 1,177 pieces of customer feedback, over 98% are positive. Customers highlight the company's efficient service, careful handling, quick moving process, professional staff, and great communication. Moves are completed swiftly without sacrificing care, and teams are consistently polite and attentive. Transparent pricing and quick response times also set this company apart from many others. On the flip side, a small number of people mention issues like item damage, inaccurate estimates leading to unexpected costs, and slow resolution to complaints. While most customers found pricing and final charges accurate, those few negative experiences reflect the main risks found in the industry—miscommunication, claim delays, and the rare mishandling of belongings. Compared to typical movers, Best California Movers receives far fewer complaints about property damage and shows higher reliability and responsiveness. The feedback shows why so many recommend them for hassle-free, well-managed moves.

Get a Quote

Company Info

State license #: T0192283

Pricing: $109/hr

Years in Business: 6

DOT #: 3489907

Alternate Names: Best California Movers & Storage, An Moving Forward

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
Packing
Unpacking
Offices
Crating
Storage
Pay by credit card
Deposit Required

Trek Movers

5200 Irvine Blvd A, Irvine, CA 92620

Customer Praise

Professional and polite staff (37%)
Efficient service (31%)
Careful handling (30%)

Customer Complaints

Damage to items (28%)
Delayed arrival or delivery (21%)
Unexpected charges (18%)

Review Analysis

Moving experiences don't get much better than with Trek Movers, according to a thorough analysis of 1,359 customer feedback reports. An outstanding 95.6% of input is positive, making Trek Movers one of the highest-rated moving companies in the market. Customers repeatedly highlight efficient service, meticulous care for belongings, polite and professional staff, quick moves, and great communication. Friendly movers arrive on schedule, treat items with respect, and follow up as needed. In comparison to other companies, reports of property damage, surprise costs, or slow arrivals are rare, but some customers did encounter issues with higher-than-expected bills, instances of item damage, or delayed service. Negative experiences, though infrequent, often relate to pricing or isolated mishandled moves. Only a handful of reviews are neutral, usually referencing minor miscommunications or logistical inconveniences. Trek Movers sets a high bar in the moving industry for reliability and attention to detail, easily outperforming many competitors on trust, speed, and professionalism.

Get a Quote (800) 298-0044

Company Info

State license #: 0191956

Pricing: $120/hr

Years in Business: 9

DOT #: 3256910

Alternate Names: Trek Solutions LLC, Trek Movers Inc

Trek Movers, established in 2017, offers comprehensive local residential moving services in and around Irvine, CA. They stand out among nearby moving companies with their extensive range of services, including packing, unpacking, and storage options, as well as specialized moves for items like pianos and hot tubs. Consumers consistently praise the company, reflected in their 4.7 average rating from 334 Yelp reviews and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. With competitive rates at $120 per hour, no required deposit, and full valuation insurance coverage, Trek Movers is a reliable and well-regarded choice for local moves.

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
Packing
Unpacking
Offices
Pianos
Hot Tubs
Pool Tables
Art
Antiques
Crating
Crane vans
Full-valuation coverage
Storage
Fragile-only packing
Safes
Pay by credit card

Laaks Moving Services

71 Mission, Irvine, CA 92620

Customer Praise

Efficient service (37%)
Professional and polite staff (31%)
Careful handling (29%)

Customer Complaints

Delayed arrival or delivery (24%)
Damage to items (20%)
Unexpected charges (18%)

Review Analysis

Moving day just got a lot smoother for most Laaks customers. Analyzing 139 feedback entries, 92% shared positive experiences. Clients most often praised the professionalism and politeness of the crew, outstanding efficiency, careful attention to belongings, quick work, and highly affordable rates. Friendly staff and consistent reliability helped set Laaks apart from typical movers. Some customers still encountered problems, most notably late arrivals, lost time due to poor planning, or damage during the move. A few felt charges weren’t clearly explained. Despite these issues, the overwhelmingly favorable input makes Laaks stand out in an industry where delays or damaged items are common. New clients can expect a well-trained, attentive team, but should confirm details to avoid scheduling or billing surprises.

Get a Quote (877) 238-5141

Company Info

State license #: 0191604

Years in Business: 11

DOT #: 2995987

Laaks Moving Services has been a reliable choice for local residential moving in and around Irvine, CA since 2015. Their dedication to customer satisfaction is reflected in impressive online reviews, boasting an average rating of 4.7 on Yelp and 4.8 on Google, as well as a stellar A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Unlike many nearby moving companies, Laaks Moving Services also offers packing and unpacking services, as well as specialized moving for items like pianos, art, and antiques. With comprehensive services and exceptional customer feedback, Laaks Moving Services stands out as a reputable and capable option for your local moving needs.

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
Packing
Unpacking
Offices
Pianos
Art
Antiques
Crating
Shipment tracking
Storage
Safes
Pay by cash
Pay by credit card
Deposit Required

Move Central Moving & Storage

17091 Daimler St, Irvine, CA 92614

Customer Praise

Efficient service (60%)
Professional and polite staff (50%)
Careful handling (40%)

Customer Complaints

Damage to items (40%)
Delayed arrival or delivery (30%)
Lack of communication (30%)

Review Analysis

Confidence in every move: Among the 15 feedback entries reviewed, two-thirds of customers gave positive input about Move Central Moving & Storage, noting the company’s careful handling of items, professional and polite staff, and efficient service. Many mentioned organized packing as a strong advantage and said they would highly recommend this mover. Negative experiences pointed to property damage, unexpected overcharges, and poor professionalism during problem resolution. Unresolved claims for damages were also a recurring issue in criticism. Compared with many moving companies, Move Central receives stronger marks for care and professionalism but faces criticism for handling customer claims and post-move accountability.

Get a Quote (949) 245-2195

Company Info

State license #: 0191020

Years in Business: 12

DOT #: 2365576

Alternate Names: Move Central Inc

Move Central Moving & Storage has been a trusted local moving company in Irvine, CA since 2013, specializing in residential moves. While their Yelp profile shows mixed reviews with an average rating of 2.4 from 44 reviews, they boast a stellar rating of 4.8 from 498 reviews on Google My Business, indicating a predominantly positive customer experience. Unlike some competitors, they also offer comprehensive services including packing, unpacking, crating, and specialized moves for pianos, art, and antiques. Despite a concerning BBB rating of F, their extensive range of services and strong Google reviews suggest they are a reliable choice for many in the area.

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
Packing
Unpacking
Offices
Pianos
Art
Antiques
Crating
Shipment tracking
Full-valuation coverage
Storage
Pay by credit card
Deposit Required

Best Fit Movers

3731 W Warner Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92704

Customer Praise

Efficient service (40%)
Professional and polite staff (35%)
Careful handling (30%)

Customer Complaints

Damage to items (25%)
Unexpected charges (20%)
Delayed arrival or delivery (15%)

Review Analysis

Movers at Best Fit Movers deliver speed and professionalism. Analyzing 227 customer reviews, 92.5% reflect favorable experiences, often calling out efficient service, careful handling of belongings, and polite, helpful staff. Many mention quick moving processes and attention to customer needs. On the downside, 7% of feedback notes serious problems, mostly tied to belongings being damaged, prices ending up higher than expected, or crews arriving later than planned. A small slice of feedback highlighted inconsistent communication and issues resolving claims. Customers choosing Best Fit Movers will likely notice a much higher satisfaction rate than found at most moving companies, although the sharpest concerns come from those whose items were damaged or whose final bills differed from what they’d been quoted. For those seeking reliability and fast-moving teams, Best Fit Movers stands out, but a handful of users report major disappointments related to mishandled property or added expenses.

Get a Quote (949) 996-9940

Company Info

State license #: 0191680

Years in Business: 7

DOT #: 3051481

Alternate Names: Best Fit Movers LLC

Best Fit Movers, a reputable local moving company based in Santa Ana, CA, has been providing exceptional residential moving services since 2018. Known for their reliability and comprehensive service offerings, they excel in packing, unpacking, and crating services, and can handle specialized items such as pianos, hot tubs, and safes. With an impressive average rating of 4.9 from 108 Google reviews and an A- rating from the Better Business Bureau, customers consistently praise their professionalism and efficiency. Unlike many nearby movers, Best Fit Movers also offers full valuation insurance coverage, ensuring peace of mind throughout the moving process.

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
International moves
Packing
Unpacking
Offices
Pianos
Hot Tubs
Pool Tables
Art
Antiques
Grandfather clocks
Crating
Full-valuation coverage
Storage
Fragile-only packing
Safes
Pay by cash
Pay by credit card
Deposit Required

Common hourly moving services

Hourly movers in Irvine, CA, can be a cost-effective way to handle your relocation. Paying in hourly increments means you are paying only for the time worked, which can often be cheaper than a flat-rate fee with a full-service company.

Every company is different, but Irvine hourly movers typically offer these labor-assistance options:

Loading and unloading: Hourly moving crews can help get all your belongings on and off a moving truck rental or in and out of your moving container. Labor-only companies will send a crew of two to four people, depending on the size of your move.
Help with heavy items: If you are able to handle loading and unloading on your own but need some extra hands for a particularly large or weighty piece — like a treadmill, piano, or major appliance — you can hire local help Most labor-only companies can provide manpower for single and multiple heavy items.
Furniture moving: Got your boxes loaded up but can’t get your sectional couch onto the truck alone? Hourly labor companies can handle the heavy lifting of your furniture.
Rearranging: Deciding where you want things to go can often be tricky, especially if you have heavy pieces that aren’t so easily moved around. Many labor-only companies will not only load and unload your furniture, but also help you find the right place for it at your new home.
Packing and unpacking: Some Irvine labor-only movers will wrap and box up your belongings for an additional fee.
Junk removal: If you’ve got some items you need to toss, hourly labor companies may be able to provide this in tandem with their standard moving services.

FAQs

How much should I expect to pay for labor-only movers in Irvine?

The average hourly cost for labor-only movers in Irvine is $75 per hour per mover. Check out our guide about the cost of moving in Irvine for more details.

Can hourly movers handle last-minute moves in Irvine?

Because most moving companies in Irvine experience busy seasons and slow seasons, you’ll need to call around to find out which ones have availability. Since it is labor-only, however, there’s a good chance one of these Irvine-based companies will be able to help. If you’re in a pinch and want to be more hands-off, here is our list of the best last-minute moving companies.

Can I hire hourly movers if I’m moving from Irvine to a new state?

If you’re moving from Irvine to another state, you’ll need to hire hourly labor while loading your belongings in California and then another company in the city you’re moving to for help unloading. If you want to avoid some lower back strain, here are our top picks for the best interstate moving companies. And if you want to support local businesses, here are the best long distance moving companies in Irvine.

Am I supposed to tip hourly movers?

You are not required to tip hourly movers, but it is common practice — not to mention, a great way to show your appreciation for the crew’s hard work. The standard tip amount is somewhere between 5% and 20% of your total moving costs, which breaks down to about $4–$5 per hour for each moving crew member.

Whether you tip on the high or low end of that range will, of course, depend on the movers’ performance, so wait until the end to hand out the cash. You may also want to factor in the specifics of your move. For instance, a complicated move that involves a lot of heavy pieces or navigation down narrow staircases might warrant a higher tip than a simple move of a first-floor studio apartment.