Sterling Van Lines Review 2026 (Los Angeles, CA)
Fact Checked by:
Positive
Reviews
85%
across 386 reviews
moveBuddha
Score
4.6/5
based on moveBuddha methodology
Years in
Business
35
founded 1991
Sterling Van Lines is a 4.6/5-rated California full-service mover, operating since 1991 (35 years in business). Sterling Van Lines earns 85% positive reviews across 386 verified customer reviews. The company holds inactive FMCSA registration. All ratings reflect moveBuddha's independent analysis.
See what Sterling Van Lines really costs
A free, no-pressure quote in about 60 seconds, no deposit, no spam.
Sterling Van Lines at a glance
- Track record: 35 years in business with 85% positive customer reviews (386 verified reviews)
- Industry experience: 5/5
- Customer service: 4.14/5
- Review quality: 4.5/5
- Quote accuracy: 4.62/5
Sterling Van Lines' services
- Full-service moving
- Packing & Unpacking
- Interstate moving
- Local (intrastate) moving
- International moving
- Storage: Offered by 56% of Los Angeles movers (60% nationally)
- Piano moving: A specialty offered by 40% of Los Angeles movers (40% nationally)
What this Sterling Van Lines review covers
Affordable rates
Consistency and follow-up
Flexibility
Good communication
Respectful of property
Show details Hide details
Company stats
Read full reviewIndustry experience 5.0
Companies with more years in business often outperform newer competitors. Sterling Van Lines has been in business for 35 years, demonstrating strong staying power in a competitive industry with services like estate moving and small-scale moving.
Review quality 4.5
Customer reviews are the clearest window into a mover’s reputation. Sterling Van Lines has about 85% positive reviews across roughly 386 total reviews, with an average Yelp rating of 3.9.
Quote accuracy 4.6
Quote reliability often comes down to clarity and consistency. Customers can request quotes from Sterling Van Lines. Discounts may be available for groups like military.
Customer service 4.1
From responsiveness to follow-through, customer service is a big differentiator. Sterling Van Lines emphasizes clear communication, careful handling, and visibility during transit through shipment tracking.
Recent reviews
Sandy was incredibly helpful and accommodating. The movers arrived promptly, customized my move, and offered the fairest price I received; any adjustments were fully explained.
Our experience was exceptional: calls were handled courteously, follow-up was prompt, agents were informed, and updates came without our asking. Furniture arrived safely with nothing missing.
DOT number
Address
Payment methods
What do customers say about Sterling Van Lines?
Sterling Van Lines pulls in 85% positive reviews out of 386 verified ratings from multiple platforms, 13% negative, and 2% neutral.
What customers like most about Sterling Van Lines
- Affordable rates: Many reviewers found Sterling Van Lines to be more budget-friendly than competitors without sacrificing quality.
- Consistency and follow-up: Reviewers liked that Sterling Van Lines stayed in touch before and after the move to ensure everything went smoothly.
- Flexibility: Clients liked that Sterling Van Lines was willing to adjust schedules or accommodate last-minute changes.
- Good communication: Reviewers frequently mention clear, consistent updates from Sterling Van Lines throughout the moving process.
- Respectful of property: Customers appreciated how carefully Sterling Van Lines's team maneuvered furniture through tight spaces without damaging walls or floors.
Most common complaints about Sterling Van Lines
- Misplaced or lost items: In some cases, belongings went missing or were delivered to the wrong location.
- Delayed arrival or delivery: Several reviewers experienced frustrating delays either on moving day or with final delivery.
- Damage to items: Some customers reported that items were damaged during packing or loading.
Did you move with Sterling Van Lines? Tell us how it went.
Leave a ReviewPositive Sterling Van Lines Reviews
Taryn McGrann, Google
Sandy was incredibly helpful and accommodating. The movers arrived promptly, customized my move, and offered the fairest price I received; any adjustments were fully explained.
Kim Hampton, Google
Our experience was exceptional: calls were handled courteously, follow-up was prompt, agents were informed, and updates came without our asking. Furniture arrived safely with nothing missing.
Julie Vallone, Google
The price was very reasonable, movers were kind and competent, and sales and administrative staff were responsive and flexible.
Negative Sterling Van Lines Reviews
Ed Montgomery, Google
They lost an antique mirror, and none of four people involved followed up. Sterling also did not forward a claim form or offer reimbursement.
Erik Mulder, Google
They are unable to deliver services within promised timeframes. My piano pickup was delayed until after my move-out date, forcing me to find another mover.
Christina Sciarrino, Google
Items arrived a month later than the latest estimate. Most boxes were crushed, furniture was filthy, and walls were marked during delivery.
Neutral Sterling Van Lines Reviews
Yelp
The team arrived promptly and loaded quickly, but the crew left things undone, with wall smudges and furniture dings. The move was satisfactory.
Susan Sugarman, Google
One antique mirror was damaged and poorly protected despite a paid crate. Arrival was delayed more than 24 hours, and the driver did not stay in touch.
Peter Ruggles, Google
The movers were great, but the company overcharged me and ignored requests to fully correct the charges.
Smart movers compare first
Don’t book the first quote you get
moveBuddha users save an average of 30% by comparing 3+ movers. Add Sterling Van Lines to your shortlist in one click.
Is Sterling Van Lines licensed & insured?
Yes. Sterling Van Lines is FMCSA-registered and inactive. moveBuddha verifies all licensing data directly against FMCSA records.
| Credential | Status | Verified |
|---|---|---|
| FMCSA registration | Inactive | Nov 2026 |
When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice. You can verify Sterling Van Lines' active status on the California licensed movers database.
Book with confidence: Sterling Van Lines is licensed & insured
FMCSA-registered and moveBuddha-verified. Get a free quote in 60 seconds, no deposit, no spam.
How moveBuddha rated Sterling Van Lines
Sterling Van Lines earns a 4.6/5 composite rating based on moveBuddha's editorial rating categories. That's above the 3.6/5 average among Los Angeles movers. moveBuddha's research team rates each category independently, and each one measures a different aspect of mover quality.
| Rating category | Sterling Van Lines | What it measures |
|---|---|---|
| Industry experience | 5/5 | Years in operation, fleet size & locations |
| Review quality | 4.5/5 | Volume & sentiment of customer reviews |
| Customer service | 4.14/5 | Communication clarity & crew professionalism |
| Quote accuracy | 4.62/5 | Estimate vs. final invoice on sample moves |
| Google reviews | 4.5/5 | Google Business Profile rating & review volume |
| Yelp reviews | 5/5 | Yelp rating & review volume |
| BBB | 4.78/5 | The company's BBB letter grade (A–F) & complaint resolution history (translated to a corresponding numerical score) |
| Brand | 5/5 | Market presence & industry recognition |
Our summary of Sterling Van Lines
Small-load expertise, heirloom care: 85% of 386 reviews are positive. Many customers point to reasonable pricing, skilled packing, and careful handling of pianos, antiques, and single items, though some report lost or damaged belongings. On the downside, customers mention long delays, missed updates, and surprise charges.
Ratings based on moveBuddha's research methodology, updated November 2026.
How much does Sterling Van Lines cost?
Sterling Van Lines does not publish standard hourly rates or flat-fee pricing publicly. Movers in Los Angeles charge an average of $125/hour, though rates vary by company. Quote pricing depends on home size, distance, packing services, and time of year. To get an accurate estimate, request a quote directly or use moveBuddha's cost calculator below.
For typical California moving costs across all home sizes and service types, see our California moving cost guide.
Estimated for a typical 2-3 bedroom California move
$990 – $2,286
How does Sterling Van Lines compare to other Los Angeles movers?
Sterling Van Lines ranks alongside the top full-service movers in Los Angeles on moveBuddha's editorial scoring. The table below compares ratings, positive review rates, and years in business across the top Los Angeles movers.
| Company | Our rating | Positive reviews | BBB | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
4.7 |
80% | A+ | ||
|
4.58 |
92% | A+ | ||
|
4.66 |
95% | A+ | ||
|
4.6 |
85% | A+ | ||
|
4.56 |
88% | N/A | ||
|
4.5 |
67% | F | ||
|
4.64 |
99% | A | ||
|
4.52 |
95% | A+ | ||
|
4.48 |
96% | A+ | ||
|
4.44 |
96% | A+ |
How Sterling Van Lines' ratings compare to other Los Angeles movers
Sterling Van Lines' Yelp rating (3.9/5) is in line with the average across the 389 movers analyzed in Los Angeles, which carry an average Yelp rating of 4.3/5.
| Avg. Yelp Score | Total # of Movers | |
|---|---|---|
| Sterling Van Lines | 3.9/5 | -- |
| Los Angeles movers | 4.3/5 | 389 movers |
| California movers | 4.3/5 | 1126 movers |
Final verdict: Sterling Van Lines
Sterling Van Lines earns a 4.6/5 moveBuddha score, backed by 85% positive customer reviews across 386 verified reviews. Over 35 years in business, Sterling Van Lines has built a reputation for affordable rates and consistency and follow-up, making it worth a look for your California move.
Best for:
- Customers who value working with an established mover with long-standing industry experience
All ratings reflect moveBuddha's analysis updated November 2026, based on independent research and verified customer reviews.
Is this your moving company?
Claim your moveBuddha profile to keep your company information, services, contact details, and profile content accurate and up to date for customers.
FAQs about Sterling Van Lines
How long has Sterling Van Lines been in business?
Sterling Van Lines has been in business for 35 years, founded in 1991. The company is FMCSA-registered and inactive.
How do I choose the right Los Angeles moving company?
To pick the best Los Angeles mover, start with companies that have mostly positive customer reviews, valid licenses, and proper insurance. Get detailed moving quotes from at least 3 companies to compare services, pricing, and availability. Look for transparent pricing, clear communication, and verified track records of successful moves.
Does Sterling Van Lines offer piano moving?
Yes, Sterling Van Lines offers piano moving. That's a specialty only 40% of Los Angeles movers provide, compared to 40% nationally.
Thinking about booking Sterling Van Lines?
Compare Sterling Van Lines' quote against other top California movers. moveBuddha users save an average of 30% by comparing 3+ quotes before booking.
Helpful California moving resources
If Sterling Van Lines isn't the right fit, explore other top-rated California movers and popular California moving routes below.
California moving services
Popular California moving routes
