3 Best Moving Companies | How We Chose | Best Overall | Best for Ranges of Services | Best for Trusted Reputation | Cost of Movers | Avoiding Scams
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In Bakersfield, hiring a mover costs an average of $2,328 for a three-bedroom home. This is higher than the national average of $1,963, but many people still find that full-service moving is worth the cost.
If you have a three-bedroom home, you'll need four movers working for about eight hours to pack your belongings, load the truck, and deliver them and unpack in your new home. You can expect to pay about $50 per hour per mover, plus other standard expenses, such as the cost of the truck, packing supplies, and a 10–20% tip for the movers when the work is complete.
We reviewed 28 local moving companies in Bakersfield and ranked the top three so you know where to begin your search.
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3 Best Moving Companies in Bakersfield (at a Glance)
| Company | What We Like | Avg. Customer Rating |
|---|---|---|
| The Moving Experience | Best Overall | 5.0 (122 reviews) |
| Hansen's Moving & Storage | Best for Ranges of Services | 4.6 (221 reviews) |
| Fit Movers | Best for Trusted Reputation | 4.8 (200 reviews) |
How We Chose the Companies on This List
Our team spent over 100 hours researching moving companies across the United States. We started with a list of more than 25,000 moving companies, then narrowed it down by eliminating companies that:
- Were not registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA)
- Had fewer than 10 customer reviews
- Didn’t have a website
- Had a relatively high number of safety and service violations according to the FMCSA
The remaining companies were ranked based on the following metrics:
- 5x: Average customer rating across all platforms (Yelp, Google, Angi, etc.)
- 4x: Total number of customer reviews (more reviews indicates a more reliable average rating)
- 3x: Total count of out-of-service violations (as indicated by the FMCSA)
- 2x: How many drivers a company has on staff per vehicles it has registered
- 1x: Whether a company is full-service or only offers labor services
Each metric was normalized and then graded on a 100-point scale. The combined weighted average of the scores determined the final ranking score.
We also mystery-shopped to gather quotes from more than 150 moving companies and surveyed our team members — who have moved more than 300 times collectively — on what was most important to them when choosing a moving company.
Who Should Use a Full-Service Mover?
We recommend full-service movers for people who can budget at least $300 for a one-bedroom apartment and at least $1,600 for a three-bedroom home.
Full-service is helpful if you have large, complicated things to move, can’t carry heavy stuff, or have a busy schedule (which may include closing on your new home). Likewise, if you don’t have friends and family available to help, hiring experts can make your move much quicker.
Full-service moving typically includes:
- Packing your items
- Disassembling furniture
- Loading the truck with your items
- Delivery to your new home
- Reassembling furniture
If you feel comfortable doing some of the heavy lifting and driving yourself, consider DIY moving or using labor-only movers who help you load your rented truck. DIY will certainly save you money (but maybe not your back).
3 Best Moving Companies in Bakersfield
1. The Moving Experience: Best Overall
The Moving Experience earned the top spot in Bakersfield by having a stellar customer rating, excellent staffing, and very reasonable rates. In reviews, customers often mentioned that the staff was punctual, professional, and did the job without damaging the furniture. However, a few isolated reviews did mention upcharges on the day of the move.
The Moving Experience offers a wide range of moving services, including local and long-distance moving, packing and unpacking, crating and hoisting, and specialty services like piano moving. And because the company is fully staffed and outfitted with multiple vehicles, it’s likely to be able to handle your move even if you book during peak season.
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⚡ Quick Tip: We recommend getting custom quotes from independent moving brokers. These services are free to use with no obligation and make it easy to compare multiple options to find the best fit and value. Get instant quotes here. |
2. Hansen's Moving & Storage: Best for Ranges of Services
Hansen’s Moving & Storage clinched the number two spot on our list for offering a truly impressive range of services with very solid customer ratings. Reviewers tended to mention accurate estimates and careful handling of fragile items, and it’s notable that many people were repeat customers.
Hansen’s handles local moves but also serves areas as far away as Phoenix, San Diego, and Las Vegas.
Hansen’s offers residential and commercial moves, local and long-distance, packing and unpacking services, storage and logistics, specialty moves (pianos, medical equipment, safes), and even decommissioning and record storage. However, we did give Hansen’s a medium capacity rating because it has only one vehicle and one registered driver. This could complicate your move if you book during peak times.
3. Fit Movers: Best for Trusted Reputation
Fit Movers has excellent customer ratings, averaging 4.75 out of 5 stars based on 200 reviews. Reviewers noted the company’s flexible scheduling, responsiveness, careful handling of fragile items, and overall efficiency. The vast majority of Fit Movers’ customers loved their service, and the rare negative review generally describes a situation outside Fit Movers’ control — for example, a canceled job because of a last-minute truck breakdown.
Fit Movers offers moving services throughout the state of California.
Fit Movers offers a fairly basic range of moving services: residential and commercial moving, packing, and loading and unloading. Customers who need specialty services should probably look elsewhere. We gave Fit Movers a medium capacity score because it only has one vehicle and driver, which could lead to scheduling difficulties.
Next Steps: Compare Moving Companies in Bakersfield
How Much Do Movers Cost in Bakersfield?
The average cost for full-service moving in Bakersfield runs from $582 for a studio apartment to $2,328 for a 3-bedroom home. Larger homes with more stuff will cost you more — a 5-bedroom home will cost $3,988. Interstate and long-distance moves will cost even more.
Full-service moving rates can vary widely depending on the specifics of your move, so reach out to a moving company for an accurate quote.
Typical Cost Breakdown
The cost of your full-service move depends primarily on four key factors:
- Size of your home
- Number of movers and hours you’ll need them
- Driving distance from door to door
- Charge for use of truck (if not included in hourly rate)
At base, most companies charge an hourly rate per mover, then tack on additional fees for other factors.
| Don’t forget to tip 💸
It’s common courtesy to tip your movers 10–20% of the total cost. For a three-bedroom home, that could be upwards of $300. |
Other Things That Could Increase Your Cost
Circumstances and challenges specific to your move could cost you more money.
| 🕰️ Timing |
Companies often charge higher rates for weekends, holidays, and jobs that require movers to work overtime. |
| 🎹 Specialty items |
Moving pianos or other heavy and awkward pieces might require additional time and movers. |
| 🧳 Packing supplies |
Extra bubble wrap for fragile items, large wardrobe boxes for clothes, and other packing supplies can add up. Save by providing your own. |
| 📦 Unpacking service |
Some companies offer unpacking as part of full-service moving. You can save money by doing this yourself. |
| 🏢 Difficult circumstances |
Stairs, narrow hallways, elevators, and distant parking can incur additional time and fees. |
| 🗝️ Storage |
If your new home isn’t ready, you’ll need to store your items until you can move in. |
| 🛡️ Insurance |
If your renters or homeowners insurance policy doesn’t cover transport of your possessions, you can buy insurance from your moving company or a third party. |
How to Get a Quote
You can get a quote from most movers by calling or filling out an online form to provide details about your home.
For the most accurate estimate, ask the mover to stop by your home in person or virtually to take a look at your belongings. This will allow the mover to take note of more complicated items, such as antique furniture or extra heavy items.
Alternatively, a moving broker can do the work for you, providing a quote from a carrier in your area.
How to Avoid Moving Company Scams
Check your mover’s Federal registration. You can check the company’s registration, violations, and complaint history by searching on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website.
Look for complaints on the Better Business Bureau website. Searching the company’s BBB profile can give you an idea of what kinds of complaints have been filed against the company and how the business resolved them.
Understand your rights and responsibilities. By law, every interstate mover must provide documentation about your rights as a consumer and the mover’s responsibilities. Make sure you read it carefully!
Know about your insurance options. If you’re moving within the same state, your mover may offer you coverage, or you can purchase a moving insurance policy independently. According to Federal law, interstate movers must offer two different types of valuation coverage: full value protection and released value.
If you notice one or more of these red flags when researching a moving company, it's probably best to avoid it.
How Far in Advance Should I Reach Out to a Mover in Bakersfield?
If you're moving locally within Bakersfield, look for a moving company about one month before your move — or two months ahead of time if you plan to move during the peak season of May through August. For interstate moves, start looking two to three months out, depending on the season.Sources
We drew from the following sources to write this article:
- “What is the Cost to Move in Bakersfield,” moveBuddha
- “Here’s How to Determine How Many Movers You Need for Your Next Move,” Angi
- “How Many Movers Do I Need?” moveBuddha
- “Liability and Protection,” Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
- “Spot the Red Flags,” Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
