How a local move with us works
Every move starts with a short phone call or the quote form: home size, both addresses, floors and elevator situation, and anything unusual — a piano, a marble table, a narrow stairwell. From that we send a firm written quote the same day, with an honest time estimate rather than a lowball number that grows on move day.
On move day the crew arrives inside a set window, walks the home with you, and protects everything before a single box moves: furniture blanket-wrapped and shrink-sealed, mattresses bagged, door frames and floors covered. Beds and standard furniture are disassembled, transported, and reassembled where you want them at the new place.
Built for Santa Monica buildings
Walk-ups and courtyards
Much of the city's housing is 1950s–70s courtyard buildings with no elevator. Our quotes price stairs honestly up front, and crews are staffed accordingly — three movers on a third-floor walk-up beats two movers making double trips.
Permit parking
West of Lincoln, street parking is permit-only. Where needed we arrange City of Santa Monica temporary no-parking signs so the truck loads at your door instead of two blocks away.
High-rises and condos
Ocean Ave towers and newer condo buildings usually require certificates of insurance and reserved freight elevators. We handle the COI paperwork with your building manager before move day.
Cross-town and cross-county
Santa Monica to anywhere in greater Los Angeles is still a local hourly move — Venice, the Valley, Downtown, Long Beach. No mileage surprises inside LA County.
Local moving rates
3-hour minimum on all moves. Firm written quote before move day.
For a detailed cost breakdown by home size, see our Santa Monica moving cost guide. Need boxes and packing too? That's our packing service.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a local move take?
A studio or one-bedroom typically takes 3–5 hours door to door; a two-bedroom takes 5–7 with a three-mover crew. Elevator buildings and short carries run faster; third-floor walk-ups run longer. Your written quote includes a realistic time estimate for your specific buildings.
What's included in the hourly rate?
The crew, the truck, fuel within our service area, blankets, wardrobe boxes on move day, shrink wrap, tape, floor protection, and basic disassembly and reassembly of beds and standard furniture. There are no add-on fees for stairs disclosed after the fact — access is priced into the quote.
Do you move on weekends and holidays?
Yes, we run crews every day of the year, 8am–8pm. Weekends and the last few days of each month book first, so reserve those dates 1–2 weeks ahead.