Best movers in Santa Rosa, Calif.

Picking the right moving company is arguably the most important step in the moving process. You want to make sure the estimate you receive matches your budget, and that they're the right crew to get the job done. Thankfully, we've done some of the heavy lifting for you by evaluating and scoring some of the top movers that service the Santa Rosa area. We looked at customer reviews, licensing, Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings and more to curate our list of winners. We then took things a step further by calling our top two companies, asking for an estimate and to just get a feel for how each business treats potential customers. Here's what we found.

Top Santa Rosa movers

The best moving company in Santa Rosa for YOU

We know choosing the right moving company isn't an easy decision, and although we trust all the movers featured on this list, the best mover for you is the one that fits both your moving needs and your budget. If you know you'll need storage, focus on companies that offer storage solutions. Have several bulky items that will take extra effort to transport? In that case, look for movers equipped to handle heavy lifting. If keeping costs low is your top priority, compare estimates and see which company offers the best deal. We suggest reaching out to at least three movers before making a decision.

NorthStar Moving Company is our top pick for the best mover in Santa Rosa. The company performs local, long-distance and international moves, and follows eco-friendly moving practices for each job. Along with moving services, you can also hire NorthStar for help with packing, storage and specialty item moving (like pianos and artwork). For a move from Santa Rosa to Sacramento, we were quoted a rough ballpark estimate of $2,000 to $4,000. To get a precise quote, you'll need to schedule a virtual walkthrough of your home to calculate the volume of items that need to be moved.

Mentors Moving and Storage is another great option, performing local, long-distance and international moves. In addition to moving, you can also book them for help with packing, storage, white-glove delivery services and more. We were quoted a ballpark estimate of $2,300 to $3,000 for our move. To get an official quote, you'll need to schedule a virtual call with them so they can take inventory of what's in your home. That estimate will include everything, so there are no hidden fees or extra charges that weren't previously discussed.

Table of contents

• Best overall mover in Santa Rosa

• Top alternative Santa Rosa mover

• Best national moving company

• More best Santa Rosa movers

• Why you can trust Yahoo Local moving advice

• California moving FAQs

• Methodology

Best moving companies in Santa Rosa, Calif.

NorthStar Moving Company is the best overall Santa Rosa moving company

NorthStar Moving Company has been helping households with local, long-distance and international moves for more than 25 years. As a green moving company, the business aims to make every move as eco-friendly as possible by using biodiesel fuel, recycled moving boxes and biodegradable Bubble Wrap. The company also gives back to the community by donating to local charities.

We called NorthStar to get an estimate to move a 1,500-square-foot, three-bedroom house from Santa Rosa to Sacramento. The representative we spoke with was easy to talk to and very enthusiastic to hear all about our move. 

We were given a ballpark flat-fee estimate of $2,000 to $4,000 for our move. This price includes the cost of three movers, as well as any truck and travel fees. To get an actual quote, you'll need to schedule a virtual estimate call. During this call, they'll help you perform a walkthrough of your home to get an idea of all the inventory to be moved, packing requirements and any heavy or specialty items that could be challenging to handle.

Services offered

• Local moves

• Long-distance moves

• International moves

• Office and production moves

• Personal and commercial storage services

• Packing and unpacking services

• Specialty item moving

There's a $50 deposit required to book a move, which goes toward your final bill. It's refundable up to three business days before your move. You can make any necessary payments with cash, card or a cashier's check, and there's no extra transaction fees if you decide to pay with a credit or debit card. All the movers on staff are background-checked and must complete a training program before their first job.

NorthStar Moving Company is BBB-accredited with an A+ rating and three complaints. The company has a 4.9-star rating on Google (with 871 reviews) and a 4.6-star rating on Yelp (with 463 reviews). 

You can reach NorthStar at 800-275-7767 or via its website . The business office is located at One Bush Plaza, Suite B-182, San Francisco, Calif., 94104. They're open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Customer testimonial

I had a great experience with NorthStar Moving Company! From start to finish, the team was friendly, professional, and efficient. They met my expectations both in terms of budget and service. The entire move went smoothly with no stress or drama, and I was especially impressed with how carefully they wrapped and handled my furniture for storage. - Marcela M., Google reviews (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

* See Google reviews * See Yelp reviews

Mentors Moving and Storage is our top alternative Santa Rosa mover

Mentors Moving and Storage has been in business for eight years, serving Santa Rosa, Bakersfield and Phoenix, Arizona. They perform local, long-distance and international moves, along with a plethora of additional services like packing, piano moving and storage services. 

When we called, we spoke with Braydon, a sales representative. Braydon was incredibly helpful and listened to all our concerns. Much like NorthStar Moving, you'll need to schedule a virtual meeting to get an accurate moving estimate. However, Braydon was able to give us a rough ballpark estimate over the phone. 

The company charges a flat rate for long-distance moves. To move our 1,500-square-foot, three-bedroom home from Santa Rosa to Sacramento, we were quoted a range between $2,300 to $3,000. This price range includes the labor costs for three movers and all associated travel and truck fees. You won't be charged extra to move heavier items, but there is an extra cost involved for moving pool tables, which is handled by a third-party company.

Services offered

• Local moves

• Long-distance moves

• International moves

• Commercial moving

• Piano moving

• White-glove services

• Storage services

• Packing services

They have a three-hour minimum for local moves, with an hourly rate of $170 for a two-man crew. There's a $250 deposit required to book your move that goes toward the overall cost of the actual move. It's refundable up to 72 hours before your move date. You can make any payments with cash, card or cashier's check. Just note that there's a 3.5% processing fee for any card payments. All movers on staff are drug-screened and background-checked.

Mentors Moving and Storage is BBB-accredited with an A+ rating and one filed complaint. It has a 4.9-star rating on Google out of 324 reviews. On Yelp, it has a 4.8-star rating and 175 reviews. 

The company's phone number is 855-918-2217, and their business address is 3000 Dutton Ave., Suite B, Santa Rosa, Calif., 95407. They're open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Sunday. And you can visit its website for more information.

Customer testimonial

Incredible service! Brandon and all the crew showed up on time and worked fast and hard, but carefully and thoughtfully. They wrapped all the furniture well to ensure no breakage or damage for the 1,800-mile trip. It was a big move, and the crew was friendly and kept a positive attitude and worked well, problem-solving as a team. - Jill, Google reviews (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

* See Google reviews * See Yelp reviews

BLVD Moving is the best national moving company

Established in 2000, BLVD Moving is operated by professionals with decades of expertise in relocation services. Despite having just four locations in California, the company provides both local and nationwide moving assistance across the U.S. It remains an independently owned, family-run business with its own fleet of vehicles and moving crews. However, its terms note that subcontractors or agents may occasionally be used, which is a common industry practice during times of high demand.

For pricing, we requested a quote for a 500-mile relocation involving about 1,340 cubic feet of items — roughly equal to the contents of an average three-bedroom house without large appliances. The estimate came in at around $6,700, which is on par with other cross-country movers. Payment terms include a 33% deposit at the time of booking, half of the balance due at pickup, and the final portion due once delivery is complete.

Cancellations are permitted, with full deposit refunds available if notice is given at least two business days before the scheduled pickup date. BLVD's delivery timeframe ranges from two to 21 business days, depending on distance. The countdown starts from the delivery date you specify, meaning it could take slightly over a month before your items arrive.

Services offered

• Local and long-distance moves

• Residential, office and commercial moves

• Packing services

• Storage

• Financing

The company suggests scheduling at least a month in advance, and even earlier if planning a move during peak seasons like summer or the beginning and end of each month. The quote process is straightforward, offering virtual walkthroughs or an online inventory form for faster estimates. BLVD also provides financing options, with qualified customers eligible for interest rates starting as low as 0%.

BLVD Moving holds accreditation with the BBB , maintaining a B+ rating alongside 85 filed complaints. While that number may seem high, it is fairly typical for large moving companies. Customer feedback shows a 4.3-star rating on Google (from 1,145 reviews) and 2.3 stars on Yelp (from 369 reviews). All movers are employed directly by the company and must pass background checks.

The headquarters of BLVD Moving is located at 21622 Plummer St., Chatsworth, California, 91311. Business hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time, seven days a week. To request a quote, call 844-274-0500 or visit the BLVD Moving website .

Customer testimonial

John and Alex did a great job with my move. Everything was packed securely and helped make things fit according to what we had been quoted. No hidden fees on moving day. Very helpful and professional. - Anna S., Google reviews (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

* See Google reviews * See Yelp reviews

More best Santa Rosa movers

You can count on Yahoo Local moving advice, and this is why

We've spent a long time providing accurate information about local businesses at Yahoo. Our Yahoo Local guides continue that tradition, aiming to give you the most accurate information possible about which local businesses are worth your time and hard-earned money. We don't just want you to trust our word on that, though. We show you by providing all the details behind our methodology and what goes into our picks. Using a custom ranking system built by our team, we've created what we think is the most objective way to highlight the very best local companies in your area. We never accept payment to be included in our lists, and you won't find us using sponsored picks. Want more details? Visit our full methodology page . 

Below is everything that went into the rankings for our list of the best moving companies in Santa Rosa:

• 31 movers evaluated

• 7,518 customer reviews and ratings from five sources

• 14 ranking criteria incorporated

• Interviewed or connected with all three featured movers

• Independent price quotes sourced or sought from all three featured moving companies

• Independently researched and fact-checked by Yahoo

• Recommendations are maintained and updated regularly

California moving FAQs

What info should you have when requesting an estimate?

What's required for a moving estimate depends on the company and how detailed its quoting system is. Some movers only ask for the square footage of your home, the number of bedrooms and the locations you're moving between. Others won't provide a price until they receive a complete inventory of your belongings.

At the very least, you'll need to know the size of both your current and future residences, the addresses, and whether you own any bulky or specialty items that might be challenging to transport. Certain movers apply extra charges for items over a specific weight threshold, so it's best to disclose these upfront to prevent unexpected fees later. It's also important to note any stairs or elevators at either location, since movers frequently add additional costs for those factors.

What should you know about packing and storage in California?

California is like the Florida of the West Coast, staying relatively warm to hot all year-round. In Santa Rosa, the average highs tend to stay between 60 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, according to U.S Climate Data . The average lows usually don't drop anywhere below 40 degrees. If you plan on moving during the spring or summer months, plan to keep certain items protected from the heat.

Items like electronics, art supplies, synthetic fabric, makeup products and medications are sensitive to heat and are best transported in climate-controlled vehicles. If you need storage, consider paying a little extra to store these items in an indoor or climate-controlled facility.

What's different about condo and apartment moving in California?

Moving into or out of an apartment or condo often means dealing with stairs. Many moving companies add extra fees if they need to carry your items up multiple flights, or even when just using an elevator. For a single flight of stairs, you may not be charged an additional cost. But if your unit is on the third floor or higher, expect to pay an extra fee.

Do you need moving permits or licenses to move in California?

All moving companies within California must obtain a Household Mover Permit, also known as a Cal-T number, from the Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS). This is strictly enforced to protect you from unlicensed companies that might not follow proper procedures or carry adequate insurance. Additionally, licensed moving companies in California must display their Cal-T number on all advertisements, websites, vehicles and contracts. For more information, check out our guide on moving licensing and regulations in California .

How much should you tip movers in California?

You should generally aim to tip your movers somewhere between 10% to 20% of your total moving cost. This range applies to both local and long-distance moves. Tipping isn't required — it's a gratuity, so don't feel like you have to tip your movers if you aren't satisfied with the service you received. 

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