Best movers in Sunnyvale, Calif.

Choosing the right moving company is one of the most important parts of the entire moving process. You'll want to ensure that the estimate you receive aligns with your budget and that the team you hire is qualified to handle the job. The good news is that we've done much of the research for you by evaluating and rating some of the best moving companies serving the Sunnyvale area. We analyzed factors such as customer reviews, proper licensing and insurance, Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditations and more to compile our list of top picks. We contacted our featured companies to request quotes and gauge their approach to interacting with potential customers.

Quick overview

The best moving company in Sunnyvale for YOU

We understand that selecting the right moving company can be a difficult choice. While we stand by every mover featured on this list, the best option for you will ultimately depend on your specific needs and budget. If you know you'll require storage, focus on movers that provide storage options. Have a few large or heavy items that need extra care? In that case, look for companies with the equipment and experience to handle heavy lifting. If affordability is your main concern, compare quotes to find the best value. We recommend contacting at least three movers before making your final decision.

NorthStar Moving Company earned our top spot for the best mover in Sunnyvale. The company has locations in California, Texas and Arizona, offering a plethora of different moving services, packing and unpacking, storage, specialty item moving and more. Local moves are priced based on the number of movers needed for the job, the drive time between your addresses and the amount of furniture and boxes you need moved. To get an estimate, you'll need to set up a virtual video call with a representative, where you'll perform a walkthrough of the interior and exterior of your home. This allows the company to get a good idea of the amount of inventory you have, as well as any specific items or areas of your property that may pose a challenge. You'll also need to pay a $50 deposit to lock in your preferred move date.

Ontrack Moving and Storage is another great pick for a local mover in Sunnyvale. The company has two locations and 15 years of experience moving households and businesses. Some of their services include local and long-distance moving, packing, storage, junk removal and white-glove moving services. A crew of three movers costs between $185 and $205 per hour, while a four-person team costs between $235 and $255 per hour. Travel and fuel costs are included in the hourly rate, but due to the state of California's double drive time law, you'll essentially be paying double in travel costs. You'll also need to pay a $150 deposit to officially schedule your move.

Best moving companies in Sunnyvale, Calif.

NorthStar Moving Company is the best Sunnyvale mover

Founded in 1994, NorthStar Moving has been moving households, commercial businesses and even celebrities for more than 30 years. The company has locations in California, Texas and Arizona, and prides itself on being a green moving company. It uses biodiesel fuel, recycled moving boxes and biodegradable Bubble Wrap. They even give back to the community by donating to local charities.

We called the business to get an estimate to move a 1,500-square-foot, three-bedroom house in Sunnyvale. The representative we spoke with during our call was friendly and enthusiastic to hear all about our move. Local moves are priced based on the number of movers needed for the job, the drive time between your pickup and drop-off addresses and the amount of furniture and boxes that need to be moved.

To get an accurate estimate, you'll need to schedule a virtual video call with a representative (we were unable to get one over the phone). During this call, you'll perform a walkthrough of the interior and exterior of your home. This lets the company get a good idea of the amount of inventory you have, as well as any specific heavy or specialty items, or property features, that could pose a challenge. They also aim to figure out how many trucks you'll need.

Services offered

• Local and long-distance moves

• International moves

• Office and production moves

• Personal and commercial storage services

• Packing and unpacking services

• Specialty item moving

The company has a three-hour minimum for labor. Travel and fuel costs will be discussed along with the rest of your estimate. However, note that the double-drive time rule also applies here.

There's no extra charge for stairs or elevators (local moves only). The movers will wrap and pad all your furniture, as well as provide protective padding for doorframes, banisters and your floors. All of the movers are trained and background-checked before they begin their first job. To lock in your move date, you'll pay a $50 deposit, which is fully refundable as long as you cancel at least three days prior to your scheduled move date. Payments toward your move can be made with cash, card or a cashier's check. There's no processing or convenience fee when paying with a credit or debit card.

NorthStar Moving Company is a BBB-accredited business with an A+ rating and three filed complaints. It has a 4.9-star rating on Google (889 reviews) and a 4.6-star rating on Yelp (965 reviews). 

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. To get an estimate started, you can call 800-275-7767 or visit its website .

* See Google reviews * See Yelp reviews

Ontrack Moving & Storage is our top alternative Sunnyvale moving company

Ontrack Moving and Storage has provided residential and commercial moving services within California for 15 years. The company can help with local and long-distance moves, packing, storage, junk removal and white-glove services. We called the business to get an idea of how much it would cost to move a three-bedroom, 1,500-square-foot house locally within Sunnyvale.

During our call, we spoke with Angila, a sales representative with the company, who was incredibly kind and answered all of our questions. We were told that our move would likely require a crew of four movers, which would cost anywhere between $235 and $255 per hour. We could also hire a three-person team for between $185 and $205 per hour. The company has a four-hour minimum for labor charges, and everything is billed in 15-minute increments.

Travel and fuel costs are included in the hourly rate. However, it's also important to bear in mind that you'll likely end up paying double in travel costs due to California's double drive time rule, which basically means movers are required to compensate workers for twice the drive time it takes to travel between two locations. The movers will provide blankets and padding for your belongings, as well as disassemble and reassemble anything as needed. Packing materials, such as shrink wrap for furniture and boxes for TVs and mirrors, come at an extra cost. However, you won't be charged extra for any stairs or elevators on your property.

Services offered

• Local and long-distance moves

• Packing services

• Storage services

• Commercial moves

• Junk removal

• White-glove moving services

A $150 deposit fee is required upfront to book your move. It's fully refundable so long as you cancel at least five days before your scheduled move date. Rescheduling will require at least a three-day notice. The company accepts cash and card payments, with a 3% processing fee applied to all credit and debit card transactions. They don't accept checks. We were also told that all the movers are full-time employees who've been drug-screened and background-checked.

Ontrack Moving and Storage is a BBB-accredited business with an A+ rating and no filed complaints. It has a 4.9-star rating on Google (442 reviews) and a 4.9-star rating on Yelp (789 reviews). The company is located at 22950 Clawiter Road, Hayward, Calif., 94545 and is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. To get an estimate started, you can call 888-914-8787 or visit its website .

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BLVD Moving is the best national moving company

At Yahoo Local, we're committed to spotlighting exceptional local businesses, but we also understand that national moving companies can sometimes be the better fit, especially for long-distance moves. After reviewing several national providers, we named BLVD Moving as our top choice on the list of best national moving companies . For more insight on how to choose between local and national movers, check out our detailed comparison guide .

BLVD Moving is managed by a team of professionals with decades of experience in the relocation industry. While the company operates just four offices in California, it offers both local and long-distance moving services throughout the U.S. Family-owned and independently operated, BLVD manages its own fleet and staff but notes in its terms that subcontractors or agents may occasionally be used. This practice is common in the industry during high-demand periods, but it's worth being aware of.

We obtained a quote from BLVD for a 500-mile move involving around 1,340 cubic feet of household belongings, roughly the size of a typical three-bedroom home without major appliances. The estimate came to approximately $6,700, which is consistent with rates from other national moving companies. To secure a booking, BLVD requires a 33% deposit, with half of the remaining balance due at pickup and the final payment upon delivery.

Services offered

• Local and long-distance moves

• Residential, office and commercial moves

• Packing services

• Storage

• Financing

If you need to cancel, deposits are refundable as long as notice is given at least two business days before pickup. Delivery windows range from two to 21 business days, depending on distance. The timeline begins on your chosen delivery date, meaning shipments could take just over a month in some cases.

BLVD recommends scheduling your move at least 30 days in advance, or even earlier during busy seasons, such as summer or at the beginning and end of the month. (You can learn more in our guide on the best and worst times to move .) Getting a quote is straightforward: customers can book a virtual walkthrough or complete an online inventory form for quicker results. Financing options are also available, with qualified customers eligible for 0% starting rates.

BLVD Moving is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with a B rating and 96 complaints on record. While that number may seem high, it's typical for a large national mover. The company holds an average rating of 4.3 stars on Google (based on 1,304 reviews) and 2.3 stars on Yelp (380 reviews). All movers are direct employees who undergo background checks rather than independent contractors.

BLVD's headquarters are located at 21622 Plummer Street, Chatsworth, Calif., 91311. Business hours are from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. To request a quote, call 844-274-0500 or submit a form online .

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More best Sunnyvale movers

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

At Yahoo, we've spent decades committed to delivering trustworthy, fact-based information about local businesses. Our Yahoo Local guides carry on that legacy, aiming to give you the most accurate insight into which companies truly deserve your time and money. But we don't expect you to just take our word for it — we're transparent about how our selections are made, sharing every detail of our process and methodology. With a ranking system developed by our team, we've built what we believe is the most impartial way to showcase the top local businesses in your area. We never accept payment for inclusion, and you'll never see sponsored picks in our lists. Want more details? Check out our methodology page .

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

• 40 movers evaluated

• 23,239 customer reviews and ratings from five sources

• 14 ranking criteria incorporated

• Interviewed or connected with all three featured movers

• Independent price quotes 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 needed for a moving estimate varies by company and depends on how detailed their pricing process is. Some movers request only basic information like your home's square footage, number of bedrooms and the pickup and drop-off locations. Others won't provide a quote until they've received a full inventory of your belongings .

You should be prepared to share the size of both your current and new homes, the addresses, and details about any large or specialty items that may be difficult to move. Many movers charge additional fees for items exceeding certain weight limits, so disclosing this information early can help you avoid surprise charges later. You should also mention if there are stairs or elevators at either property, as movers often apply extra fees for those conditions.

What should you know about packing and storage in California?

Depending on where you are in the state, California temperatures can stay fairly warm to hot throughout the year. In Sunnyvale, average annual temperatures vary from 44°F to 77°F and are rarely below 36°F or above 87°F, according to Weather Spark .

Belongings such as electronics, art supplies, synthetic fabrics, makeup, and medications are especially sensitive to high temperatures and should be transported in a climate-controlled vehicle. If you'll be using storage, it's worth paying a bit more for an indoor or climate-controlled facility to keep these items safe.

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

Relocating to or from an apartment or condominium often involves navigating stairs. Many movers charge additional fees for carrying items up several flights, and some even apply extra costs for using elevators. You might not be billed for a single flight of stairs, but if your home is on the third floor or above, you can typically expect to pay an added fee.

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

All moving companies operating within California are required to hold a Household Mover Permit, also known as a Cal-T number, issued by the Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS). This regulation is strictly enforced to protect customers from unlicensed movers who may not adhere to proper procedures or maintain sufficient insurance coverage. Licensed California movers must also display their Cal-T number on all advertisements, websites, vehicles and contracts. 

For additional details, see our full guide on moving company licensing and regulations in California .

How much should you tip movers in California?

A general rule of thumb for tipping movers is to give between 10% and 20% of your total moving cost . This guideline applies to both local and long-distance moves. That said, tipping is entirely optional — it's simply a way to express appreciation for quality service. If the experience doesn't meet your expectations, there's no obligation to provide a tip.

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