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Moving can be a hectic and anxiety-inducing time, and it's not a task that anyone looks forward to. Even if you plan to do all of the preparation far ahead of time, you may still feel stress and have to deal with obstacles on the day you move in Lake Forest.
Hot temperatures can have an effect on how comfortable and easy your move is. This can be yet another source of stress.
You can reduce your stress with our meticulously assembled guide to Lake Forest's best movers, who can help you make your move much easier.
Making a short and sweet move? Consider hiring a local moving company that knows the streets of Lake Forest well. Local companies are better for short moves, and they often boast better short-notice availability and lower prices.
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Cost is a big concern when talking about moving. The typical amount one might expect to spend hourly for movers in Lake Forest is:
You will first want to figure out what kind of mover fits your needs. As outlined above, whether a national or local mover is a better fit for you will depend on some of the details of your move. You also will need to determine if you need a self-service or full-service moving company. Both types of companies provide trucks and drivers. However, a full-service company can also offer packing and loading services, while self-service companies will not. The type of company that is best for you will depend on your budget and how badly you want to avoid packing boxes.
You can find out about a company's reputation using online reviews or the BBB. You should also find out which movers near you meet the mover licensing requirements in California. Every company on our list of the best movers in Lake Forest is well-reviewed and chosen by our expert team.
After you narrow down your list, you can start reaching out to companies. It is strongly suggested that you reach out to at least two of the companies on our list to ask about getting a free estimate. Make sure that you inform them of all of the services you think you will need for your move. Also make sure that their estimate is a "binding estimate," as otherwise it may be subject to change.
The list below includes some helpful resources for before and after your move:
Lake Forest currently has a median house value of around $734,552. Other facts about housing in Lake Forest include:
There is more tree coverage in Lake Forest than in 38% of the country. Other natural features of the area include:
$104,449 is the median income in Lake Forest. In addition:
85% of Lake Forest's 85,329 residents report being physically active. On top of that:
In Lake Forest, there are approximately 330 eating places, plus:
A national mover will be more experienced at moving across state lines and have greater familiarity with regulations in multiple states. This means they are a good choice if your move will take you out of California or over 100 miles. National movers often also have bigger moving trucks.
International Van Lines (IVL), founded in 2000, can act as a carrier or a broker for long-distance moving. They provide full-service moving, offering services such as packing and loading for customers to choose from. Since 2005, IVL has been operating in over 180 countries, helping customers worldwide build custom moving packages that fit their unique needs.
For more than 20 years, Moving APT has been providing an excellent interstate moving experience to customers all over the U.S. Originally founded by a five-person crew in Florida, Moving APT has now served over half a million customers. The company is fully compliant with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Founded in 1933, North American Moving Services now has over 500 agents all across North America. North American provides both residential and corporate moves, and can handle moves that are local, long-distance, or international. They offer packing, loading, and storage services, and all of this is backed by 24-hour customer service.
American Van Lines, originally founded in Pompano Beach, Florida, now provides long-distance moving across the U.S. The company has been offering a variety of full-service moving packages for over 50 years. They have won one of Newsweek's 'Best Customer Service' Awards twice, in 2019 and 2021.
Allied Van Lines is an expert broker-carrier. This means that they can carry out moves with their own team, or they can outsource to other carriers in an area where they don't offer direct services. A company representative can walk you through what options are available near you. Allied Van Lines has over 90 years of professional moving experience.
JK Moving prides itself on the use of modern technology to help make moving fast and easy. They utilize technologies such as GPS tracking and climate-controlled storage to help everything go smoothly with your move. Since its founding in 1982, JK Moving has also prioritized the use of sustainable practices, such as recycling its materials. The company partners with Fight for Children, Habitat for Humanity, and the Race for Hope.
Based on our research, the best movers in Lake Forest are One Stop Moving & Storage, Safe-Way Moving, Inc., and Five Star Moving Company Orange County.
We compile our list of best Lake Forest movers based on a handful of weighted factors. These include (but are not limited to) the kinds of moves the company offers (local, interstate, and/or international), if they provide additional services such as packing, their insurance offerings, the ease of scheduling, and reviews on other websites such as the BBB.
If you have a piano that needs moving, you'll want to find a moving company that has knowledge and experience in moving them. Not all movers can provide this service. It is a good idea to contact two or three companies to learn which ones have the ability to move a piano, and to ask for references for past piano moves.
It is important to book a moving company far enough in advance of your move. If you are using a full-service moving company that has packing services, they will provide packing materials and labor — you'll just need to be ready to pack. If you are using a self-service company, be sure to purchase supplies and start packing four to six weeks in advance. You'll also want to be sure that the house or apartment that you are vacating is clean — make sure all storage spaces are empty, clear out the fridge, take out the trash, and so on.
On the other end of your move, make sure you have keys to your new home. Pack essentials like a change of clothes, medications, and toilet paper in an easily accessible bag, so that you're not rummaging through boxes during your first evening in your new home. Finally, you'll want to make sure that things like updating your address with your bank, updating your car's registration (if needed), and mail forwarding are taken care of within a reasonable time after your move.
Both cost and convenience are important when planning your move. The majority of people move during the summer, which makes moving in these months busier and more expensive. With about 109,195 students attending college within 15 miles of Lake Forest, you may want to reconsider moving in May and August, when the majority of them will be moving as well.
Don't forget to also consider the weather when you move. Lake Forest tends to have hot temperatures. What this means is that you'll want to move in the cooler months, to avoid uncomfortable and potentially dangerous hot weather while you're loading and unloading a truck.
