Moving FAQ

We recommend booking one to two weeks ahead. For weekends, the end of the month and the busy summer months, book as early as you can. Those dates fill up quickly in Hollywood and across Los Angeles.

Often, yes. Midweek dates are the easiest to fit in on short notice. Call our office and we'll check the schedule for the next available crew.

Midweek days, Tuesday through Thursday, are usually the least busy and the easiest to book. The end of the month and summer weekends are the busiest. If your dates are flexible, ask our office about the best day for your move.

Let us know as soon as possible and we'll work with you to find a new date. Please read our cancellation policy for details on changes and cancellations.

Yes. We work seven days a week, and our office is open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Some holidays book up early, so call ahead if you're planning a holiday move.

Yes. Rain is rare in Los Angeles, but when it happens we keep working. We protect furniture and mattresses with plastic wrap and blankets, and we lay down floor protection at both homes. Heavy rain can slow things down a little.

Local moves are charged by the hour, based on the number of movers and trucks. Your total depends on how much you're moving, stairs and elevators, the distance from the truck to your door, the drive between homes and how prepared you are. See our rates page for current pricing.

Because local moves are hourly, we can give you a close estimate based on your details, but not a guaranteed total. For larger homes, we strongly recommend a free in-person or virtual estimate so we can plan accurately.

California rules require hourly movers to bill the driving time between your pickup and drop-off addresses at double. For example, a 15-minute drive is billed as 30 minutes. You're not charged for our drive from the office to your first address. Read more on our Double Drive Time page.

No. Your hourly rate includes the movers, truck, dollies, blankets, plastic wrap, tools and basic coverage, plus fuel and mileage on local moves. Extra charges apply only for items over 300 lbs (such as pianos, gun safes and marble tables) and for boxes and packing materials you buy from us. We'll tell you about these up front.

Yes. Items that weigh more than 300 lbs, such as pianos, large gun safes, pool tables and stone or marble furniture, have an added charge because they need extra crew and special equipment. Let us know about them when you book so we can include them in your estimate.

Be ready when the crew arrives. Pack all small items, label boxes, take apart simple furniture and clear hallways. Get rid of anything you don't need before moving day. Save parking close to your entrance and book the elevator with your building. Choosing a midweek date can help too.

We accept cash, credit and debit cards, and PayPal. Business clients can pay by invoice. Payment is due when the move is complete.

Tipping is never required, but it's always appreciated when the crew does a great job. Many customers tip based on the size of the move and how happy they are with the service. Buying the crew lunch or water on a hot day is also a nice gesture.

Yes. Zoom Movers is a licensed and insured moving company in California. Every move includes the basic liability coverage required by state law at no extra charge.

California's basic coverage pays 60 cents per pound per item. For example, if a 65-lb TV is damaged, the payout is 65 × $0.60 = $39. It's free, but it doesn't cover much for valuable items. We recommend full-value coverage for anything expensive or fragile. See our insurance page for details.

Yes. For high-value items such as art, antiques, electronics and designer furniture, we recommend getting full-value coverage before your move. Contact our office a few days before your move so it's in place in time.

Yes. Many apartment and condo buildings in Hollywood, West Hollywood, Koreatown and along Wilshire require a COI before they'll approve a move. Send us your building's requirements a few days ahead so they can be approved in time.

We wrap all wood and finished furniture in thick padded blankets and secure them with plastic wrap. We add cardboard to edges and corners when needed. Mattresses and upholstery are wrapped to keep them clean. Plastic wrap is included free of charge.

Contact our office as soon as possible, ideally within a few days of your move, with photos and a description. We'll review the claim under your coverage and work with you to resolve it fairly.

Yes. Our crew can pack part or all of your home, either on moving day or before. Packing time is billed at your hourly rate, and boxes and materials are charged separately. If you need a lot of packing supplies, let our office know ahead of time so the crew brings enough.

Yes. Our trucks carry boxes, bubble wrap and packing paper, which you can buy on moving day if you run out. If you're packing yourself, you can also buy boxes at hardware or moving-supply stores ahead of time.

Yes. Wardrobe boxes are included on moving day, so your hanging clothes go straight from closet to closet without wrinkling.

Light, soft items like clothes can usually stay in dresser drawers. Remove anything fragile, heavy or valuable. For safety, the crew lead makes the final call on moving day.

We can't move hazardous materials such as gasoline, propane tanks, paint, cleaning chemicals, ammunition or fireworks. Keep cash, jewelry, important documents, medication and anything irreplaceable with you during the move.

Yes. We can take away the used blankets, wrap and packing materials we brought. Just let the crew know if you'd also like help clearing out empty boxes.

You or someone you trust should be there at the start to go over the plan and at the end to confirm that everything arrived. If you can't be there, someone else can supervise and sign on your behalf.

It depends on how much you have, stairs and elevators, how far the truck is from your door, the drive between homes and how ready you are. A studio or one-bedroom apartment in Hollywood often takes 3–5 hours. Larger homes can take a full day.

Most studio and one-bedroom moves need two movers. Two-bedroom homes usually need three, and larger homes four or more. Long walks to the truck, several flights of stairs or heavy items may call for an extra mover. We'll recommend the right crew size when you request a quote.

We send a truck sized for your move, from small apartments to family homes. If your street is narrow, steep or hard to reach, as many Hollywood Hills streets are, tell us when you book so we can plan the right truck and where to park it.

It depends on where you live. West Hollywood requires a moving permit for trucks parked on the street, and Beverly Hills sells temporary moving van "No Parking" signs. In Hollywood and the rest of Los Angeles, the easiest option is to save legal parking near your entrance ahead of time. Parking tickets on moving day are the customer's responsibility, so plan parking ahead.

Yes. We take apart and reassemble beds, tables, desks and other furniture, and we bring all the tools needed. This is included in your hourly rate.

Yes, we move refrigerators, washers, dryers and other appliances. Our movers aren't licensed technicians, so please have water and gas lines disconnected and reconnected by a qualified professional.

We can take a TV off the wall and pack it safely. We don't mount TVs at the new home, so you'll need a handyman or installer for that.

Yes, we move plants, including large potted ones. Plants can be stressed by heat and being moved, so we can't be responsible for their health after the move.

Yes. We move upright and grand pianos regularly, including up and down stairs. A heavy-item charge applies. Learn more about our piano moving service.

Yes. Our gun safe movers are trained and equipped to move safes weighing up to 2,500 lbs.

We can lift large items over balconies and through windows with our furniture hoisting service. It's common for Hollywood walk-ups and hillside homes with tight stairways.

Yes. Our single-item moving service is ideal for a couch, a dresser, an appliance or a few items from a store or storage unit.

Yes. If you've rented your own truck or container, our moving labor crews can load or unload it for you.

Yes. Our office movers plan commercial moves to keep downtime low, with evening and weekend scheduling available.

We move customers anywhere in California, usually within 24–48 hours. See our statewide moves page for details.

Yes. We can haul away unwanted furniture, mattresses and other items. We'll take them to a donation center, recycling facility or the dump. The price depends on what you're getting rid of and how much there is. You can tell us when you book so we include it in your estimate, or point the items out to the crew on moving day and we'll agree on a price before we load them.