Checking a mover in California

Moving within California: state license

Regulator

California Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS), Department of Consumer Affairs

License

BHGS household mover permit

Look up a mover

BHGS household mover license search

Complaints

BHGS online complaint form

Contact

BHGS, 4244 South Market Court, Suite D, Sacramento, CA 95834-1243. Phone (916) 999-2041, email HomeProducts@dca.ca.gov.

Rules from the state

• Companies moving household goods within, into, or out of California must be licensed with BHGS. Check that the mover is licensed, in active status, in good standing, and insured. Source
• For moves within California, it is illegal to give an estimate without a visual inspection, and the mover must sign the estimate. Source
• Moves within California of less than 100 miles can be charged by the hour; moves over 100 miles must be charged by weight and mileage. Source
• At least three days before your move, the company must give you a moving agreement or Bill of Lading, signed by both of you. For moves within California it should include a "Not to Exceed Price". Source
• For moves into or out of California, you and the mover both sign the estimate, and it should say whether it is binding or non-binding. Source
• BHGS takes complaints about moves within, into, or out of California. It does not regulate storage facilities, international moves, or moves that do not begin or end in California. Source

Checked October 28, 2026 on the agency’s own site. The movers below are listed from FMCSA (federal) data; this site does not show whether each one also holds the California state license. Confirm that with the state lookup above.