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Created on Friday, 22 November 2013 17:28

Local Tariff in California

California moving companies are regulated by state public utilities commission (PUC). PUC sets maximum rates for moving companies. The state is divided in territories A and B and the maximum tariffs for local and long distance moves, which we will describe below.

California local tariff are charged hourly or by piece. These costs cover  the transportation of the move. The additional charges for non-recyclable materials (used to pack and protect your shipment), may apply.

MINIMUM RATES

Most moving companies have minimum charges. For example, on hourly moves, a mover may have a minimum charge of 3 or 4 hours depending on the size of the crew requested. This means that, even if the move only takes 2 hours you will still be charged the minimum of 3 or 4 hours. The minimum hours have to be disclosed by movers at the time they provide you with a quote.

MAXIMUM RATES

In California, all rates and charges are subject to PUC-set maximums. Most moving companies do not exceed these maximums; in fact, to stay competitive, movers charge less.

MAXIMUM RATES IN DOLLARS PER HOUR

(California is divided in 2 tariff territories: A and B, Rancho Cucamonga and Riverside County is located in the B territory)

As you can see in the table above, the hourly rate consists of the number of movers and trucks participating in a move. The common teams in residential moving: 2 movers and a truck or 3 movers and a truck; and in packing: 2 packers or 3 packers. Less common are charges for 1 mover and a truck and 4 or 5 movers and 2 trucks.

Hourly rate is prorated in quarter hour incromments.

Example: 3 hours and 20 minutes = 3 1/4 hours, 3 hours and 25 minutes = 3 1/2 hours.

Double drive time

Hourly rate is doubled for the drive time from the pickup to the delivery location. The movers do not charge for the time it takes them to get to your pickup and to get back from the delivery locations. The calculation of the time starts at the time moving company arrives to you and start the move and finishes at the time the shipment has been delivered and the equipment is removed from your residence or business facility. There are no additional costs for mileage or a fuel surcharge.

Example of hourly charge: a relocation of a 2 bedroom apartment to be dellivered 20 miles. 

Loading time: 2 hours and 10 minutes = 2 1/4 hours;

Drive time (doubel): 20 miles 30 minutes x 2 = 1 hour;

Unloading time: 1 hour 20 minutes = 1 1/4 hours;

Grand total of 4 1/2 hours multiplied by hourly rate of 2 movers and a truck $142.55 (PUC maximum charge) = $641.00.

Your local mover's hourly rate should be a lot more competitive than the maximum rate suggested by PUC.

MAXIMUM RATE IN DOLLARS PER PIECE

Rates shown in this item apply to shipments of not more than 5 pieces transported for distance of 50 constructive miles or less.

Piece Means:

1) Each household, or institutional article tendered in assembled form, or in the alternative, disassembled form, but secured in a manner allowing the article to be handled as a unit.

2) Rates in this item will not apply to shipments afforded split pickups/deliverie, nor to shipments afforded storage in transit.

3) Rates in this item will not apply to any pianos, or any articles not conventionally carried by one person.

Example of dollars per piece calculation: A shipment of a refrigerator, a washer and a dryer with a distance of 11 miles will be calculated as $124.55 + $22.85 + $22.85 = $170.25 (a maximum per piece charge).

MAXIMUM RATES FOR PACKING/UNPACKING IN DOLLAR PER HOUR

Extra charges for purchased packing supplies may apply, ask your moving company for their rate sheet.

Example of hourly packing calculations: 2 bedroom apartment, 2 packers (Ter. B Maximum Rates) $109.10 x 3.5 hours = $381.85, plus the cost of materials.

Check the hourly rates of your local mover, which should be much more competitive that PUC suggested maximum rates.

MAXIMUM FIXED RATES FOR CONTAINERS AND PACKING/UNPACKING

Example: Full service packing and unpacking calculations using fixed rates per carton.

Items List: 4 wardrobe boxes, 3 dish packs, 5 small boxes, 3 medium boxes, 4 large boxes, 2 xl boxes, 2 mattress covers.

Cost of materials: (4 x $19.75) + (3 x $35.86) + (5 x $8.58) + (3 x $12.98) + (4 x $15.83) + (2 x $18.11) + (2 x $9.45) = &79.00 + $107.58 + $42.90 + $38.94 + $63.32 + $36.22 + $18.90 = $386.86

Packing: (4 x $14.55) + (3 x $29.95) + (5 x $7.30) + (3 x $10.95) + (4 x $13.10) + (2 x $15.10) + (2 x $3.50) = $58.20 + $89.85 + $36.50 + $32.85 + $52.40 + $30.20 = $307.00

Unpacking: (4 x $7.10) + (3 x $12.65) + (5 x $3.00) + (3 x $4.50) + (4 x $5.60) + (2 x $6.25) + (2 x $1.45) = $28.40 + $37.95 + $15.00 $13.50 + $22.40 + $12.50 + $2.90 = $132.65

MAXIMUM RATES CALCULATIONS TOTALS COME OUT TO THE FOLLOWING GRAND TOTALS AND

A GRAND TOTAL (Materials, Packing and Unpacking) = $386.86 + $307.00 + $132.65 = $826.51