10 best movers in San Francisco, California

The best interstate mover for relocating out of California is International Van Lines. For a local move in the San Francisco area, use the filters below to find other local companies for your move.

Long-distance movers in San Francisco

A long-distance move is when you move to a different state or more than 50 miles away. When crossing state boundaries, check that your mover has the right federal licensing. Interstate movers are required to have United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. Input these numbers or the mover's name into the FMCSA's database to look up a carrier's licensing status.

The experienced and reputable long-distance moving firms below have an active license. They can help get you and your belongings safely and smoothly to your new home.

Featured

4.7

Our Rating

Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.

• Includes one month of storage with long-distance moves
• Lists add-on service costs online
• Services all 50 states

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4.7

Our Rating

Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.

• Operates exclusively as a carrier
• Runs shuttles for moves between major cities
• Offers storage for high-value items and antiques

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3.7

Our Rating

Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.

• Offers flat rates for all long-distance moves
• Has secure storage facilities with 24/7 surveillance
• Includes packing and storage in all quotes

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Why is moving so expensive?

Relocating within or out of San Francisco is fairly expensive, as the average hourly moving rate is higher than the national average. The higher moving rates make sense because the cost of living in San Francisco is above 99.6% of the country.

Moving expenses add up fast based on what services you need. The following are common moving expenses:

• Supplies
• Storage
• Packing
• Professional labor
• Fuel
• Junk removal

These additional factors can add even more to your total cost:

Transporting specialty items

Moving companies may charge more to move certain items, especially those that are valuable, fragile or particularly bulky. These items often cost more to move:

• Heavy pieces of furniture or technology
• Family heirlooms or antiques
• Safes
• Artwork and sculptures
• Pianos

Find out from potential movers whether they move these items and if so, whether they charge extra.

Tipping your movers

While tipping your movers isn’t mandatory, it’s a common practice if your movers got your belongings to your new home safely and efficiently. For local moves, a standard tip is $5–$10 per mover per hour. For long-distance moves, tip $20–$40 per mover per day.

Unexpected delays

Delays happen. Limited supplies, bad weather, transportation emergencies and traffic can all make your move more expensive and take longer. Be prepared for delays by allocating 25% more than your movers quote you to your budget and having a flexible schedule.

How to save money on moving costs

Keeping the following tips in mind can save you money on moving in San Francisco.

Be communicative

Avoid unexpected charges the day of your move by communicating with your movers as much as possible. Inform them of additional items that weren’t included in the initial inventory.

Small items may not pose an issue, but inform them of large additions such as new furniture or appliances. The movers may need to adjust their charges for these item and get your consent to these fees before starting the move.

Have a flexible schedule

Moving in the off-season or during the week can save some money and ensure you book your preferred moving company.

Movers are busiest from May through September. If your timeline is flexible, moving during slower months may result in less competition or lower rates.

Consider alternatives to professional movers

If you can’t find a cheap moving service that meets your needs, there are alternative routes you can take.

While you can move on your own, consider the amount of labor required and the following costs:

• Packing supplies
• Fuel
• Moving truck rental

Getting help from friends, family or neighbors for loading and unloading bulky or heavy items such as furniture can make your move faster and easier. If you don't have the time or support system needed for a DIY move, hiring movers is worth it.

Hiring movers on service marketplaces such as Thumbtack or Fiverr is another option. While hiring hourly help can be more affordable, these independent contractors may not have the necessary licensing or insurance.

FAQ about moving in San Francisco

What’s full-service moving?

Hiring full-service movers means they will tackle every part of the moving process. They supply packing materials, pack your belongings, transport them and unpack them.

Standard moving services are cheaper than full-service moving, as they typically only include loading and transporting your belongings. However, full-service moving can be worth the extra cost when you factor in the time, labor and packing supplies you'll save. Additionally, full-service moving tends to provide more comprehensive insurance coverage compared to self-packed goods, which are typically only protected up to 60 cents per dollar. Getting a damage claim approved for self-packed items can also be difficult.

How do you know a mover is licensed?

Legitimate moving companies will show proof of registration on all sites, trucks and documents. Interstate moves mandate USDOT and MC numbers, so be sure to vet their registration completely before hiring movers by visiting the official FMCSA website. Moving companies in California are also required to have a license from the California Bureau of Household Goods and Services.

How does moving insurance work?

You should also look into a mover's insurance policies. Every company should offer released-value coverage, which insures items at 60 cents per pound per item. Adding this supplementary coverage will cost more, but may be worth it if you're moving costly or rare items.

When is the best time of year to move?

The warmer months — May through September — are the most favorable time to move in the U.S., which creates considerably increased demand and notably higher rates across the country for moves of all kinds. Rightfully so, this may steer you away from a summer move due to the higher cost.

We recommend moving during the spring or early fall to experience the best possible weather and lower rates for service.

What things should I leave to the movers, and what should I transport myself?

Load up your car with anything too important to lose, such as photographs, financial records, identification documents and electronics.

Many moving businesses limit insurance coverage for high-value goods, such as jewelry and heirlooms. If you're worried about irreplaceable and valuable items being lost or damaged, keep those belongings with you.

There are certain goods and items prohibited for transportation by movers. These include the following:

• Flammable chemicals of any kind
• Compressed tanks or gas
• Batteries
• Aerosols
• Plants
• Fuel sources
• Perishable foods and produce
• Fertilizers
• Toxic chemicals or cleaners

Our methodology for selecting moving companies

The Homefront Local team employs a proprietary scoring algorithm that evaluates companies based on key factors you value, such as average customer review ratings and trustworthiness indicators. Our method for determining trust involves a comparative analysis of the number of reviews a company receives compared to its local competitors. This leads to companies that have earned more trust from your local community being awarded a higher score.

We review national moving providers against our full moving methodology. We score movers based on reputation and customer experience, service availability, cost and pricing practices, insurance options, customer service and communication.