Find movers in San Francisco, CA

You might pay between approximately $80 to $140 for the top movers in San Francisco. However, your actual costs might be more (or less), depending on a few factors: where you’re moving to, how much stuff you need to move, how many movers you need to hire and the time of year.

Always read moving company reviews, and collect estimates to find the best movers in San Francisco. Moving companies in California are required to be licensed. According to the Office of the Attorney General, moving companies are required to be registered with either the California Public Utilities Commission or the U.S. Department of Transportation. You can find more tips on how to hire movers in Thumbtack’s smart hiring guide and look for the Top Pro badge to identify the best professionals near you.

Many businesses have moving boxes available for free pickup as long as you phone ahead. Check with your local pharmacy, grocery store, liquor store and bars for free moving boxes in San Francisco. Some people post their boxes for free on online bulletin boards once they’re done with the move. Of course, you can always shop at hardware stores for quality boxes or ask movers in San Francisco if they have boxes for sale. 

Because of the limited amount of parking on the city’s steep and twisting streets, it’s highly recommended that you consider getting a parking permit for your move. A San Francisco parking permit can provide you with temporary no-parking signs to reserve space on the street for your truck. Contact your moving company beforehand to find out the size of the moving truck and how many spaces you will need.

There are several moving truck rental companies located in the San Francisco area. But if you don’t want to deal with the hassle of renting your own truck, keep in mind that many moving companies in San Francisco provide their own trucks when helping you move. Depending on your situation, it might save you time (and money) to hire movers rather than move everything by yourself. 

Book movers at least two months in advance for a local move and at least four months in advance for a cross-country move. If you’re moving during the off-season, it’s best to book movers about four to eight weeks in advance. Factor in an extra two to three weeks if you have antiques or valuables that are difficult to transport.

May through September is considered peak moving season, according to the American Moving & Storage Association. If you’re moving during this time, hire movers as far in advance as possible.

Local moves are among the most common moves. Unlike a long-distance move, a local move is typically less than 50 miles and does not cross state lines. Generally, a local move only takes one day, and movers tend to charge by the hour. 

The definition of a long-distance move may vary depending on the moving company. Generally, a long-distance considered to be any move of 400 miles or more. However, some say a long-distance move is over 50-100 miles. 

Interstate moves require additional legal preparation and will incur additional costs for distance, the amount and weight of your items, the preparation required and various other factors. Moving companies tend to do an initial weighing of the truck, which you should be present for.

A move that crosses state lines is considered an interstate move or an out-of-state move. Contrast this with an intrastate move, which begins and ends in the same state, but is typically above 50 miles. 

To determine whether your move is local or long-distance, contact the best movers in your area.

A long-distance move is generally a move that’s more than 100 or 400 miles, depending on the moving company. Based on these thresholds, the following moves are often considered long-distance:

• Moving from San Francisco to New York 
• Moving from San Francisco to Seattle 
• Moving from San Francisco to Denver
• Moving from San Francisco to Portland 

If you’re moving within California, some moves may be considered long-distance or local. For example, moving from San Francisco to Los Angeles (a distance of about 380 miles) may be considered a long-distance move, and moving from San Francisco to Sacramento (a distance of about 90 miles) will likely be considered a local move.

Whether you’re planning a long-distance, cross-country or local move, reach out to the best movers in San Francisco for help and get free estimates. 

The best long-distance movers in San Francisco are going to offer you a fair, straightforward price. After you’ve narrowed down your best options, ask for an estimate that includes everything. 

To find the best movers for your move, compare movers near you. Start by reading their ratings and reviews. Don’t gloss over the reviews sections on their profiles, however. Take the time to read the reviews and understand the quality of their work, punctuality and what it's like to work with them.

Also, make sure the company you ultimately choose is licensed with the state’s Bureau of Household Goods and Services.

A local move in San Francisco may include moves to cities like San Mateo, Oakland, Richmond, Alameda, Daly City. Local moving companies are a good choice for these areas. But if you’re moving to cities like Sacramento, Stockton, Fresno or Los Angeles, you may be better off getting in touch with companies who offer long-distance moving services, as they may be out of reach for short-distance movers. 

Get in touch with the best movers in San Francisco to get help with your move and receive free estimates.