The BEST Moving Companies in San Francisco, CA
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: Our top pick for local moves in San Francisco, CA, is Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc., thanks to their reputation for quality customer service and specialized handling of pianos and antiques. If you’re moving out of California to another state, we recommend Safeway Moving in terms of overall value.
- Best San Francisco-based mover: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc.
- Best interstate mover: Safeway Moving
- Best moving container: PODS
- Best labor-only mover: HireAHelper
- Best rental truck: U-Haul Truck Rental
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rating
Our track record
Best movers for those moving locally in San Francisco, CA
- Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc.: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Next Stop Moving & Storage: 3.58 out of 5 stars
- Luigy's Moving & Storage: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Gentle Giant Moving Company: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- NorthStar Moving Company : 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Efficient service (29%)
- Professional and polite staff (27%)
- Careful handling (25%)
- Damage to items (32%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (29%)
- Lack of communication (26%)
Company Info
State license #: 0190673
Years in Business: 14
DOT #: 3670248
Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. has been a trusted name for local residential moves in and around San Bruno, CA since 2010. They stand out with a solid reputation, boasting an impressive average rating of 4.4 on Yelp from 429 reviews, and a 4.6 average rating on Google from 129 reviews. With a Better Business Bureau rating of A+, customers frequently praise their professionalism and efficiency. Unlike many nearby competitors, they offer comprehensive packing and unpacking services, along with the specialized capability to move pianos, art, and antiques. Flexible payment options, including cash and credit cards, and no required deposit, further underscore their customer-first approach.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service (41%)
- Professional and polite staff (36%)
- Careful handling (31%)
- Unexpected charges (24%)
- Damage to items (20%)
- Lack of communication (16%)
Company Info
State license #: 0192210
Years in Business: 25
DOT #: 02740355
Luigy's Moving & Storage has been a trusted name in local residential moving services in and around San Francisco, CA since 2001. Compared to other nearby companies, Luigy's stands out with their comprehensive service offerings, including packing, unpacking, and crating services, as well as specialized handling for pianos, hot tubs, art, and antiques. Boasting exceptional consumer reviews with an average rating of 4.7 on Yelp and 4.6 on Google, along with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, Luigy's reputation for reliability and quality is well-earned. While a deposit is required, they accept both cash and credit cards, ensuring flexible payment options for their clients.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Professional and polite staff (38%)
- Efficient service (34%)
- Careful handling (30%)
- Unexpected charges (20%)
- Damage to items (15%)
- Lack of communication (12%)
Company Info
State license #: 0167668
Years in Business: 44
DOT #: 373544
Alternate Names: Great Giant Moving Company
Gentle Giant Moving Company has been a trusted name in local residential moving services in South San Francisco, CA since 1981. With stellar consumer reviews reflecting an average rating of 4.6 on Yelp and 5.0 on Google My Business, as well as an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, this company stands out for its reliability and professionalism. Unlike many nearby movers, Gentle Giant also offers office moving services, comprehensive packing and unpacking services, and even storage options if needed. Additionally, they do not require a deposit and accept credit cards, making the moving process as seamless and convenient as possible for their clients.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crane vans
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Excellent Service
- Professional Staff
- Reasonable Prices
- No Major Issues Reported
Company Info
State license #: 0182466
Years in Business: 30
DOT #: 1836576
NorthStar Moving Company, established in 1996, offers premier local residential moving services throughout San Francisco, CA, and its surrounding areas. With an impressive track record, they boast 931 Yelp reviews averaging 4.6 stars and 701 Google My Business reviews with an average rating of 4.9 stars. Rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau, NorthStar stands out among local competitors. They also provide comprehensive packing, unpacking, and crating services, ensuring a seamless moving experience. Notably, NorthStar accepts both cash and credit cards, and no deposit is required, offering convenience and peace of mind for customers.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Best movers for those moving out of California
As you may guess, interstate — or out-of-state — moves are those that cross state lines. Movers must meet certain federal licensing requirements and standards to handle interstate moves. Consider one of these highly rated, fully licensed interstate moving companies if you’re leaving California for a new state:
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- PODS: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- International Van Lines: 4.45 out of 5 stars
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- 10% discount for veterans and seniors
- Very competitive rates due to their national coverage
- Services local, long-distance, and international moves
- Can service most domestic moves within 48 hours
- 24/7 customer service
Best moving containers in San Francisco, CA
Moving containers offer a hybrid DIY solution that falls somewhere between a full-service moving company and a rental truck. With moving containers, you won’t have the help of a moving crew (you’ll have to do the loading and unloading) but you will get the benefit of a professional driver — a perk that doesn’t come with renting a truck.
Container costs in San Francisco vary depending on how many containers you need and how far you’re moving. Be sure to get moving quotes from multiple companies so you can best compare prices and services.
We recommend starting with these two top-tier moving container companies:
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Long distance moves only
- Only pay for the space you use
- No deposit or initial fees
- Fast delivery time frames
Best rental trucks for your San Francisco, CA move
If you’re looking for the cheapest way to move out of state or locally in San Francisco, a moving truck rental is your best option. On average, a truck rental in California costs a base rate of $19–$39 a day and a fee of $0.79–$1.59 per mile.
While you’ll certainly save money by renting a truck rather than hiring full-service movers or using a moving container, you will ultimately be responsible for every aspect of your move — including the driving.
We recommend these top truck rental companies for a full DIY move:
- More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
- Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
- Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
- U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
- Limits environmental impact as part of the EPA's SmartWay Program
- Non-slip flooring makes loading and unloading easier
- Easily choose truck size with their Truck Wizard Tool
Labor-only movers in San Francisco, CA
Labor-only companies can be helpful if you are using a moving container or rental truck but still want some assistance with the heavy lifting. A labor-only mover will provide you with a moving crew to load and unload your items, and you can also pay for additional packing support, as well as disassembly and reassembly of furniture, fitness equipment, and electronics.
Check out our picks for labor-only companies in San Francisco:
- First call quoting, get a quote in just a couple of minutes
- Rates are typically 20-40% lower than the industry averages
- $1,000 money-back service guarantee
- Fast and accurate delivery times
- Free damage coverage with additional coverage options
- Quick and easy booking process
- National 4.75/5 star rating (these guys are good at what they do)
- Dedicated move concierge specialist
- Pay as you go service. 2-hour minimum and then prorated down to the minute
- The time clock starts when the movers arrive and ends when you tell them
Top-rated movers in nearby cities
How we chose the best movers in San Francisco
How do I find a reputable San Francisco mover?
If you’re looking for the best movers in San Francisco, here’s what you should look for:
- A good reputation: Whether they’re a new family-owned business in San Francisco or a large van lines company with years of experience operating all over California, a good reputation is absolutely essential. Watch out for red flags and common moving scams.
- Look into dispute resolution: All businesses may have some hiccups, but it's how they handle these incidents that shows the company’s true colors. If a mover in San Francisco has a history of unresolved customer complaints, it might be best to look elsewhere.
- Ensure experience aligns with your move: A mover with excellent reviews for local moves in San Francisco may not be the best interstate moving company. Verify that the company has adequate experience with the type of move you're planning.
- Get multiple estimates: Reputable San Francisco movers should provide a free estimate for your move. Getting moving quotes from multiple companies will give you a good idea of a fair price for the services you need.
Fortunately, the San Francisco movers on this list all pass this checklist with flying colors and have been hand selected by our experts at moveBuddha.
If you want to broaden your search to the whole state, check out the best moving companies in California.
Average cost of movers in San Francisco, California
The pricing table below shows ballpark costs for local moves within the San Francisco area and its surrounding suburbs. Or check out our post on the cost to move in California for more pricing info.
Keep in mind the price ranges listed are only averages. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the specific requirements of your move.
You can also check out our moving cost calculator for more accurate moving cost estimate.
Local moving costs in San Francisco
If you’re moving within 50 miles of San Francisco, it’s considered a local move. The cost of a rental truck combines a base fee and the mileage fees. In San Francisco, the base fee ranges from $19 to $39 while the mileage ranges from $0.79 per mile to $1.59 per mile.
And if you’re looking for some labor help, the average cost for movers in San Francisco is $150 per hour.
| Home Size | Avg. Total Cost | Cost/hour | # of Movers | # Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $483 | $210 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
| 1 Bedroom | $693 | $210 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
| 2 Bedroom | $1,155 | $294 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
| 3 Bedroom | $2,745 | $412 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
| 4 Bedroom | $3,157 | $412 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
| 5+ Bedroom | $4,881 | $576 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
Interstate moving costs out of San Francisco
The cost to move from San Francisco to a different state is determined by how much you’re moving and how far away the new state is from California. Here are a few examples:
- San Francisco to New York Movers: $1,775 to $8,245
- San Francisco to Illinois Movers: $1,296 to $7,593
- San Francisco to Texas Movers: $1,006 to $7,045
- San Francisco to Arizona Movers: $690 to $6,091
Don’t see your new home state? Check out these popular moving routes.
Factors that affect the cost of your move
- Distance: Your moving costs in San Francisco will be determined in large part by where you are relocating. A local move within 50 miles of San Francisco will be less expensive than moving 450 miles across California state lines.
- Move size: The more stuff you have, the more your move will cost, since moving companies determine price based on how large your truck and moving truck need to be. For long-distance and interstate relocations out of San Francisco, a moving company will base your price on the total estimated weight and volume of your belongings. Decluttering and downsizing to reduce those total measurements can help you keep costs down.
- Moving method: A full-service mover will likely be the most expensive option, and renting a truck will save you the most money. Just make sure you are factoring in services with pricing, so you don’t end up skimping on the help you need for your specific move just to cut costs.
- Additional services: No matter what kind of move you opt for, extra options like packing, labor, and comprehensive insurance will all come with added fees.
- The time of the year: Relocating during peak moving season (May–September) will cost you more because demand is higher and availability is lower. If possible, plan your move between October and April for a lower rate.
FAQs
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