The BEST Movers in San Marcos, CA (2024 Guide)
Quick answer: Our top pick for local moves in San Marcos, CA, is Grizzly Moving based on pricing, services, and customer reviews. For long-distance and out-of-state moves from California, we recommend Safeway Moving because they provide a good balance of quality service and affordability.
- Best San Marcos-based mover: Grizzly Moving
- 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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4.25 / 5
Licensed
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Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 2,500+ moving companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving & auto transport grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
Best movers for those moving locally in San Marcos, CA
If you are moving within San Marcos or to a nearby California city like Escondido or Vista within 50 miles of San Marcos, check out these top-rated moving companies:
- Grizzly Moving: 4.86 out of 5 stars
- One Stop Moving & Storage: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Move Central Moving & Storage: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Oakley Relocation: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Coleman Worldwide Moving: 4.66 out of 5 stars
Grizzly Moving
rating
4.86 / 5
DOT #: 2642040
Years in Business: 8
7090 Miramar Rd #102, San Diego, CA 92121Grizzly Moving, established in 2016, offers reliable local residential moving services in and around San Diego, CA. With an impressive average rating of 4.7 on Yelp and 4.8 on Google, and an A-rating from the Better Business Bureau, they stand out among other nearby moving companies. Grizzly Moving also provides various additional services including packing, unpacking, storage options, and the capability to move specialty items like pianos and hot tubs. Customers consistently praise their professionalism and efficiency, making them a top choice for local moves in the San Diego area.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2642040
- State license #: 0191376
Alternative Business Names
- Grizzly Movers LLC
One Stop Moving & Storage
rating
4.8 / 5
DOT #: 1956864
Years in Business: 14
6260 Marindustry Dr STE B, San Diego, CA 92121One Stop Moving & Storage offers top-notch local residential moving services in and around San Diego, CA, having served the community since 2010. Renowned for their reliability, they outshine other nearby moving companies by providing comprehensive services, including packing, unpacking, and the ability to move delicate items like pianos, antiques, and art. With an impressive average Yelp rating of 4.1 from 399 reviews and a 4.3 rating on Google My Business from 169 reviews, they boast a solid reputation complemented by an A rating from the Better Business Bureau. Whether you're looking for full-service moving or just labor, One Stop Moving & Storage stands as a trusted choice for local moves.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 1956864
- State license #: 0190616
Alternative Business Names
- One Stop Moving & Storage Inc
- San Diego Expert Movers
- Quick San Diego Movers
- Coastal Movers
- Manpower Movers
Move Central Moving & Storage
rating
4.72 / 5
DOT #: 2365576
Years in Business: 11
8963 Carroll Way, Suite B1, San Diego, CA 92121Move Central Moving & Storage has been a reliable choice for local residential moves in and around San Diego, CA since 2013. Offering a broad range of services including packing, unpacking, and piano moving, they stand out for their comprehensive offerings compared to other local movers. While they maintain an impressive 4.8 rating on Google from 716 reviews, their 3.7 average on Yelp and an F rating from the Better Business Bureau suggest some inconsistencies in customer satisfaction. Despite this, their ability to accept credit cards and provide full valuation insurance coverage adds convenience and peace of mind for those planning a move.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2365576
- State license #: 2365576
Alternative Business Names
- Move Central Inc
Oakley Relocation
rating
4.66 / 5
DOT #: 070851
Years in Business: 15
992 Rancheros Dr, San Marcos, CA 92069Oakley Relocation has been providing local residential moving services in and around San Marcos, CA, since 2009. They stand out among nearby moving companies with their comprehensive range of services, including packing, unpacking, and the ability to move delicate items such as pianos, art, and antiques. Unlike many competitors, they do not require a deposit and accept credit cards, making the process smoother for customers. With an impressive average rating of 4.6 on Yelp and 4.8 on Google, along with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, Oakley Relocation is a reputable and reliable choice for local moves.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 070851
- State license #: 0190480
Alternative Business Names
- Agent for North American Van Lines
Local Associations
Coleman Worldwide Moving
rating
4.66 / 5
DOT #: 2897746
Years in Business: 110
13610 Stowe Dr, Poway, CA 92064Coleman Worldwide Moving has been providing local residential moving services in and around Poway, CA since 1915, demonstrating over a century of expertise in the moving industry. Unlike many newer moving companies, Coleman also offers office moving, packing, and unpacking services, and can even handle specialty items like safes. While their Yelp reviews indicate a need for improvement, with an average rating of 1.0 from 10 reviews, their Google My Business profile is more favorable, averaging a 3.9 rating from 80 reviews. Additionally, their A rating from the Better Business Bureau suggests a solid commitment to customer service. For those seeking experienced and versatile movers, Coleman Worldwide Moving remains a strong contender.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2897746
- State license #: 0190444
Alternative Business Names
- Coleman American Moving Services A Georgia Corp
Local Associations
Best movers for those moving out of California
Relocating from California to a new state? You’ll need an experienced interstate moving company to get you there. Here are our recommendations:
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- BLVD Moving: 4.25 out of 5 stars
- PODS: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 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
- Family owned & operated
- Affordable pricing
- Binding estimates
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
Best moving containers in San Marcos, CA
While a full-service mover is the most convenient option for your California relocation, it will also likely be the most expensive route. To save some money, you may want to consider using one of the top moving container companies in San Marcos instead.
Moving containers allow you to move at your own pace… although you’ll have to do all the heavy lifting yourself. Once you’re loaded up and ready to move, the container company will pick up your container and transport it to your new home, so you won’t have to worry about driving.
If moving containers sound like the best fit for you, we suggest starting with these highly rated 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 Marcos, CA move
Renting a moving truck is the cheapest way to move out of state or locally within San Marcos, California. Keep in mind, though, that this is also the most bare-bones moving option — you’ll have to handle the packing and unpacking, loading and unloading, and driving.
It’ll be more work to use a moving truck rental company, but if you want to keep your relocation expenses low, check out our top recommendations:
- 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 Marcos, CA
Labor-only moving companies can be a great addition to a more DIY move done with a rental moving truck or moving container. Hiring third-party assistance with loading and unloading can help cut down on the workload and make your move quicker and more efficient.
Here are our choices for best moving labor companies in San Marcos, California:
- 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 other nearby California cities
How we chose the best movers in San Marcos, CA
moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 280 California movers and listed the top five best movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.
Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.
Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.
Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.
Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
Average cost of movers in San Marcos, CA
Take a look at the pricing table below to get a general idea of the costs associated with local moves in and around the San Marcos area. For more details, you can also check out our guide on the moving costs in California.
Please note that the moving quotes provided in the table are rough estimates, and your actual costs may differ depending on the unique needs of your move. For a more precise estimate, consider using our moving cost calculator.
| Home Size | Avg. Total Cost | Cost/hour | # of Movers | # Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $485 | $277 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
| 1 Bedroom | $767 | $277 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
| 2 Bedroom | $1,377 | $372 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
| 3 Bedroom | $3,333 | $544 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
| 4 Bedroom | $4,017 | $533 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
| 5+ Bedroom | $6,041 | $737 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
FAQs
How do I know if my mover is properly licensed?
When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice.
All of the movers on our list are properly licensed. Take a look at our best movers in California list for more recommendations.
How do I find a reputable San Marcos mover?
Looking for a reliable San Marcos moving company can be difficult, but there are certain things to consider to ensure you choose a trustworthy mover. These include:
- Reputation: A mover's reputation is crucial, whether they're a new mom-and-pop business or a seasoned van lines company.
- Dispute resolution: It's best to avoid movers with lots of unresolved customer complaints. Every San Marcos moving company will face customer issues. The best companies resolve customer disputes in a timely manner.
- Experience for your move: Even if a mover has great reviews for local moves, they may not have the experience needed to handle a cross-country move. Check if they have experience with the type of move you require.
Do San Marcos moving companies handle long-distance moves?
Some of the moving companies that service San Marcos can handle long distance moves, while others only offer local moving services. If you're moving out of state, see our list of the best long distance movers in San Marcos.
What is the cheapest day to hire a mover in San Marcos, CA?
The cheapest day to hire a mover in San Marcos, California, will typically be a weekday, since weekends are typically busier times for moving. In general, the cheapest time to move is between October and April. The peak season for movers is May–September, so you’ll pay more during this time due to increased demand.
The earlier you book your move from San Marcos, the better. Avoid weekends, holidays, and peak moving seasons (summer) to save money. Beware of choosing a mover solely based on the lowest quote, as some companies may low-ball their initial quote and raise the price significantly on moving day.
Do San Marcos movers offer storage?
Most San Marcos moving companies offer short- and long-term storage solutions. However, keep in mind that some San Marcos movers use third-party warehouses to store your items. It's best to ask about storage options and pricing when screening potential movers.
Learn more: Should you use your mover's storage solutions?
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