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6 Best Moving Companies in San Francisco of 2022
By Michelle Lambright Black MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
Residential, commercial, auto, interstate
Storage, packing, unpacking
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Residential, commercial, auto, interstate
Storage, re-delivery, packing, unpacking, online tracking
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Local, long-distance, commercial
Packing, storage, piano moving
N/A
Residential, corporate, government/military
Full-service packing and unpacking, disassembly and reassembly, auto transportation, and storage in route
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There are many details to manage when you’re moving to a new home. Yet in the midst of budgeting for moving expenses, changing over utility services, and registering your children to attend new schools (if you’re a parent), finding the right moving company can take an important worry off your plate.
The best moving companies in San Francisco are equipped to handle your possessions with care and professionalism — whether you’re moving a short distance or relocating from the other side of the country. And of course, you’ll also want to find movers with affordable and transparent pricing.
Our Top Picks for Best Moving Companies in San Francisco
- American Van Lines: Best for Long-Distance Moves
- United Van Lines: Best for Overall Full-Service Moves
- U-Pack: Best for Affordable Moving Containers
- Pure Moving: Best for Discounts and Free Add-On Services
- Gentle Giant Moving Company: Best for Good Customer Service
- NorthStar Moving: Best for Local Moves
Best Moving Companies in San Francisco Reviews
Read below to discover our reviews and top picks for the best moving companies in San Francisco for 2022. Find out whether one of these San Francisco movers might be the right fit for your next move.
Best for Long-Distance Moves: American Van Lines
Why we chose it: American Van Lines offers outstanding service for long-distance moves with an upfront, transparent pricing structure. The company runs continuous weekly shuttles to major cities throughout the U.S., ensuring speedy delivery for its customers. With deliveries running seven days a week and no extra charges for last-minute moving services, American Van Lines stands out from the competition.
- Flat-rate pricing
- Rates quoted upfront with no surprises
- Specializes in long-distance moving
- Nationwide locations
- No additional fees for last-minute moves
- Experienced at moving antique, heavy, and high-value belongings
- No instant online quotes available
- May impose weight limits on belongings
American Van Lines is a family-owned and operated moving company that’s been in business since 1995. The company is best known for its long-distance moving services throughout the United States. However, it does offer some international moving services as well.
In addition to moving services, American Van Lines employs professionals that can assist with the packing and crating as well. This service helps to simplify the relocation process for customers while making sure that belongings receive adequate protection from damage during transit. And if you need to store items on a temporary basis, AVL can help you find storage units too.
The company also has specialized experience in the relocation of valuable (and sometimes difficult to move) items. Antiques, art, and heavy pieces like pianos and pool tables all fall under this umbrella.
The best way to receive a moving estimate from American Van Lines is to give the company a call. However, you can also fill out an online interest form and request someone to follow up with you via email or text for more information.
The company does list several “special offers” on its website for people who are moving away from San Francisco. For example, the lowest sale price to move from San Francisco to Denver is $3,655. A move from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. is $5,591. Both of the previous quotes apply to moving a one-bedroom apartment. However, the average cost of moving a 4-bedroom house from San Francisco to D.C. is closer to $16,000.
Best for Overall Full-Service Moves: United Van Lines
Why we chose it: United Van Lines offers superior full-service support for local and interstate moving. The company’s customizable moving packages let you add on valuable services such as packing and unpacking, storage units, full-value protection coverage, debris removal, and even TV mounting.
- Online quotes available
- Nearly 100 years of experience
- Protection available for the full value of belongings
- Customizable moving packages
- May be more expensive than competitors
- Instant online quotes are "ballpark," not exact
With almost 100 years in business, United Van Lines is one of the oldest moving companies in the United States. This full-service moving company can assist with local and long-distance relocation along with international relocation.
The company offers customizable, full-service moving packages that you can tailor to your specific needs and budget. You can get an instant quote online for a ballpark estimate of your moving costs. Yet for a true quote, you’ll need to schedule a time for a United Van Lines moving coordinator to come out and survey the belongings you wish to relocate.
With United Van Lines you can also have the peace of mind that comes with full-value protection of your belongings (unless you waive the coverage). And if your delivery is late, you may be eligible for a 25% refund.
However, such premium benefits do come at a cost. For this reason and others, you may be able to find cheaper moving services with a competitor.
Best Affordable Moving Containers: U-Pack
Why we chose it: U-Pack is a solid solution for budget-conscious customers who are looking for low-cost moving containers. The company bases its prices on the space you need, not the weight of your belongings. This approach makes it easy to figure out your overall cost upfront without any surprises later.
- Instant online quotes
- Pay only for the space you use
- Numerous size options for containers
- May be more affordable than competitors
- No assistance packing, loading, or unloading belongings
- You must install a bulkhead divider wall after loading container
- Commercial freight will ship alongside (but divided from) belongings
- May not be an option for local moves or relocations to smaller cities
U-Pack began offering affordable long-distance moving solutions to customers 25 years ago. What started as just moving trailer services in 1997 has expanded to ReloCube moving containers, instant online quotes, and more.
The company takes a unique approach to help customers save on the cost of moving containers. When you pack your belongings into a U-Pack shipping container, you install a bulkhead divider wall at the end of the loading process. The company will then add commercial freight to the rest of the trailer and transport all of the items in the moving truck at once. By sharing the space, customers are typically able to enjoy more affordable pricing.
However, this creative moving industry solution isn’t available to everyone. You must be moving to a location that U-Pack serves to take advantage of these services for an out-of-state relocation. The company also offers stand-alone containers called ReloCubes. The average cost for door-to-door delivery of this moving service is $2,500, but the final price can vary based on the details of your move.
Best for Discounts and Free Add-On Services: Pure Moving
Why we chose it: Pure Moving offers impressive full-service moving help for both local and long-distance relocations. On top of flat-rate pricing options, the moving company offers a 7% discount when you pay for services in cash plus discounts if your moving date falls during non-peak times. Pure Moving also includes a number of extra benefits at no additional cost such as free use of moving pads, blankets, and dollies plus packing supplies to protect fragile items, wardrobe boxes, and more.
- Flat-rate pricing (guaranteed)
- Next-day delivery available
- Special pricing for off-peak moves
- Same crew handles loading and unloading
- No instant online quotes
- Limited office locations
Pure Moving is a California-based moving company that’s been in business for over six years. With offices in San Francisco (and elsewhere) along with special pricing for off-peak Bay Area moves, the company could be a great fit for people who want full-service help relocating to or from San Francisco.
The company offers transparent pricing on its website, providing hourly rates based on whether you hire two, three, or four movers to handle your relocation. For a detailed flat-rate estimate, however, you’ll need to fill out a form to request a free quote or give the company a call and provide some details about your upcoming move (including your desired moving date).
Perhaps the most attractive feature Pure Moving offers is its simple billing system. There are no extra or surprise charges for any of the moving services the company provides. Plus, there are several opportunities to qualify for discounts such as paying in cash or scheduling your relocation during a less busy time.
Best for Good Customer Service: Gentle Giant Moving Company
Why we chose it: Whether you’re moving locally within the San Francisco area or facing a long-distance move, Gentle Giant offers full-service moving solutions. The company has gotten so good at the services it provides that (according to Gentle Giant) 80% of its business comes from past customer referrals. According to the Better Business Bureau, the company has an A+ rating and has only received two consumer complaints in the last three years.
- Local and long-distance moving services
- Ability to handle specialty items
- Packing and unpacking services
- Storage facilities available
- Prices unavailable on website
- No instant online quotes
- Expensive compared with DIY options like moving containers
Gentle Giant Moving Company has a 40-year history of helping to make the moving process less stressful for its customers. The company has 20 locations throughout the United States and can help with residential and commercial moves. Yet the firm is perhaps best known for simplifying the relocation process for individuals and families.
In addition to professional moving services, Gentle Giant Moving Company offers free resources that can benefit customers and non-customers alike. These free online tools include directions on where to donate unwanted items, general moving tips, and special advice on how to manage the moving process with children.
The company does not share its pricing structure online, nor does it offer an instant quote process. Instead, you can request an estimate from Gentle Giant to discover the cost of relocation services. According to the company, it can typically provide a moving estimate within one business day.
Best for Local Moves: NorthStar Moving Company
Why we chose it: If you need help relocating inside the state of California (within the San Francisco area and beyond), NorthStar Moving Company is worth considering. The company considers California moves of less than 100 miles to be “local” and offers customizable, full-service moving packages to suit each customer’s individual needs.
- Specializes in California-based moves
- No extra charge for stairs or elevators for local moves
- Eco-friendly biodiesel moving trucks
- Celebrity moving services available for high-profile clients
- Pricing not available on website
- No instant online quotes
- No flat-rate pricing
- Full-coverage insurance not included
NorthStar Moving Company began as local movers providing full-service support to California residents in 1994. Since then, the company has expanded to offer intrastate, long-distance, international, and commercial relocation services to more than 132,000 customers.
The company even provides specialty moving services for high-profile clients such as celebrities, production companies, and more. From working with security to providing decoy moving trucks, NorthStar has experience managing complex situations and even keeping the paparazzi at bay.
If you don’t need such high-profile services, you’ll be happy to know that the company prides itself on facilitating stress-free moves. NorthStar also claims to offer competitive rates (at least where full-service moves are concerned).
To request an estimate for moving services, it’s best to give NorthStar a call. You can also fill out a request form and someone from the company will follow up with you. From there, a team member will schedule a video call to assess your moving needs and provide you with a quote for relocation services.
Moving companies in San Francisco FAQs
Who regulates the moving companies in San Francisco?
The California Bureau of Household Goods and Services regulates any moving business that performs services within the state of California — in San Francisco and beyond. The state requires each moving company to have a valid license and to provide a written estimate after conducting a visual inspection of the items you want to relocate. Moving companies must also provide a "not to exceed" price for residential moves, and companies may not exceed this maximum fee cap unless the customer adds on extra services.
You can learn more about what moving companies in San Francisco (and the rest of California) are allowed to do on the Bureau of Household Goods and Services website. You can also file a complaint against a moving company if you believe one has taken advantage of you or violated your rights.
When is the best and worst time to move to San Francisco?
The best time to move to San Francisco will depend on a number of personal factors. However, if you have the flexibility to plan your move during a slower season, you might be able to save money on professional moving costs and rental rates.
Moving and rental rates tend to peak during warm summer months. Meanwhile, when demand slows in the cooler winter months, you might be able to find a better deal. Experts say you may be able to find the lowest apartment rates in San Francisco if you plan your move in date between January and March.
How much should you tip movers in San Francisco?
Moving is a valuable service, and the professionals who handle your items must have strength and stamina to see an often difficult job through to completion. As such, it's customary to tip movers in appreciation for their hard work.
In San Francisco, many customers tip movers between 15 to 20 percent of the total moving cost. Other experts recommend tipping at least $50 to $100 per crew member to long-distance movers, especially for larger moves.
How We Found the Best Moving Companies in San Francisco
For many people, a DIY move isn’t an option. Unless you have the proper equipment and manpower to handle the job, you will likely be better off hiring a professional moving company. (The best interstate moving companies and the best long-distance moving companies have the tools and experience to help you avoid headaches during the moving process.)
We considered a number of important factors when we chose the best movers in San Francisco. Here are a few details that influenced our decisions — details you would also be wise to consider before embarking on your next move.
- Pricing Transparency. Not all moving companies are willing to provide upfront pricing to interested parties. As a result, the movers who share pricing examples on their websites, give instant online quotes and provide fast estimates over the phone stand out from the crowd.
- Affordability. Hiring professional movers to manage your relocation can be expensive. Therefore, we favored moving options that were more affordable and movers that offer flat-rate pricing with no surprises. The availability of discounts and special offers (especially for San Francisco-based moves) was also a plus.
- Customizable and Specialty Services. No two moves are alike. Some relocations require specialized services like moving high-value items or heavy belongings (e.g., pool tables, pianos, antiques, etc.). One customer might want full-service packing services and unpacking services while the next prefers a more affordable solution. We favored moving companies that allow customers to customize their moving experiences.
Looking for moving companies outside of the San Francisco area? Here are some other options to consider.
- Best Moving Companies in California
- Best Moving Companies in Sacramento
- Best Moving Companies in Los Angeles
- Best Moving Companies in San Diego
Summary of the Best Moving Companies in San Francisco of 2022
- American Van Lines: Best for Long-Distance Moves
- United Van Lines: Best for Overall Full-Service Moves
- U-Pack: Best for Affordable Moving Containers
- Pure Moving: Best for Discounts and Free Add-On Services
- Gentle Giant Moving Company: Best for Good Customer Service
- NorthStar Moving: Best for Local Moves
Michelle Lambright Black is a nationally recognized credit expert with two decades of experience. Founder of CreditWriter.com, Michelle's work has been published thousands of times by FICO, Experian, Forbes, Bankrate, MarketWatch, Parents, U.S. News & World Report, and many more.