Common questions. Straight answers.

Two-mover crews on a 26-foot truck run about $120 to $180 per hour in the San Diego market, with a two-hour minimum standard. A studio apartment typically lands at $400 to $700, a studio house move at $450 to $800, and a two-bedroom apartment at $900 to $1,800. A three-bedroom house runs $1,500 to $3,200 depending on stairs, packing, and access. Long-distance moves are priced by weight and miles on the mover's written estimate.

A binding estimate is a fixed written price. The number you sign is the number you pay, even if the job runs longer than expected. A non-binding estimate can change at the curb based on actual hours or weight. The mover you book offers binding estimates, and both formats are allowed under California's maximum rate tariff for household goods movers.

On a binding estimate, the signed price holds. On hourly local moves, the mover's written estimate itemizes any potential add-ons such as stair fees beyond the second flight, long-carry fees over 75 feet from truck to door, shuttle fees if a large truck cannot reach your unit, and packing materials used beyond the original quote. Every fee appears on the bill of lading before work starts.

Deposit policies vary by mover, and no federal rule sets a standard deposit amount. Ask the mover what deposit it takes, when the balance is due, and what happens if you cancel. The mover you book confirms those terms in writing.

Payment methods vary by mover. Common options include cash, certified check, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. The mover you book confirms which methods they accept and any processing fees in the written estimate.

Two to three weeks for a weekday slot, four to six weeks for the last weekend of the month, and six to eight weeks for any move between Memorial Day and Labor Day. PCS season at Camp Pendleton, MCRD, and 32nd Street loads up the calendar from May through September, so military families should reach out as soon as orders are firm.

Yes, when local crews have open slots. Short-notice moves in the San Diego market typically carry a last-minute premium of 15% to 25% depending on day of week and crew availability. Weekday last-minute is easier than Saturday. Call early in the morning if the timeline is tight.

May through September is peak in San Diego, with the last weekend of every month being the single busiest slot year-round because of apartment lease end dates. Movers in the network add capacity during peak, but Saturday slots in July and August still book three to four weeks out.

Cancellation terms vary by mover and move type. The mover you book confirms the cancellation window and any rebooking fees in writing before move day. Long-distance and interstate moves follow the deposit terms on the bill of lading.

Boxes packed, taped, and labeled with destination room. Fridge and freezer emptied and defrosted the night before. Furniture clear of personal items. Pets in a closed room or off-site. Reserved elevator with the building if you're in a high-rise. Parking secured for the truck within 75 feet of the door, with permits pulled if you're in downtown, La Jolla, or Pacific Beach.

Yes. The lead mover walks every room with you at origin to confirm the inventory list and flag pre-existing damage on furniture. Same walkthrough at destination after unloading to confirm placement and run the final inventory check. You sign the bill of lading at both ends.

Yes. Movers typically supply manufacturer-grade double-walled small, medium, and large boxes, dish-pack barrels for kitchens, mirror cartons for art and TVs, mattress bags, wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes, and shrink-wrap for upholstery. Material costs appear on the mover's written estimate.

The mover weighs the truck empty before loading at a certified CAT scale, then weighs again after loading. The difference is your shipment weight, which becomes the basis for the long-distance tariff. Both tickets are attached to your bill of lading. On interstate moves, you have the right under federal law to witness either weighing.

Water is genuinely appreciated, especially on long inland jobs in summer. Lunch is not expected and not required. Crews bring their own. Tipping is optional but customary in the San Diego market; the amount depends on the size of the job and the quality of the work.

On interstate moves regulated by FMCSA, Released Value Protection is the federal default coverage at no extra cost. It pays 60 cents per pound per item for any damage, so a 50-pound TV that breaks pays out $30. Most customers add Full Value Protection on top. On California-only moves regulated by BHGS, the mover you book explains the valuation options that apply.

Full Value Protection covers the actual replacement, repair, or cash value of any damaged item up to your declared shipment value. The cost is a percentage of declared value, with deductible options the mover explains at booking. On interstate moves, articles worth more than $100 per pound must be listed in writing on the inventory.

Federal law requires the carrier to hand you the FMCSA Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move pamphlet at booking on every interstate move. On California-only moves, the mover you book explains your protection options under BHGS rules. Either way, you get a clear written explanation of your coverage, claim rights, and dispute process.

Note any damage on the inventory sheet at delivery before signing. On interstate moves, federal law gives you 9 months from delivery to file a written claim. Contact the mover you booked with photos, the bill of lading number, and the inventory tag numbers. The mover responds under FMCSA rules for interstate claims.

On interstate moves, federal law gives you 9 months from delivery to file a written damage claim. On California-only moves, the mover you book confirms the claim timeline in writing. Concealed damage discovered after unpacking still qualifies if reported within the claim window with photos.

Yes, uprights, baby grands, and concert grands. Uprights move on a 4-wheel piano dolly with cargo straps. Grands get the legs and lyre detached, the body wrapped in a quilted piano blanket, then moved on a piano skid. Stairs over 4 steps add a stair-fee for the extra crew. Tuning is recommended 2 weeks after the move once the piano settles to the new climate.

Safes up to 1,500 pounds typically move on a 4-wheel safe dolly with a 4-mover crew. Anything heavier may need a specialty rigging subcontractor the mover can coordinate. Floor protection with plywood runners on tile, hardwood, and stamped concrete is standard on safe moves. Stairs add a per-flight fee on the mover's estimate.

Yes. Mirror cartons for framed pieces under 50 inches, custom crates for larger or higher-value art at additional cost. Antiques get full pad-wrap and shrink-wrap, and any pre-existing damage is photographed and noted on the inventory sheet before loading. Full Value Protection is recommended on declared art and antique value.

Plants, typically on local moves only. Federal regulations restrict interstate plant transport. Pets cannot go on the moving truck. For vehicles, the mover you book can coordinate with USDOT-licensed auto transport partners for long-distance moves.