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Bay Area
Movers

ShipShape Moving is a Berkeley company, started here and still run from an office on Addison Street. We know these streets because we work them, from hill driveways in the Berkeley hills to shared elevators downtown and two-hour parking on a Tuesday. Thirteen Bay Area cities now, from Albany to Hillsborough, and the same crews cover all of them. Licensed by the California Bureau of Household Goods and Services, permit MTR 0192323.

510-666-6480Mon-Fri 8am-7pm, Sat-Sun 9am-5pm
5.0
Based on 322 reviews
Steve Jones profile picture
Steve Jones
1 month ago
Good service from Ben and Artyom
Sarah Schulte profile picture
Sarah Schulte
1 month ago
max & alex were great! super friendly, quick, and helpful. i will definitely be calling them again for my next move.
Cassidy Barrientos profile picture
Cassidy Barrientos
1 month ago
Excellent service! Very efficient, quick, and friendly. Would use them again.
chris beard profile picture
chris beard
1 month ago
They did a great job and were very flexible with my move. Would recommend.
Graham Mills profile picture
Graham Mills
1 month ago
max and Ben persevered in the face of adversity (aka these 30 stairs), and the booking experience was fast and easy.
Jeoung Kim profile picture
Jeoung Kim
1 month ago
I had a wonderful experience with the four movers who helped with my move! All four of them worked incredibly hard from start to finish. They were professional, efficient, careful with our belongings, and had a great attitude throughout the entire process.

I was especially impressed by how well they worked together and how much effort they put into making sure everything was handled properly and delivered safely. Moving can be stressful, but they made the whole experience so much easier and smoother.

I truly appreciate their hard work and professionalism. I would absolutely recommend this team to anyone looking for reliable, hardworking, and professional movers. Thank you to all four of you for doing such an amazing job!
Zoe June Assaf profile picture
Zoe June Assaf
1 month ago
Maxim Alex Eugene Jay Fito Adis were amazing ! I was surprised they could do it in one day, we moved previously (with less stuff) and it took 2 days, so I was so impressed they did the move in 11 hours. Also, the crew were incredibly polite, and when I asked them to do things they were very responsive. Communication was excellent, and they even were fine loading our stuff into a basement crawlspace. So impressed !
Benjamin Hur profile picture
Benjamin Hur
1 month ago
I am giving a 5 star excellent rating. From the beginning to the end, the communication was excellent, the crews were on time, professional, courteous, and efficient. Ron and Alex were friendly and professional.
Nick Katkov profile picture
Nick Katkov
1 month ago
Great experience. Called for a last minute move and they were exceptional. Efficient and extremely careful throughout the move.
Julia Cyrene Frankenbach profile picture
Julia Cyrene Frankenbach
2 months ago
Ivan and Ben did an amazing job. They arrived on time, and they made sure they understood what we needed before they got going. They handled our furniture, including an antique piece of mine, expertly. Toward the end, when they must have been exhausted, they asked thoughtful questions about furniture placement. They made this move easy. I’d recommend them in a heartbeat.
Barbara Chase Daggs profile picture
Barbara Chase Daggs
2 months ago
Shipshape was hired by my housing co-op to move 2 rooms of my furniture to storage and back to my home. I must say I was very pleased with the guys that did the move.
They were very efficient. They arrived on time and were prepared to start moving. They were polite and respectful. Following my instructions and asking for instructions when needed. They were very careful handling my belongings. They worked hard and consistent without breaks are lunch.
They were very helpful on the move back. Again no breaks are lunch. I highly recommend these guys if you plan on moving.
Thanks guys
Jonathan Langill profile picture
Jonathan Langill
3 months ago
Mario and the Lux team are amazing. I hired them for my move 2 years ago and they were fast and efficient. I moved last year and unfortunately did not use Mario and his team and regretted it. I recently moved again and reached out to Mario, and again, he went above and beyond to make sure the move was easy and simple. His team is very nice and you should use them for your move. Thank you again Mario and Lux team.
Madeleine L profile picture
Madeleine L
5 months ago
What a fantastic experience! When you think of a smooth and hassle free moving experience, these guys are it. Alex and his team were fantastic! I've moved a lot between apartments and have done two cross-country moves, we've experienced the whole spectrum of movers, from teenagers to pros.
I found their pricing similar to other companies, around $200/ hour and the guys took around 6 hours. We were moving from a 2 bedroom apartment to a 3 bedroom house 30 minutes away.
When booking the appointment, the person on the phone was knowledgeable and professional- he was able to answer all my questions. Then the day of the move, the movers arrived within the 30 minute time-window and called us 15 minutes before arriving. Once there, they figured out where to park the van and began moving everything. They were very efficient- did not waste time but also did not work so fast that they were breaking things and making dents in the wall. Their speed was perfect. They were also very diligent with packing the few items we had left to pack, and protect all our furniture very well with big moving blankets.
Overall, very professional and friendly. They weren't just movers, they were managers and problem solvers. You didn't have to hover over them to make sure they were doing a good job, they jsut knew what to do and how to do it. I can't find any negatives to share. If we move again, we would definitely use them again.
Danica Cordova profile picture
Danica Cordova
5 months ago
Alex and Adis absolutely delivered. From my initial inquiry until they finished the job, they were easy to communicate with, responsive, kind, and genuinely careful with everything.

Moving is strenuous work - they handled heavy furniture, navigated stairs, managed a longer-than-usual driveway walk, and worked on a hilly property, all with professionalism and impressive efficiency.

Couldn’t have asked for a smoother move. Highly recommend the team for your next move.
See All Reviews

Get free moving quote

What we do

Moving services we run across the Bay Area

Nine services, and only the nine ShipShape actually runs. Each card says what the crew brings and who the service is for, so you can rule things out quickly.
ShipShape Moving crew packing and relocating office furniture and equipment during a commercial move

Office Relocations

Desks, filing systems, server and network gear and retail fixtures, planned around your operating hours.

Suits: Offices, clinics, studios and retail units.
Read about Office Relocations
ShipShape Moving crew wrapping and padding furniture to protect it during a move

Packing

Trained packers, high grade materials and careful labeling, so unpacking is not a guessing game.

Suits: Anyone short on time, or with a kitchen and a bookshelf problem.
Read about Packing
Residential movers loading furniture into a ShipShape Moving truck

Residential Movers

Full household moves for condos, apartments and houses, with furniture protected for the carry.

Suits: Families and households of any size.
Read about Residential Movers
ShipShape Moving crew loading a truck for a long distance move

Long Distance Moving

Moves out of the Bay Area, with the load planned and secured for a long run.

Suits: Anyone leaving the region or arriving from out of state.
Read about Long Distance Moving
Movers wrapping furniture in protective padding before an Oakland apartment move

White Glove Delivery

Padded, careful handling for artwork, antiques, instruments and single high value pieces.

Suits: Collectors, galleries, designers and single-item deliveries.
Read about White Glove Delivery
Movers carefully relocating furniture from a large family home

Large Home Moving

Bigger crew and bigger truck, planned around the room count, the garage, the shed and everything that lives outside.

Suits: Three bedroom and up, garages, sheds and outdoor furniture.
Read about Large Home Moving
Local movers unloading boxes and furniture at a customer's home

Local Moves

A move inside the Bay Area, billed hourly for three movers and a truck, with a written not-to-exceed price agreed before the crew starts.

Suits: Anyone moving between two Bay Area addresses in a single day.
Read about Local Moves
Movers carrying wrapped boxes through an apartment building hallway

Apartment Moves

Stairs, shared elevators, narrow landings and building move-in windows are the whole job in an apartment. We plan the route through the building before the truck arrives.

Suits: Studio through three bedroom apartments, walk-ups included.
Read about Apartment Moves
Commercial movers relocating office and retail equipment for a business

Commercial Moves

Shop, restaurant and warehouse relocations, including after-hours and weekend windows to keep trading time intact.

Suits: Businesses that cannot close for a weekday.
Read about Commercial Moves
Before you ask for a price

Tell us about the building, not just the address

Every mover asks how many bedrooms. Bedrooms are the least useful number. What actually decides the hours is how far your furniture has to travel between your door and the truck, and what is in the way. Read the row that matches your place and have the answer ready.
Walk-up apartment
No elevator, one or two flights, a landing that turns. The crew size goes up so the number of trips goes down, which is usually cheaper than a small crew taking twice as long.
Elevator building
A shared elevator with a booked window is the whole schedule. Tell us the reserved time and whether the building requires certificates of insurance, and we plan the load order around it.
Single-family home with stairs
Interior stairs, a basement or a garage that has been filling up for a decade. This is where a walkthrough before quote day pays for itself.
Hill driveway or long carry
Piedmont, Berkeley hills, Mill Valley lanes. If a 24 foot truck cannot get close, the carry distance is what drives the hours. Pace it out and give us the number.
Campus and student housing
Fixed move-out dates, shared corridors, loading bays with time limits. Book early, because the whole city moves on the same weekend.
Four steps, no surprises

How a ShipShape move runs, start to finish

This is the only numbered sequence on the page, because it is the only thing here that genuinely happens in order.
  1. 01

    Send us the two addresses

    Call 510-666-6480 or fill in the quote form. We need both addresses, the size of the place, your target date, and the access notes from the section above. Five minutes of detail here is what makes the cap hold.

  2. 02

    Get your cap in writing

    You get a not-to-exceed figure with the line items behind it, and the hourly rate it was built from. Read it, ask about anything in the "to confirm" column, then decide. A deposit may be required to hold the date.

  3. 03

    Move day

    The crew walks the route with you first, then loads the truck for the drive and for the unload at the other end.

  4. 04

    Walkthrough and sign-off

    Before the crew leaves, you walk both the truck and the new place with the crew lead. Anything that needs noting gets noted the same day, on the paperwork, while everyone is still standing there.

Where we work

Cities we serve across the Bay Area

Thirteen cities, each with its own page and its own access notes, because a Sausalito waterfront move and a Foster City townhome move are not the same job. Long distance moves out of the region are run by the same crews.
  • Apartment building in Uptown Oakland on a residential street

    Oakland movers

    Lake Merritt, Temescal, Rockridge and the flats.
    Find out more
  • Albany, CA cityscape, one of ShipShape Moving's local service areas

    Albany movers

    Small-lot single-family homes and duplexes.
    Find out more
  • Belmont, CA coastline, one of ShipShape Moving's local service areas

    Belmont movers

    Hillside homes and split-level access.
    Find out more
  • Berkeley, CA cityscape, one of ShipShape Moving's local service areas

    Berkeley movers

    Home of the office. Campus housing, Elmwood, North Berkeley.
    Find out more
  • Alameda, CA waterfront promenade, one of ShipShape Moving's local service areas

    Alameda movers

    Island moves, bridge and tube timing built into the plan.
    Find out more
  • Emeryville, CA marina, one of ShipShape Moving's local service areas

    Emeryville movers

    Loft buildings, freight elevators, dock bookings.
    Find out more
  • Foster City

    Foster City movers

    Peninsula townhomes and gated complexes.
    Find out more
  • San Francisco

    San Francisco movers

    Walk-ups, permit zones and tight one-way streets.
    Find out more
  • Hillsborough

    Hillsborough movers

    Large homes, long drives, white glove handling.
    Find out more
  • Mill Valley

    Mill Valley movers

    Narrow lanes, stair-access homes, Marin traffic windows.
    Find out more
  • Sausalito & Tiburon

    Sausalito and Tiburon movers

    Waterfront access, houseboats, restricted parking.
    Find out more
  • Piedmont

    Piedmont movers

    Hill driveways and long carries from the street.
    Find out more
  • Orinda

    Orinda movers

    Tunnel-side moves and larger family homes.
    Find out more
  • San Jose

    San Jose movers

    Sprawling lots, garage-heavy loads, long drive days.
    Find out more
  • Palo Alto

    Palo Alto movers

    Tree-lined streets, narrow driveways, tight permit parking.
    Find out more
  • San Mateo

    San Mateo movers

    Garden apartments, mid-century homes, El Camino traffic.
    Find out more
Real reviews, named crews

What Bay Area customers say

Five reviews published on the ShipShape Google profile, quoted as written. Note how often customers name the crew member. That is the asset here, and it is worth pulling the live feed rather than freezing five quotes in a page.
Steve J. profile picture
Steve J.
1 month ago
Good service from Ben and Artyom
Sarah S. profile picture
Sarah S.
1 month ago
max & alex were great! super friendly, quick, and helpful. i will definitely be calling them again for my next move.
Cassidy B. profile picture
Cassidy B.
1 month ago
Excellent service! Very efficient, quick, and friendly. Would use them again.
chris B. profile picture
chris B.
1 month ago
They did a great job and were very flexible with my move. Would recommend.
Graham M. profile picture
Graham M.
1 month ago
max and Ben persevered in the face of adversity (aka these 30 stairs), and the booking experience was fast and easy.
Jeoung K. profile picture
Jeoung K.
1 month ago
I had a wonderful experience with the four movers who helped with my move! All four of them worked incredibly hard from start to finish. They were professional, efficient, careful with our belongings, and had a great attitude throughout the entire process.

I was especially impressed by how well they worked together and how much effort they put into making sure everything was handled properly and delivered safely. Moving can be stressful, but they made the whole experience so much easier and smoother.

I truly appreciate their hard work and professionalism. I would absolutely recommend this team to anyone looking for reliable, hardworking, and professional movers. Thank you to all four of you for doing such an amazing job!
Zoe June A. profile picture
Zoe June A.
1 month ago
Maxim Alex Eugene Jay Fito Adis were amazing ! I was surprised they could do it in one day, we moved previously (with less stuff) and it took 2 days, so I was so impressed they did the move in 11 hours. Also, the crew were incredibly polite, and when I asked them to do things they were very responsive. Communication was excellent, and they even were fine loading our stuff into a basement crawlspace. So impressed !
Benjamin H. profile picture
Benjamin H.
1 month ago
I am giving a 5 star excellent rating. From the beginning to the end, the communication was excellent, the crews were on time, professional, courteous, and efficient. Ron and Alex were friendly and professional.
Nick K. profile picture
Nick K.
1 month ago
Great experience. Called for a last minute move and they were exceptional. Efficient and extremely careful throughout the move.
Julia Cyrene F. profile picture
Julia Cyrene F.
2 months ago
Ivan and Ben did an amazing job. They arrived on time, and they made sure they understood what we needed before they got going. They handled our furniture, including an antique piece of mine, expertly. Toward the end, when they must have been exhausted, they asked thoughtful questions about furniture placement. They made this move easy. I’d recommend them in a heartbeat.
Barbara Chase D. profile picture
Barbara Chase D.
2 months ago
Shipshape was hired by my housing co-op to move 2 rooms of my furniture to storage and back to my home. I must say I was very pleased with the guys that did the move.
They were very efficient. They arrived on time and were prepared to start moving. They were polite and respectful. Following my instructions and asking for instructions when needed. They were very careful handling my belongings. They worked hard and consistent without breaks are lunch.
They were very helpful on the move back. Again no breaks are lunch. I highly recommend these guys if you plan on moving.
Thanks guys
Jonathan L. profile picture
Jonathan L.
3 months ago
Mario and the Lux team are amazing. I hired them for my move 2 years ago and they were fast and efficient. I moved last year and unfortunately did not use Mario and his team and regretted it. I recently moved again and reached out to Mario, and again, he went above and beyond to make sure the move was easy and simple. His team is very nice and you should use them for your move. Thank you again Mario and Lux team.
Madeleine L profile picture
Madeleine L
5 months ago
What a fantastic experience! When you think of a smooth and hassle free moving experience, these guys are it. Alex and his team were fantastic! I've moved a lot between apartments and have done two cross-country moves, we've experienced the whole spectrum of movers, from teenagers to pros.
I found their pricing similar to other companies, around $200/ hour and the guys took around 6 hours. We were moving from a 2 bedroom apartment to a 3 bedroom house 30 minutes away.
When booking the appointment, the person on the phone was knowledgeable and professional- he was able to answer all my questions. Then the day of the move, the movers arrived within the 30 minute time-window and called us 15 minutes before arriving. Once there, they figured out where to park the van and began moving everything. They were very efficient- did not waste time but also did not work so fast that they were breaking things and making dents in the wall. Their speed was perfect. They were also very diligent with packing the few items we had left to pack, and protect all our furniture very well with big moving blankets.
Overall, very professional and friendly. They weren't just movers, they were managers and problem solvers. You didn't have to hover over them to make sure they were doing a good job, they jsut knew what to do and how to do it. I can't find any negatives to share. If we move again, we would definitely use them again.
Danica C. profile picture
Danica C.
5 months ago
Alex and Adis absolutely delivered. From my initial inquiry until they finished the job, they were easy to communicate with, responsive, kind, and genuinely careful with everything.

Moving is strenuous work - they handled heavy furniture, navigated stairs, managed a longer-than-usual driveway walk, and worked on a hilly property, all with professionalism and impressive efficiency.

Couldn’t have asked for a smoother move. Highly recommend the team for your next move.
Dennis Vasileuski, founder of ShipShape Moving.
Dennis Vasileuski
Founder, ShipShape Moving

A note from the founder

I am Dennis Vasileuski, founder of ShipShape Moving.
I started this company to make moving easier, safer and less stressful for people across San Francisco and the Bay Area.

Our team shows up on time, communicates clearly, protects your belongings and treats your home with respect. We keep pricing clear before the move begins, so you know what to expect from start to finish.

Whether you are moving an apartment, home, office or storage unit, we are here to make the process smooth and simple.

When you are ready, we will be glad to take it from here.
Check us, do not take our word

License, insurance and the things you should check

California household goods movers are permitted by the Bureau of Household Goods and Services. You can look any mover up before you hand over a deposit, and you should.

Permit and regulator

California permit
MTR 0192323
Regulator
California Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Household Goods and Services
What it means
ShipShape is authorized to move household goods for hire inside California. A permit number lets you check the status yourself at bhgs.dca.ca.gov before you book.
Interstate authority
Legacy CPUC number

Insurance, in plain English

General liability
Covers damage the crew causes to the property itself, for example a scraped stairwell or a cracked door frame in your building.
Cargo
Covers your goods while they are in the truck and in the crew hands.
Workers compensation
Covers the crew if a mover is hurt on your job. Without it, an injury on your stairs can become your problem.
Limits and claims

Crew and equipment

Background checks
Employees or contractors
Equipment carried
Fleet
Founded

Money, dates and paperwork

Payment accepted
  • Cash
  • Visa
  • MasterCard
  • Amex
  • Discover
  • Debit
  • Check
  • Venmo
  • Zelle
Deposit
A deposit may be required to confirm your moving date.
Cancellation
At least 48 hours notice. A cancellation fee may apply if adequate notice is not given.
Price band
Published as a mid range service.
Twelve straight answers

Questions Bay Area customers ask before booking

These are the questions competitors either skip or answer with a shrug. Deposits, cancellation, travel time, stairs, breakage and tipping. Where the answer is not published anywhere on the current site, the gap is marked rather than filled in with something invented.

Crew size is matched to the size of your move, and the crew sets the hourly rate. The standard three movers and a truck is $190 an hour Monday to Thursday and $200 an hour Friday to Sunday, plus a one-time $50 truck fee. A smaller move may run with two movers and a larger one with four or five, each at its own rate. After we look at what you are moving you get a written estimate with a not-to-exceed price, which is the most you can pay. Finish sooner and you pay for the hours actually worked.

A deposit may be required to confirm your moving date.

Cancellations must be communicated at least 48 hours before the scheduled move. ShipShape Moving reserves the right to apply a cancellation fee if adequate notice is not given.

Stairs, elevator waits and the distance from the door to the truck are the three things that decide how long a job actually takes, so we ask about all three before we quote. Measure the walk from your door to where a 24 foot truck can legally park and tell us the number.

Travel time between your old and new address is a normal, published part of California local moving charges, and it is the single most common surprise on a moving invoice in this state. Ask any mover to state in writing how they bill it before you sign.

Call us before you pack anything flammable, pressurized, corrosive, perishable or living, and before you box up cash, jewelry, passports or medication, and we will tell you what we can carry and what should travel in your own car.

ShipShape Moving carries general liability, cargo and workers compensation insurance for household goods moves in California. Point out any damage to the crew lead before they leave the site and get it noted on the paperwork the same day.

Tipping is your call and it is separate from the quoted price.

Tell us the parking situation at both addresses when you request the quote, including permit zones, hills, narrow streets and any building loading dock hours.

Often yes, depending on crew and truck availability. Call 510-666-6480 as early in the day as possible and we will do what we can to fit you in.

Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco, Alameda, Albany, Emeryville, Piedmont, Orinda, Mill Valley, Sausalito and Tiburon, Foster City, Belmont and Hillsborough. Each of those has its own page with local detail, and long distance moves out of the Bay Area are handled by the same crews.

Cash, credit and debit cards including Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover, check, Venmo and Zelle.

Free estimate

Get a written estimate for your move

Call and speak to someone, or send the form and we will come back to you. Either way you get the published hourly rate and a written cap, not a range that moves on move day.
510-666-6480Mon-Fri 8am-7pm, Sat-Sun 9am-5pm

What happens after you send it

  • A real person reads it, not an auto-responder.
  • We call or email to fill in the access details: stairs, elevator, parking, carry distance.
  • You get the not-to-exceed price in writing, with the line items behind it.
  • Nothing is booked and no deposit is taken until you say yes.
  • Response time:
Three ShipShape crew members in blue shirts standing on the sidewalk with a customer beside the loaded truck at the end of a job.
End of a job in San Francisco.

Request a free moving quote