Local Movers in the Bay Area

What counts as a local move

For us, local means a move inside the Bay Area that we can finish in one working day with our own crew and truck, from Berkeley, Oakland and San Francisco out to the Peninsula, Marin and the South Bay. Moves that leave the Bay Area are planned as long-distance moves.

Local moving rates

Local moves are billed by the hour, and the rate depends on crew size and how you pay.

• Every job has a three-hour minimum and an $80 one-time truck fee.
• The clock starts when the crew arrives at your current address and stops when the last item is placed at the new one.
• Blankets, stretch wrap, dollies and basic furniture disassembly are part of the hourly service. Packing materials, extra stops or a shuttle are added only if you ask for them.

See all rates and estimates

What a local move usually costs

Starting prices by home size, based on the suggested crew and base hours:

Typical ranges run from $650 to $1,410 for a studio or one bedroom, $1,120 to $2,160 for two bedrooms and $1,730 to $3,050 for three bedrooms (card rates). Stairs, long carries from the truck, elevator bookings and the amount you have packed before we arrive move the number within that range. Your written estimate states the crew, the truck and the arrival window before you book.

How the day runs

Before move day

You get a written estimate based on your home, access, parking and any heavy or fragile items. Once you accept it, a deposit holds your date and we confirm the crew, the truck and the arrival window in writing.

Timing around the Bay

Bridge traffic, tunnel backups and downtown loading windows decide whether a move runs on schedule. We sequence the day so the truck is loaded before the peak and unloading happens inside the building's allowed window. An early start usually saves money.

On the day

The crew arrives with blankets, dollies and tools, walks the home with you, protects floors and doorways, then loads in a set order so unloading at the new address follows the same logic. Anything unclear gets settled before the truck leaves, not after.

At the new place

Furniture goes where you want it and anything we took apart gets put back together. If something is damaged, note it on the paperwork before the crew leaves. Booking and claims policy

Local moves we handle most

• Apartments and condos: stairs, elevators, building rules and certificates of insurance. Apartment movers
• Houses: from a small home to a full household. Residential movers
• Offices and businesses: moves planned around your working hours. Office relocation
• Packing: full or partial packing. Packing services
• Valuable and fragile pieces: art, antiques and instruments. White glove movers

Cities we serve for local moves

East Bay: Berkeley, Oakland, Alameda, Albany, Emeryville, Piedmont, Montclair, Rockridge, Orinda

San Francisco and the Peninsula: San Francisco, San Mateo, Belmont, Foster City, Hillsborough, Palo Alto

South Bay and Marin: San Jose, Mill Valley, Sausalito and Tiburon

Local move questions

Is there a minimum?

Yes. Every job has a three-hour minimum, plus an $80 one-time truck fee.

Are cash and card rates different?

Yes. Cash is $10 per hour less than card or debit for every crew size. Card and debit are billed at the same rate.

How many movers do I need?

As a starting point, two movers for a studio or one bedroom, three for two bedrooms and four for three bedrooms. Your estimate confirms the crew after we know about stairs, parking and heavy items.

Who will show up?

Full-time ShipShape employees in a ShipShape truck. We never hand jobs to subcontractors.

What is included in the hourly rate?

Blankets, stretch wrap, dollies and basic furniture disassembly and reassembly. Packing materials and extra stops are added only if you ask for them.