Bay Area Moving FAQ: Straight Answers Before You Book

Call (510) 495-1884 or fill out our free estimate form. California requires a mover to see your things before giving a written estimate, so we set up a quick walkthrough in person or by video. Then we suggest a crew size and give you a clear time estimate. It's free, with no pressure to book.

For a local move, book 3 to 4 weeks ahead. From May through September, on weekends, and near the end of any month, plan on 4 to 6 weeks. Most Bay Area leases turn over on the 1st, so the last days of the month fill up first. If your building needs an elevator booking or a certificate of insurance, give yourself extra time, which is common on apartment moves.

Often, yes. Call (510) 495-1884 and we'll tell you right away when a crew can get there. We dispatch from Richmond, so nearby cities like Berkeley and Oakland are a short drive. Same-day moving costs the same hourly rate as a planned move, with no rush fees. The earlier in the day you call, the more options we have.

Call us at (510) 495-1884 or email info@jhmoving.com as soon as you know. If you reschedule, your $100 deposit moves to the new date. If you cancel, the deposit is not refunded. Early notice gives us the best chance to find you a new date that works.

We serve the whole Bay Area from our home base in Richmond. That includes Oakland, Berkeley, San Francisco, Alameda, El Cerrito, Orinda, and Pleasant Hill, plus Marin towns like San Rafael and Mill Valley. Our East Bay movers page covers the East Bay, and our Bay Area service areas page lists all 20 cities. Don't see your town? Call us, because we likely serve it too.

Yes. Hablamos Español. We're a family-owned, Latino-owned company, and we can handle your call, your estimate, and your move in Spanish if you like. You can read more about JH Moving and the two brothers who started it in 2019.

Every move comes with moving blankets, shrink wrap, tape, floor runners, and crew tools at no extra charge. We also bring up to 2 TV boxes and 5 wardrobe boxes to use during the move. Need more? We sell moving boxes and packing kits sized to your home, so you don't have to guess at the store.

Yes. Our full-service packing crew can pack your whole home, or just the hard parts like the kitchen and anything fragile. For most homes bigger than a small apartment, we pack the day before so move day runs smoothly. Packing time and materials are quoted upfront in your estimate.

Only in some cases. Boxes you pack are marked packed by owner, and movers are usually only responsible when the outside of the box is damaged. If a box looks fine but a glass inside is broken, that claim is hard to win. Many people pack their own clothes and books, then let us pack dishes, art, and other breakables.

Yes. With labor only moving, you bring the truck and we bring the crew, blankets, straps, and dollies. We load and unload U-Haul, Penske, and Budget trucks, and we pack PODS and other containers tight so nothing shifts. There's no truck, fuel, or mileage charge from us, just the hours worked.

Yes, within California. We move families from the Bay Area to Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Diego, and other cities in the state. The same crew stays with your things from pickup to delivery, and you get a binding estimate before we load. Our long distance moving page has more, and if you're leaving California, call us to talk through your options.

Yes. Our senior moving crews work at your pace, pack with care, and set up the new home so the first night feels settled. That means the bed put together, the bathroom set up, and familiar things in reach. If you're sorting a lifetime of things into a smaller space, our guide to senior downsizing in the Bay Area can help you plan.

Yes. A senior move manager handles the planning, like sorting, floor plans, and donations, and we handle the packing, lifting, and setup. We're glad to follow their plan on move day. To see how the two roles fit together, read about senior move management in the East Bay.

Yes. With full-service storage, we pick up your things, take them to a trusted local storage partner, and bring them to your new home when you're ready. We don't own a warehouse, so we match you with a facility that fits your timeline, from a few days to a few months. One company handles both moves, so you're not juggling two crews.

Yes. With our junk removal service, the same crew hauls off old furniture, mattresses, and boxes on move day. Labor is billed at your hourly rate, and dump fees are passed through at cost and quoted before we start. Usable items can go to a donation center instead. We can't take hazardous items like paint, chemicals, or propane tanks.

Yes. Our office relocation crews move desks, files, and equipment across the Bay Area. We can work evenings and weekends so your team is back at work on Monday. Your IT team unplugs and hooks up computers and servers, and we handle the packing, moving, and placing.

Often, yes. We move safes, refrigerators, washers, gym equipment, and other heavy items when the path and building allow it. Anything over 300 pounds needs a heads-up when you book, so we can send the right crew and gear. Some pieces need special rigging we don't carry, and we'll tell you honestly if yours is one of them.