The seven questions that separate honest San Diego movers from surprise-bill operators, from a family owned company serving San Diego since 1997.
Quick answer: Before hiring any San Diego moving company, verify their license, confirm the full hourly rate including fuel and drive time, and get the minimum hours in writing. The questions below protect you from the surprise bills and no-show crews that generate most moving horror stories.
Every legitimate California mover has a CPUC permit number and a US DOT number, and will give them to you without hesitation. Discount Movers holds CA PUC #657376, DOT #4372335, and CAL-T #201759, and you can verify all three on our legal resources page with direct links to the state and federal lookup tools. If a company hesitates on this question, end the call.
Ask specifically about fuel charges, drive time, stair fees, and equipment fees. California law requires double drive time on local moves, and honest companies explain it up front. At Discount Movers the numbers are public: $109 per hour for 2 movers, a flat $75 fuel fee in San Diego County, no stair fees, and blankets, shrink wrap, and dollies included. Full rates are on our pricing page.
Most San Diego movers have a 3-hour minimum. The important follow-up is how time is billed after the minimum. Companies that bill in full-hour blocks charge you 60 minutes for a job that runs 10 minutes over. We bill in 15-minute increments after the minimum, so you pay for the time actually worked.
Ask whether the crew is employees or day labor hired that morning. Experienced crews work faster, damage less, and have done hundreds of moves together. Ask how long their movers have been with the company.
Every licensed mover must include basic valuation coverage at no charge, and should explain their claims process in plain language before you book. Get it in writing.
High-rises and senior communities in San Diego usually require a COI before movers can enter. Ask whether it costs extra. We provide COIs at no charge and coordinate directly with building management.
Look for a consistent record across Google, Yelp, and Nextdoor, with reviews that mention specific crews and neighborhoods. Discount Movers has been family owned and serving San Diego since 1997, with over 50,000 moves completed and a 4.6-star average across more than 1,000 reviews.
Call us at (858) 490-0155 and ask every one of these questions. We are happy to answer all of them, and the free estimate takes just a few minutes. You can also size your crew instantly with our crew calculator.