Local Movers
San Diego
2 movers, $119 an hour cash. No deposit. Professional, fast, and affordable local moving throughout San Diego County. Family owned since 1997 with over 50,000 moves completed. From studio apartments to 5-bedroom homes, we've got you covered.
The Direct Answer
What Does A Local Move
In San Diego Cost?
Two movers and a truck is $119 an hour cash ($129 with a card), with a three hour minimum of $357 and a flat $75 fuel fee. Each additional mover is $50 an hour more, so the ladder runs $169, $219 and $269 cash for three, four and five movers. Blankets, straps, furniture disassembly and 25 free boxes are in the rate, and there is no deposit, ever.
Full rate card and instant estimate (about 30 seconds).
Everything Included
What's In Your
Local Move Rate
At $119/hr cash for a 2-person crew (3-hour minimum · additional movers $50/hr each), you get a complete, professional moving service, straightforward pricing from start to finish.
Moving Truck
Fully equipped, clean moving truck arrives at your door. Right-sized for your move to maximize efficiency and minimize cost.
Blankets & Straps
All furniture is wrapped in professional moving blankets and secured with straps. Your belongings are protected from start to finish.
Furniture Disassembly
We disassemble beds, desks, and large items at pickup and fully reassemble them at your new home, included at no extra charge.
25 Free Moving Boxes
Every booking includes 25 free moving boxes. No need to scramble for supplies, we bring everything you need.
Free In-Home Estimate
Not sure how long your move will take? We'll come to you, assess everything, and give you a written estimate with no obligation.
Straightforward Pricing
The price we quote is the price you pay. One flat $75 fuel fee, quoted up front. No stair fees, no surprise charges at delivery. What you're quoted is what you pay.
Transparent Pricing
Local Move
Pricing Guide
Every move is different, but here's a general guide to help you plan. Crew size is shown per row. Prices are labor only at the cash rate; add the flat $75 fuel fee. Paying by card is $10 an hour more on each crew size.
| Move Size | Estimated Time | Estimated Cost | Crew Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1-Bedroom | 3–4 hours | $357–$476 | 2 movers |
| 2-Bedroom | 4–5 hours | $676–$845 | 3 movers |
| 3-Bedroom | 5–7 hours | $845–$1,183 | 3 movers |
| 4-Bedroom | 6–8 hours | $1,014–$1,752 | 3–4 movers |
| 5-Bedroom+ | Varies | Call for a quote | 4–5 movers |
| Office / Commercial | Custom | Custom Quote | Custom crew |
*Estimates based on average San Diego local moves. Final cost depends on hours worked. Call for a precise quote.
Our Process
How Your Local
Move Works
We've perfected the local moving process since 1997. Here's exactly what to expect on move day.
Get Your Free Quote
Call us at (858) 490-0155 or fill out our online form. We'll give you a written estimate within 2 hours, no obligation.
Confirm Your Move Date
We're available 7 days a week, 8am–8pm. Book your preferred date and we'll confirm your crew and truck assignment.
We Arrive On Time
Your crew arrives in a clean, fully equipped truck. We do a walkthrough, wrap all furniture, and get to work efficiently.
Settle Into Your New Home
We place furniture exactly where you want it, reassemble everything, and don't leave until you're completely satisfied.
Where We Move
San Diego Neighborhoods
We Serve
We work with the street access, building rules and HOA requirements across San Diego County every week. No neighborhood is too tight, too hilly, or too high-rise for our crew.
What Customers Say
Real Local Move
Reviews
"Kevin and his helper were great. On time and honest guys I would use them again."
"Kevin & Christian were so professional, diligent, hard working and friendly, I suggest you ask for these guys by name. Everything was moved efficiently, safely and without any damage. I highly recommend Discount Movers who were competitive and easy to work with."
"Josue and Danny were very professional and friendly. They were very strategic with how they moved our large and heavy furniture within tight confines. Would definitely hire again."
How Hourly Billing Works on a Local Move
California lets a licensed mover charge by the hour for moves of less than 100 miles, while moves of more than 100 miles must be charged by weight and mileage under the state's Maximum Rate Tariff 4. Our local moves are billed by the hour under that rule, so two numbers decide your total: the crew size sets the rate, and the hours worked set the bill. The three-hour minimum applies once per move, and it is the same whether the job is a studio in Hillcrest or a house in Poway.
The hours in the pricing table above are the ranges to plan around: three to four hours for a studio or one bedroom, four to five for a two bedroom, five to seven for a three bedroom, and six to eight for a four bedroom. Hourly billing rewards preparation. Boxes packed, taped and labeled before the crew arrives, a reserved elevator or loading zone at each building, and gate codes written down all shorten the day. Every flight of stairs adds carrying time, so a third-floor walk-up should be planned toward the high end of its range.
When a large house has to move in one day, ask about a second truck: it is $150 plus a second $75 fuel fee, and it lets one crew load everything in a single trip instead of driving back for a second load. The in-home estimate is the place to settle that choice, because the estimator can see the volume and tell you whether one truck is enough.
Your Rights Under California Moving Law
Local moves in California are regulated by the Bureau of Household Goods and Services, the state agency that issues the CAL-T permit every household mover must hold. Discount Movers holds CAL-T #201759. The Bureau's rules apply to any move inside the state, including one across town. A mover must give you a "Not to Exceed" price, which is the maximum you can be charged unless you request additional services, and it is illegal to give an estimate for a move within California without a visual inspection of what is being moved.
You should receive the estimate, with its Not to Exceed price, at least three days before moving day. If you add work on the day, the extra services have to be written up in a Change Order for Moving Services, and a change order cannot be used simply because the mover underestimated the job. When you hire a mover three or more days in advance, it must also give you a copy of the moving services agreement, an Important Notice About Your Move, and the Bureau's booklet, Important Information for Persons Moving Household Goods.
Before booking any San Diego mover, look up its permit in the Bureau's online License Search; a valid permit shows a Carrier Status of "Active." The Bureau notes that a license showing as current can still be on probation, and it encourages consumers to read its Citations and Disciplinary Actions section too. If anything is lost or damaged, put the claim in writing. Under Maximum Rate Tariff 4, the mover must acknowledge a written claim within 30 days of receiving it and must report the claim's status in writing every 30 days after that, with a copy to the Bureau, until it is resolved.
Address and Utility Changes in San Diego
The California DMV requires you to report a new address within ten days of moving. The rule covers both your driver's license and your vehicle registration, and updating one does not update the other, so file both. The online change of address takes up to three days to process, and you do not automatically receive a new license card when you change your address, so the existing card stays in your wallet.
For mail, file the USPS change of address online as an Individual, Family or Business move. Identity is verified by a code sent to your phone with a $1.25 fee. USPS sends a Move Validation letter to the address you are leaving and, about five business days before the start date, a Customer Notification Letter to the new one. Standard forwarding can be extended for another 6, 12 or 18 months if you need it.
Gas and electric service can be started, stopped or transferred through SDG&E's Start, Stop, Move page or the SDG&E mobile app: pick the date, set up the appointment, then track, update or cancel the request in the Service Request Tracker in My Energy Center. If the new home gets City of San Diego trash collection, the city-provided containers carry serial numbers assigned to a specific property, not to the resident, so manage service for the new address through the Residential Waste Collection Services Portal at WastePortal.sandiego.gov or by calling 858-694-7000.
FAQ
Local Moving
Questions Answered
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Get your free local moving quote in minutes. We'll respond within 2 hours with a detailed written estimate.
Related: Studio and 1-bedroom cost guide · 2 and 3-bedroom cost guide · How Much to Tip Movers (Honest Ranges) · Emergency Pack-Out San Diego · TV Mounting & Art Installation San Diego · About Discount Movers San Diego · Contact Discount Movers San Diego
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