San Francisco Movers

San Francisco movers and storage services covering the Bay Area, Peninsula and San Mateo (650)692-3000

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How to Choose a Mover

October 6, 2015

It is important that you have enough time to choose the moving company you feel is the right fit for you. Make sure you have the time needed for adequate due diligence – at least 30 days – preferably 6 weeks. Once you have found 2-3 movers that that look like a good fit for you, it is time to request a  Free Moving Quote have the movers come to your home to see your space and belongings, choose the right one for you and schedule your move date. If you need to move on a specific day, the sooner you start the process of finding your mover, the better.

Remember, moving season varies across the country. In general, if you are moving during the Spring, Summer and early Autumn, book your mover ASAP.

Ask About Specialty Items When Moving

When getting your moving quote, make sure to point out items of significant size, weight, value or age. Items of special personal importance or ones that are particularly fragile should also be discussed. Most movers are especially careful of pieces like this. In some cases, your mover may want to pack specialty pieces in a wooden crate or make other arrangements in order to keep it safe in transit. Listen to the professionals. They have likely moved more than you have and are your best ally.

Know the Details of Your Estimate

Ask potential movers how they calculate their estimate so you can compare apples to apples. Consider how much time you would save if your movers packed you home and request a quote for that as well. Sometime the money spent is worth the time and sanity saved. If moving across country or internationally, make certain that the movers in consideration are licensed agents for a world-wide moving company.  Why does that matter? More here.  

Know your move-in date and make sure it is iron-clad.  Not having an accurate date can be a costly mistake. Fortunately Cummings has a state of the art storage facility that can easily accommodate you in the event of a timing issue. If a mover, including Cummings, needs to hold your items overnight or for a few days, there is a cost involved. You want to understand these details ahead of time. If your mover does not have their own storage facility, you may need to make arrangements to take delivery at a temporary storage facility and then move your belongings from there when the new space is ready. Logistics like this can become the real stressor on move-day. Think it through ahead of time and set yourself up for success!

Logistics of Your Move

Speaking of logistics, keep in mind that some streets and locations can only accommodate certain types of moving trucks. Depending on the streets and the buildings involved at both ends of your move, your mover may need to make specific arrangements to make sure things work. Make sure you choose a mover with the experience and flexibility to handle this. Ask them how they plan to handle stairs if they are narrow, steep or have tight turns and multiple flights. This can impact the time and cost of your move. Better to know now than be surprised later.

While a moving crew may be happy to arrange and rearrange furniture, please remember that your crew may have another move scheduled later that day and the meter will likely be ticking as long as they are on the job. If you think you will want extra help with furniture placement in your new home, it is best to let your moving company know ahead of time so they can factor that into the crew’s schedule and into your quote.

More than a Great Review

Go with your gut AND see what others have to say.  Online review sites can be very helpful. The key is to consider the big picture: Does the company maintain a good rating over time and across a significant number of reviews. Does the company have an excessive number of complaints?  Are the complaints reasonable?  Were they resolved? What is YOUR experience like when you call or email for a quote? What does your gut say? Do you trust the mover?  Are they licensed and insured?


Cummings Moving Company | Residential & Small Business Moving & Storage | San Francisco Movers

Cummings Moving Company is a family owned and operated moving & storage company proud of its well-established reputation in San Francisco and throughout the region – reflected in their extended residential, small business and Realtor referrals. The company is a female, minority, and veteran-owned and operated moving company with over 45 years of exceptional client service – spanning the entire country and beyond. For more information about quality, stress-free moving, in San Francisco please call 415-387-4000 or from the Peninsula call 650-629-3000. Request a Free Moving Quote HERE or continue to explore our website and San Francisco Blog.

The advice on our website and blog is provided as a courtesy and is intended for informational purposes only. It is offered as-is with no warranty expressed or implied. We hope it provides you with helpful information that you can use.

Filed Under: Bay Area Movers, Moving Tips - Residential, Moving Tips- Small Business, Planning a Move, San Francisco Movers

Moving checklist. Valuable Timeline of oving Tips. CUMMINGS MOVING Co.
MOVING REVIEWS

Emails from Our Clients

The crew was excellent.  They were careful and considerate.  We would use Cummings again if we had to move.
Rick
Thank you so much for your help with my move on such short notice.  Your team was friendly, professional, and FAST.  I really appreciated their moving expertise and was quickly able to just leave them to do their work.  Moving is stressful and leaving my po… Read more
Katrice
Your team was amazing! Please feel free to use this letter as a reference. I wanted to send my thanks and compliments to your entire team, overseen by J.C.   Moving can be so traumatic, but thanks to them, we are sitting here in our new home, with everyth… Read more
Amy H
I had a very good experience with my move! Both Ivan and Carlos were excellent. Nothing damaged, nothing lost. Very professional and careful. Thanks for the excellent service.
Kristen - Redwood City
October 2012 – After 48 years in the same house, I was not looking forward to moving. To changing locations, yes; but the actual moving of my belongings, no!  Big truck, three strangers, fast pace. Load it all up, drive 40 minutes, unload it all, try to get… Read more
RJK – Redwood City
Hello Amy & Enrique, The moving crew was excellent. They were thoughtful, handled my things very carefully and made moving so much easier. I would also like to say that Megan at the office is great. I was terribly disorganized before and after my last-minute m… Read more
Jenny C - Daly City & South San Francisco
Thank you so much for the follow up, everything went so well and I’m very happy with the service, it’s A+ all around from the estimated to the ladies that answered the phone when I had questions and all the hard working movers that came to my house. I hope… Read more
Tiffany
Amy and Enrique, I want to thank you for your professionalism and courtesy and for making our move a lot easier. Everything you said you’d do went smoothly. The guys where exactly on time in Crockett. They are very courteous and, most importantly, very profe… Read more
Arthur C
Amy, this is a long overdue expression of gratitude for the excellent service your company provided me in connection with my move within Mill Valley.   I was impressed with every contact I had with your company.  The person who made the estimate was friendly… Read more
Claudia J L
On July 10, 2013, Cummings Moving Company helped move all of the items from my mother’s apartment in San Mateo, CA.  There were several extraordinary things that happened during this move… It was not until July 8 that I was able to confirm the date of … Read more
Catherine K - San Mateo
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FROM OWNERS AMY & ENRIQUE

“As owners, we are hands-on. Our ability to deliver excellent service as San Francisco movers comes from our commitment to both customer and employee. Through regular training, supervision, competitive compensation, daily attention to excellence, and deep care for our customers and their belongings, we create an environment where top-level service is second nature."

San Francisco is our home. Moving residents and businesses is our passion. Your great experience with us as San Francisco movers is our aim - Every Day.
-Amy Messinger & Enrique Palos

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Cummings Moving Company

Since 1969 - Serving San Francisco
and the Bay Area

San Francisco (SF)
Location
415-387-4000

On the Peninsula
650-692-3000

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Cal P.U.C. T-190105
Moving checklist. Valuable Timeline of oving Tips. CUMMINGS MOVING Co.

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