The longer answer
How the morning unfolds
Our trucks are dispatched at 7:00 AM. Depending on your area, you get an arrival window of 8-10 AM for the South Bay and Peninsula or 9-11 AM for San Francisco and the East Bay. The crew phones you about 30 minutes before pulling up. Whether they come from nearby or across the bay, none of that drive appears on your bill.
- Dispatch to your pickup: free
- Work at the pickup: billed
- Drive from pickup to drop-off: billed, and counted twice if over 10 minutes
- Work at the drop-off: billed
- Return trip: free
How other movers sometimes bill
Some companies use what is called portal-to-portal billing. The clock starts when the truck leaves their lot and stops only when it returns, so you pay for the commute in both directions. Others add a flat travel or trip fee. When comparing quotes, ask directly when the clock starts and stops. With us, the clock starts at your door and stops when the work at your new home is done.
Why this matters around the Bay
The Bay Area is spread out, and bridge or freeway traffic can turn a short-looking trip into a long one. Because we do not bill the commute to and from you, the location of your home does not quietly raise the price. Check the areas we serve, and see the local moving page for how a full day is structured.
More questions people ask
Does the clock start when the truck leaves your base?
No, it starts when the crew arrives at your pickup.
What is portal-to-portal billing?
It is when a mover charges from the moment the truck leaves its base until it returns. We do not bill that way.
Is the drive between my old and new home charged?
Yes, that leg is job time, and it counts double if it is more than 10 minutes.
