Questions and answers
Would 4 movers make a 1,200 sq ft move faster?
Four movers at $235 an hour are usually reserved for larger homes. For 1,200 square feet with modest furniture, three is our standard.
What does it cost if it runs to 7 hours?
At $175 an hour, seven hours is $1,225 before materials. A free on-site estimate sets a ceiling so you are not guessing.
Is the drive back to your yard part of the bill?
No. Only the drive between your two homes is counted; the trip out to you and back from your drop-off is free.
The longer answer
About five to six hours
For a home of around 1,200 square feet without a lot of large furniture, expect about 5 to 6 hours, and that figure already includes double drive time between two cities. With 3 movers at $175 an hour, that is roughly $875 to $1,050 plus any materials.
A cross-bay example
David gave this range for a move from San Francisco to Oakland. The drive across the Bay Bridge is longer than 10 minutes, so under California's PUC Tariff 4 that leg counts twice at the same hourly rate. On a shorter move inside one city, the same home could come in a little lower. If you are headed to the East Bay, our Oakland movers page covers that side of the bridge.
How the hours break down
| Part of the day | What happens |
|---|---|
| Arrival and walkthrough | Foreman looks at the home and plans the load |
| Prep | Floors protected, beds and tables taken apart, furniture wrapped |
| Loading | Usually the longest stretch |
| Drive between homes | Counted twice if over 10 minutes |
| Unloading and setup | Furniture placed, beds and tables rebuilt |
Variables that move the number
- Heavy pieces like a china cabinet, a piano or a solid-wood dresser set
- A garage or patio full of things not in the original count
- How many boxes are sealed and stacked versus still being packed
- Parking distance and whether there is an elevator to share
See how moving costs add up for more detail on the hourly model.
