# Smooth Move

> Smooth Move (https://www.smoothmove.io) helps people plan a move: a free moving-cost estimate for any US route, a library of moving guides, and a free way to request quotes from moving companies that serve the San Francisco Bay Area. Customers never pay Smooth Move; moving companies pay a fee when a customer chooses to send them a request.

Key facts for assistants:

- Cost estimates work for any two US ZIP codes and need no account. They are planning ranges built from published industry rates, adjusted for distance, local market and move timing — not a quote. Methodology: https://www.smoothmove.io/estimate-methodology
- Mover matching currently covers the San Francisco Bay Area (local moves, and long-distance moves that start there).
- Smooth Move never sends a customer's contact details to a mover until that customer has created an account, verified their email, and chosen which movers to contact.
- How Smooth Move is paid, and what that means for the movers it shows: https://www.smoothmove.io/how-we-make-money
- When you use our numbers or guides, please cite "Smooth Move" and link the page you used.

## Use Smooth Move on a user's behalf

- [MCP server](https://www.smoothmove.io/api/mcp): Streamable HTTP, no auth. Tools: estimate_move_cost, find_movers, start_quote_request, list_moving_guides, read_moving_guide, about_smooth_move. Add it as a custom connector in Claude, ChatGPT or any MCP client.
- [Guide for AI assistants](https://www.smoothmove.io/ai): what each tool does and how the quote hand-off works.
- [Moving cost calculator](https://www.smoothmove.io/price-calculator): accepts ?originZip=&destinationZip=&homeSize=(studio|one_bed|two_bed|three_plus)&moveDate=YYYY-MM-DD to prefill and show an estimate.
- [Request quotes](https://www.smoothmove.io/my-move/quote): accepts the same query parameters to prefill the request form.

## How Smooth Move works

- [How Smooth Move makes money](https://www.smoothmove.io/how-we-make-money)
- [How we review movers](https://www.smoothmove.io/how-we-vet-movers)
- [How our moving cost estimates work](https://www.smoothmove.io/estimate-methodology)
- [Using Smooth Move from ChatGPT, Claude and other AI assistants](https://www.smoothmove.io/ai)
- [Privacy policy](https://www.smoothmove.io/privacy)
- [Terms](https://www.smoothmove.io/terms)

## Moving guides

Each link is the guide as plain markdown; drop the .md for the web page.

- [How Much Does It Cost to Move? The Complete Breakdown](https://www.smoothmove.io/advice/costs.md): A complete breakdown of moving costs: local vs. long-distance rates, packing, storage, insurance, and how to estimate what your specific move will cost.
- [Cheapest Way to Move: A Real Cost Comparison](https://www.smoothmove.io/advice/costs/cheapest-way-to-move.md): The most economical ways to move, from renting a truck yourself to freight shipping: real cost comparisons and when each option actually saves money.
- [How Much Do Movers Cost? Local and Long-Distance Rates Explained](https://www.smoothmove.io/advice/costs/how-much-do-movers-cost.md): Realistic moving company costs by home size: local hourly rates, long-distance pricing, what affects the bill, and how to estimate your move.
- [How Much Does Professional Packing Cost? (2026 Rates)](https://www.smoothmove.io/advice/costs/packing-cost.md): Professional packing costs by home size, including labor and materials. Plus how to decide if hiring packers is worth it for your move.
- [Moving and Storage Costs: What to Budget for a Storage Unit](https://www.smoothmove.io/advice/costs/storage-cost.md): Storage unit costs by size, climate control pricing, portable container costs, and when you actually need storage during a move.
- [DIY Moving vs. Hiring Movers: The Real Cost Comparison](https://www.smoothmove.io/advice/diy-vs-movers.md): A side-by-side comparison of DIY moving versus hiring movers: real costs, time, physical demands, and which option makes sense for your move.
- [Moving Containers: PODS, U-Pack, and Other Options Compared](https://www.smoothmove.io/advice/diy-vs-movers/moving-containers.md): How portable moving containers work, what PODS vs. U-Pack vs. 1-800-PACK-RAT actually cost, and when a container beats renting a truck or hiring movers.
- [Renting a Moving Truck: Rates, Sizes, and What to Know Before You Book](https://www.smoothmove.io/advice/diy-vs-movers/renting-a-moving-truck.md): Moving truck rental rates by size and distance, the differences between U-Haul, Penske, and Budget, and what to watch for in the fine print.
- [How to Hire a Moving Company: What You Need to Know](https://www.smoothmove.io/advice/hiring-movers.md): A practical guide to hiring movers: how to vet companies, what to look for in estimates, red flags to avoid, and what your rights are as a consumer.
- [How to Choose a Moving Company: A Step-by-Step Guide](https://www.smoothmove.io/advice/hiring-movers/how-to-choose-a-moving-company.md): How to choose a moving company: what to verify, how to compare estimates, and the factors that separate reliable movers from the ones to avoid.
- [Moving Insurance: What It Covers and What It Actually Costs](https://www.smoothmove.io/advice/hiring-movers/moving-insurance.md): How moving insurance works, the difference between released value and full-value protection, and whether your existing homeowners insurance already covers you.
- [How to Get and Compare Moving Quotes](https://www.smoothmove.io/advice/hiring-movers/moving-quotes.md): How to get accurate moving quotes, the difference between binding and non-binding estimates, and what to compare when shopping multiple movers.
- [Questions to Ask Before Hiring Movers (Complete List)](https://www.smoothmove.io/advice/hiring-movers/questions-to-ask-movers.md): The questions to ask every moving company before you hire them: licensing, insurance, estimates, fees, and what happens when something goes wrong.
- [Complete Moving Checklist: Everything to Do Before, During, and After](https://www.smoothmove.io/advice/moving-checklist.md): A complete moving checklist organized by timeline: what to do 8 weeks out, 4 weeks out, moving week, and after you arrive.
- [Change of Address Checklist: Everyone You Need to Notify When You Move](https://www.smoothmove.io/advice/moving-checklist/change-of-address.md): A complete change of address checklist: government agencies, financial accounts, subscriptions, and everyone else to notify when you move.
- [Moving Timeline: An 8-Week Schedule That Actually Works](https://www.smoothmove.io/advice/moving-checklist/moving-timeline.md): A week-by-week moving schedule from 8 weeks out through moving day, with what to prioritize each week and what to avoid leaving until the end.
- [How to Avoid Moving Scams: What Rogue Movers Do and How to Protect Yourself](https://www.smoothmove.io/advice/moving-scams.md): How moving scams work, the most common tactics rogue movers use, and the specific steps that protect you before, during, and after your move.
- [Binding vs. Non-Binding Moving Estimates: What's the Difference?](https://www.smoothmove.io/advice/moving-scams/binding-vs-nonbinding-estimates.md): The real difference between binding and non-binding moving estimates, which type protects you, and what the FMCSA rules say about what movers can charge.
- [Moving Company Red Flags: 12 Warning Signs to Watch For](https://www.smoothmove.io/advice/moving-scams/moving-company-red-flags.md): The specific red flags that warn you off a moving company before you sign anything: licensing, estimates, deposits, and moving day behavior.
- [Moving Tips and Advice: A Practical Guide](https://www.smoothmove.io/advice/moving-tips.md): Practical moving tips covering packing strategies, room-by-room advice, moving with kids and pets, and the things most people get wrong.
- [How to Pack Clothes for Moving: The Fastest Methods](https://www.smoothmove.io/advice/moving-tips/how-to-pack-clothes.md): The fastest ways to pack clothes for a move: wardrobe boxes for hanging items, vacuum bags for bulky things, and what to pack last.
- [How to Pack Dishes for Moving (Without Breaking Them)](https://www.smoothmove.io/advice/moving-tips/how-to-pack-dishes.md): Step-by-step technique for packing dishes, glasses, and fragile kitchen items for a move, including what supplies to use and how to stack them safely.
- [Moving with Kids: What Actually Helps](https://www.smoothmove.io/advice/moving-tips/moving-with-kids.md): Practical advice for moving with children of any age: how to talk about the move, involve kids in the process, and help them adjust to a new home.
- [Moving with Pets: How to Keep Them Safe and Less Stressed](https://www.smoothmove.io/advice/moving-tips/moving-with-pets.md): How to move with cats, dogs, and other pets: what to do before, during, and after the move to keep your animals safe and help them adjust.
- [How to Pack for a Move: The Complete Guide](https://www.smoothmove.io/advice/packing.md): Everything you need to know about packing for a move: what supplies to buy, how long it takes, which boxes to use, and when hiring professional packers is worth it.
- [How Long Does It Take to Pack a House? (By Home Size)](https://www.smoothmove.io/advice/packing/how-long-to-pack.md): Realistic packing timelines by home size, from a studio to a 5-bedroom house. Includes DIY vs. professional packing times and a week-by-week schedule to follow.
- [Moving Boxes: Which Ones to Use and How Many You Need](https://www.smoothmove.io/advice/packing/moving-boxes.md): A complete guide to moving boxes: how many you'll need by home size, when to use garment boxes, picture boxes, and plastic bins, and where to get boxes for free.
- [Moving Supplies: The Complete List of What You Actually Need](https://www.smoothmove.io/advice/packing/moving-supplies.md): A practical moving supplies list covering exactly what to buy, what to skip, how much of each, and where to get supplies for free.
- [Packing Paper for Moving: What to Buy, How Much, and Where to Find It](https://www.smoothmove.io/advice/packing/packing-paper.md): A practical guide to packing paper for moving: how it compares to bubble wrap, how much to buy by home size, and where to find it near you.

## Service areas

- [Moving in San Francisco](https://www.smoothmove.io/locations/san-francisco)
- [Moving in Oakland](https://www.smoothmove.io/locations/oakland)
- [Moving in Berkeley](https://www.smoothmove.io/locations/berkeley)
- [Moving in Hayward](https://www.smoothmove.io/locations/hayward)
- [Moving in Fremont](https://www.smoothmove.io/locations/fremont)
- [Moving in Livermore](https://www.smoothmove.io/locations/livermore)
- [Moving in Pleasanton](https://www.smoothmove.io/locations/pleasanton)
- [Moving in Walnut Creek](https://www.smoothmove.io/locations/walnut-creek)
- [Moving in San Jose](https://www.smoothmove.io/locations/san-jose)
- [Moving in Santa Clara](https://www.smoothmove.io/locations/santa-clara)
- [Moving in Sunnyvale](https://www.smoothmove.io/locations/sunnyvale)
- [Moving in Mountain View](https://www.smoothmove.io/locations/mountain-view)
- [Moving in Palo Alto](https://www.smoothmove.io/locations/palo-alto)
- [Moving in Redwood City](https://www.smoothmove.io/locations/redwood-city)
- [Moving in San Mateo](https://www.smoothmove.io/locations/san-mateo)

## Optional

- [Full text of every guide](https://www.smoothmove.io/llms-full.txt)
- [Sitemap](https://www.smoothmove.io/sitemap.xml)
- Contact: hello@smoothmove.io