1st Choice Movers Review 2026 (San Diego, CA)
Fact Checked by:
Positive
Reviews
96%
across 380 reviews
moveBuddha
Score
4.2/5
based on moveBuddha methodology
Years in
Business
14
founded 2012
FMCSA
Status
Active
1st Choice Movers is a 4.2/5-rated California full-service mover, operating since 2012 (14 years in business). 1st Choice Movers earns 96% positive reviews across 380 verified customer reviews. The company holds active FMCSA registration and operates 3 trucks. All ratings reflect moveBuddha's independent analysis.
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1st Choice Movers at a glance
- Track record: 14 years in business with 96% positive customer reviews (380 verified reviews)
- Scale: 3 trucks operating across California
- Industry experience: 5/5
- Customer service: 4.14/5
- Review quality: 3.84/5
- Quote accuracy: 3.76/5
1st Choice Movers' services
- Full-service moving
- Packing & Unpacking
- Local (intrastate) moving
What this 1st Choice Movers review covers
Consistency and follow-up
Organized packing
Good communication
Flexibility
Respectful of property
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Company stats
Read full reviewIndustry experience 5.0
Companies with more years in business often outperform newer competitors. 1st Choice Movers has been in business for 14 years, demonstrating strong staying power in a competitive industry with services like intrastate moving.
Review quality 3.8
Customer reviews are the clearest window into a mover’s reputation. 1st Choice Movers has about 96% positive reviews across roughly 380 total reviews.
Quote accuracy 3.7
Quote reliability often comes down to clarity and consistency. Customers can request quotes from 1st Choice Movers. Discounts may be available for groups like military.
Customer service 4.1
From responsiveness to follow-through, customer service is a big differentiator. 1st Choice Movers emphasizes clear communication, careful handling.
Recent reviews
Jerzy and David were fantastic; friendly, professional, respectful of our property, and incredibly efficient. They arrived right on time, communicated their ETA and kept me updated throughout the day. Derek followed up after the move.
The packing was fast, organized, and made the entire moving process so much easier.
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Payment methods
What do customers say about 1st Choice Movers?
1st Choice Movers pulls in 96% positive reviews out of 380 verified ratings from multiple platforms, 3% negative, and 1% neutral.
What customers like most about 1st Choice Movers
- Consistency and follow-up: Reviewers liked that 1st Choice Movers stayed in touch before and after the move to ensure everything went smoothly.
- Organized packing: 1st Choice Movers is often recognized for labeling boxes clearly and packing with structure and care.
- Good communication: Reviewers frequently mention clear, consistent updates from 1st Choice Movers throughout the moving process.
- Flexibility: Clients liked that 1st Choice Movers was willing to adjust schedules or accommodate last-minute changes.
- Respectful of property: Customers appreciated how carefully 1st Choice Movers's team maneuvered furniture through tight spaces without damaging walls or floors.
Most common complaints about 1st Choice Movers
- Damage to items: Some customers reported that items were damaged during packing or loading.
- Misplaced or lost items: In some cases, belongings went missing or were delivered to the wrong location.
- Unprofessional behavior: Complaints included movers using foul language, showing up late, or acting inappropriately.
Did you move with 1st Choice Movers? Tell us how it went.
Leave a ReviewPositive 1st Choice Movers Reviews
Richard Sove, Google
Jerzy and David were fantastic; friendly, professional, respectful of our property, and incredibly efficient. They arrived right on time, communicated their ETA and kept me updated throughout the day. Derek followed up after the move.
Eugenia, Google
The packing was fast, organized, and made the entire moving process so much easier.
Mike Mooney, Google
Derek was also beyond helpful with re-scheduling when we found out our original moving date was a 'quiet day' at our new building and had to change days last minute.
Negative 1st Choice Movers Reviews
Landy Lin, Google
Our brand new LVP flooring was scratched, leaving a long, unremovable rubber mark. An unsecured toolbox also led to the loss of numerous sockets during transportation, and the owner's response was unsatisfactory.
Zachary S., Yelp
After packing, a valuable watch (~$20,000) went missing. The owner was initially cooperative, then went silent and refused to help resolve the situation.
Bronte D., Yelp
The movers dragged my furniture, broke a dresser, and left scratches in my old apartment and scuffs on the floor in my new one.
Neutral 1st Choice Movers Reviews
Anh Truong, Google
The movers were efficient but we found a few of our things broken. You get what you pay for.
Chris Piecukonis, Google
The moving crew was great! But the sales office blew it on packing materials. No one called me to apologize for the issue.
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Is 1st Choice Movers licensed & insured?
Yes. 1st Choice Movers is FMCSA-registered and active, operating under the legal name 1ST CHOICE MOVERS LLC. The company runs 3 trucks. moveBuddha verifies all licensing data directly against FMCSA records.
| Credential | Status | Verified |
|---|---|---|
| FMCSA registration | Active | 10/13/2026 |
| Fleet size | 3 power units | 10/13/2026 |
When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice. You can verify 1st Choice Movers' active status on the California licensed movers database.
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How moveBuddha rated 1st Choice Movers
1st Choice Movers earns a 4.2/5 composite rating based on moveBuddha's editorial rating categories. That's above the 3.7/5 average among San Diego movers. moveBuddha's research team rates each category independently, and each one measures a different aspect of mover quality.
| Rating category | 1st Choice Movers | What it measures |
|---|---|---|
| Industry experience | 5/5 | Years in operation, fleet size & locations |
| Review quality | 3.84/5 | Volume & sentiment of customer reviews |
| Customer service | 4.14/5 | Communication clarity & crew professionalism |
| Quote accuracy | 3.76/5 | Estimate vs. final invoice on sample moves |
| Google reviews | 3/5 | Google Business Profile rating & review volume |
| Yelp reviews | 3/5 | Yelp rating & review volume |
| BBB | 4.78/5 | The company's BBB letter grade (A–F) & complaint resolution history (translated to a corresponding numerical score) |
| Brand | 4/5 | Market presence & industry recognition |
Our summary of 1st Choice Movers
Packing help, clear pricing: 380 reviews are in, and 96% of them are positive. Customers value fast crews, easy scheduling, strong communication, careful handling, and efficient packing for homes, storage units, and offices. Most report intact belongings; a few report damage. Complaints focus on delays, extra charges, and missing items.
Ratings based on moveBuddha's research methodology, updated November 2026.
How much does 1st Choice Movers cost?
1st Choice Movers does not publish standard hourly rates or flat-fee pricing publicly. Movers in San Diego charge an average of $115/hour, though rates vary by company. Quote pricing depends on home size, distance, packing services, and time of year. To get an accurate estimate, request a quote directly or use moveBuddha's cost calculator below.
For typical California moving costs across all home sizes and service types, see our California moving cost guide.
Estimated for a typical 2-3 bedroom California move
$990 – $2,286
How does 1st Choice Movers compare to other San Diego movers?
1st Choice Movers ranks alongside the top full-service movers in San Diego on moveBuddha's editorial scoring. The table below compares ratings, positive review rates, and years in business across the top San Diego movers.
| Company | Our rating | Positive reviews | BBB | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
4.62 |
87% | A+ | ||
|
4.58 |
97% | A+ | ||
|
4.58 |
78% | A+ | ||
|
4.56 |
94% | A+ | ||
|
4.58 |
91% | B- | ||
|
4.5 |
88% | A+ | ||
|
4.5 |
79% | A+ | ||
|
4.58 |
81% | A+ | ||
|
4.52 |
94% | A+ | ||
|
4.48 |
94% | A+ |
Final verdict: 1st Choice Movers
1st Choice Movers earns a 4.2/5 moveBuddha score, backed by 96% positive customer reviews across 380 verified reviews. Over 14 years in business and 3 trucks operating across California, 1st Choice Movers has built a reputation for consistency and follow-up and organized packing, making it worth a look for your California move.
Best for:
- Customers who value working with an established mover with long-standing industry experience
All ratings reflect moveBuddha's analysis updated November 2026, based on independent research and verified customer reviews.
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FAQs about 1st Choice Movers
What services does 1st Choice Movers offer?
1st Choice Movers is a full-service mover operating in California. The company operates 3 trucks. Confirm specific services like packing, storage, and specialty item handling directly when requesting a quote.
Is 1st Choice Movers a legitimate, licensed mover?
Yes, 1st Choice Movers is FMCSA-registered and active, operating 3 trucks. You can verify their licensing status on the California state regulator database.
How do I choose the right San Diego moving company?
To pick the best San Diego mover, start with companies that have mostly positive customer reviews, valid licenses, and proper insurance. Get detailed moving quotes from at least 3 companies to compare services, pricing, and availability. Look for transparent pricing, clear communication, and verified track records of successful moves.
Does 1st Choice Movers require a deposit?
How much deposit 1st Choice Movers asks for depends on your move type and timing. Most California full-service movers either require no deposit or a small holding deposit to secure your booking date. Confirm deposit terms directly when requesting your quote.
How does 1st Choice Movers' review score compare to other California movers?
1st Choice Movers earns 96% positive customer reviews across 380 verified customer reviews. Its composite moveBuddha score is 4.2/5. That's above the 89% average among San Diego movers, and above the 91% California average.
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