Lab & Medical Equipment Moving in San Diego
Labs moved on a written plan.
The short version: One Stop Moving & Storage relocates labs, clinics and research teams across San Diego County from its Sorrento Valley base, with a documented handling plan, labeled inventory and certificates of insurance for both buildings. Lab and medical equipment is quoted in writing after a site survey, at crew rates from $139 an hour for two movers and a truck.
- Our only office is in Sorrento Valley, 92121, near the Torrey Pines and UTC research parks
- Benchtop instruments, microscopes, centrifuges, incubators, emptied freezers and lab furniture
- Your EH&S team clears hazardous and biological materials; we pack, move and place
- Licensed CAL-190616, USDOT 1956864, $1M liability
Since 2008
Moving San Diego
CAL-190616
California mover license
USDOT 1956864
Interstate, MC 694565
BBB A+
Better Business Bureau
98%
Of our customers come back (company records)
7 days
7 AM–7 PM, phone open 24 hours
What it costs
How much does a lab move cost in San Diego?
Lab and medical equipment is quoted in writing after a site survey, at our crew hourly rates: $139 an hour for two movers and a truck, $189 for three, $239 for four. Billing runs in 15-minute increments. Weekends cost the same, and there are no stair fees.
What sets the price is time: how much equipment there is, how much needs packing, how far the dock is from the bench, and how long the freight elevator is yours. A survey of both sites turns that into a crew size, hours and a written Not-to-Exceed price.
Your written Not-to-Exceed price lists the drive between your two addresses with every other charge before move day.
Crew rates
What changes the quote
Same rates every day of the week. Rates and materials from One Stop’s published tariff.
What we move
What lab and medical equipment do you move?
3 groups: benchtop instruments, microscopes, centrifuges, incubators, balances, emptied freezers and lab furniture; exam tables, ultrasound carts, dental equipment and monitors; and the lab’s workstations, servers, small racks and records. We do not move hazardous materials, regulated medical waste, controlled substances or biological samples. Those stay with your team.
Common lab equipment
Benchtop instruments, microscopes, centrifuges, incubators, balances, freezers (emptied, non-hazardous) and lab benches and furniture.
Medical and diagnostic
Exam tables, ultrasound carts, dental equipment, imaging accessories, monitors and sensitive electronics, packed to cut vibration and impact.
IT and office for labs
Workstations, servers, small racks and records, organized and labeled for faster setup after delivery.
Lab and office furniture
Benches, casegoods and workstations taken apart, moved and rebuilt to the new floor plan.
Office furniture (FF&E) installHeavy units
Crew size, dollies, straps and the route (ramps, elevators, dock) planned before move day. Floors and walls protected.
What we don’t transport
Hazardous materials, regulated medical waste, controlled substances, samples and reagents. Your team removes and manages them under your own protocols.
Who does what
What does my lab team do, and what do the movers do?
Your team clears, decontaminates and disconnects; equipment vendors de-install and recalibrate anything under warranty or service contract; One Stop packs, labels, loads, moves and places. Write the split down at the site survey, because a crew waiting on a disconnect is billed time at $139 an hour or more.
| Task | Who usually does it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Remove samples, reagents and hazardous materials | Your lab team and EH&S | Movers don’t carry them. Cold-chain items travel with your team or a specialist carrier. |
| Decontaminate and clear equipment | Your lab team and EH&S | Many institutions tag cleared equipment before movers may touch it. |
| Disconnect gas, water, vacuum and hard-wired power | Your facilities team or contractor | We move equipment once it is free-standing. |
| De-install, crate or recalibrate under warranty | The equipment vendor | Ask each vendor early if original crates or their own technicians are required. |
| Pack, pad, label and inventory | One Stop | Orientation labels, layered protection and a location code for every piece. |
| Load, move and place on the new floor plan | One Stop | Placed where the plan says. Reassembly of furniture is on the clock. |
| Certificates of insurance for both buildings | One Stop | $1M general liability and $1M workers’ comp, with the building’s wording. |
Planning a university lab move? UC San Diego tells its labs to contact the vendor for equipment under warranty or service contract before the move: UCSD lab equipment relocation planning.
Handling plan
How is sensitive lab equipment protected in transit?
With a written handling plan in 3 parts: orientation and labeling, layered protection, and a controlled load. Each piece gets “this side up” and fragile-point labels, then blankets, foam, stretch wrap and corner protection, then strap-down and padding in the truck so nothing shifts on turns, braking or freeway changes.
Equipment arrives ready for inspection and re-installation by your team or your vendor. If a manufacturer calls for original crates or vendor preparation, we schedule around it.
Basic valuation in California pays $0.60 per pound per article at no charge, so a 200-lb instrument is covered for $120. Insure high-value instruments under your own policy or a separate one before move day.
The three steps
| Instrument weight | Basic valuation pays up to |
|---|---|
| 50 lb | $30 |
| 200 lb | $120 |
| 500 lb | $300 |
Basic valuation is $0.60 per pound per article under California’s Max 4 tariff, Item 136 (Bureau of Household Goods and Services). It is not insurance. More on coverage: moving insurance and valuation.
Sorrento Valley, Torrey Pines, UTC
What do San Diego lab buildings ask for before a move?
Most research buildings in Sorrento Valley, Torrey Pines and UTC want a certificate of insurance naming the owner and manager, a booked dock and freight elevator, and an approved move window. We send the COI, sized to $1M general liability and $1M workers’ comp, and plan the crew around the dock time.
Our only office is at 6260 Marindustry Dr in Sorrento Valley (92121), so the North City research parks are a short drive for our crews.
Tell us during the survey about dock height, elevator size, door widths, stairwells and any restricted hours at both sites. Ask both property managers for their written move rules at least 7 days ahead.
What buildings usually ask for
Moving a lab out of state? Long-distance moves go on a dedicated truck at one price per city. See long-distance rates.
Space not ready?
Can lab equipment be stored while the new space is built out?
Yes. Equipment and furniture can wait in a climate- and humidity-controlled vault at 68–72°F, or in a storage unit. San Diego County units run $245 to $730 a month. Loading into storage is $750 per truck and each access visit is $75. Short-term storage during a move is included.
Units are billed monthly and are not prorated. Freezers and refrigerated units go in emptied and clean; we do not store samples, reagents or anything hazardous.
Storage units, San Diego County
Prices from One Stop’s published tariff. Orange County units run $275 to $785 a month.
How it works
How does a lab relocation with One Stop work?
Five steps: a site survey of both buildings, a written plan and Not-to-Exceed price, your team’s prep, the move itself on the handling plan, and placement with a walk-through and punch list before the crew leaves. Book 3 weeks ahead from May to September when you can.
1
Site survey
We walk both sites with your lab manager: equipment list, access, dock, elevators and timing.
2
Written plan and price
Crew size, hours, packing scope, sequence and a Not-to-Exceed price, plus the COIs.
3
Your prep
Power down, decontaminate, clear samples, book vendors. Use the checklist below.
4
Move day
Labeled, layered, strapped. Loaded in reverse of your setup order.
5
Placement
Set where the plan says, ready for your team or vendor. Punch list before we leave.
Before the truck arrives
What should a lab do before moving day?
Six things: power down and disconnect, coordinate vendors, decontaminate and clear, label cables and accessories, prepare both facilities, and sort out insurance and records. Turning equipment off at least 24 hours ahead lets it cool and stabilize. A shared spreadsheet of every piece keeps everyone aligned.
01
Power down and disconnect
Turn equipment off at least 24 hours before the move. Unplug, coil and label each cable. Remove trays, slides and cartridges. Write down any special shutdown sequence.
02
Vendor coordination
Ask each vendor about special handling, original crates, warranty during transport and re-installation or calibration at the new site.
03
Decontamination
Clean surfaces per your lab’s protocol, log the date and initials, and make sure every hazardous or biological material is removed and disposed of.
04
Cables and accessories
Color-code cables to devices, photograph connections, pack accessories in labeled boxes and keep a master list with serial numbers.
05
Facility and access
Reserve elevators and docks, confirm door widths and stairwells at both sites, and send us access codes, parking and restricted hours.
06
Insurance and records
Request our COI, photograph equipment condition before packing, keep our inventory on file and check your own policy for transit cover.
Questions
Lab moving questions
Short answers. Prices, booking, packing, storage and your rights are covered in full in our FAQ.
All moving questionsHow much does it cost to move a lab in San Diego?
Lab and medical equipment is quoted in writing after a site survey, at crew rates of $139 an hour for two movers and a truck, $189 for three and $239 for four. Billing runs in 15-minute increments, and there are no stair fees.
How do you move sensitive diagnostic and imaging equipment safely?
We start with a handling plan: orientation labels, layered protection and a controlled load. For specialized imaging equipment, we coordinate timing and access with your team and the vendor, so the equipment is prepared, moved and reinstalled according to the manufacturer’s guidance.
How do you move heavy medical or lab equipment?
With the right crew size, dollies and straps, and a route planned in advance through ramps, elevators and the dock. Floors and walls are protected, equipment stays upright and stable, and each piece is secured in the truck to stop shifting.
What are the best practices for packing lab and medical devices?
Layered protection (padding plus wrap), consistent orientation (“this side up”), cables and accessories packed separately, and clear labels for fast reassembly. If the manufacturer wants original crates or vendor prep, we schedule around it.
Can you give a quote for relocating a lab or clinic?
Yes. We ask about the equipment, access at both sites, timeline, packing scope and whether the move is local or long distance. For anything beyond a few instruments, a site survey produces a written plan and price.
Are there rules for transporting lab and medical equipment?
Requirements depend on the equipment and the facility. Many sites require a certificate of insurance, a scheduled dock and documented handling. Hazardous materials, biohazard waste, controlled substances and samples must be removed and managed by your authorized team.
Do you move freezers and refrigerators from a lab?
Yes, once they are emptied and cleared by your team. We do not carry samples, reagents or anything that needs a cold chain; those travel with your staff or a specialist carrier.
Can you provide a certificate of insurance for our building?
Yes. One Stop carries $1M general liability and $1M workers’ comp and issues COIs naming the building owner and property manager. Send each building’s COI requirements when you book.
Can you move a lab on a weekend?
Yes. Crews work 7 days a week, 7 AM to 7 PM, and the weekend rate is the same as weekdays. Many research buildings only allow moves on weekends, so book the dock and elevator early.
Where is One Stop located?
Our only office is at 6260 Marindustry Dr STE B, San Diego, CA 92121, in Sorrento Valley. Call (858) 633-8600; the phone line is open 24 hours.
Can lab equipment be stored between moves?
Yes. Vaults are climate- and humidity-controlled at 68–72°F, and San Diego County storage units run $245 to $730 a month. Loading into storage is $750 per truck and access is $75 a visit.
Do you move labs out of state?
Yes. Long-distance moves go on a dedicated truck at one price per city, for example $4,200 to Phoenix. USDOT 1956864, MC 694565.
Talk to a person
Moving a lab? Book a site survey.
Tell us the equipment, both addresses and the date window. We walk both sites and send the crew size, hours, handling plan and a Not-to-Exceed price in writing, free. The phone line is open 24 hours.