How Much Do Movers Cost?

Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, a move requires all hands on deck. That means gathering moving supplies, figuring out how to pack boxes for moving, and setting up your travel agenda. What about hiring movers to help you? What much will that cost? How far in advance do you to schedule them for?

Believe it or not, hiring movers is easy, flexible, and affordable. With Moving Help® it is even easier because your needs can be sorted by overall rating, lowest cost, and services offered.

How Much Do Movers Cost by State with Moving Help® Service Providers

To give you an idea of how much you can expect to pay for moving labor through Moving Help®, we have compiled the average cost of a two-man crew for two hours, by state.

Average Cost of 2 Men/ 2 Hours by State*

State

Average Cost

 

State

Average Cost

Alaska

$242

 

Montana

$249

Alabama

$242

 

North Carolina

$233

Arkansas

$276

 

North Dakota

$345

Arizona

$214

 

Nebraska

$266

California

$258

 

New Hampshire

$327

Colorado

$270

 

New Jersey

$263

Connecticut

$254

 

New Mexico

$214

District of Columbia

$224

 

Nevada

$270

Delaware

$247

 

New York

$267

Florida

$204

 

Ohio

$265

Georgia

$215

 

Oklahoma

$212

Hawaii

$242

 

Oregon

$317

Iowa

$282

 

Pennsylvania

$265

Idaho

$320

 

Rhode Island

$305

Illinois

$268

 

South Carolina

$222

Indiana

$259

 

South Dakota

$340

Kansas

$221

 

Tennessee

$224

Kentucky

$230

 

Texas

$215

Louisiana

$260

 

Utah

$270

Massachusetts

$305

 

Virginia

$239

Maryland

$235

 

Vermont

$327

Maine

$282

 

Washington

$276

Michigan

$250

 

Wisconsin

$312

Minnesota

$310

 

West Virginia

$258

Missouri

$262

 

Wyoming

$305

Mississippi

$247

 

 

 

* The prices shown are to be used as estimates only. Actual prices may vary.

Now you you need to figure out how many hours of help you will need and how many movers you need. Reference the chart below for a rough estimate:

Crew Size & Time Estimate

Sq. Ft.

2 Helpers

3 Helpers

4 Helpers

Under 800

2 hrs

2 hrs

N/A

800-1000

2 hrs

2 hrs

N/A

1000-1500

3 hrs

2-3 hrs

2 hrs

1500-2000

4 hrs

3-4 hrs

2-3 hrs

2001-3000

6 hrs

4-5 hrs

3-4 hrs

3000-4000

6-8 hrs

5-6 hrs

4-5 hrs

4000+

10+ hrs

8-10 hrs

6-8 hrs

How Do You Estimate Additional Moving Costs?

Most expenses are determined by the size of the move, distance traveled, and hours needed to finish the job. However, these are other factors that you need to consider when it comes to additional moving costs:

Travel Expenses

No matter how far you’re going, expect to pay travel expenses. This includes fuel costs, food and water on the road and lodging during a long-distance move. Depending on your move, you may also need temporary pet boarding or car shipping services.

Moving Add-Ons

When you hire professional movers, keep in mind that add-ons like furniture assembly services and moving insurance, will cost more. Another common add-on is specialty item moving, like for pianos, pool tables and safes. You can find experienced movers ready to load and unload all of your oversized items with Moving Help® - Powered by U-Haul.

Self-Storage

It’s common for downsizing families to use self-storage after their move. This allows you to keep unused furniture, clothing and other belongings safely stored while not in use. If you’re interested in storage, some U-Haul locations offer one free month of storage with the reservation of a one-way truck or trailer.

Moving Supplies

Cardboard boxes, packing tape, stretch wrap, etc. These may be small, but they add up quickly. You may be able to score some used boxes from friends and family, but other items may need purchasing. Check U-Haul® Customer Connect for free or low-cost supplies, and use the U-Haul® Moving Supply Calculator to get an approximate supply list.

Move-Out Fees

If renting, check your lease agreement to see if you’re responsible for any move-out fees. This may include carpet cleaning charges or early lease termination fees (if applicable). You may also want to check if you will be getting your security deposit back. It will come in handy! Find a Moving Help Service Provider who also offers home cleaning services, to get your moving and cleaning needs taken care of all in one reservation. When making your reservation simply adjust the filter to find providers that offer cleaning services. 

Extra Bills

Cancellation and activation fees for your utilities, internet, cable and other services can quickly pile up. Try to find out what you’re responsible for well ahead of time so you can budget accordingly.

Professional Packing

Professional movers typically offer packing services in additional to loading and unloading. This can be especially useful for with fragile items you might worry about in transit. Moving Help Service Providers who offer packing can ensure that every inch of your U-Haul rental truck is packed securely, leaving no wasted space.

How Much Should You Tip Movers?

Don’t forget to tip! Although it’s not mandatory, professional movers are service industry pros and appreciate being tipped after a job well done.

Asking yourself how much should you tip your movers? For a smaller job, 10-15% is common, while larger jobs call for a tip closer to 15-20%.

How do you find moving help? The easiest way to find affordable, trustworthy, professional movers is by heading over to the Moving Help Marketplace. Moving Help has providers all over the country ready to help you carry out your next move and you can sign up today.

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