Moving Help® vs. HireAHelper: Best Moving Labor Marketplace
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Moving Help and HireAHelper are two well-known online marketplaces for booking moving labor. What are some of the key differences, and which one is right for your move?
This guide compares the two marketplaces across pricing, booking, services, coverage, and customer support, so you can decide which option best fits your move.
Key Takeaways
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What Is Moving Help?
Founded in 2002, Moving Help is an online Marketplace that connects customers with local, independent moving labor professionals who specialize in loading and unloading, packing and unpacking, cleaning, and other services.
Moving Help is available in all 50 U.S. States and the 10 Canadian provinces. The Marketplace features more than 7,000 Service Providers, making it the largest labor Marketplace in North America.
Moving Help is powered by U-Haul. As such, Moving Help is integrated with U-Haul products and services, allowing customers to reserve trucks, U-Box® containers, purchase moving supplies, and book moving labor in one place.
What Is HireAHelper?
Founded in 2007, HireAHelper is an online marketplace for booking moving labor by the hour from local service providers. Customers can enter move details, compare providers, read reviews, and book services on their website.
HireAHelper partners with moving companies (PODS, U-Pack, etc.) to offer additional transportation and moving services.
Moving Help vs. HireAHelper: The Comparison
Pricing and Payment
Want to know whether HireAHelper or Moving Help is more affordable? It depends.
Pricing varies because each Marketplace Service Provider sets its own hourly rates. Final pricing depends on location, moving date, number of helpers, hours booked, and requested services.
Key differences:
- With Moving Help, you pay per provider, per hour, plus a refundable $5.95 Refundable Marketplace Fee. Other charges can include piano and gun safe moving fees, both of which are charged at a flat rate. Providers don't charge for travel time or stairs.
- HireAHelper has a similar pricing structure — you pay by the hour, by the mover — but some providers may charge a fee for stairs. Other charges can include piano and heavy item fees, depending on the provider.
How To Pay
Both marketplaces require payment upfront via credit card and hold the funds in escrow until the job is completed.
Key differences:
- With Moving Help, after the job is completed and you’re 100 percent satisfied with the service(s) you received, you share a Payment Code with your Service Provider to release the funds.
- Paying for service with HireAHelper is similar, minus the Payment Code. After the customer confirms the job is completed, the payment is sent to the service provider immediately.
Pricing and Payment Summary
| Moving Help | HireAHelper | |
| Rates | Providers set rates | Providers set rates |
| Payment | Upfront, online | Upfront, online |
| Payment Code | Yes | No |
| Stair fees | No | Provider dependent |
| Piano fees | Yes, flat rate | Provider dependent |
Booking Process
With Moving Help, you can book directly through MovingHelp.com, Uhaul.com/MovingHelp/, or the U-Haul App. Enter your location, date and start time, then compare Service Providers by price, reviews, and available services.
With HireAHelper, enter your move details on Hireahelper.com, compare available third-party providers, and book through the platform. HireAHelper positions its service around online quotes, reviews, cancellation flexibility, and protection options.
Key differences:
- With Moving Help, it’s free to cancel your service, even if It's a last-minute cancellation.
- HireAHelper has a free cancellation policy up to 48 hours before the start time. You’ll be charged for two hours at the rate you booked if you cancel within 24 hours. You'll be charged the full price if you cancel within one hour.
- Booking with Moving Help is app-based, available on the U-Haul App as well as online.
Same-Day Availability
Both marketplaces offer same-day moving labor. To find last-minute help, simply search the respective marketplace to see available providers for that timeframe. Note that HireAHelper considers anything within seven days as “last minute.”
Booking Process Summary
| Moving Help | HireAHelper | |
| Same-Day service | Yes | Yes |
| Free cancellation | Yes | Not always |
Services Offered
While both marketplaces specialize in “labor-only” moving, both offer a larger variety of services as well.
Moving Help:
- Loading and unloading
- Packing and unpacking
- Cleaning
- Gun safe moving
- Piano moving
- U-Box container services
- Specialty services (furniture assembly/disassembly, junk removal, etc.)
HireAHelper:
- Loading and unloading
- Mover + Truck
- Packing
- Long-distance moving (via third-party partnership)
- Moving container services (via third-party partnership)
Key Differences:
- Although U-Haul doesn’t offer long-distance moving or full-service moving options per se, customers can build a full-service or long-distance moving experience with U-Haul products and services like truck rentals, U-Box containers, and Moving Help.
- HireAHelper can offer full-service and long-distance moving services, but only through third-party partnerships, which may require coordinating services through third-party partners.
- Moving Help has separate service options for pianos and gun safes, as these items require additional handling and labor. These service options are available for a flat rate. Other heavy items are included for no extra charge.
- If moving these items with HireAHelper, the rate fluctuates based on the provider.
Coverage Options
Both marketplaces offer item handling coverage options to protect your belongings and provide an additional layer of protection.
Key Differences:
- Safeload® coverage is an optional protection plan available with qualifying Service Providers. It’s not automatically available on every Moving Help order, so customers should check during booking. Prices start at $4.
- HireAHelper lists SmartProtection and a $1,000 service guarantee on its site. HireAHelper also states that repair coverage applies at $0.60 per pound up to $10,000, with some limits based on the service and transportation method.
Services Offered Summary
| Moving Help | HireAHelper | |
| Services | Labor-only | Labor-only, local full-service |
| Coverage | Safeload with qualifying providers | $1,000 Service Guarantee |
| Heavy item moving | No fees | Provider dependent |
| Long-distance/moving container moves | Via U-haul App | Via third parties |
Service Providers
Both marketplaces are based in the United States and offer services nationwide.
Key Differences:
- Moving Help combines the largest moving labor Marketplace with the nation's largest do-it-yourself moving network, meaning customers can search for Service Providers across all 50 U.S. states and the 10 Canadian provinces.
- HireAHelper doesn’t offer services in Canada.
- Although both marketplaces offer nationwide service, Moving Help boasts more than 7,000 Service Providers, while HireAHelper has more than 2,000 service providers. A larger provider network may increase the likelihood of finding available help in more locations.
Background Checks/Vetting
Both marketplaces make service providers undergo a thorough vetting process that includes the moving company's point person passing a background check and identity verification. This is completed before the Service Provider can appear on the respective marketplaces and begin accepting jobs.
Key Differences:
- Service Providers may earn badges (5-Star Hot Streak, Reliability Superstar, etc.) to showcase their performance to customers.
- HireAHelper requires Service Providers to have more than 10 online reviews outside of their marketplace to be listed on their website.
| Moving Help | HireAHelper | |
| Background checks | Yes | Yes |
| Number of providers | 7,000+ | 2,000+ |
| Service in Canada | Yes | No |
| Nationwide coverage | Yes | Yes |
Customer Support
Customer support is available with both marketplaces via phone, email, and live chat. If anything is damaged during the move, both also allow customers to file a claim online.
Both marketplaces encourage customers to communicate directly with their selected provider before moving day to confirm arrival times, access instructions, specialty items, and other details. This includes handling disputes and resolutions.
Key Differences:
- With Moving Help, customers who are already renting a U-Haul truck rental or U-Box container can manage much of their DIY move within the U-Haul ecosystem. Reservations, moving labor, and optional add-ons work together, reducing the need to coordinate between multiple companies.
- HireAHelper operates independently and partners with several truck and container rental companies, so customers may work with multiple companies during the moving process.
- Moving Help makes it easy to make changes to your order on the go. Add hours, services, or even additional Service Providers to your existing order in your customer account or on the U-Haul App.
- To make changes with HireAHelper, you can add additional hours after the job is completed.
Customer Support Summary
| Moving Help | HireAHelper | |
| Available support | Phone, chat, email | Phone, chat, email |
| Order updates | Anytime | After the job is completed |
| Claims | Online submission | Online submission |
Tips for Comparing Moving Labor Providers
Before you book through either marketplace, take a few minutes to compare the details that matter most on moving day:
- Read recent reviews, not just the overall rating.
- Confirm the number of helpers and hours you need.
- Ask whether the provider brings moving equipment.
- Share details about stairs, elevators, parking, and heavy items.
- Review coverage options before the job starts.
- Keep photos of valuable or fragile items before moving day.
- Do not release the final Payment Code until the work is completed and you’re satisfied.
Ready to add moving labor to your DIY move? Compare local Service Providers through Moving Help and get a quote for the services you need.
Q: What Is the Main Difference Between Moving Help and HireAHelper?
A: Moving Help is a U-Haul-powered labor-only Marketplace for independent Service Providers. HireAHelper is a separate online marketplace that connects customers with third-party moving service providers.
Q: Can Moving Helpers Drive My Truck Rental?
A: No. Moving Helpers are not drivers. They provide labor-only moving services, such as loading, unloading, packing, unpacking, U-Box container services, cleaning, and specialty item help.
Q: Is Moving Help Available With U-Box Containers?
A: Yes. Moving Help Service Providers may offer U-Box container services, including delivery-related help, loading, unloading, or a combination of services.
Q: Does HireAHelper Include Protection Coverage?
A: HireAHelper’s site lists SmartProtection, a $1,000 service guarantee and repair coverage of $0.60 per pound up to $10,000, with limitations. Customers should review the current terms before booking.
Q: Which Is Less Expensive, Moving Help or HireAHelper?
A: Pricing varies by location, provider, date, service type, and hours needed. The best way to compare is to get quotes from both marketplaces for the same move details.
Q: Are Moving Helpers U-Haul Employees?
A: No. Moving Helpers are independent, small-business owners who advertise their services onto the Moving Help Marketplace. They are not employees or contractors of U-Haul or Moving Help.
Q: Can I Book Moving Help for Loading and HireAHelper for Unloading?
A: You may be able to use different labor providers at your origin and destination, but it is usually easier to compare availability, pricing and coverage before splitting services between platforms.
Q: What Should I Check Before Booking Moving Labor?
A: Check reviews, pricing, minimum hours, service details, coverage options, cancellation rules, parking access, and whether the provider handles stairs, heavy items or specialty services.