What Affects the Cost of Your Move?

Moving quotes feel like a black box at most companies. Ours is arithmetic. Here are the levers, the real rates behind them, and worked examples from our actual rate card.

The levers

Crew size

Labor is $85/hr for 2 movers, +$45/hr per additional mover. A bigger crew costs more per hour and finishes sooner — on stairs and big homes, 3 movers often cost less overall than 2.

Hours on the job

Hourly means your readiness is money. Packed, disassembled and staged = fewer billed hours. A 3-hour minimum applies to every booking.

The truck

Bring your own rental and pay labor only — or take our all-in rate: $200/hr (1–2 bedroom) or ~$252/hr (3+ bedroom) with a 16-ft truck and 2 movers, under 50 miles.

Stairs, distance & access

Third-floor walk-ups, long carries and tight parking add time. Tell us up front and it's priced in — surprise-free.

Packing

Full-service packing is $50/hr per packer, plus supplies. It adds cost and removes the two most stressful weeks of the move.

Special items

Pianos, safes and oversized pieces need planning and sometimes extra hands. Send photos with your quote request for an honest number.

Worked examples (our real rate card)

Apartment load/unload

2 movers × 3 hrs labor-only = $255. You rented the truck; we load it tight and unload it placed.

2-bedroom with our truck

1–2 bedroom all-in at $200/hr × 4 hrs = $800. Truck, crew and equipment included.

4-bedroom house

3+ bedroom all-in at ~$252/hr × 5 hrs ≈ $1,260. Add a third mover (+$45/hr) and big homes finish faster.

Packing add-on

2 packers × 3 hrs = $300 for a kitchen and living areas, packed the careful way, the day before the move.

How to keep the number down

Be fully packed before the crew arrives — it's the single biggest lever. Disassemble beds and tables ahead of time if you can. Clear hallways and reserve parking/elevators. Donate what isn't coming. Hourly pricing rewards readiness, and we'd rather you keep the money.

Run your own numbers on our instant estimator — same rate card this guide uses — or read the moving day checklist to get ready.