Q & A

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Thumbtack.

What do moving companies do?

Moving companies provide a range of services to help you physically move out of one residence and move into a new place. But moving companies can do so much more than just haul your belongings across town in a truck. The national average for moving company prices ($250-$350 per hour) reflects the range of services provided. Here are examples of all the ways moving companies can help:

Packing: Moving companies can pack your belongings for you. They typically charge a flat rate for both the box and the labor to pack the box. The more time-consuming the belongings are to pack, the higher the cost per box. For example, books could be $5 per box, linens $10 per box, and fine china and glassware $18 per box.
Specialty moving: Safely move a baby grand piano, a oversize aquarium, or other specialty items with the help of pro movers.
Storage: Many moving companies can store your belongings while you wait for a new home to be remodeled or closing of your new home to be finalized. If you’re moving long-distance, they often provide short-term storage free for a specific length of time, and a set rate after that (such as $60 per square cubic foot of storage space used).
Long-distance moves: No need to rent a trailer and move your things; a long-distance moving company can haul your belongings across the country for you. Typically they charge by the cubic foot for moves, with prices based on your destination.
Unpacking: Moving companies can even unpack your belongings for you after they have moved them. This is not as common, and will definitely increase the price, but can be helpful if you’re not able to tackle this task yourself.

How much does a moving company charge per hour?

When you’re ready to make a major move, it’s time to research moving companies’ prices. A moving company may charge on average anywhere between $25 and $100 per hour, per worker, for moving services. The price will vary with regional labor rates, local cost to do business, and the level of service the movers are providing. Nationally, the average hourly rate for a moving company is $250-$350 per hour. This price includes a range of pricing, from all-in service with four or more movers on site to standard hourly rates for one or two movers. Other factors that affect moving companies’ prices are packing, stairs (or elevators), and distance. For a full-service move, you pay movers to pack your belongings for you. You may pay for the cost of the moving boxes and an hourly rate per worker, and there may be additional charges for packing fragile items. Stairs will also add to your moving prices. Lifting and carrying boxes and furniture up and down stairs takes more time and creates more physical labor for the workers. Moving companies may charge flat rates for flights of stairs, such as $50-$70 per flight. A moving company may also charge a one-time fee for moving things via elevator, such as $75-$100. If parking is not accessible in front of your home or apartment building, there may also be an additional fee for the added distance to carry your belongings to the truck.

How much does it cost for long-distance movers?

Long-distance movers transport your belongings across the country for you. No more renting a trailer and road-tripping from state to state with your entire house hitched to your bumper. Long-distance movers make the move happen so you can fly to your new home, suitcase in hand, and wait for your furniture to arrive. Nationally, the average price range for long-distance movers is $1,490-$2,230. The distance you are moving and the number of cubic feet the movers have to transport will both affect cost. Another factor in long-distance moving costs is whether you choose to pay for an exclusive move or a consolidated move.

In an exclusive move, which is more expensive, your belongings are the only cargo on the moving truck. The movers travel directly to your new house and deliver your belongings on a scheduled day. A consolidated move is more affordable because the movers transport your belongings along with those of other people, saving them time and gas — which means you save money. The downside is that your belongings typically arrive with a two-week delivery window rather than on a prescheduled day. Read reviews to make sure you can trust the company with your possessions to ensure a peaceful moving process.

How much does it cost to move a one-bedroom apartment across the country?

Professional movers can handle the hard work of moving your one-bedroom apartment across the country for you. You can determine what your move will cost by learning the rate your movers charge per cubic foot and how they factor distance into the total cost. Cross-country movers typically charge based on your belongings rather than apartment size because that determines how much work they will have to do. For example, a studio apartment that is crammed full of things will take more work and moving truck space than the contents of a three-bedroom apartment with very little furniture.

Cross-country movers may also have varying rates, depending on where in the country you are moving. For example, a company may charge $5 per cubic foot for consolidated moves along the East Coast and $6 per cubic foot for consolidated moves from the East Coast to the central states or the West Coast. A one-bedroom apartment costs approximately $1,500 to move across the country.

How much does it cost to move across the country?

The national average cost for hiring cross-country movers is $1,490-$2,220. A number of factors can affect the cost. One factor is the distance you want to move. For example, an East Coast-based moving company may charge $5 per cubic foot for consolidated moves along the East Coast and $6 per cubic foot for consolidated moves from the East Coast to the central states or the West Coast. Another factor is how many belongings you have. Most cross-country movers charge by the cubic foot.

The type of move you want is another consideration in cost. You can have your belongings moved exclusively and delivered on a set day, or you can opt for a consolidated move, which is less expensive. In a consolidated move your belongings are stored and transported with the goods of other customers who are moving to your general vicinity during the same general time frame as you. Your belongings should arrive within a one- to two-week window, rather than on a set day. If you want the cross-country movers to pack your belongings for you, the cost will also increase.

Jessica W.

Verified review

Fantastic moving company! They were incredibly helpful and communicative from the moment I booked until the move. They were aggressively priced, prompt, professional, fast, careful with everything and even took initiative to take the fire escape with larger items without hesitation. I can't say enough positive things about Robert, Johnny and Zachary at Rogers Moving! Top movers in Chicagoland!

Erik U.

This was a last minute decision to hire movers. I thought the travel charge was a bit pricey at $120. All and all it was well worth the money spent. Nacho and Ray were the movers. They were awesome!!!!! I have never seen two guys bust there a$$ so hard. They were great and I would recommend anyone to ask for them for there move. Very polite and just great guys!!!! I hope I never have to move again but if I do Extream movers will be getting a call and you can bet I'm asking for Nacho and Ray to be my guys!!!

Susan B.

This company was wonderful from the beginning through the end! The movers were very curteous and gentle with my fragile belongings. I'll definitely call this company again for my next move.

Robert O.

Motion Transports provided excellent service. They finished quickly and did so with great care to not damage any furniture. Having used many movers, this is the first time I give a top review.

Thumbtack Customer

Excellent work! The movers were efficient & very helpful! They handled my items with care and made sure to get my things unloaded within the 2 hour time frame that my complex allowed me to borrow the elevator! Very professional. Would definitely hire them again

Thomas V.

The purpose of this review is to inform you that you should without a doubt trust Chicagoland Moving and Storage for your move. Want the details? Read on fellow buyer: Like a prudent buyer, I researched all the moving companies I could find- Yelp, Angie's List, Home Depot, Thumbtack, you name the impartial review site, and I read it. Chicagoland's price was a little high of the middle of the majority of companies that I saw. I called and was greeted immediately by the owner, Mr. Erez Ron, who did what they all do. He asked for the inventory to be moved, and made a similar prediction in terms of manpower and time estimate as the other companies I spoke to. But then he asked, "How can I secure your business?" Basically the entire time I dealt with this company, every member was realistic and went out of their way to work as hard as they could to ensure this move went over without a hitch. He made a me an excellent deal, and we waited for the scheduled move day. Erez's team, led by Eric and accompanied by Reuben, Tio, and Vincente, arrived punctually as specified, and we reviewed the work- and immediately the expertise of the team stated that this would take longer than they'd quoted. This was expected, and ought to be factored into every move. The team got right to it though. Enter the elements: we got record rain in Cook County that day, and you know what? The team didn't bat an eyelash, and given a break here and there when it was raining buckets, they charged in and out of the rain to load and unload the truck. It DID take longer that we'd expected, but considering how hard it was, I've never seen any moving company work harder, faster, or more efficiently. They were polite, exact, and made sure that what needed to be done was done in the best manner to avoid damage and issues with neighbors etc. I couldn't have been happier with the result! I'd heard horror stories of some companies rescheduling or quitting because the job was too big, or traffic was abominable, or because the weather was too harsh. Friends of mine had incidents with other companies that dawdled on the job, or broke things, damaged the floors/walls of the house, or some objects just disappeared. I've also heard the shock from family members who had entire rooms of furniture moved that never had to simply because communication was poor with the movers. You will NOT have any of these issues with Chicagoland Movers. My research couldn't have been more accurate about it. My overall experience with the genuine, hardworking, and diligent nature of the people I met with Chicagoland Moving and Storage ensured that the move went as smoothly as it rationally ever could have transpired.

Kate T.

Excellent experience! The crew was friendly, on time, careful with our belongings AND got it done in a jiffy! This was my first time hiring movers to help and I’m so glad we did!

Cynthia H.

The responsiveness from Liberty from the quoting to the scheduling was very good. We specifically waited for the weekend until they could make us the first move of the day. Unfortunately, the day before, I received a call asking if we could push the time to noon instead of 8am. I agreed; but never again. The house before ours gave a 2 hour estimate that actually resulted in 6 hours; not Liberty's fault. I received a call from one of the movers at 2pm stating they were just starting to unload the previous house. By 5:30, I called him back asking when they would be there only to be told that another crew had been called in to help and was assigned to our move; they showed up at 5:40. So our day was wasted waiting for the movers to come with almost no communication on the status. But the crew that did show up more than made up for the late arrival/communication issues. They were nothing short of amazing. Because of them, we would use Liberty again. They were 3 of the hardest working guys I've met. We had an over-sized couch that was too big to fit through the door; they brainstormed, tried different ideas, communicated well with each other to figure out how to get this done without ruining our door or couch. They should have been cursing by this point, but they remained so pleasant and determined. They wrapped all our furniture even though we hadn't requested it. And they didn't waste time; they powered through quickly and got us done in 2 hours. We will be calling them again when we move into a new house, but I will insist on being the first move of the day this time. To Liberty's defense, they are at the mercy of homeowners being honest about the scope of the move, so I understand how things run long; I just wish there had been better communication about it on that day so that we were able to get things done rather than waiting all day not knowing. Despite that, excellent customer service and excellent quality of work.

Sheena V.

I am very satisfied with athletic movers. I had movers cancel on me via email at midnight the morning before they were to help with a move. I found athletic movers on thumbtack the morning of my move and they responded in a timely fashion and were able to come out that afternoon and quickly finish what we needed done! They were very careful and offered advice on placement of our furniture. Travis and his associate are professionals and I would use them again without hesitation.

Sanchi A.

Smoove moves arrived right on time and worked extremely efficient. They made the move painless and effortless with smiles. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for movers currently

Alysse Z.

Nice movers, on time, efficient, worked there butts off on one of the hottest days of the summer, up and down multiple flights of stairs for 2.5 hours and never once complained and or asked for a break. I had to remind them to take a break. Highly recommend their services if you have to move fast one a budget. The only thing they didn't offer were moving supplies and a truck.

Suyash A.

These folks fire on all cylinders and do an amazing job. They are thoughtful, ask great questions, and are extremely conscientious about their work. I’ve hired packers from moving companies before and they just mechanically throw items into boxes just to get the job done. Not Pak-n-Roll. They’re very careful but also very efficient. Three thumbs up!

Ameena S.

Moving day is always stressful but the movers made it an absolute breeze. Absolute professionals, wrapped every little item up for safety and were so incredibly fast. I’m so happy I went with pay less moving and so glad they sent me three of the best movers! Thank you for your great work!

Elias E.

Super helpful guys. Came prepared with pads and knew what to do to move a very heavy pullout couch upstairs. Also gave lowest quote out of all movers on a 95 degree day, they work hard. I would recommend to my friends or family

Angie P.

The movers were professional and did a great job at moving. They handled my belongings with extreme caution as they moved from place to place. I highly recommend this company for anyone seeking help moving.

Linda W.

WOW... What a professional fantastic company to work with. Not only were the movers friendly, they were extremely knowledgeable about moving very cautious of making sure nothing got damaged and they have such a great variety of services to offer at the best prices in town. I give them a total five star thumbs up and if I could give them a 10 star I would…

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