How much do movers cost in Houston?
The top movers in Houston cost approximately $70 to over $100 per hour. However, your cost will vary depending on how many miles your move is, how many movers are necessary and the time of year when the move is taking place. Moving during peak seasons and days will most likely cost more, depending on the moving company.
How do I choose the best moving company in Houston?
Comparing the top moving companies in Houston is your first step toward choosing the best movers for your move. Identify the top-rated companies and compare prices, reviews and services offered. Look for reviews that mention whether the movers showed up on time or didn’t let the weather interfere with the schedule. Houston frequently receives heavy rain, so your mover should be prepared.
To help ensure you have the best experience, read Thumbtack’s smart hiring guide, which offers tips for finding the best professionals. The Top Pro badge also provides a quick means of locating movers in the top 4% of ratings.
How far in advance should I hire movers?
Book movers at least two months in advance for a local move and at least four months in advance for a cross-country move. If you’re moving during the off-season, it’s best to book movers about four to eight weeks in advance. Factor in an extra two to three weeks if you have antiques or valuables that are difficult to transport.
May through September is typically considered peak moving season. If you’re moving during this time, hire movers as far in advance as possible.
How much do movers cost for a local move?
If you are paying movers to perform a local move, expect to pay between $72 and $135 per hour. To minimize the overall cost of the move, do as much preparatory work in advance as possible. Have your items packed, boxed and wrapped in protective wrapping. Also, have everything labeled with its location in your new home. If possible, move items toward the door or in a convenient location for the movers to grab as they remove them from the house.
Get price quotes from movers near you so you will know exactly how much a local move will cost.
Do I need a parking permit for my moving truck in Houston?
If you have a moving truck or storage containers, obtaining a Houston parking permit might save you from a costly parking ticket. Houston’s parking permits webpage provides links to the forms that might be applicable to you.
But if you choose to work with a local moving company in Houston, they might be able to help you navigate the permit requirements in Houston.
What is considered a local move in Houston?
A local move in Houston may include popular areas like Sugar Land, The Woodlands or Cypress. Local moving companies can also help you with a move to Houston suburbs like Pearland, Humble or Alvin.
On the other hand, moving from Houston to Austin may require a long-distance moving company. Likewise, if you’re moving from Houston to Dallas, you will likely want to hire long-distance movers, as they may be better equipped to help with a smooth move.
To get help with your move, contact the best movers in Houston.
Where can I rent a moving truck in Houston?
To rent a moving truck in Houston, start with moving truck rental companies in the area. Many companies offer pickup trucks, box trucks and even cargo vans for rent. However, many local moving companies often include a moving truck in their services, so consider reaching out to movers in Houston. You might end up saving yourself time and money on your next move.
Where can I get moving boxes in Houston?
Moving boxes are available from many sources in Houston. Hardware stores tend to offer high-quality options, and these also provide other moving supplies such as wardrobe boxes and packing tape. If you’re hoping to find free moving boxes in Houston, try reaching out to department stores, liquor stores and recycling centers.
Also, ask your Houston movers if they supply moving boxes -- or other packing supplies -- to help you with your move. They might not supply them for free, but it could be convenient.
How much do you tip movers?
It’s recommended that you tip your movers individually around $4 to $5 per hour. For example, if a team of four movers spends a half-day (four hours) on your move, tip each mover $20. Or, some people tip 5% to 10% of their total bill for small moves and 15% to 20% for larger moves.
If you’re moving across state lines, you may hire different crews to load and unload your goods. In that case, divide the tips between both crews. It’s also a good rule of thumb to add a bit extra for tipping movers if you have special circumstances that have made the move harder, like a spiral staircase or an exceptionally heavy sofa.
What is considered a local move vs. a long-distance move?
Local moves are among the most common moves. Unlike a long-distance move, a local move is typically less than 50 miles and does not cross state lines. Generally, a local move only takes one day, and movers tend to charge by the hour.
The definition of a long-distance move may vary depending on the moving company. Generally, a long-distance considered to be any move of 400 miles or more. However, some say a long-distance move is over 50-100 miles.
|
Local Move |
A move under 50 miles |
|
Long-Distance Move |
A move over 50-100 miles or over 400 miles; may also be called an “interstate move” or “out-of-state move” |
|
Out-of-State Move |
A move that crosses state lines; may also be called an “interstate move” or “long-distance move” |
|
Interstate Move |
A move that crosses state lines; may also be called an “out-of-state move” or “long-distance move” |
|
Intrastate Move |
A move that begins and ends in the same state, typically beyond 50 miles |
Interstate moves require additional legal preparation and will incur additional costs for distance, the amount and weight of your items, the preparation required and various other factors. Moving companies tend to do an initial weighing of the truck, which you should be present for.
A move that crosses state lines is considered an interstate move or an out-of-state move. Contrast this with an intrastate move, which begins and ends in the same state, but is typically above 50 miles.
To determine whether your move is local or long-distance, contact the best movers in your area.
