How Much Do Movers Cost? A Complete Guide to Moving Prices
The honest answer is: it depends on what's actually in your home, not just how many bedrooms it has. Two three-bedroom houses can price a thousand dollars apart depending on stairs, distance, and how much stuff is really being moved.
What Drives the Price
- Volume, not square footage. A cluttered two-bedroom apartment can cost more to move than a sparsely furnished three-bedroom house.
- Distance. Local moves are typically priced hourly; long-distance moves are priced by weight and mileage.
- Access. Stairs, long carries from the truck to the door, and street parking restrictions all add labor time.
- Packing. Full-service packing costs more upfront but usually costs less than the boxes, tape, and time you'd spend doing it yourself.
- Timing. End-of-month, weekend, and summer moves are the busiest — and usually the most expensive — windows.
Why Phone Quotes Are Almost Always Wrong
A mover who quotes you a fixed price over the phone, without seeing what you own, is guessing — and guesses that are too low on the phone have a habit of growing once the truck is loaded and you're not in a position to negotiate. An accurate quote comes from an actual walkthrough: in person, over video, or from photos of every room.
What "Binding" Actually Means
A binding estimate means the price you're quoted is the price you pay, based on the inventory you showed the mover. If you add items after the estimate, expect the price to move — but it shouldn't move for any other reason. If a company won't put a number in writing before moving day, that's the red flag to walk away from.
Getting an Honest Number
The best way to protect yourself is simple: show the mover everything, in detail, before you book. A company that quotes off real photos or a real walkthrough has no reason to change the price later — and one that won't do a walkthrough at all is telling you something about how the rest of the move will go.