Q & A
Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Thumbtack.
How much do movers cost?
When accounting for moving costs, you can generally expect to pay around $30 to $50 per mover, per hour. However, these costs could change and you should compare movers in your city to estimate the true cost of your move.
Moving companies usually provide a team of at least two individuals depending on the size of the job and the objects to be moved. This hourly rate also changes with driving distance. And, moving specialty objects such as pianos can also drive up the cost. Some moving companies may provide a free estimate even offer a flat rate if the job.
For more information on moving costs, read Thumbtack’s cost guide on movers.
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 considered peak moving season, according to the American Moving & Storage Association. If you’re moving during this time, hire movers as far in advance as possible.
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.
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.
Can you move furniture by yourself?
You might be able to move smaller items like nightstands, small desks, chairs and small tables by yourself. However, it’s best to get a professional mover near you to move larger items such as couches, dressers, armoires and televisions.
If you do decide to move furniture by yourself, carefully lift and lower items and take your time.
Is it cheaper to move your stuff or buy new stuff?
It often makes more financial sense to buy new stuff when you have the chance to sell furniture to offset the cost. The cost of moving your current furniture can sometimes be more than buying new things, particularly if the furniture is large or cumbersome to move. You can sell furniture online, or make a furniture donation and deduct it from your taxes (if it qualifies as a charitable contribution). Some places near you may even offer free furniture pickup when you choose to donate.
If you have valuable furniture that would be costly to replace, however, it may be cheaper to move them. To find out which option is best for you, contact professional movers in your area to receive quotes and estimates.
Should I buy moving insurance?
Your homeowners or renters insurance policy may or may not protect your belongings if they get lost or damaged during a move. If you’re moving valuable items, or if you’re moving a great distance, it could be a good idea to invest in moving insurance.
Interstate movers are required to offer you full value protection and released value protectionto help reimburse you in case of damage or loss.If you’re moving within your state, check with your state’s consumer affairs agency to see if your state has rules and requirements regarding moving insurance and valuation coverage.
How do you move large pieces of furniture?
Moving large furniture can be done with help from the best movers in your area and careful planning. First, get an idea of how much the furniture weighs and how much each mover can manage. The next step is figuring out the path the furniture will take as it exits its point of origin and makes its way to its new home. Professional movers then use dollies, furniture protectors and personal safety gear for a safe, smooth move.
How do I protect my furniture when moving?
To protect furniture when moving, get furniture protectors. These will help cushion accidental impacts that may occur while making your way through tight spaces. You can also use furniture sliders for hardwood floors, which can make moving heavy or awkward furniture across your floors a lot easier than lugging it all the way.
A professional mover near you will likely have these and other moving equipment to ensure your furniture remains intact and doesn’t damage your new — or old — home.
Can you hire movers to move one item?
Yes, you can hire movers to move one item. Single-item movers are usually more than happy to give you a quote, which will likely be based on a few factors.
One of the primary things to take into consideration is the number of movers it takes to move one item. For instance, if you want to move one item of furniture, it may take several movers — particularly if it is a challenging move involving multiple floors.
Contact single-item movers near you to find out what services they offer, and get free estimates.
Reviews for Slough movers
Varun G.
Overall great moving experience with Tony's movers.
Falko B.
Moving Services helped us move and they got it done professionally.
Subhadeep P.
My move was from Mountain View to Menlo Park. The movers arrived right on time with their truck. They brought moving blankets and wraps for the furniture. They were very professional and quick. They finished the move within the estimated time (about 3 hours).
Deaundra A.
This crew was great at moving my things and went above and beyond to make it a smooth move!
Thomas M.
The movers were punctual and moved all my items very quickly. Thank you!
John R.
360 Movers are great! They can move anything, they're professional, and friendly! My highest recommendation!
Dhananjay S.
My experience was great with friend moving company. They completed move of 1 bed apartment in 3.5 hrs. They are really hard working. I would definitely recommend them for moving in bay area.
Marina E.
I had the absolute best moving experience with Everlasting Moving. I could not recommend it highly enough.
Divya K.
Excellent experience with California Bay Movers! They were right on time and moved everything in my one bedroom apartment under 2 hours! They were extremely careful, and even fixed the loose hinges on one of my cabinets and the legs of my dining table!I was quite nervous to move as I had used a different company to move in to this apartment and they scratched multiple pieces of furniture and left a dent in the wall. But California Bay Movers were able to move everything out without a single scratch on anything!!I would highly recommend them for your next move!
Venkata k.
The movers were late by 45mins than the agreed time probably because of another moving job they had before me. They started off the loading the truck right away and completed the move in 2hrs 45mins. Which is way faster than I anticipated. I would totally recommend these guys if you are planning a move. I don’t know names of the two movers. But I really appreciate their work.
Annette R.
The movers were amazing and worked hard to help us move. The only issue I had was that only one person had shoe covers to use when moving in my furniture, and was not used correctly.
Heidi C.
I had a very good experience with Friend’s Moving Service. The moving crew wrapped all of our stuff carefully and moved everything efficiently. It took only 2.5 hours to move one bedroom.One thing, however, was that they changed the time on me twice within less than 24 hours of the original moving time, which I scheduled weeks in advance. Except for that, everything was perfect.
Thumbtack Customer
I hired the moving and packing services of Scott. Scott was very prompt replying to all my messages (usually within 5 minutes) and we were able to setup a time and date for the move quickly. I requested a specific time for the move to be done because of my unique circ*mstances, and Scott accommodated the request. 2 movers turned up right on time. They were super friendly and accommodated all my requests. They brought all the packing material and boxes. They spent every minute packing/moving and the move was done very quickly.I highly recommend Scott and his moving/packing services. I would definitely recommend him to all my friends and also use him again for any move.
Akshay M.
Very nice movers. Tony and Marcos were funny and moved all the things safely and fast! Would definitely recommend them. We moved a 2B apartment and took 4.5 hrs. They bring everything necessary.
Thumbtack Customer
Good moving team!
Victor K.
I hired Moving Service Transport for a move from the South Bay to SF and I couldn't be more satisfied with their services. I was super pleased to see that the move was done carefully and swiftly.I really recommend their services.
Mamta j.
Friends moving service recently helped me move from my 2 bd apartment to house. The process went smooth and the crew took care of stuff nicely. I would definitely use them again if any moving needs.
Oleksandr M.
I am very happy with Adil and Caglar from Smart People Moving. Adil and Caglar know how to move efficiently and ask questions when needed. I particularly appreciate that they verify with me whether something is fragile and take particular care of such items. I had a lot of stuff to move and they worked hard during entire move. I needed to move items to 2 different location and nothing was confused.Would definitely hire them again.
Bernie K.
I had an excellent experience with this moving company from start to finish. The office staff were incredibly responsive, addressing all my questions promptly and thoroughly. On moving day, the movers were not only professional but also remarkably efficient, handling my belongings with great care and making the entire process seamless. FYI: Currently cash or Zell for payment.A moving tip I'd like to share: To streamline your move, it's best to avoid using small bags and containers for packing. Instead, invest in sturdy boxes. I personally recommend purchasing moving boxes from Home Depot—they're durable and reasonably priced. This small investment significantly improved my moving experience, ensuring everything was organized and easily transportable. It truly paid off on moving day, making the process much faster and more efficient stacking-wise.
SungMin C.
Scott was quick to answer any questions I had and we hashed out the details of the move over phone, was quick and professional. The day of the move, they showed up right in the time frame that they'd quoted us for and the move went super fast and smoothly.
Arlyn P.
They helped us move our 2 bdrm apt to our 3 bdrm townhome. They worked great as a team getting our heavy furniture down from the second floor. We also had a lot to pack up when they got to the apt and I was worried we wouldn’t be able to move everything, but they helped us pack and made sure most of the items we needed were moved. Honestly, with the size of our move, I thought we’d just move the big furniture and spend the next couple of weeks moving the small stuff ourselves. But every hour we went through was worth it.
Christine S.
ML Movers were professional, on-time, and efficient movers. Working with Miguel was actually delightful. From the moment I started my project on thumbtack, Miguel was incredibly responsive. His quote was very straightforward and easy to understand. He runs his business professionally, sending the contract, insurance and other legal documents via DocuSign before the move. He was also able to accommodate my request for a move on a very short notice (less then 7 days from first speaking to Miguel to the move date). He and his team of two movers arrived 5min early and since I had packed a good amount of items they were able to finish packing and package up my furniture, move and reassemble my furniture in 2.5 hours (my move was only 2 miles away). His team was even able to move my really heavy couch up 2 flights of stairs. He wrapped up with a final checklist review and was on his way. He also gave me a discount for paying cash. Overall would highly recommend Miguel and ML Movers!!
Thumbtack Customer
Scott and his team were super-professional and also very pleasant. They worked really hard throughout the whole move, got it done in record time with everything intact. Best moving experience we've had. We'll surely be recruiting them for any future moves. Very hard to find folks with integrity and hard work these days especially in the moving business. These folks are top notch.
Gerardo D.
We hired Tony to move our 2 bedroom house. We had a great experience, best price and fastest move ever. Strongly recommended!
Journee I.
Best movers I have ever had! They were punctual, responsive, and took great care of my items as they moved them out of a 3rd floor unit and into another 3rd floor walkup. They were completely equipped with everything a mover needs (moving blankets, shrink wrap, mattress covers), their truck was a good size, and they were really fast. I would use them again, no question!
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