How much to charge for moving help
Local moving help is billed hourly per crew, usually with a two-hour minimum and a travel fee. Stairs, heavy special items, and whether you supply the truck are the levers that move the price.
You should charge
$120
per hour (2 movers) · typical $80–$200
Why this number. Charge a two-hour minimum plus a flat travel fee, and state both up front. The minimum covers the reality that loading the truck and driving out already eat a chunk of the day before any boxes move.
Typical moving help prices
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| 2 movers (per hour) | $80 – $150 |
| 3 movers (per hour) | $120 – $220 |
| Studio / 1-bed move | $300 – $700 |
| 3-bed home move | $800 – $2,000 |
What changes the price
- Crew size (number of movers)
- Stairs, elevators, and long carries
- Heavy special items (piano, safe, appliances)
- Whether you supply the truck
The pricing move most people miss
Charge a two-hour minimum plus a flat travel fee, and state both up front. The minimum covers the reality that loading the truck and driving out already eat a chunk of the day before any boxes move.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I charge for moving help?+
Most moving help is priced $80–$200 per hour (2 movers), with a typical rate around $120 per hour (2 movers). Where you land inside that range comes down mainly to crew size (number of movers) and stairs, elevators, and long carries. Use the range as your anchor, then adjust up for experience, strong demand, and a higher cost-of-living area.
Should I charge by the hour or a flat rate for moving help?+
Charging by the hour ($80–$200 per hour (2 movers)) is the simplest way to start and protects you when the scope is unclear. But once you know how long a typical job takes, a flat per-job price usually earns more: it pays you for getting faster instead of punishing you for it, and clients prefer a fixed number they can budget around.
How much should I charge for moving help as a beginner?+
Starting out, price near the lower end of the range, roughly $80 to $120 per hour (2 movers). Resist going below that to win work: a price that is too low attracts price-shoppers, signals low quality, and is hard to raise later. Once you have a few happy clients and reviews, move toward $200.
What affects how much moving help costs?+
The biggest factors are crew size (number of movers); stairs, elevators, and long carries; heavy special items (piano, safe, appliances); whether you supply the truck. Two jobs that look alike can price very differently once these are accounted for, which is why a quick walkthrough or a few questions before quoting protects your rate.
How do I quote moving help so the client says yes?+
Charge a two-hour minimum plus a flat travel fee, and state both up front. The minimum covers the reality that loading the truck and driving out already eat a chunk of the day before any boxes move. Put the quote in writing with exactly what is included, state the price once without apologizing for it, and give one clear next step. A confident, well-structured quote wins jobs at a higher price than a vague one at a lower price.