Do some math to prevent overspending on moving labor
The number of movers you need depends on your home size, from two movers for studios to six movers for homes over 3,000 square feet.
Expect to pay $25 to $50 per mover per hour, with intrastate moves around $1,400 and packing services adding another $1,000 to your total.
Your move takes longer when movers handle packing, disassembly, or oversized items like pianos, so plan for extra time or additional movers for these tasks.
Hiring a local moving company provides reliable support for calculating crew size, handling difficult items, and navigating stairs or long carries to your new home.
Before you can hire a moving company to help with your upcoming move, you’ll need to learn the art of hiring the right number of movers for the size of your home. Whether you’re leaving a studio apartment or a five-bedroom villa, we’ve got you covered. Our guide will walk you through the appropriate number of movers for any size house, as well as some considerations that might require additional hires.
Many moving companies will help you calculate the number of movers you will need based on the size of your home (and sometimes an inventory list), but they might also give you the option to hire additional workers to get the job done quicker.
It’s important to find the right balance between the number of movers and the cost of each mover against the amount of time it will take to complete the move. In other words, three movers can finish a move in less time, but you’ll need to pay them for their labor.
Here’s an estimated breakdown of how many movers you should hire for your home, depending on its size, and a time estimate.
| Home Size | Loading Only | Loading and Unloading |
|---|---|---|
| Studio (400-600 sq. ft.) | Two movers; two hours | Two movers; two to three hours |
| One-to-two bedroom (700-1,200 sq. ft) | Two movers; three hours | Two movers; four to five hours |
| Two-to-three bedrooms (1,100-1,600 sq. ft.) | Three movers; three to four hours | Three movers; five to seven hours |
| Three-to-four bedrooms (1,500-2,200 sq. ft.) | Three movers; four to five hours | Three movers; seven to nine hours |
| Four-to-five bedrooms (2,000-3,000 sq. ft.) | Four movers; four to six hours | Four movers; seven to ten hours |
| Over five bedrooms (3,000 sq. ft. or more) | Four to six movers; five to eight hours | Five to six movers; eight to ten hours |
To get the most accurate moving estimate, request that the moving companies visit your home to provide an in-person estimate. That way, they can see how easy or difficult it will be to move everything, including difficult pieces like antiques or large couches.
There is more to consider than the amount of belongings you’re moving. Keep the following factors in mind when deciding how many movers to hire.
If you’re doing all the packing yourself, and the movers simply have to get everything into the moving truck, that saves them considerable time. If you requested that the moving company help with packing, assembly, or disassembly, the move will take longer and you might need to hire an additional mover to assist.
Some items are simply too heavy for two people to carry. Pianos, pool tables, grandfather clocks, hot tubs, and similarly-sized items will require special handling and possibly additional movers. It’s imperative to flag any large or bulky items for the moving company when you get your quote for the move. Generally speaking, any item weighing over 400 pounds will require at least three movers, often four.
Live in a Brooklyn brownstone? Those flights of stairs will likely cost you more—either in additional move time or number of movers. Similarly, if the movers can’t park the truck right next to the door and need to schlep items halfway down the block, the move will take longer to complete. If that’s the case, you may want to consider hiring an additional mover to speed up the process.
Unless you agreed to a flat rate, movers typically consider the time driving from your old home to your new home as billable time. Typically, a short move within the same city using a local moving company does not necessitate the hiring of additional movers, assuming the move is standard in every other way.
The cost to hire movers is an average of $25 to $50 per mover for each hour. Intrastate moves cost roughly $1,400 for every 7,400 pounds, and packing services will run you an extra $1,000 or so.
Don’t forget to factor in additional funds for tipping your movers, which should be 10 to 20 percent of the final bill—more if they provide exceptional service.
I recently moved to another state and chose United Trust Van Lines after comparing several companies. Their team was punctual, professional, and extremely careful with my belongings. I was especially impressed with how they handled my home office setup and fragile items. Everything arrived on...
United Trust Van Lines, LLCShowed up on time and cleaned carpets well, but didn?t move furniture.
Voda Cleaning & Restoration of ColumbusA reliable team for moves across state. My switch to a new place needed careful lifting through tight hallways. The movers checked the doorway first, then carried heavier pieces with slow, controlled movements. Their patience helped prevent damage, and I?d choose them again.
**Would rate a 0 if i could** NEVER USE THIS COMPANY!!!!! They shattered my tv console and dresser, lost a mirror, and never finished the move. The broken furniture cost me over $600 to replace. They left me with 6+ hours of personal labor moving my 1BR apartment, when I was quoted a FULL...
All My Sons Moving & StorageI could not have moved without the help of Jen Stover! I was in my house for nearly 20 years, so the thought of clearing it out while working full time was overwhelming. Jen takes great joy in sorting and organizing while asking the hard questions with patience and compassion. Jen is...
Go and Stow Home OrganizingCouldn't have been a worse experience. 3 of my belongings were lost and 5 belongings were damaged. My furniture was clearly dragged across the ground. The movers couldn't move the furniture I paid extra heavy weight fees for so I had to help them move my own furniture. The manager gave me...
US Interstate and RailExcellent experience for me! They helped me a lot with my move. very reasonable price. Good communication with the office manager is excellent.
Goodview Moving and StorageI was concerned about my possessions safety throughout the move but Bridge View Van Lines took all necessary security measures to make sure everything arrived in mint shape I am really appreciative of their effort and commitment They made my long distance move seem simple
Bridgeview Van LinesThis moving company is the best in Columbus, Ohio! They rescued me when my movers didnâ t show up. Do not ever use Plane Movers! They never showed up for my move, claiming that I never signed the contract. They didnâ t call me to follow up, communication was awful. The people that work for...
All My Sons Moving & StorageOzie and Tyquese were great and worked fast. It was a good move
All My Sons Moving & StorageFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
How much do movers cost? The answer varies based on a lot of factors, but we’ve laid them all out for you here. Plan your budget with our cost guide.
The cost to move a one-bedroom apartment depends on distance, weight, access, and more. Check out how much movers cost for a one-bedroom apartment.
When you’re moving to a new home, you’ll wonder, “How many boxes do I need to move?” Learn how to calculate the approximate number based on your home’s size.
Preparing for a big move and wondering what movers do? Understand all the services a moving company can help with in this complete guide.
When it’s time to move, it’s tempting to try to save money by doing it yourself. But there are seven reasons why you should hire a moving company.
Need help moving furniture or other in-home heavy lifting? Your best bet is hiring professional movers to do the job for you.
