First-month apartment budget
Estimate move-in cash.
Open guideMovers cost guide
Estimate mover cost before booking the cheapest quote.
A mover quote depends on crew hours, access, stairs, distance, travel fees, packing and tips. Add each line before move day.
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What actually sets a mover's price
Most mover quotes come down to crew size × hourly rate × hours, plus a travel fee to get the truck to you. Hours are the variable that swings the most: stairs, no elevator, long carry distances from the truck to the door, and furniture that needs disassembly all add crew hours without changing what you own. Ask movers specifically about access at both addresses before booking — it affects the quote more than the inventory list does.
Get quotes the same way from every company
Give every company the same inventory list, the same access details (stairs, elevator, parking distance), and ask each one directly whether the quote is flat or hourly and whether a tip or service fee is already included. Quotes that look far apart are often not actually comparable until those terms are matched.
Frequently asked questions
What drives a mover quote up the most?
Stairs and long carry distances (no elevator, or the truck can't park close), and crew hours — a quote is usually crew size × hourly rate, so anything that slows the crew down (bulky furniture, disassembly, parking issues) adds hours.
Should I tip movers, and how much?
Tipping practices vary by region and company — check whether a service charge is already included in the quote before adding a tip on top.
Is a flat quote or hourly rate better?
A flat quote protects against a move running long; an hourly rate can be cheaper if the move is genuinely quick and simple. Ask for both and compare against your best estimate of how long the move will actually take.