How to Price Moving Jobs: Hourly Crew Rates, Packing, Materials and Long-Distance Estimates

Moving companies live and die by pricing. Price too low and every move barely covers wages and fuel. Price unclearly and you get one-star reviews about "surprise charges." The goal is a rate that covers your real costs, an estimate process customers trust and add-on prices that are written down before move day. This guide shows how to build all three.

All prices are illustrative ranges as of 2026. Verify local rates and your state's rules on estimates and tariffs.

Typical local hourly ranges

Ranges tell you what the market accepts. Your costs tell you whether you can profit inside them.

Step 1: Build your hourly crew rate

For a three-mover crew:

If competitors charge $150 for three movers, find where your costs differ, such as overhead, truck cost or burden, or differentiate on quality and reviews. Do not price below cost.

Tip: Workers' compensation for movers can be expensive. Get a real quote before you set rates; it is one of the biggest variables in your burden percentage.

Step 2: Estimate hours honestly

Adjust for:

• ☐ Stairs, elevators and long walks from the door to the truck
• ☐ Heavy or specialty items: pianos, safes, gun cabinets, large appliances
• ☐ Whether the customer is fully packed
• ☐ Disassembly and reassembly of furniture
• ☐ Drive time between locations and traffic
• ☐ Parking restrictions or permits at either end

A video or in-home survey produces far better estimates than "about how many bedrooms?"

Step 3: Set travel time and minimums

Most local movers charge either a flat trip fee or travel time from the yard to the first stop and back. Many also set a minimum, such as two or three hours. Explain both on the phone and on the written estimate.

Step 4: Price packing and materials

Publish a materials price list and give it to customers with the estimate. Materials are a frequent source of disputes when prices are not agreed in advance.

Worked example: local three-bedroom move

A customer is moving a three-bedroom house 12 miles. They are mostly packed, but want the kitchen packed and two beds disassembled.

Present it as a range based on hours, such as $1,670 to $2,020 for 6.5 to 8.5 hours, with the hourly rate, minimum and add-on prices written clearly. Customers who understand what drives the final number are less likely to dispute it.

Long-distance and interstate pricing

Interstate moves are usually priced by weight and distance (linehaul) plus accessorial services.

Interstate movers must be registered with FMCSA and follow federal rules on estimates, including binding and non-binding estimates, required consumer publications and limits on what can be collected at delivery. Read FMCSA's consumer protection requirements carefully before quoting interstate work.

Valuation and liability options

Customers often do not understand the difference between basic released value protection and full value protection. Explain the options in writing, price full value protection correctly, and never imply that basic coverage replaces items at full value. Clear valuation explanations prevent many claim disputes.

Avoid pricing practices that trigger complaints

1. Lowball phone quotes that balloon on move day.
2. Undisclosed fees for stairs, long carries, fuel or materials.
3. Slow work on hourly jobs, or the appearance of it. Track time honestly and explain breaks.
4. Holding goods hostage for extra payment. On interstate moves, federal rules limit what can be demanded at delivery.
5. Vague estimates without an inventory.

Seasonal pricing

Summer, month-end and weekends are peak times. Many movers charge higher rates or minimums during peak periods and offer lower rates mid-week or mid-month. Publish your rate calendar so customers can choose.

Deposits, payment and cancellations

Set clear policies and put them in every estimate:

• Deposit: many local movers take a modest deposit to reserve the date, applied to the final bill.
• Cancellation: state how much notice is required for a refund, and what happens on weather or building delays.
• Payment at completion: accept cards and digital payments, and state whether card fees apply where allowed.
• Waiting time: charge hourly if the crew waits for keys, elevators or the customer to finish packing, and say so in advance.

Specialty items

Pianos, safes, pool tables, hot tubs and large gun cabinets need extra crew, equipment and risk. Price them as flat add-ons or require a specialist, and state any limits on what your crews will move. Never let a specialty item appear for the first time on move day; ask about them on every estimate call.

Labour-only and small-job pricing

Loading or unloading a rental truck or portable container, rearranging furniture and single-item moves are usually priced hourly with a minimum. Labour-only jobs need no company truck, so the hourly rate can be lower, but keep the minimum high enough to cover travel and setup.

Track your real numbers

After each job, compare estimated and actual hours, materials and revenue. If moves consistently run long, your estimating needs adjusting, or your crews need training. Track revenue per crew hour and profit per job weekly.

Questions readers ask

Should I give binding quotes for local moves?

Some local movers offer flat-rate or not-to-exceed pricing after a detailed video or in-home survey, which customers like because it removes uncertainty. If you do, base it on a careful inventory and list exactly what is included, so added items or unpacked boxes become documented changes rather than disputes. Check your state's rules on local move estimates and tariffs first.

How do I price fuel?

Most movers include fuel in the truck cost per hour or the trip fee for local work. For long-distance moves, fuel is usually part of linehaul pricing.

Should I charge extra for weekends?

Many movers charge higher rates or minimums on weekends and at month-end, when demand peaks. Publish the policy so customers can choose a cheaper weekday.

Your next step

Fill in the hourly rate table with your own wages, burden and truck costs, then create a one-page price sheet for materials and add-ons.

The full guide, Starting a Local & Interstate Moving Company, covers state and federal licensing, trucks, insurance, startup costs, pricing, estimates and liability options, hiring, move day, claims and marketing, for $0.99.