5 Best Moving Labor Companies (Updated Review)

If you don’t want to use a full-service moving company but still need some moving help, hiring moving labor could be the right middle ground for you. Many moving container companies can provide the portable storage unit, truck, and a driver but you’re on your own when it comes to the actual heavy lifting.

Best Labor Only HireAHelper rating 4.5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Hire moving labor Online quotes Nationwide Check prices Visit Website

Best customer experience Bellhop rating 4.3 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Online booking Move Concierge Affordable Get A Quote (866) 774-5063

best for moving locally U-Haul Moving Help rating 4.15 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Get multiple labor quotes Online booking system Available nationwide Check prices (800) 468-4285

With labor-only moving services, you enlist the help of professional movers to help load and/or unload your moving truck or storage container. These movers only provide labor — they won’t be transporting your items to your new home or storage unit.

While these service providers can help you avoid a lot of heavy lifting, not all moving labor providers are created equal. In this article, we’ll go over some of your best options for finding moving labor assistance so you can get the right solution for your needs.

Best overall: HireAHelper

If you’re looking for local movers to help with your next move, you can’t go wrong with HireAHelper. This online marketplace makes it easy to connect with professional movers in all 50 states.

Best Labor Only

Licensed

Insured

Price

rating 4.5 / 5

Get A Quote

Movers have individual profiles that display their credentials, insurance, and reviews so you can have peace of mind as you make a selection. Better yet, HireAHelper includes standard repair coverage and one flight of stairs on all of its moves.

With its online quoting system, you can get multiple quotes for your move in less than a minute. With 24/7 customer service, it’s easy to get the information you need for managing your move successfully.

Best for small moves: Bellhop

If you need labor assistance for a relatively small move, Bellhop is an excellent choice. Bellhop is an app-based service that can help with both local and long-distance moving, including labor-only move options. Bellhop has a reputation for on-time service from background-checked workers, including the capability to assist with last-minute (and even same-day) moves.

Best customer experience

Licensed

Insured

Price

rating 4.3 / 5

Get A Quote

(866) 774-5063

However, it is worth noting that the scope of Bellhop’s services are somewhat limited compared to other providers. They don’t help with packing or unpacking or moving bulky items like pianos. Insurance coverage is also relatively limited, making them better-suited for smaller moves.

Bellhop is currently available in major cities in the following states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.

Best for local moves: U-Haul Moving Help

Most people aren’t going to think of U-Haul for moving labor services, as the company is best known for facilitating DIY moves with moving truck rentals. However, U-Haul’s Moving Help program is a noteworthy addition if you want to do your entire move through their platform.

best for moving locally

Licensed

Insured

Price

rating 4.15 / 5

Get A Quote

(800) 468-4285

U-Haul Moving Help is an online marketplace for getting instant online quotes from a variety of moving labor providers that have partnered with U-Haul. These providers offer a range of services, including loading, unloading, packing, unpacking, and even cleaning. With wide availability and low rates, this is a great option to quickly get moving help.

Best for extra moving services: TaskRabbit

If you need help moving beyond just loading and unloading your moving truck, TaskRabbit is an excellent option.

Their additional moving services include:

• Unpacking and packing
• Junk removal
• Appliance removal
• Single-item moves
• Furniture disassembly (including for specialty items like pool tables)

They can even help arrange furniture within your home after you move in.

In addition to offering a wide range of services, TaskRabbit is also noteworthy for its highly competitive prices, making it a great option if you’re trying to get help on a budget. However, its services are limited to major metro areas in 35 states and Washington, D.C.

TaskRabbit is not available in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia or Wyoming.

It’s also worth noting that as an app-based marketplace, many of its workers are independent laborers for hire, not licensed professionals.

Best for affordable moves: Dolly

If you’re looking for an affordable moving experience, Dolly can be a great resource. Dolly offers a convenient mobile app where users can get multiple quotes for their move from independent contractors, with prices often being cheaper than other platforms. 

In addition to loading and unloading services, Dolly is also popular for its retail delivery services, which can be useful if you need to transport furniture from a store to your new house.

Dolly offers some of the best prices for many of the cities where it operates, though its reach is relatively limited. Dolly is available in 45 major cities in 32 states.

The company currently doesn’t serve the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia or Wyoming.

Comparing the best moving labor companies

Here’s a quick overview of our picks for the best moving labor companies:

What to look for in a moving labor company

There’s more to finding the right moving labor company than getting a free quote (though that’s certainly important, too). The following are some key things to consider so that moving day goes smoothly:

• Customer reviews: Always check customer reviews! Consider comments on things like timeliness and the care with which movers have treated others’ belongings. Remember, even on platforms like HireAHelper that feature multiple providers, you can check individual reviews to get a better idea of a mover’s work.
• Licensing and insurance: Moving labor companies that are properly licensed and insured can provide much-needed peace of mind for your move. Insurance coverage offers valuable protection in case your items are damaged — something you won’t get from an uninsured mover.
• Services: Some moving labor companies only provide help with loading and unloading. Others provide additional services like furniture assembly and packing. Choose a mover who offers the level of assistance you need.
• Availability: Make sure a moving labor provider can arrange assistance for both ends of your move (this can sometimes be tricky for long-distance moves). And, of course, you’ll want to make sure movers are available for your preferred time and day.

Moving labor company costs

Hiring moving labor will generally be less expensive than hiring a full-service moving company, since the movers won’t be driving the moving truck. Labor-only moving companies typically charge an hourly rate for their moves, which is important to keep in mind as you prepare for moving day.

Factors affecting moving labor costs

The following factors are likely to influence how much you’ll pay for moving labor:

• The size of your home: The larger your home, the longer it will take for movers to load and unload everything. Since you’ll typically be paying for hourly labor rather than a flat rate based on the weight of your items, this can significantly affect your rate.
• The number of movers needed: Your moving provider will determine how many movers are needed to handle the size of your move. Most companies charge an hourly rate based on the number of movers they provide. More movers can get the work completed faster, but you’ll pay more per hour.
• Additional moving services: While many moving labor companies only help with loading and unloading, others can provide packing, furniture disassembly and more for an additional fee.
• Timing: As with other moving companies, moving during the middle of the week or the off-season of fall or winter can help you get lower rates due to decreased demand.
• Add-on fees: Moving labor companies may charge additional fees for moving specialty items (like a safe or piano), for taking items up or down a flight of stairs, and so on. Be sure to ask what add-on fees might be applicable to your move.

FAQs about moving labor companies

What do most moving labor companies charge per hour?

Moving labor companies typically charge between $30 and $40 an hour for each worker, and most moves will use at least two workers. So, you should expect to pay at least $60–$80 per hour for moving labor.

How is moving labor cost determined?

Local moving labor providers typically charge an hourly rate, so the amount of time it takes to complete the move will determine your total cost. Be mindful of potential extra fees — for example, some movers add a flight charge if they need to move items up or down a flight of stairs.

How can I save money on moving labor?

The less work you leave for your moving helpers, the cheaper it will be. You can save money on moving labor by packing everything yourself before movers arrive. It’s also a good idea to declutter before you start packing so you’ll have fewer things that need to be moved. You should also be sure to have your moving truck or storage container ready for when they arrive.

What are some things to look for in a moving labor company?

Aside from the cost of the move, you should evaluate a moving labor company’s reviews and reputation, whether they offer coverage for potential damages during the move, their flexibility, and their scope of services. If you need more than loading and unloading services, be sure to check whether moving labor can assist with extra tasks like furniture disassembly.

Do I need to tip moving labor?

Tipping usually isn’t required when hiring moving labor, but it is strongly recommended. Most people tip $5–$10 per hour for each person at the end of the move.