5 Best Moving Labor Companies (Updated Review)
Here’s the quick answer: The best moving labor companies are HireAHelper, Flex, U-Haul Moving Help, TaskRabbit, and LoadUp. Labor-only movers load and unload your truck or container, but they don’t drive your belongings. Two movers for two hours typically cost $208 - $402, based on U-Haul Moving Help data.
Why moveBuddha:
- On average, moveBuddha users save more than 30% by comparing movers before booking.
- When you choose a moveBuddha Certified mover, you get $1,000 in added move coverage, plus dedicated support throughout your move.
- If something goes wrong, moveBuddha provides dispute mediation with Certified movers to help resolve the issue and protect your move.
Jump to the moving labor info you’re looking for:
Best labor-only moving companies
Labor-only movers, also called moving helpers, load and unload your rental truck or moving container. You handle the driving, which makes this a cheaper middle ground between DIY and a full-service moving company.
- Best overall: HireAHelper
- Best for budget small moves: Flex Moving & Storage
- Best for local moves: U-Haul Moving Help
- Best for extra services: TaskRabbit
- Best for short jobs: LoadUp
Best overall: HireAHelper
HireAHelper is an online marketplace that connects you with 1,700+ vetted moving pros in all 50 states. It’s been in business since 2003 and is part of Porch Group.
Every mover passes a background check and business verification, and needs 10+ reviews with at least a 4-star rating. Each booking includes a $1,000 service guarantee and one flight of stairs, and you aren’t charged until 24 hours before your move. Customer service is available 7 days a week by phone or chat.
Rates vary by provider. In one New York example, two movers cost $145 per hour after a 2-hour minimum.
- 1,700+ vetted pros in all 50 states
- $1,000 service guarantee
- One flight of stairs included
- Free cancellation up to 48 hours out
- Same-day & next-day availability
- Quality varies by provider
- Hourly minimums apply
- No pads or supplies with labor-only
- Cards only
Best for budget small moves: Flex Moving & Storage
Flex Moving & Storage is a good fit for budget-conscious movers who want to choose how much help they get. Flex offers hourly moving labor plus three move packages: Premium, Full-Service, and Budget.
Its FlexHaul service delivers a trailer and handles the driving, which is a cheaper alternative to renting a truck. Flex also offers same-day and next-day moves. It serves 12 states and Washington, D.C.
- Hourly labor & tiered packages
- Same-day & next-day moves
- FlexHaul trailer option
- Local & long-distance moves
- Only 12 states & DC
- Packing requires a higher tier
- No prices listed online
Best for local moves: U-Haul Moving Help
U-Haul Moving Help is the largest moving labor marketplace in North America, with 7,000+ independent providers in all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces. It’s an easy add-on if you’re renting a U-Haul truck or U-Box container.
Providers set their own rates, and U-Haul holds your payment until the job is done. You can cancel for free anytime, and providers don’t charge travel time or stair fees. Services include loading, unloading, packing, cleaning, and piano or safe moving.
- 7,000+ providers in the U.S. & Canada
- Payment held until the job is done
- Free cancellation anytime
- No travel or stair fees
- Easy to pair with a U-Haul rental
- Quality varies by provider
- $5.95 marketplace fee per provider
- Damage protection costs extra
Best for extra services: TaskRabbit
TaskRabbit is a good pick if you need more than loading and unloading. Taskers can also help with:
- Packing & unpacking
- Furniture assembly & disassembly
- Rearranging furniture in your new home
- Junk & appliance removal
- Single-item moves
Moving help starts at $40 per hour, and TaskRabbit now serves all 50 states. Taskers are independent contractors, not licensed moving companies, so check reviews before you book. In 2026, TaskRabbit also rebranded its Dolly delivery app as Taskrabbit Delivery for bulky-item and retail deliveries.
- Wide range of extra services
- Available in all 50 states
- Moving help from $40 per hour
- Easy-to-use app
- Taskers are independent contractors
- Quality varies by Tasker
- No phone support
Best for short jobs: LoadUp
LoadUp books hourly moving labor online with upfront pricing, starting at $156 per hour for a team of two movers. It has a one-hour minimum, which makes it a good pick for moving a few heavy items or unloading a small truck.
Movers are background-checked, and you can track your order and contact your crew directly. Same-day or next-day service is available if you book before noon.
- One-hour minimum
- Upfront online pricing
- Same-day & next-day service
- Also offers junk removal & assembly
- Service area fees may apply
- Limited coverage details online
- Pricier per hour for long jobs
Comparing the best moving labor companies
Here’s a quick overview of our picks for the best moving labor companies.
| Company | Best for | Minimum | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| HireAHelper | Best overall | Varies (often 2 hours) | All 50 states |
| Flex | Budget small moves | Hourly | 12 states & D.C. |
| U-Haul Moving Help | Local moves | Varies by provider | 50 states & Canada |
| TaskRabbit | Extra services | From $40/hour | All 50 states |
| LoadUp | Short jobs | 1 hour | Nationwide |
What to look for in a moving labor company
A free quote is only the start. Adrian Lorga, founder of Stairhopper Movers, recommends starting with licensing when you vet any mover: “A very genuine interstate mover must possess an active USDOT number, and you can check their record at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website.” He also suggests asking for proof of insurance and at least two recent references.
Labor-only crews don’t haul your belongings, so many won’t have a USDOT number. For these crews, proof of liability insurance matters most.
- Customer reviews: Look for patterns in comments about timeliness and care, not one-off complaints. On marketplaces, check each provider’s reviews.
- Insurance & protection: Ask what’s covered if something breaks. Marketplace guarantees often cost less than full coverage.
- Services: Some crews only load and unload. Others add packing and furniture assembly.
- Availability: For long-distance moves, book help at both ends and confirm your date and time.
Need a crew that also drives? Book a moveBuddha Certified mover for $1,000 in added move coverage and moveBuddha-backed dispute mediation if something goes wrong.
How much do moving labor companies cost?
Moving labor costs less than full-service movers because the crew doesn’t drive the truck. According to U-Haul Moving Help data, two labor-only movers cost $208 - $402 for two hours, or about $52 - $100 per mover per hour.
| Home size | Helpers | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1,000 sq. ft. | 2 | 2 hours |
| 1,000 - 1,500 sq. ft. | 2 - 3 | 2 - 3 hours |
| 2,001 - 3,000 sq. ft. | 2 - 3 | 4 - 6 hours |
| 4,000+ sq. ft. | 3+ | 6 - 10+ hours |
Lorga notes that price “boils down to a few major factors: the size of the shipment, the distance, the ease or difficulty of access at both locations, the timing of the move, and any additional services required.” Very low quotes often leave out stairs, parking, or packing, which show up on the final bill.
Factors affecting moving labor costs
- Home size: More stuff means more hours. See how many movers you need.
- Crew size: More movers finish faster but cost more per hour.
- Extra services: Packing and furniture disassembly cost extra.
- Timing: Midweek and fall or winter moves are often cheaper. Same-day bookings can cost about 20% more on HireAHelper.
- Add-on fees: Ask about fees for extra stairs, pianos, or safes.
Moving labor is only part of your budget. Use our moving cost calculator to estimate your truck, container, or full-service costs.
Our research & review process
- We’re not a broker. We never sell or share your information.
- We mystery shop movers to get firsthand data.
- We interview moving customers through the Better Moves Project.
- We review movers’ licensing, insurance, and service history through moveBuddha Verified.
- We compare quotes and track market trends to provide accurate pricing guidance.
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FAQ
How much do moving labor companies charge per hour?
Expect about $52 - $100 per mover per hour, based on U-Haul Moving Help data. Two movers for two hours typically cost $208 - $402. Many companies have a 1 - 2 hour minimum.
What’s the difference between moving labor & full-service movers?
Moving labor crews only load and unload. You rent and drive the truck or book a container. Full-service movers handle the driving too, but cost more.
How can I save money on moving labor?
Pack and declutter before the crew arrives. Have your truck or container parked and ready. Book midweek and avoid same-day requests when you can.
Are moving labor helpers insured?
It depends on the provider. HireAHelper includes a $1,000 service guarantee, while U-Haul Moving Help offers optional protection. Always ask what’s covered before you book.
Do I need to tip moving labor?
Tipping isn’t required but is appreciated. Most people tip $5 - $10 per hour per mover. See our movers tipping guide for more.
Can moving labor help with a long-distance move?
Yes, but you’ll book one crew to load and another to unload. Marketplaces like HireAHelper and U-Haul Moving Help make it easy to book both ends. Pair them with a truck or container for the drive.
How we chose the best moving companies
The moveBuddha team has spent nearly 10 years evaluating moving companies using a rigorous review system to identify the best moving companies. Our thorough methodology evaluates each moving company's services, cost, customer service, and reputation:
Moving services (35%):
We verify operating authority, insurance, and service scope against FMCSA/SAFER and state databases. We confirm availability via standardized mystery-shopping calls (packing tiers, storage type, specialty handling, delivery windows, valuation), and then review contracts alongside complaint and claims patterns over time.
Customer feedback (28%):
We run structured post-move surveys through our Better Moves Project with verifiable documentation. We emphasize on-time performance, care of goods, and estimates’ accuracy, and we investigate outliers before they influence scores.
Online reviews (7%):
We aggregate ratings across multiple third-party sites to reduce platform bias, analyze overall trends and company response behavior, and discount obvious spam/fake signals such as sudden bursts, duplicate language, and low-history profiles.
State availability (12%):
We confirm USDOT numbers, broker vs. carrier status, and any required state permits, then score a state-by-state service matrix that accounts for coverage gaps, seasonal limits, and lane strength. We award additional credit for documented cross-border or specialty lanes.
Additional services (12%):
We verify whether add-ons are performed in-house or subcontracted, look for crew training/certifications for high-value or oversized items, count only documented offerings (tariffs, photos, written service descriptions) confirmed via mystery shopping, and reward robust pre-move planning (virtual surveys, itemized crating).
Quotes/Payment options (6%):
We test standardized move profiles to assess estimate type (binding, not-to-exceed, non-binding), line-item transparency, and disclosed surcharges, require clear written policies for deposits, refunds, and cancellations, and award points for secure, flexible payment methods and customer portals.
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