Moving cost guide
How much do movers cost in Seattle and King County?
Real numbers from our own rate card, not a "starting at" price. Here's what a local move costs with us by home size, how the bill is worked out, and what makes it go up or down.
Short answer
A local move with us costs between $515 for a studio and $3,310 for a large house. You pay a minimum charge that covers up to the first 3 hours of work, then by the hour after that, plus a fuel charge. The truck is included.
These prices include up to 15 miles of travel — Seattle to Seattle, Bellevue to Bellevue. For longer moves, like North Bend to Seattle, a travel charge applies.
We reply within 15 minutes or take $25 off · 8 AM – 8 PM dailyor text us
Moving cost by home size
Typical times come from moves of each size we've done. Your final bill is the actual time, billed in 15-minute increments — so a move that goes quicker costs less. Additional time may be required for long walks, narrow hallways, tight staircases, furniture disassembly/reassembly, or items over 250 lbs. Prices include the fuel charge and up to 15 miles of travel; for longer moves, a travel charge applies.
| Crew | Usually takes | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $515 | |
| 2 movers $155/hr | 2–3 hours | $515 |
| Small 1 bedroom | $515 – $670 | |
| 2 movers $155/hr | 3–4 hours | $515 – $670 |
| Large 1 bedroom | $670 – $825 | |
| 2 movers $155/hr | 4–5 hours | $670 – $825 |
| Small 2 bedroom apartment | $825 – $1,340 | |
| 2 movers $155/hr | 5–7 hours | $825 – $1,135 |
| 3 movers $215/hr | 4–6 hours | $910 – $1,340 |
| 2 bedroom apartment or house | $980 – $1,770 | |
| 2 movers $155/hr | 6–9 hours | $980 – $1,445 |
| 3 movers $215/hr | 5–8 hours | $1,125 – $1,770 |
| 3 bedroom apartment or house | $1,135 – $1,985 | |
| 2 movers $155/hr | 7–10 hours | $1,135 – $1,600 |
| 3 movers $215/hr | 6–9 hours | $1,340 – $1,985 |
| 4 movers $265/hr | 5–7 hours | $1,405 – $1,935 |
| 4+ bedroom house | $2,415 – $3,310 | |
| 3 movers $215/hr | 11–14 hours | $2,415 – $3,060 |
| 4 movers $265/hr | 10–12 hours | $2,730 – $3,260 |
| 5 movers $319/hr | 8–10 hours | $2,672 – $3,310 |
Not part of these numbers: the heavy-item fee for anything weighing 250 lbs or more, specialty items like pianos, safes and pool tables (quoted separately), and a second truck, which some 3+ bedroom moves need — an optional add-on we'd talk through with you.
How the bill is worked out
Hourly rate by crew size
| Crew | Per hour | Fuel charge | Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 movers | $155 | $50 | $515 |
| 3 movers | $215 | $50 | $695 |
| 4 movers | $265 | $80 | $875 |
| 5 movers | $319 | $120 | $1,077 |
The minimum covers up to the first 3 hours plus fuel. The fuel charge is higher for crews of 4 or more: the truck seats only 3, so the rest of the crew needs additional transportation.
An example
A 2 bedroom apartment, 3 movers, and the job takes 5 hours 45 minutes:
- 5.75 hours × $215
- $1,236.25
- Fuel charge
- $50
- Total
- $1,286.25
Billed in 15-minute increments: 5 hours 45 minutes is charged as exactly that, not rounded up to 6 hours.
No surprises on the bill
- 3-hour minimum, then 15-minute increments. The minimum charge covers up to the first 3 hours of work; after that you pay for the time the crew actually works, not rounded-up hours.
- $50 standard minimum fuel charge. Named up front, not added at the end. With a crew of 4 or more it's higher: the truck seats only 3, so the rest of the crew needs additional transportation.
- $50 deposit, fully refundable. Cancel or reschedule at least 72 hours ahead and you get it back; rescheduling between 72 and 24 hours ahead is free.
- Cash saves 5%, Zelle is free. Cards add a 3.5% processing fee, Venmo 2%.
- Anything specific to your job is explained before we start — stairs, a long carry from the truck, heavy or awkward items. No surprises once the work is done.
- A reply in 15 minutes, or $25 off. Reach out between 8 AM and 8 PM and we get back to you within 15 minutes — if we don't, $25 comes off your move.
What makes a move cost more
You pay for time, so whatever adds time adds cost. These are worth mentioning when you ask for a quote.
- Stairs and no elevator. Every flight adds trips. How we handle walk-ups.
- A long carry from the truck. When the truck can't park close to the door — steep driveways, waterfront homes, busy streets — every item travels further.
- Elevator bookings and loading docks. A shared elevator or a tight building time window slows the crew down. Apartment move tips.
- Packing on moving day. Boxes that still need packing when the crew arrives are paid time.
- Heavy items. An additional heavy-item fee applies to any item weighing 250 lbs or more. Pianos, safes, pool tables, and similar specialty items are quoted separately.
- Furniture to take apart. Taking apart a bed frame or a sectional adds minutes before anything is loaded.
How to pay less
- Be packed and labeled before we arrive. The crew goes straight to loading.
- Save the closest parking spot and book the elevator. Shorter carries mean a shorter bill.
- Get rid of what you won't take. Fewer things to move is less time — junk removal before the move can pay for itself.
- Pay in cash and save 5%. Zelle has no fee either; cards add 3.5%.
- Ask about the 5% senior discount.
- Rent the truck yourself. Labor-only help starts at $135 an hour for 2 movers.
What to have ready for an exact quote
- How many rooms, and whether it's an apartment, condo or house
- Stairs, an elevator or a long walk to the truck at either address
- Anything weighing 250 lbs or more — a piano, safe or pool table — and any appliances you're taking, like a fridge, washer or dryer
- Whether you want help packing or only loading and unloading
- Your date, and how flexible it is
We reply within 15 minutes or take $25 off · 8 AM – 8 PM dailyor text us
Moving cost questions
More about each service: residential moving, commercial moving, packing, or all questions.