Find a furniture lifter near you

When accounting for moving costs, you can generally expect to pay around $30 to $50 per mover, per hour. However, these costs could change and you should compare movers in your city to estimate the true cost of your move.

Moving companies usually provide a team of at least two individuals depending on the size of the job and the objects to be moved. This hourly rate also changes with driving distance. And, moving specialty objects such as pianos can also drive up the cost. Some moving companies may provide a free estimate even offer a flat rate if the job.

For more information on moving costs, read Thumbtack’s cost guide on movers.

You might be able to move smaller items like nightstands, small desks, chairs and small tables by yourself. However, it’s best to get a professional mover near you to move larger items such as couches, dressers, armoires and televisions. 

If you do decide to move furniture by yourself, carefully lift and lower items and take your time.

It often makes more financial sense to buy new stuff when you have the chance to sell furniture to offset the cost. The cost of moving your current furniture can sometimes be more than buying new things, particularly if the furniture is large or cumbersome to move. You can sell furniture online, or make a furniture donation and deduct it from your taxes (if it qualifies as a charitable contribution). Some places near you may even offer free furniture pickup when you choose to donate. 

If you have valuable furniture that would be costly to replace, however, it may be cheaper to move them. To find out which option is best for you, contact professional movers in your area to receive quotes and estimates.

It costs around $290, on average, to move a couch. However, your actual cost will depend on a variety of factors. Couch movers will often quote the job based on the size of the couch, as well as how far it has to travel. A larger couch, such as a sectional, will likely cost more money to move.

On the other hand, smaller couches typically cost less, as there are fewer sections and fewer people are required to move it. Some couches may be very delicate due to their age, or they may have certain decorative details that complicate the moving process. These may cost more as well.

Contact professional furniture movers near you to get estimates for your move.

Moving large furniture can be done with help from the best movers in your area and careful planning. First, get an idea of how much the furniture weighs and how much each mover can manage. The next step is figuring out the path the furniture will take as it exits its point of origin and makes its way to its new home. Professional movers then use dollies, furniture protectors and personal safety gear for a safe, smooth move. 

To protect furniture when moving, get furniture protectors. These will help cushion accidental impacts that may occur while making your way through tight spaces. You can also use furniture sliders for hardwood floors, which can make moving heavy or awkward furniture across your floors a lot easier than lugging it all the way. 

A professional mover near you will likely have these and other moving equipment to ensure your furniture remains intact and doesn’t damage your new — or old — home.

Yes, you can hire movers to move one item. Single-item movers are usually more than happy to give you a quote, which will likely be based on a few factors.

One of the primary things to take into consideration is the number of movers it takes to move one item. For instance, if you want to move one item of furniture, it may take several movers — particularly if it is a challenging move involving multiple floors.

Contact single-item movers near you to find out what services they offer, and get free estimates.

Movers typically won’t move things if relocating them could be hazardous to them, others or the item itself. Many movers will choose not to move items that may contain explosive material that could be jostled during the move. Illegal items or containers that may have illegal items stored or hidden inside would also get a no from movers.

What movers won’t move may also depend on the item’s condition. If it will likely break during the move, movers may avoid moving it.

Before hiring a professional, ask movers near you if there are any items they will not move. 

Yes, you can hire movers for an hour. But when most people hire movers, they have a job that takes two or more hours. However, if you’re able to pack and prepare an item properly, there are movers who may be willing to move the item in an hour. Sometimes these are flat-rate movers, who charge you one fee so you don’t have to worry about the cost going up — even if the move extends slightly past an hour.

Moving furniture is hard work and potentially dangerous unless you’re properly equipped. For anyone not ready to handle their heavy oak armoire alone, professional furniture movers can safely and efficiently move your items to another room in your house or across town as needed. The national average cost to hire heavy furniture movers is $150-$200 per hour. This rate could include multiple furniture movers working as a team to move items such as beds, armoires, billiards tables, pianos, shelves, tables, entertainment centers and more. Hourly rates can vary by region. If your furniture movers have arrived on time, done a great job, kept your home and belongings protected from scratches and dings, and completed the move as planned, a tip will be greatly appreciated. Moving companies suggest approximately 10 percent of the total bill as gratuity for those doing local moving jobs, which is also a good guideline for tipping heavy furniture movers. If the total bill for heavy moving was $100 and two workers were onsite, consider giving them $10 total, or $5 each for a job well done.