The 3 Best Moving Labor Companies of 2021
Move.org researched three moving labor companies and collected nearly 540 quotes to find the most reputable and affordable moving labor companies.
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Best overall
Compare moving labor companies
| Average hourly cost | Licensed and insured contractors | Local or long-distance services | |
| $110 | ✔ Yes | Both | Get a Quote |
| $60 | No | Local | Get a Quote |
| $40 | No | Local | Get a Quote |
What should you look for in a moving labor company?
There are four things you should look for in a moving labor company:
- Local and long-distance availability. Most moving companies aren’t available nationwide, so you need to find one that’s available in your area. If you’re looking for a hourly labor to help you with a long-distance move, you also need to make sure they’re available in your departure and destination cities.
- Services. Not all companies provide the same services. Some companies might offer help packing and unpacking or loading and unloading, but not help with furniture assembly or charitable donations. Check to see what services are available before getting a quote.
- Licensed and insured contractors. Most moving labor companies use amateur labor (think a random dude from Craigslist who’s looking to bank an extra buck or two). While that often keeps the price low, it’s a risk to trust a stranger with your belongings. Look for a company that uses licensed and insured workers and that doesn’t have a ton of angry customer reviews.
- Cost. Find a moving labor company that fits your budget (just be aware of the tradeoff between low prices and low-quality labor).
HireAHelper—Best overall
HireAHelper shines the most when you need help packing boxes or loading a truck for half a day or more. It has more locations (by far) than any other company on our list, uses only licensed and insured movers, and can help with everything from loading your moving truck to assembling your furniture.
HireAHelper moving labor rates
| Cost per hour |
| $64.02 |
| $103.64 |
| $216.64 |
| $64.02 |
Data as of 01/24/20. Offers and availability may vary and are subject to change.
Pros
- 1,000+ locations in 50 states
- Professional contractors
- Easy quote process
- Positive customer reviews
Cons
- Higher costs than competitors
- Two-hour minimum
- No employee background checks
What sets HireAHelper apart?
It’s easy to find
The moving labor industry is still in its infancy. Even some of the best-known companies are located in only a handful of states. Not HireAHelper.
HireAHelper works in more than 1,000 locations across all 50 states. By comparison, the next-largest competitor is available in less than 100 cities.
It’s easy to get a quote
HireAHelper makes it easy to get an estimate for your job. With a quote box that pops up as soon as you go to its home page and multiple bids to choose from, you can get a ballpark estimate for most services in under 60 seconds.
It’s got rave reviews
HireAHelper is more expensive than most of the competition, but a higher price may not always be a bad thing.
We researched the major customer review sites for all the companies on our list, and HireAHelper consistently had better reviews than its competitors. We think the quality is often worth the extra cost.
Check out our in-depth HireAHelper Review.
WHERE SHOULD I PUT MY ROUTER?
WHERE SHOULD I PUT MY ROUTER?
It feels like a full-time job telling moving labor professionals where to put your boxes. Don’t forget to clear a space for your wireless router—and decide between DSL and cable internet service.
Dolly—Best for retail delivery
Dolly is an online marketplace that connects you with independent contractors for by-the-hour moving labor. Dolly has the fewest locations of any company on our list, but it has some of the most affordable prices and excels at some unique services like retail delivery that are helpful even if you aren’t moving out of one home into another.
Dolly moving labor rates
| Cost per hour |
| $80.00 |
| $52.88 |
| $47.25 |
| Not offered |
Data as of 01/24/20. Offers and availability may vary and are subject to change.
Pros
- Competitive prices
- Tons of services
- User-friendly mobile app
- Retail partners
Cons
- Amateur workers
- No packing services
- No phone number
- Limited locations
What sets Dolly apart?
It’s affordable
Depending on which city you’re in, Dolly is likely one of your least expensive choices for hourly labor. For example, we got quotes for Dolly services in both Denver, CO, and Chicago, IL. Dolly had the least expensive prices in Denver, CO, and the second-lowest prices in Chicago, IL.
That’s great news for your pocketbook.
It’s the best for retail delivery
Dolly makes its mark on the moving labor industry with a unique focus on retail delivery. Your Dolly helper will pick up purchases like tables and dressers at the store, bring them to your house, and assemble them. You don’t have to wait in line, carry boxes, or deal with tools.
TaskRabbit offers this service as well but has a formal partnership with only one company (IKEA). Dolly, on the other hand, has multiple retail partners:
- Big Lots
- Costco Wholesale
- Crate and Barrel
- Lowe’s
Retail delivery costs
| HireAHelper | Dolly | TaskRabbit |
| Not offered | $62.25 | $89.30 |
| 0 | 7 | 1 |
Data as of 01/24/20. Offers and availability may vary and are subject to change.
Learn more in our Dolly Review.
TaskRabbit—Best for price
TaskRabbit is an online marketplace that offers a wide variety of hourly moving services at inexpensive rates. However, the company operates in just 61 cities. If you’re on a tight budget, TaskRabbit is a good bet for most jobs in most cities.
TaskRabbit moving labor rates
| Cost per hour |
| $45.11 |
| $48.90 |
| $35.75 |
| $38.85 |
Data as of 01/24/20. Offers and availability may vary and are subject to change.
Pros
- Competitive prices
- Tons of services
- User-friendly mobile app
- Affordable packing services
Cons
- Amateur workers
- No phone number
- Limited locations
What sets TaskRabbit apart?
Its prices are low
TaskRabbit is probably your overall least expensive option for hourly labor. We say “probably” because its prices can vary a bit depending on which city you’re in.
When we compared prices in Chicago, IL, TaskRabbit was almost always the least expensive option across the board (by about $20 per hour). When we looked at services in Denver, CO, TaskRabbit was the cheapest option about half the time.
Based on TaskRabbit’s prices and the range of services it offers, we think it’s a good value for moving labor. If TaskRabbit offers services in your city, we recommend getting estimates for your job and comparing them to similar companies so you ensure you’re getting the best bang for your buck.
It’s great for packing
TaskRabbit offers packing and unpacking at an affordable hourly price. Surprisingly, this is one service other companies struggle with.
Dolly doesn’t offer packing and unpacking, and HireAHelper charges nearly twice as much per hour.
TaskRabbit, on the other hand, gives you multiple instant quotes at nearly half the price of its closest-priced competitor.
Packing and unpacking labor rates
| HireAHelper | TaskRabbit | Dolly |
| $64.02 | $36.85 | Not offered |
| Instant quotes | Instant quotes | Doesn’t offer packing services |
Data as of 01/24/20. Offers and availability may vary and are subject to change.
Check out our TaskRabbit Review.
DON’T FORGET YOUR PACKING SUPPLIES
DON’T FORGET YOUR PACKING SUPPLIES
Save time and money by having your packing supplies ready when you call TaskRabbit for help. We’ve put together a list of the most important packing supplies—as well as a guide to finding free packing supplies.
Recapping our top 3 companies
- HireAHelper—Best overall
- Dolly—Best for retail delivery
- TaskRabbit—Best for price
Honorable mention—U-Haul Moving Help
How does U-Haul Moving Help work?
U-Haul Moving Help is an online marketplace that also provides hourly labor for moving services. It didn’t make our list because it offers about half the services as our top three picks. However, it has the lowest rates in the business if you need help with loading and unloading.
Its average hourly rate of $43.73 for loading and unloading is the lowest we’ve seen. Just be aware that U-Haul Moving Help requires a two-hour minimum for its services, so it may not be the best fit for small jobs.
While U-Haul Moving Help is a marketplace that provides labor only, U-Haul (the company) offers truck rentals and U-Box moving container rentals.
Check out our full review of U-Haul Moving Help.
Moving labor FAQ
Moving labor companies help with parts of the moving process like packing boxes and loading rental trucks. They usually cost less than hiring a full-service company—but more than doing it all yourself.
How much does moving labor cost?
Moving labor costs anywhere from about $35 to $215 per hour, depending on the type of service you need. Loading and unloading services are typically the cheapest, while donation pickup and delivery is often the most expensive moving labor service.
Average moving labor costs per hour
| HireAHelper | Dolly | TaskRabbit |
| $64.02 | $80.00 | $45.11 |
| $103.64 | $52.88 | $48.90 |
| $216.64 | $47.25 | $35.75 |
| $64.02 | Not offered | $38.85 |
| Professional contractor | Amateur contractor | Amateur contractor |
Data as of 01/24/20. Offers and availability may vary and are subject to change.
What is moving labor?
Moving labor companies help with parts of the moving process like packing boxes and loading rental trucks. They usually cost less than hiring a full-service company—but more than doing it all yourself.
How much does moving labor cost?
Moving labor costs depend on factors such as location, date, and service type. Our research shows the average cost for loading and unloading (the most common moving labor service) is approximately $68 per hour.
How much should I pay someone to help move?
Most moving labor services for loading and unloading cost $40–$80 per hour. Costs vary, but you can learn more in our guide to moving prices.
Can I hire someone to help me move?
Yes. Moving labor companies specialize in services like packing and unpacking, loading and unloading, and junk removal.
Does U-Haul have movers?
U-Haul does not have employees that offer moving services, but it does connect customers with local movers via its U-Haul Moving Help online marketplace.
Do I tip my movers?
Yes, tip your movers just like you would for services like waiting tables or cutting hair. We recommend 5%–10% of your total for smaller moves or $20 for half a day’s work. Check out our guide to tipping your mover to learn more.
We want to hear from you
Have you hired help from any of these companies? Leave a comment and tell us about your experience. We update our rankings each year—or as new information (like your comments) become available.
About Kurt Manwaring
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