Moving labor help: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What moving labor help is

Moving labor help is hired helpers who load and unload a truck or rearrange rooms while you provide the vehicle. They do the lifting, carrying and stacking, without the full truck and packing service a moving company offers.

Signs you need it

  • You have a rental truck or van and need strong hands to load heavy boxes and furniture
  • The sofa, mattress or dresser needs two or more people to carry safely through the door
  • The unloading is at the other end and you need help stacking boxes in the right rooms
  • You are rearranging rooms within the home and need heavy items moved to new positions
  • Your friends and family are not available and you do not want to risk injury lifting alone

What the pro does

  • Walk the load with you to plan how the items will fit and which pieces go in first
  • Carry and stack boxes and furniture in the truck, placing heavy items low and securing them with straps
  • Protect floors and doorways with blankets or runners as they move items through the home
  • Unload at the new location and place items by room where you direct them
  • Rearrange heavy furniture within the home when you ask, moving pieces to their final spots
  • Leave the work area clear of packaging and loose debris before they finish

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Number of helpers needed and the total time on site
  • Volume of items to load and unload, and how many trips are needed
  • Stairs, elevator access and the distance from the truck to the door at each end
  • Whether help is needed for loading only, unloading only or both
  • Whether the job includes rearranging furniture within the home
  • Whether the helpers are needed for a short shift or a full day

What a written quote should spell out

  • The number of helpers and the length of time they will work
  • Whether loading, unloading or room rearrangement is included
  • Whether floor protection and straps are supplied by the helpers
  • What the helpers will not do, such as driving the truck or disassembling beds
  • Whether breakage or damage is covered, and how it is reported

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How many helpers will you send for my load and how long will they stay
  • Do you bring blankets, straps and dollies, or should I supply them
  • Will you help me stack the truck in a way that keeps items from shifting
  • Can you unload and place furniture in each room at the new home
  • Do you insure your helpers, and what happens if someone gets hurt on the job
  • Are the helpers experienced with stairs and heavy furniture

Red flags

  • Helpers who do not ask about the load or the route before starting
  • A crew that lifts heavy furniture alone without a second person
  • No straps or padding for a load that will travel on the highway
  • A helper who offers to drive the truck without a license or insurance for it

What you can do yourself

You can pack and label your own boxes, take apart simple furniture and carry light items to the truck. Call a professional for heavy furniture, stairs and anything that needs two or more people to move safely, since back injuries are common in home moves.

Licenses and permits

Moving labor help is not commonly licensed. Check with your state or local licensing agency for business registration that applies to a labor or moving helper company. The truck you rent or drive is governed by its own license rules.

Moving labor help questions

Do the helpers drive the truck?

Usually not. Most labor help services only load and unload. Ask the company whether driving is included and who holds the license for the vehicle.

Should I label the boxes before the helpers arrive?

Yes. Label each box with its room and the helpers will place it correctly on the other end. It saves time and reduces the number of items that end up in the wrong room.

What if a helper breaks something?

Tell the company right away and follow its damage policy. Photograph the item before the move so there is a clear record of its condition.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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