Furniture Movers and Assembly Services
Posted in: Moving AdviceThat big couch, heirloom china cabinet, or piano won’t move itself, no matter how much you might wish it would. But, the good news is, you don’t have to do it yourself — a furniture mover can do it for you.
When you hire professional furniture movers to transport bulky or awkward pieces, you don’t have to worry about injury, damage, or investing a lot of time.
Still not sure what furniture movers do or whether or not you really need one? We discuss everything you need to know if you’re considering hiring furniture movers, from what they can do for you to what they cost and how to prepare for them.
What Do Furniture Movers Do?
Furniture movers do exactly what the name implies — they help you move your furniture. Whether you need to move furniture to a new home or need a hand with same-house furniture moving, they handle the heavy lifting. And it doesn’t matter if you’re moving everything to a new address or just transporting one or two big things, they’ll help in both scenarios.
Furniture movers offer both full-service and labor-only options. A full-service mover can move and transport your furniture to a new address, while a labor-only mover can move your pieces to a new room in your home or into your moving truck. In the latter case, you handle the transportation if it’s necessary.
Here are some common items you might want a furniture mover’s help with:
- Couches
- Beds
- Armoires
- Dining sets
- Pianos
- Antiques
- Glass artwork
- Recliners with electronics
When You Might Need Professional Furniture Movers
Professionals are the way to go if you have to move heavy furniture around and don’t have the strength or experience to do it yourself. They’re great for long-distance, local, and in-home moving, and you won’t have to worry about straining your back or finding a friend or family member to help. Whether you’re staging a home for sale, moving, or just trying to reorganize some furniture in your home, a professional furniture mover can help.
But moving house isn’t the only way they can help you. If you’re gifting or selling furniture, you might also need a professional mover. They can ensure bulky, fragile, or valuable furniture gets to its final destination safely.
Furniture Assembly Services: What’s Included
Taking apart and reassembling furniture can be a huge headache during a move. Sure, it’s easier to transport a shelf or bed frame that’s been taken apart. But, if you’ve just moved in somewhere, having to put your furniture back together again before you unpack other items can slow you down.
“..[Y]ou can prepare your furniture in advance for movers. Disassembling furniture beforehand, removing drawers, and leaving a clear space for your movers to park can help reduce hourly labor rates.”
Furniture assembly services can take the frustration out of the equation, and many moving companies offer them. Furniture movers usually bring their own tools and have experience handling common brands. They also work as they go, bringing in the furniture and putting it back together again. So once everything’s unloaded, you’re ready to unpack.
Comparing Furniture Moving Options
When it comes to moving furniture, not all services are created equal. Whether you need a couple of strong arms for loading or a full crew with a truck and tools, it helps to know your options. Here’s a quick look at the types of furniture movers available — and how to decide which one fits your move.
Labor-Only Furniture Movers
Labor-only movers provide just the muscle. Your team lifts and loads the furniture for you, and if you already have a truck to transport your furniture or you don’t mind renting a moving truck, this option cuts costs.
- Best for: Local or same-building moves
- Pros: Lower costs — you only pay for the help you need.
- Cons: You have to arrange transportation or storage yourself.
Full-Service Moving Companies
Full-service moving companies handle all the loading, transportation, and unloading during your move, including the truck. If you need furniture assembled or disassembled, they can usually do that too, but they might charge you extra for the service.
- Best for: Long-distance, large, or complex moves
- Pros: The team handles loading, transportation, and unloading. Companies usually offer extra services like furniture assembly and unpacking at an extra cost.
- Cons: Higher costs
Specialty Movers
Specialty movers have expertise in handling items that require extra care or skill, like instruments, valuable electronics, and aquariums. They’re a great choice if you need to relocate fragile, heavy, or valuable items. Typically, they have specialized equipment or packing materials such as custom crates to keep your items safe.
- Best for: Moving heavy or specialty items like pool tables, fine art, pianos, and antiques
- Pros: They can handle items that are difficult to transport or that ordinary moving companies decline.
- Cons: Costs can be higher
DIY vs. Professional Help: Pros and Cons
Not sure whether you should DIY your move or hire the pros to do it? We usually recommend at least some professional help, as a true DIY move takes a lot of time and effort on your part. You ultimately save money, but you may spend several days trying to load and unload everything between your addresses. That’s a lot of time for something to go wrong, especially if you’re not trained in heavy lifting. Plus, this doesn’t include other tasks like packing or arranging transportation, which can definitely eat into your free time.
A professional, full-service moving company can handle the entire relocation for you. Because they usually arrive with professional equipment and plenty of people to lift, they usually go much quicker.
Check out our quick comparison between the two.
| DIY Move | Professional Moving Company | |
| Price |
|
|
| Time | 16-32 hours for a 2-3-bedroom house | 4-8 hours for a 2-3-bedroom house |
| Pros | Lower cost |
|
| Cons |
|
|
| Risk of Damage |
|
|
| Physical Strain | Higher risk due to carrying heavy items | Low risk — trained professionals have extra equipment and expertise to move items safely |
| Best for |
|
|
Cost of Hiring Furniture Movers
The cost of hiring furniture movers varies greatly from region to region based on demand, cost of living, and other factors. Furniture movers in cities with a high cost of living tend to charge more than those in smaller towns. Some have minimum job times and a minimum number of movers hired. Most commonly, you’ll see 2 movers for 3 hours as a minimum requirement. Even if they finish the job quicker, you still pay for 3 hours.
To get an exact cost for your job, you’ll need to get a quote from local companies. However, it usually costs between $50 and $130 per hour per mover. Heavy items also often cost more, and companies may have additional mileage fees and other policies that could affect your price.
Flat Rate vs. Hourly: Which Is Better?
Some companies charge a flat rate, while others ask for an hourly labor fee, but the best pricing model ultimately depends on the circumstances of your move.
“Before you start moving, take exact measurements of doorways, hallways, staircases, and other narrow areas. That way, you know whether pieces will fit or if they have to be disassembled first.”
Keep in mind that flat-rate moves may have a stricter set of moving services available. They may not accommodate furniture assembly or charge extra for stairs. Hourly movers typically allow for more flexibility because you’re paying by the hour rather than per job.
Prioritize flat-rate moves if:
- You have a lot to move.
- You’re moving long-distance (over 100 miles).
- You need a predictable, upfront price.
An hourly fee might make more sense if:
- You’re moving a short distance.
- You don’t have a lot to move.
- You need more flexibility with furniture disassembly and assembly.
Extra Costs to Watch For
Sometimes, the initial price you see isn’t the final one you pay. While HireAHelper gives transparent quotes accurate to the information you provide, some companies give an estimated price based solely on your home size and the distance between residences. Ask your moving company in advance if their quote is all-inclusive.
They may add some or all of the following charges:
- Stairs. Many companies include a single flight of stairs at no extra cost. But if you live in a high-rise, have multiple floors, or are on a higher floor in an apartment complex, you might pay more.
- Elevators. Because movers have to wait for elevators between trips, some companies add fees to account for the extra time.
- Long-carry fees. If your moving truck has to be parked far from your home, your team does more labor. Some companies charge extra for unusually long distances.
- Same-day services. Some companies have same-day availability, but it often comes at an increased cost.
- Fragile item fees. Because they must treat fragile items with extra care, some companies charge more for them.
- Assembly. Some companies may assemble and disassemble furniture during your move. This often comes at an extra cost, though some include it in their full-service packages.
- Heavy items. Certain items may be excluded or come with an extra charge. Safes, pool tables, pianos, antiques, and other large, valuable items may add to your overall cost.
How to Choose the Right Furniture Movers
What to Look For in a Moving Provider
Don’t just choose the first moving provider that shows up in a Google search! Some due diligence can save you a lot of hassle in the long run.
Be sure to:
- Check for valid licensing and insurance policies.
- Read online reviews to get a clearer picture of other people’s experiences with the provider.
- Look for established companies with years of experience in your area.
- Check included and extra services for furniture assembly, transportation, storage, and packing/unpacking as necessary.
If you can’t find certain information online, consider contacting the service provider directly. Reputable moving providers have no problem showing proof of licensing and insurance or discussing included services.
Questions to Ask Before You Book
Vetting a moving company before booking is the best way to get a package that works for you. Every company has its own covered services and policies.
Before you book, ask these questions:
- Do you offer furniture disassembly/reassembly? Does it come with an extra fee?
- Are there extra fees beyond what’s quoted?
- How do you handle furniture?
- Do you move within the same building (if applicable to your move)?
- Do you charge more for stairs?
- What are the rescheduling and cancellation policies?
- What items won’t you move?
- What’s your policy if something is lost or damaged?
If you have any other questions relevant to your specific move, ask those as well. Professional and reputable movers will be happy to provide this information.
Red Flags to Avoid
Some people offer to help you move without having the experience, insurance, or licensing to back them up. Others may use a moving company as a way to scam people out of money, such as holding your belongings hostage or suddenly adding a ton of fees to the final price.
When considering movers, look out for these red flags:
- No contracts protecting either party
- Vague quotes without commitment
- Quotes that are significantly and excessively lower than other providers
- Poor or no reviews
- Demands for high deposits
- No experience or training
- No licensing or insurance
You could choose to hire a few random helping hands from sites like Craigslist or Facebook, but we caution against it. Their lack of experience or insurance could leave you with broken furniture, voided warranties, and property damage.
Preparing for Furniture Movers and Assemblers
A little prep work can go a long way. Before your movers arrive, taking time to clear space and get your furniture ready can help the day go smoother — and even save you money.
How to Measure and Clear Space
Before you start moving, take exact measurements of doorways, hallways, staircases, and other narrow areas. That way, you know whether pieces will fit or if they have to be disassembled first.
Keep all pathways clear. Remove rugs, wires, and any other trip hazards. Don’t forget to secure any pets so they can’t slip underfoot while your movers work. If you have hardwood floors, make sure you protect them by using furniture sliders or moving blankets to prevent scratches. If the day is rainy, put down cardboard or other absorbent material in front of doorways so slippery water puddles aren’t tracked into your home.
Packing Tips for Furniture Parts
If you’re disassembling your furniture yourself, taking a few extra steps now can save you a lot of hassle later. Follow these tips to prepare your furniture for safe delivery and easy reassembly:
- As you disassemble furniture, put the hardware into a zipper bag. Label the bag clearly with what’s in it and what the hardware is for.
- Tape bags of hardware to the back or underside of furniture.
- Keep fragile surfaces protected with moving blankets, bubble wrap, or shrink wrap.
- Remove or secure loose parts like adjustable shelves. If you want to keep your drawers attached to your dresser or cabinet, shrink wrap around them so they can’t open.
What You Can Do Yourself to Save Time and Money
If you want to cut costs and save some time, you can prepare your furniture in advance for movers. Disassembling furniture beforehand, removing drawers, and leaving a clear space for your movers to park can help reduce hourly labor rates. You can also reduce costs by moving any lighter items yourself.
FAQs About Furniture Movers
Do furniture movers also assemble furniture?
Yes, furniture movers can assemble furniture. However, some companies may add a charge for this service. Confirm with the service provider in advance rather than assuming they will.
How much does it cost to move a couch?
Moving a couch can cost anywhere from $60 to over $600. A local moving company may charge between $60 and $250, but if you’re moving long-distance, expect the costs to increase.
Can movers move items within the same home?
Yes, many movers provide in-home furniture moving services, but they may have minimums, such as booking 2 movers for 2 hours.
Do I need to empty drawers before moving furniture?
Yes, you should empty drawers before moving furniture. This makes the furniture lighter and easier to move. It also prevents items from falling out while maneuvering the furniture. You might be able to keep lightweight items inside, like a few items of clothing, but in general, it’s not recommended.
What should I do before furniture movers arrive?
Before movers arrive, you should:
- Remove all items from the furniture
- Ensure there’s a clear path to and from the door
- Disassemble furniture if applicable
Will movers take apart beds and reassemble them?
Yes, some movers take apart beds and reassemble them, though they may charge extra for this service. Others may require you to disassemble the bed before pickup. Confirm preferences and requirements with your service provider.
