How is the final price of a local move calculated?
A Spartan local move is billed as actual hours x hourly rate, plus materials used and double drive time if it applies, minus any discount.
Is tax added at the end?
No, tax is already inside the hourly rate, so it does not appear as a separate line.
When do I choose Silver or Golden?
At the end of the move, once you have seen the work. It applies to the whole completion time.
Is the tip part of the price?
No, tips are optional and go straight to the movers.
Can I know my maximum cost before the move?
Yes, through a free on-site inspection that produces a not-to-exceed price.
Time, rate and materials
Your final bill is the actual time the move took multiplied by your crew's hourly rate, plus any packing materials used. A few other items may adjust it, such as double drive time, an optional service package, or a discount you qualify for. Nothing is a fixed total decided in advance.
The formula, step by step
- Labor time: actual completion time, with a 3-hour minimum and 15-minute intervals after that.
- Double drive time: if pickup and drop-off are more than 10 minutes apart, the drive between them is counted a second time.
- Hourly rate: multiply the hours by $145, $175 or $235 depending on crew size.
- Package, if chosen: Silver adds $35 an hour and Golden adds $70 an hour across the full completion time. You decide at the end of the move.
- Materials: anything used beyond the included supplies, for example a $15 mattress cover.
- Discount: 7% for a repeat customer or a real-estate-agent referral, 5% for a friend referral.
- Card fee: 3% if you pay by credit or debit card.
Tips are separate and entirely up to you.
A sample bill (illustration)
This is an example, not a real job, to show how the pieces stack.
| 3 movers, 4.5 hours on site | $787.50 |
| 30-minute drive counted twice: extra 30 minutes | $87.50 |
| Two mattress covers | $30.00 |
| Subtotal | $905.00 |
| Repeat customer 7% off | -$63.35 |
| Total, paid in cash | $841.65 |
Paid by card, a 3% processing fee would be added to that total.
Why we cannot quote an exact total by email
Local moves in California are hourly, so a quote sent by email or given over the phone is a non-binding estimate. David is not permitted to promise a precise figure for hourly work, but he can give you a realistic range based on your home size. If you want a ceiling, book a free on-site inspection and you will get a not-to-exceed price. Our moving cost guide and local moving overview have typical ranges.