Questions and answers
Is tax included in the hourly rate?
Yes. There is no separate tax line on a local move.
Do you charge extra for stairs or an elevator?
No. Stairs and elevators only add time, which is already billed hourly.
Are boxes included?
No. Boxes and other packing supplies are billed for what is actually used.
Do I pay for the truck separately?
No. The truck is part of the hourly rate for the team.
The longer answer
What you are paying for
The hourly rate covers a full team of movers plus our 26-foot truck, working door to door. Taking furniture apart and putting it back together, moving blankets, tape, wardrobe boxes for the day and floor protection all come with it. Boxes and other packing supplies are the main things billed separately, and only for what you use.
Included versus charged as used
| Included in the rate | Billed only if used |
|---|---|
| Team of movers and the truck | Moving boxes of all sizes |
| Door-to-door service | Mattress covers ($15 each) |
| Disassembly and reassembly (beds, sectionals, dining tables) | Bubble wrap |
| Moving blankets and tape | Dish packs |
| About 8 wardrobe boxes, returned after the move | TV boxes (up to $50 for a 75 inch) |
| Carpet runners, blankets, shoe covers on request | A wardrobe box you keep ($25) |
No add-on fees for the usual suspects
Some movers itemize every inconvenience. We do not. There is no separate line for tax, mileage, fuel, stairs, elevators or a long walk from the door to the truck. Those things can make the job take longer, and that time is what you pay for.
The one rule worth knowing is double drive time. When pickup and drop-off are more than 10 minutes apart, the drive between them is counted twice at the same rate, as California's Tariff 4 requires. The trip to your first address and back from your last is free.
Current rates
- 2 movers: $145 per hour, for very small moves or on request
- 3 movers: $175 per hour, our standard team
- 4 movers: $235 per hour, for larger homes
All rates carry a 3-hour minimum, then bill in 15-minute steps, the same on weekends as weekdays. For worked examples, see the local moving page, and if you want our crew to do the packing too, look at packing services.
