How Much Does it Cost to Hire Someone to Move Furniture?

Typical Range:

$70 - $610

Find out how much your project will cost.

Cost data is based on research by HomeAdvisor.

Updated June 11, 2021

Written by HomeAdvisor.

Cost to Move Furniture

Moving furniture in-house or within the same building costs $180 on average. Costs range from $70 to $400 but could be as high as $610. Prices depend on what needs moving and where it’s going; going up stairs and/or moving multiple pieces of furniture will raise the price.

You might think you should only hire a moving company if you're moving into or out of a home, but professional furniture movers can also move heavy furniture across short distances (such as in your home or business).

Furniture Moving Cost Estimate

Average Cost$180
High Cost$610
Low Cost$70

Cost to Move a Couch

Depending on the type, you might pay anywhere from $200 to $610 or more to move a couch. A small sofa will cost less to move whereas a 5-piece sectional that weighs more than 1,200 pounds will run towards the higher end of the price range.

Cost to Move a Sofa and Loveseat

Moving a sofa and loveseat will likely cost at least $200 but could run up to $350 or more. The average loveseat weighs about 220 pounds and the average sofa weighs 350 pounds. If your furniture weighs more or less than this, you can expect prices to adjust accordingly.

Cost to Move a Queen Mattress

Expect to pay at least $70 to move just a queen mattress. If that’s the only piece of furniture you need help moving, it likely won’t take long to move but movers are still having to take the time to come to your place (which costs money). Prices could fluctuate depending on whether the mattress is going up or down stairs.

Hiring in-house movers to lift a bedroom set (bed frame, queen mattress, nightstand and dresser) could cost anywhere from $70 to $250. Much of this price depends on whether the set is going downstairs (less strain on movers) or upstairs (more labor).

Cost to Move Heavy Equipment

Moving heavy equipment that weighs more than 400 pounds likely costs at least $280 but could cost $610 or more. Items like a piano or pool table have average in-house moving prices of $340 and $400, respectively.

Moving Furniture Cost Factors

The number of belongings that need lifting is the most influential factor in deciding moving prices. The volume of furniture, electronic goods or other heavier items is directly proportional to the rate of hiring a mover.

Movers calculate costs by determining the weight of your belongings.

Weight in PoundsCost
250$200
400$275-$300
600$350-$370

One thing to note is that most moving services have a minimum fee. It could cost you the same amount to move one piece of furniture as it would to move two pieces.

Other moving factors include:

  • Shape & size: Bulky and oddly-shaped items make the task more challenging and as a result, the mover could request a higher rate.

  • Number of floors: Lifting heavy furniture from one floor to another is demanding as lifters will have to deal with staircases and often tight corners.

  • Special lifting equipment: A professional will inform you if the items are too difficult to handle without this equipment

One thing to keep in mind is that some companies charge hourly. Moving rates span from $50 to $130 per hour for in-house moving, with most homeowners paying $90 per hour.

DIY vs. Hire a Moving Company

Smaller household items are easier to move but moving heavy furniture is a physically demanding process. Some of greatest advantages to working with a moving company are:

  • Safety of your furniture

  • Minimized chance of physical injury

  • Takes less time

  • Movers can rearrange furniture multiple times

When working with in-house movers, homeowners need to finalize the list of heavy equipment or furniture. Make sure that the furniture is properly packed for its own good. If the packing is difficult, don’t hesitate to hire a professional packer. On average, packing services cost $1,000.

FAQs

How many people do you need to move couch parts?

A professional moving team usually brings two people to move couch parts. They might bring a third person if there are a lot of parts or if the couch is heavy.

Where can I find furniture moving quotes?

You can find furniture moving quotes by contacting furniture and heavy item movers near you. Let them know what needs moving and be ready to tell approximately how much everything weighs. They’ll give you an estimate and lay out the moving details for you.

When should I hire an in-home mover?

Unlike the standard homeowner, professional movers are well-equipped to lift and move heavy equipment and furniture safely. These personnel are skilled and strong enough to both lift and maneuver narrow stairs and turns. This protects not only your belongings, but also your home from things like scratches or wall damage.

What is the average cost for furniture delivery?

The average cost of furniture delivery is $170 for local shipping and $450 for cross-country shipping.

If you have ordered new furniture, it makes sense to approach reliable moving services to let the experts take care of the new items. They can help move the item to the desired location in your home, arrange it and dispose of old furniture if need be.

What does it cost to move furniture across the state?

The cost to move furniture across the state depends on the amount of furniture you’re moving and the distance you’re traveling. Traveling across the state of Vermont will cost less than moving across the state of California. Contact a moving company near you for a quote.

What does it cost to move furniture across the country?

Moving furniture across the country to a place 1,000 miles away will likely cost between $1,500 and $3,500 at least. For reference, shipping or moving a buffet table across the country ranges from $400 to $500 while shipping a couch runs from $350 to $1,000.

These prices are just estimates for furniture only. If you’re moving everything in your house, long distance movers cost between $2,340 and $6,180.