Can I Hire Movers Just To Load a Truck?

Here’s the quick answer: Yes, you can hire movers just to load a truck. In fact, several labor-only moving companies do exactly that, with HireAHelper being our top overall pick based on pricing, availability, and service quality.

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Before you pick a labor-only mover, find out what they actually do and how much they cost, and check out some of our tips for ensuring your moving truck is loaded without a hitch.

What are labor-only movers?

As the name implies, labor-only movers provide actual manpower to help haul boxes and lift furniture, and even assist with packing and unpacking (this typically costs extra). What labor moving companies don’t provide is the truck or transport.

Considering this, labor-only movers are best-suited for people who plan to rent a moving truck, moving container, or freight trailer. If you go with one of the latter two, a truck and professional driver are included. With a moving truck rental, you’ll have to do the driving.

Cost to hire movers for loading and unloading a truck

City Average Hourly Rate Estimated Total*
Phoenix $93 $372
Tampa, FL $89 $356
Brooklyn, NY $110 $440
Dallas $87 $348

*Based on a two-person moving crew for four hours

Labor-only movers charge an hourly rate for their services. A two-person crew is usually standard, but depending on the size of your move, the crew could be as large as four movers. Your hourly rate would then be adjusted accordingly.

The standard moving labor rate typically only includes loading and/or unloading services. Some companies offer packing and unpacking options at an additional cost, but this varies between providers. Extra fees may also apply for buildings with multiple flights of stairs, objects over 300 pounds, or other special circumstances.

Most labor-only companies require a time commitment of at least two hours. So, even if you only needed movers for 1.5 hours of work, you’d still be charged for the minimum two hours. Of course, larger moves will require significantly more time to complete the job – something to keep in mind as you request quotes.

Why hire movers just to load a truck?

For the budget-conscious, labor-only movers are a flexible and cost-efficient alternative to full-service moving companies. The combined cost of using a rental truck and labor-only movers is still typically cheaper than hiring full-service movers. You can also keep expenses even lower by using labor-only movers just to handle fragile or oversized items and take care of everything else yourself.

Here are a few more good reasons to use movers just to load a truck:

1. Avoid backaches and bad knees

Lifting heavy items like dressers or sofas and loading them into a moving truck is more complicated than it might look. One wrong move or misstep can lead to injuries, leaving you out of commission for the rest of the relocation process. And even when all goes well, moving can take a major toll on your muscles and can be especially difficult for anyone with pre-existing injuries, disabilities, or chronic illnesses.

Professional movers understand proper lifting techniques and are accustomed to the physical demands of moving. By entrusting your heaviest and bulkiest items to the professionals, you can save your back (and the rest of your body, too!).

2. Maximize your truck or container space

Pro movers also know a thing or two about the proper way to stack and load furniture and boxes. Let’s face it, unless you’re the world’s greatest Tetris player, you probably won’t be as efficient as a paid moving crew. The last thing you want is to find yourself unable to fit everything inside your moving truck.

Labor-only movers will make the most of the space you have. Perhaps even more importantly, they’ll load everything in a way that protects your belongings, ensuring that fragile items are secure and well-situated so they’ll arrive to your destination safely.

3. Get more done

Letting the pros handle truck loading frees you up to focus on other aspects of the move, like setting up utilities at your new home or cleaning up your old one.This way, once the movers are done, you’ll be able to hop in the moving truck and go.

You should still be readily available to answer questions or manage kids and pets while movers are moving but you can be on hand while also getting a lot of items crossed off your moving to-do list.

4. Save some money

When calculating moving costs, labor-only movers offer a middle ground between a DIY and full-service move. Since you’re taking care of the transportation, you only need to add on the cost per hour of loading and unloading. Even if it’s not as cheap as handling everything on your own, you’ll definitely cut costs by using a moving labor company in conjunction with an affordable rental moving truck.

Tips for a successful labor-only move

Here are a few ways to help ensure your move with a labor-only company is as stress-free and seamless as possible:

  • Know your needs. Be sure to accurately estimate the size of your move in advance so you have a clear idea of how many movers you’ll need (and how long you’ll need them). You should also consider whether you’ll need any services beyond standard loading or unloading. Not all labor-only movers can help with things like packing and unpacking and transporting specialty items like pianos or gun safes.
  • Do your homework. Carefully research the companies you’re considering. The best labor-only moving companies are transparent about their pricing and services and have plenty of online customer feedback you can check out. When reading reviews, pay attention to what they say about a company’s timeliness, professionalism, and pricing.
  • Plan ahead. Booking as far in advance as possibel will ensure you get help from your preferred mover… and on your preferred moving date, especially if falls within peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September). Keep in mind, however, that moving outside of peak season might mean lower rates and better availability. Decluttering and downsizing for your move before packing can reduce the time it takes to load up a truck, and therefore reduce your total labor-assistance costs.
  • Book sufficient time. Labor-only movers will usually stay until the job is done, but any time beyond what you booked will be tacked on to your bill. Worst case scenario — not scheduling enough time could leave you with a half-finished move if your crew has another appointment to get to. It’s better to add a little buffer to allow for unexpected delays than to underestimate and run the risk of paying more or having to finish up on your own.
  • Have the truck or container ready. This may go without saying, but make sure your rental truck or moving container is onsite before the movers arrive. You don’t want to waste your scheduled moving time with a last-minute trip to pick up the truck. Try to coordinate the movers’ arrival time with rental truck pickup or container delivery times.
  • Communicate your wishes. Just like with full-service movers, you should communicate any special instructions for items like antiques or fragile objects before the movers start loading everything. Make yourself available for the duration of the move to address any questions that come up.

Full-service moving alternatives

Labor-only companies aren’t for everyone. If you have the budget and need more than just manpower, full-service moving companies might be a better option for you. You won’t have to worry about renting and driving a truck or scheduling a container drop-off; full-service movers will coordinate all major aspects of your relocation. They’ll also offer a wide range of helpful add-ons like packing and furniture set-up.

After analyzing national movers based on key factors like costs, services, and customer satisfaction, we recommend the following full-service moving companies if you decide a labor-only move isn’t right for you:

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  • Family owned & operated
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  • Certified crews
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FAQ

Do labor-only movers bring their own equipment?

Many labor-only movers bring their own equipment, such as dollies and hand trucks. However, the actual tools they will bring can vary between companies. You should always confirm what equipment the movers will provide to determine if you’ll need to rent anything yourself.

Can I hire movers for only an hour?

You typically can’t hire movers for only one hour, or if you do, you’ll be paying double for it. Labor-only moving companies usually have a two-hour minimum for their services. If you only have a few items that won’t take long to load into a truck, it might be better to enlist the help of friends or family (even if you have to bribe them with pizza).

Will movers pack my items, too?

Some labor-only movers can pack your items as an add-on service. Be sure to confirm with a labor-only company before booking if this is something you’ll need.

What happens if my moving truck is too small?

If your moving truck is too small, you may need to take multiple trips or upgrade to a larger truck. Both of these options can add extra time and labor, which can then increase your moving labor costs. Do your research in advance to ensure you choose the right moving truck size for your move.

Our rating methodology

At moveBuddha, we understand that all moving companies aren’t created equal. We undertake a rigorous review process to rate and review companies like Safeway Moving to ensure we provide accurate recommendations.

Here’s a breakdown of our mover rating methodology:

  • Customer satisfaction: In addition to looking at reviews with the BBB, Google, and other third-party sites, we rely heavily on interviews with Better Moves Project participants to understand the pros and cons of each mover.
  • Standard services: We look at what services are included as part of a company’s standard offerings, and which ones you can only get for an additional fee.
  • Reputation: We evaluate a company’s industry ratings, including aspects like carrying sufficient insurance coverage and compliance with applicable regulations.
  • Add-on services: We look at any add-on services that can simplify a move, such as custom crating or storage options — services that aren’t offered by all moving companies.
  • Availability: The areas a company serves — as well as whether they offer local, long-distance, or international services — is another important consideration. Widespread availability is most useful.
  • Type of mover: A moving company’s capability (such as full-service vs. DIY) will directly impact its service offerings
  • Payment: Ease of making a payment (including submitting a deposit) with multiple options (credit card, check, cash, etc.) can also make moving easier.
  • Scheduling: How easy is it to book a move? What kind of lead time is needed? Readily available booking services and streamlined scheduling will help get your move underway.

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