How Much Do Lake Charles, LA Movers Cost?
Quick answer: Expect to pay about $127 per hour for movers in Lake Charles. A full move will typically cost $680 to $4,406. For out-of-state moves from Louisiana, check long-distance moving prices from Lake Charles—costs depend heavily on the destination.
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Average cost of local movers in Lake Charles, LA
Hiring a full-service Lake Charles mover is definitely the most convenient option, but that convenience comes at a cost — professional movers tend to be more expensive than other moving options. If you want movers to do all the heavy lifting for you and you can afford it, hire a full-service moving company for your Lake Charles move.
Here's how much professional movers cost in Lake Charles based on your move size:
| Home size | Avg. total cost | Cost/hour | # of movers | # hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $680 | $178 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
| 1 bedroom | $858 | $178 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
| 2 bedroom | $1,249 | $249 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
| 3 bedroom | $2,590 | $348 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
| 4 bedroom | $2,938 | $348 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
| 5+ bedroom | $4,406 | $488 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
Read more cost details
It's worth noting that the cost per hour for Lake Charles movers remains the same for all home sizes, ranging from $178 per hour for two movers to $488 per hour for five movers. As the size of your home increases, the number of movers and hours required for the move also increases, resulting in a higher total cost.
Overall, hiring local Lake Charles movers is a convenient and stress-free way to move within the city. By knowing the approximate cost for your home size, you can budget accordingly and make informed decisions for your upcoming move.
Easily compare personalized moving quotes for your Lake Charles move using our free and instant moving cost calculator.
Best local moving companies in Lake Charles, LA
Our expert team has thoroughly analyzed licensing, insurance options, online reviews, and hundreds of other data points to identify the top local moving companies in Lake Charles.
- Bellhop Moving: 4.58 out of 5 stars
- Flex Moving & Storage: 4.52 out of 5 stars
- Acadiana Movers: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Bayou Services of Lake Charles, LLC: 4.52 out of 5 stars
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.52 out of 5 stars
- Efficient service (38%)
- Professional and polite staff (32%)
- Good communication (26%)
- Damage to items (38%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (26%)
- Lack of communication (21%)
Company Info
State license #: 007018347C
Years in Business: 14
DOT #: 2878240
Alternate Names: Bellhop Moving Services
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- None (0%)
- Damage to items (100%)
- Unexpected charges (100%)
- Lack of communication (100%)
Company Info
Years in Business: 2
DOT #: 3610638
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service (50%)
- Professional and polite staff (33%)
- Careful handling (33%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (50%)
- Lack of communication (33%)
- Unfriendly or rude staff (33%)
Company Info
Years in Business: 15
DOT #: 1996186
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and polite staff (30%)
- Efficient service (27%)
- Good communication (23%)
- Damage to items (12%)
- Unexpected charges (8%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (6%)
Company Info
Years in Business: 7
DOT #: 3013348
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and polite staff (40%)
- Efficient service (35%)
- Careful handling (30%)
- Damage to items (25%)
- Lack of communication (20%)
- Higher-than-expected costs (15%)
Company Info
State license #: 8090
Years in Business: 12
DOT #: 2527384
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Visit our best movers in Lake Charles page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews. And if you're moving outside of Lake Charles, consider one of Lake Charles's top long-distance movers.
Moving costs in other nearby Louisiana cities
Average cost of moving containers in Lake Charles, LA
The cost of moving containers, such as PODS, will cost $220–$7,448, on average, in Lake Charles. The exact PODS cost you'll pay will depend on whether you use an eight-, 12-, or 16-foot container (note: 12-foot containers are only available for local moves). The distance of your move will also greatly impact cost.
A local Lake Charles move within 50 miles of your home will run between $220 and $813, while long-distance moves (100-250 miles) will typically cost $250–$2,107. Container pricing on cross-country moves from Lake Charles can cost an average range of $2,068–$7,448.
Here's a breakdown of related PODS costs:
- Storage fee: $149–$359 (first 30 days is free)
- Damage coverage: 10–$439.95 per month, depending on the protection plan. Coverage ranges from container-only (no contents protection) to $300,000. All plans have a deductible of $100.
- Door lock (if necessary): $25 (if purchased through PODS; you can also purchase from home improvement stores or online retailers)
If you're looking for the cost-savings of a DIY move and the convenience of full-service movers, moving containers like PODS are a great option. You'll handle loading and unloading, but they will drop off your empty container at your current home, pick it up once it's loaded, and deliver it to your new location. This means you won't have to worry about driving.
PODS is our overall top pick for moving containers in Lake Charles based on their stellar reputation, nationwide availability, and multiple container sizes and insurance plans. But you should take a look at least two other highly rated moving container companies on our list to see which one offers the right combination of services and pricing for your move.
Best moving containers in Lake Charles, LA
The best Lake Charles moving container companies provide multiple container sizes, pricing transparency and deals, and secure, state-of-the-art facilities for longer-term storage needs. They should also have a solid reputation for quality customer service and efficient drop-off and pickup of containers.
Check out these highly rated moving containers:
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Average cost to rent a moving truck in Lake Charles, LA
You'll definitely have to break a sweat, but moving truck rentals in Lake Charles will be much easier on your wallet than full-service movers. The average cost to rent a moving truck in Lake Charles ranges from $19-$39 per day.
While cheaper than full-service moving companies, you'll have to do all the heavy lifting yourself — from boxing up your belongings to loading them on the truck, hauling them to your new spot, and unloading everything there.
Here are the typical costs of Lake Charles rental trucks:
- Base cost: $19–$39 per day
- Mileage fee: $0.69–$0.89 per mile
- Fuel cost: Depends on driving distance
- Truck coverage: $20–$55 based on coverage level
- Equipment costs (optional): Dolly, straps, blankets
The total cost to rent a truck from companies like Budget or U-Haul will depend on:
- How far you drive the truck
- How long you have the truck rental
- Additional insurance
- Parking
- Toll fees
- Fuel
- Accommodations and dining
- Moving equipment rentals
Best moving truck rentals in Lake Charles, LA
The best moving truck rentals in Lake Charles provide affordable rates with no hidden fees, a variety of truck sizes, and plenty of physical locations across the U.S. for convenient rental returns.
These top moving truck rentals certainly fit the bill:
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Average cost of labor-only moving companies in Lake Charles, LA
The average cost of labor-only moving companies in Lake Charles is an hourly rate of $64 for each crew member. Most moves — even small one-bedroom apartments — require a crew of two movers, so plan on about $127.0 per hour to hire labor assistance in Lake Charles.
Best labor-only moving companies in Lake Charles
The best Lake Charles labor-only movers have a reputation for professional and efficient service, but also provide reasonable hourly rates and a variety of optional services like packing that you can pick and choose from to create a customized plan suited to your specific needs.
We like these top-notch labor-only movers:
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Factors that affect the cost of movers in Lake Charles, LA
The biggest factor that affects the cost of movers in Lake Charles, LA, is distance, but there are several other price considerations to keep in mind, including:
- The size of your move: The more belongings you have, the more your move will cost. Moving a four-bedroom home will typically be more expensive than moving a studio apartment.
- When you move: You'll usually pay more to move during peak season (May–September) because demand is higher. Similarly, the time of month and day of the week you book your move will impact cost. Demand will be higher the first and last of each month, when leases change over, and on Fridays and Saturdays, the most popular moving days. To save money on your move, consider booking during the week and in the middle of one of the off-season months, if possible.
- The type of move: Professional movers are the most convenient option, but they will cost you more than going with a DIY option like moving container companies or moving truck rentals.
- Any add-on services you select: Even if you go with a DIY move, you may want to hire third-party movers to assist you with loading and unloading. And professional movers offer a variety of optional services like packing and unpacking to help customize and streamline your relocation. But these additional services will come at an extra cost.
Quick tips for a stress-free move
- Have important documentation. Places like high rises and managed apartments will often require a copy of your mover's insurance and elevator reservation on moving day.
- Get approval. Check ahead with any neighborhood, community, or HOA rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Secure a parking permit (if needed). The parking administrator can limit parking on public streets in designated residential or special areas to only those vehicles with valid parking permits approved by the council, along with any other parking regulations they have authority over.
- Check state licensing laws. If you’re using a legitimate moving company to relocate from one home or apartment within the state to another, look for a company regulated by the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC). During the pre-move screening process, families on the move should verify that prospective movers are registered and in good standing with the LPSC. In cases of substandard service, inflated costs, and unlicensed movers operating illegally, consumers may file a complaint, after which the commission will initiate an investigation.
- Invest in moving insurance. Choose Released Value Protection for free coverage at 60 cents per pound from movers. For full-value protection, explore alternative options with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
Work with your movers to ensure all these items are taken care of before moving day.
What is the cheapest way to move to Lake Charles?
If you want to save money, you can hire a container company, where you do the packing and loading, and they transport your belongings in Lake Charles for you, or you can rent a moving truck and handle it all on your own.
Here are the average moving costs from Lake Charles to another state with different types of movers:
| Destination | Professional Movers | Containers | Rental Trucks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis | $2,946 - $7,189 | $1,819 - $3,508 | $795 - $1,708 |
| Albuquerque | $2,855 - $7,308 | $1,785 - $3,545 | $836 - $1,708 |
| Seattle | $4,405 - $9,080 | $2,826 - $5,982 | $1,835 - $3,826 |
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