How Much Do Movers Cost on Long Island?
"How much is this going to cost me?" is the first question on every moving call — and the hardest one to get a straight answer to. Some companies quote a low flat rate that grows on moving day; others will not name a number at all. Local moving on Long Island is simpler than that: it is priced by the hour, by crew size, with everything on the clock disclosed up front. Here are our actual rates, what a typical move really totals, and what makes the number move.
Long Island moving prices: hourly by crew size
Every local crew includes the truck, pads, dollies, and full furniture wrapping as standard — every piece gets padded and protected before it is carried, on every move. These rates cover Nassau County, Suffolk County, and NYC:
2 movers + truck — $149/hr (4-hour minimum $596)
Studios, small 1-bedrooms, and load-only jobs where everything is already packed and ready at the door.
3 movers + truck — $199/hr (4-hour minimum $796)
Most 1–3 bedroom homes and apartments. The crew we recommend for almost every move: one mover wraps while two carry, so the clock runs shorter.
4 movers + truck — $249/hr (4-hour minimum $996)
Large houses, heavy furniture, pianos and safes, or any move that has to finish inside a tight elevator or closing window.
We lead with the 3-mover crew for a reason: it is the right size for most homes. Two movers is the exception — a true small or load-only job — not the default.
What a typical move actually totals
Hourly pricing means your total is the rate times the hours the move honestly takes. These are the ranges we see across Long Island — from Levittown capes to Garden City colonials to Queens apartments:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: about 4–5 hours with 2–3 movers.
- 2 bedrooms: about 5–7 hours with 3 movers.
- 3 bedrooms: about 7–9 hours with 3–4 movers.
- 4+ bedroom house: about 8–12 hours with 4 movers.
So a 2-bedroom move at 6 hours with 3 movers is $1,194, plus the 5% admin fee — about $1,254 all-in. A 25% deposit (about $313 on that move) holds the date, and the balance reflects the actual hours worked, collected before unloading. When we quote you, we quote the expected total up front — the minimum is never dressed up as the price.
What makes a move cost more or less
There is no stairs fee and no per-item heavy fee on a local hourly move — stairs and heavy pieces simply take more time, and time is the one thing you are paying for. What actually moves the total: how much furniture there is (and whether it is wrapped and ready), walk-ups and long carries, elevator waits in co-ops and condos, and the drive between homes. The fastest way to a lower total is an honest inventory up front — the fuller the list you give us, the tighter the quote we can stand behind. Our moving planning guide walks through the prep that shaves hours off a move.
Packing: same clock, flat materials
Full-service packing is where most moves are won or lost. Our crews pack on the same hourly clock as the move itself — no separate packing rate — and the boxes and materials are one flat package: studio $150, 1 bedroom $225, 2 bedrooms $350, 3 bedrooms $550, 4+ bedrooms $750. Kitchen-only or partial packs run $75–$125. Boxes packed by the crew are packed to survive the truck; boxes packed the night before by tired owners are the ones that crush.
Moving off Long Island? Flat rates, not hours
Hourly pricing stops making sense once a move leaves the metro area, so long-distance moves are flat-priced: starting at $1,995 for a studio or 1-bedroom, $2,395 for 2 bedrooms, $2,995 for 3 bedrooms, and $3,895 for 4 bedrooms, first 50 miles included. The flat rate is confirmed from your actual inventory and destination before you book. See how it works on our long-distance moving page, or start with the local moving service page if you are staying on the Island.
Frequently asked questions
How much do movers cost on Long Island?
Local moves are priced hourly: $149/hr for 2 movers, $199/hr for 3 movers, and $249/hr for 4 movers, each with a truck and a 4-hour minimum. A typical 2-bedroom move with 3 movers runs 5–7 hours, so most families land between about $1,000 and $1,400 before the 5% admin fee. Prices are starting prices for a standard inventory; your final price is confirmed after an inventory review, before anything beyond your deposit is charged.
Why do you recommend 3 movers instead of 2?
Because the cheapest hourly rate is rarely the cheapest move. Every piece of furniture gets padded and wrapped before it is carried — that alone takes real time. With 3 movers, one wraps while two carry, the truck loads faster, and most jobs finish in fewer total hours. On almost every move, 3 movers at $199/hr costs about the same or less than 2 movers at $149/hr taking longer — and the day ends earlier.
What does the hourly clock cover?
The clock starts when the crew arrives and runs through wrapping, packing, loading, the drive to your new home, unloading, and placing furniture where you want it. Driving time counts — that is stated up front, not discovered on the invoice. After the 4-hour minimum, time is billed in full-hour increments.
How much is packing?
Packing labor runs on the same hourly clock as the move — there is no second rate. The materials are a flat package by home size: $150 for a studio, $225 for 1 bedroom, $350 for 2 bedrooms, $550 for 3 bedrooms, and $750 for 4+ bedrooms. A partial pack, like just the kitchen, runs $75–$125. Supply your own boxes and materials and you pay the clock only.
How much do I pay to book?
A 25% deposit of the expected total holds your date — for a typical 2-bedroom move quoted at 7 hours with 3 movers, that is about $366. The balance is based on the actual hours worked and is collected before unloading. A 5% admin fee applies to every job and is shown on your written estimate up front.
How much does a long-distance move from Long Island cost?
Long-distance moves are flat-priced, not hourly, because distance and inventory drive the cost. Flat rates start at $1,995 for a studio or 1-bedroom, $2,395 for 2 bedrooms, $2,995 for 3 bedrooms, and $3,895 for 4 bedrooms, with the first 50 miles included. Your exact flat rate is confirmed once the inventory and destination are known — one number, agreed before moving day, with a delivery window instead of a stopwatch.
Get your exact price in about a minute
Pick your crew and home size and see the expected total before you book. Movers & Cleanout Crew — Home Services & Commercial Coordination. WE MOVE. WE HAUL. WE CLEAN. WE COORDINATE IT ALL.
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