Moving a large appliance costs $50-$150 each with professional movers, or $25-$75 per item if you DIY with a rented appliance dolly in 2026. Inside a full household move the marginal cost is usually just $0-$25 per appliance because they ride in the truck. Standalone appliance moves cost more — typically $90-$250 for the first item — because of the company's minimum labor charge. Stairs and the disconnection or reconnection of water, gas, and dryer lines are the main cost add-ons.
| Appliance | Typical weight | Mover cost (standalone) | DIY cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator (standard) | 200-300 lbs | $60-$150 | $30-$75 |
| Refrigerator (French-door/built-in) | 300-400+ lbs | $90-$200 | $45-$95 |
| Washing machine | 150-230 lbs | $50-$130 | $25-$65 |
| Clothes dryer (electric) | 100-150 lbs | $45-$110 | $20-$55 |
| Clothes dryer (gas) | 120-160 lbs | $45-$110 + gas disconnect | not DIY (gas line) |
| Range / stove (electric) | 100-180 lbs | $50-$130 | $25-$65 |
| Range / stove (gas) | 130-200 lbs | $50-$130 + gas disconnect | not DIY (gas line) |
| Dishwasher (built-in) | 60-100 lbs | $60-$150 (plumbing) | $30-$70 |
| Freezer (chest/upright) | 120-250 lbs | $55-$140 | $30-$75 |
Estimate moving your appliances. Choose how many large appliances, whether it's a standalone job or part of a full move, access, and whether any gas connections are involved.
| Item | Rental / purchase |
|---|---|
| Appliance dolly (with strap) | $15-$40/day |
| Furniture sliders | $10-$20 |
| Moving blankets (set) | $5-$10 rental, $25-$45 buy |
| Ratchet / moving straps | $10-$25 |
| Washer transit bolts (if lost) | $15-$40 from manufacturer |
| DIY total (per item) | $25-$75 |
Most movers refuse to disconnect or reconnect gas lines because of liability. For each gas appliance (gas dryer, gas range), budget:
Schedule these in advance — gas disconnection is often the bottleneck that delays an otherwise smooth move.
The Okafor family needs a standard refrigerator, an electric washer, and an electric dryer moved across town as a standalone job (no full move). No stairs, no gas.
| Line item | Detail | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| First appliance (fridge) | Includes minimum labor | $140 |
| Second appliance (washer) | Additional item | $60 |
| Third appliance (dryer) | Additional item | $55 |
| Tip | Optional ~15% | $40 |
| Total | $295 |
Had these three appliances ridden along in a full household move, the marginal cost would have been roughly $0-$75 total instead of $295 — bundling is dramatically cheaper.
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Local move, any appliance | Move it — cheaper than replacing |
| Full household move, appliance under 8 yrs | Bring it — marginal cost is small |
| Long-distance, appliance 8-10+ yrs old | Consider replacing at destination |
| New home/rental already has appliances | Sell or donate yours; don't move duplicates |
Standalone appliance moves are priced on local labor rates plus the company minimum, so costs scale with your market. Representative 2026 cost to move three standard appliances (fridge, washer, dryer) as a standalone job, ground floor, no gas:
| Region / market | 3-appliance standalone move |
|---|---|
| Major metro (NYC, San Francisco, Boston, Seattle) | $320-$520 |
| Large metro (Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, Denver) | $260-$420 |
| Mid-size city | $220-$360 |
| Smaller market / rural | $180-$300 |
In every market, bundling appliances into a full household move collapses the cost to a small marginal amount — the regional spread above only applies to standalone appliance-only jobs.
Appliance moves cause two common kinds of damage: scratched or dented floors from dragging heavy units, and dents or scratches on the appliance when it's tipped onto a dolly without padding. Prevent both:
The reconnection at the new home is where a rushed move turns into a leak or a ruined compressor. Follow the sequence for each appliance:
$50-$150 each with movers, or $25-$75 per item DIY with an appliance dolly. Within a full household move the marginal cost is $0-$25 per appliance. Standalone moves cost more — typically $90-$250 for the first item, with additional appliances cheaper. Stairs and water/gas disconnection add to the price.
$60-$150 with movers as a single item, or $30-$75 DIY. A standard fridge weighs 200-300 lbs; large French-door or built-in models 300-400+ lbs. Unplug and defrost 24 hours before, and keep it upright in transport. If tilted, let it stand upright afterward for the same time it was on its side before plugging in.
$90-$250 together with movers as a standalone job, or $50-$120 DIY. Each weighs 150-250 lbs. The washer needs its hoses drained and the shipping (transit) bolts installed to lock the drum — a front-loader moved without them can be ruined. The dryer needs its vent removed and, for gas models, the gas line professionally disconnected.
Most will handle simple water and electrical connections (fridge line, washer hoses) for a fee, but many won't touch gas lines or hardwired electrical for liability. Gas dryers, gas stoves, and built-ins usually need a licensed plumber or the gas utility at $80-$200 per connection. Confirm in writing what the mover will disconnect, and arrange a pro for any gas appliance in advance.
For a local move, moving them ($50-$150 each) beats replacing. For long-distance, weigh age, value, and shipping cost; appliances over 8-10 years old plus disconnect/transport/reconnect and damage risk can approach a new unit's price. Many long-distance movers leave older appliances behind and buy at the destination, especially when a rental or home sale includes appliances.
The two cardinal rules: bundle appliances into your main move whenever possible to avoid the standalone minimum, and never skip the appliance-specific prep — a front-loader moved without its transit bolts or a fridge plugged in before the oil settles can turn a $60 move into a several-hundred-dollar repair.
Before you commit to moving any appliance long-distance, run a quick break-even check. Add the moving or shipping cost, any gas disconnect-and-reconnect fees, and a realistic allowance for transit-damage risk, then compare that total against the price of a new comparable unit at your destination. For an appliance under about five years old, moving it almost always wins. For one approaching the end of its typical 10-15 year lifespan, the math frequently favors replacement — especially when the destination home, apartment, or home sale already includes appliances. Use the calculator above to total your specific scenario (number of units, stairs, and any gas connections), and let that number, not sentiment, drive the keep-or-replace decision for each appliance.