Full-service movers cost $800–$2,500 for a local move and $3,500–$8,000+ for a long-distance move in 2026. The price buys a complete door-to-door service — crew, truck, loading, transport, and unloading — with packing, furniture assembly, and storage available as add-ons. This guide breaks down the prices by home size and distance, explains exactly what is included, and lists the add-on fees so the final bill holds no surprises.
| Home size | Local move | Long-distance move |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1-bedroom | $600–$1,200 | $2,500–$5,000 |
| 2-bedroom | $900–$1,800 | $3,500–$6,500 |
| 3-bedroom | $1,400–$2,500 | $5,500–$9,000 |
| 4-bedroom+ | $2,000–$4,000 | $7,500–$14,000+ |
Local moves are billed by the hour ($40–$80 per mover); long-distance moves are billed by weight and distance. See our how much do movers cost guide and long distance movers cost guide for the underlying math.
A standard full-service move covers:
Packing, unpacking, materials, furniture disassembly and reassembly, and storage are usually extra. The term "full-service" varies by company, so confirm what is bundled versus billed separately.
| Add-on | Typical 2026 cost |
|---|---|
| Full packing service | $300–$2,200 (by home size) |
| Packing materials | $150–$500 |
| Furniture disassembly/reassembly | $50–$300 |
| Stairs / long-carry fee | $50–$200+ |
| Shuttle service | $150–$500 |
| Bulky items (piano, safe) | $150–$1,000+ |
| Full-value protection | 1–2% of declared value |
| Storage-in-transit | $100–$300/month |
For packing specifically, our packing service cost guide shows when it is worth it; for coverage, see the insurance guide.
Full-service earns its premium when you are short on time, moving a large home, going long distance, unable to lift heavy items, or moving valuables you want professionally handled and covered under full-value protection. For a small, local, budget-driven move, DIY or a hybrid is usually cheaper — our full-service vs DIY guide runs the comparison, and the full-service vs self-service guide covers the in-between options.
Get a baseline with our free moving cost calculator, then use the how to choose a moving company guide to pick the right carrier for the price.
Two terms get mixed up constantly, and the mix-up costs people money. "Full-service" describes who does the loading, driving, and unloading — the crew, the truck, the transport. "Full-pack" describes who boxes up your belongings. A standard full-service move loads and transports everything you have already packed; it does not automatically include packing your boxes unless you add and pay for that service. So a "full-service move" and a "full-service move with full packing" are two different prices, and the gap between them is the $300–$2,200 packing add-on. When you read a quote, find the packing line specifically and confirm whether it says full packing, partial packing, or none.
Partial packing is the underused middle ground. You pack the easy rooms — clothes, books, linens — and pay the crew to pack only the kitchen, the china, and the artwork, which are the slow, fragile, high-risk items. Partial packing typically costs 40 to 70 percent less than full packing while still putting your breakables under professional protection, which often matters for the carrier's full-value coverage. If your goal is to keep the convenience of full-service loading and transport but trim the single biggest add-on, ask each company to quote both full and partial packing so you can see exactly what the choice is worth.
Full-service movers cost $800–$2,500 locally and $3,500–$8,000+ long distance in 2026, with packing and access fees on top. You are buying convenience, speed, and liability coverage — well worth it for large or long-distance moves, less so for small local ones. Always compare itemized, all-in totals across three quotes before you book.
Full-service movers cost about 800 to 2,500 dollars for a local move and 3,500 to 8,000-plus dollars for a long-distance move in 2026. The price scales with home size, distance, and add-ons. A local one-bedroom runs 600 to 1,200 dollars, while a long-distance three-bedroom runs 5,500 to 9,000 dollars. Packing services add several hundred to a couple thousand dollars on top.
A full-service move includes the moving crew, the truck, all loading and unloading, transportation, basic equipment (dollies, pads, straps), and basic released-value liability protection. On request and for extra cost, full-service movers also pack and unpack your belongings, provide packing materials, disassemble and reassemble furniture, and arrange storage. Always confirm exactly what your quote covers.
Full-service movers are worth it when you are short on time, moving a large home, relocating long distance, physically unable to do heavy lifting, or moving valuable items you want professionally handled and insured. You pay a premium over DIY, but you save days of labor and gain liability coverage. For a small local move on a tight budget, DIY or a hybrid move usually makes more sense.
Full packing adds roughly 300 to 2,200 dollars to a full-service move, depending on home size, at about 40 to 60 dollars per packer per hour plus materials. A studio or one-bedroom adds 300 to 600 dollars, a three-bedroom 900 to 1,700 dollars. Partial packing — only the kitchen and fragile rooms — is a cheaper middle ground that still protects breakables.
Common add-on (accessorial) fees include packing labor and materials, furniture disassembly and reassembly, stairs and long-carry charges, shuttle service when a large truck cannot reach your door, bulky-item fees for pianos and safes, storage-in-transit, and expedited delivery. Ask for every accessorial fee in writing on the estimate so the final bill holds no surprises.