Quick answer: In 2026, movers typically charge $40 to $75 per flight of stairs for full-service moves, where one flight equals one floor (about 7–12 steps). Local hourly crews often absorb stairs into their hourly rate (effectively $25–$60 per flight in added time), while interstate van lines itemize stairs at roughly $0.50–$1.10 per 100 lbs per flight beyond the first. A 2-bedroom move up two flights adds about $150–$400. Use the calculator below to estimate your specific stair surcharge.
A stair surcharge (also called a "flight fee," "stair carry," or "stair fee") is an accessorial charge movers add when furniture and boxes must be carried up or down stairs rather than wheeled across level ground. Stairs slow the crew, increase the risk of damage and injury, and require more handlers per item, so movers price the extra labor and risk as a separate line item or fold it into their hourly time.
There is no single national rate. Pricing splits into three models depending on the type of mover:
Industry-typical 2026 ranges. Local rates reflect a 2–3 person crew; tariff rates are per the carrier's published accessorial schedule.
| Mover type | How stairs are charged | 2026 typical rate | First flight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local full-service | Flat per flight | $40–$75 / flight | Usually free |
| Local hourly crew | Folded into hourly rate | ~$25–$60 / flight in added time | No separate fee |
| Interstate van line | Per 100 lbs / flight | $0.50–$1.10 / cwt / flight | First flight included |
| Specialty / heavy item (piano, safe) | Flat per flight, item-specific | $40–$150 / flight | Rarely free |
| Elevator building (in lieu of stairs) | Flat elevator carry | $75–$200 flat | N/A |
This is the single biggest source of billing disputes. Movers and homeowners often count flights differently.
Counterintuitively, an hourly crew is often cheaper for a small move with stairs, because you pay only for the marginal time stairs add — perhaps 20–40 extra minutes per flight for a modest apartment. A flat per-flight charge, by contrast, is fixed regardless of how fast the crew works.
For larger homes with heavy furniture, the calculus flips: a flat per-flight fee caps your exposure, while an hourly crew laboring up many flights can run the clock well past the flat fee. The break-even depends on crew speed and item count.
| Scenario | Hourly model (added time) | Flat per-flight model | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio, 1 flight | ~$30 (30 min extra) | $0 (first flight free) | Flat |
| 1-bedroom, 2 flights | ~$90 (≈1.5 hr extra) | $55 (1 chargeable flight) | Flat |
| 2-bedroom, 3 flights, heavy | ~$240 (≈3 hr extra) | $110 (2 chargeable flights) | Flat |
| 1-bedroom, 1 flight, fast crew | ~$40 | $0 (first flight free) | Flat |
| Small load, 1 flight, slow building | ~$120 (slow elevator-less walk-up) | $0–$55 | Flat or tie |
A 2-bedroom apartment move using a local full-service mover. The building is a 3rd-floor walk-up, so the crew climbs from ground level past floor 1 (free) to floor 3 — 2 chargeable flights. The mover charges $55 per flight.
| Line item | Detail | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Base move (labor + truck) | 3 movers, 5 hours | $885 |
| Stair surcharge | 2 chargeable flights × $55 | $110 |
| Tape, pads, shrink wrap | Standard materials | $45 |
| Total | $1,040 |
An interstate move of a 5,000 lb shipment that must be carried up 2 flights at delivery (beyond the first, which is included). The carrier's tariff stair carry is $0.85 per 100 lbs per flight.
On interstate moves the stair carry is modest relative to the line-haul cost, but it must be disclosed in the estimate. Heavier shipments scale the charge linearly with weight.
If a working, usable elevator exists, the per-flight stair surcharge is typically waived and replaced by a flat elevator carry fee of $75–$200. Elevators still slow the crew (single-item trips, reservation windows), but they eliminate physical stair labor. Watch for:
Pianos, gun safes, commercial safes, and large appliances carry their own, higher per-flight surcharges because they require extra crew, straps, and stair-climbing dollies. Expect $40–$150 per flight for these items on top of the base specialty handling fee. See the related heavy-item guides linked at the bottom of this page.
Stair surcharges track local labor costs. High-cost metros (New York, San Francisco, Boston, Seattle) sit at the top of the $40–$75 range and frequently see walk-up buildings, making stairs a common charge. Lower-cost Southern and Midwestern markets cluster at the bottom of the range, and single-family homes there rarely involve more than one flight.
On an interstate move, the stair carry appears as a named accessorial on the bill of lading and the final invoice. Verify: (1) the flight count matches what was surveyed; (2) the per-cwt rate matches the estimate; (3) the first flight was not double-charged. On a local move, a flat stair fee should match the written estimate exactly. Dispute discrepancies in writing immediately.
Most full-service movers charge $40 to $75 per flight of stairs (one flight = one floor, ~7–12 steps), with the first flight often free. Local hourly crews fold stairs into their hourly rate (effectively $25–$60 per flight in extra time). Interstate van lines itemize stairs at about $0.50–$1.10 per 100 lbs per flight beyond the first. A 2-bedroom move up two flights typically adds $150 to $400.
A flight is generally one floor change, or about 7 to 12 steps. The first few steps from the truck (an entry stoop) are usually free. Split-level homes, walk-up apartments, and basements each count as additional flights. Some movers count a half-flight landing as a full flight, so confirm the definition in writing.
If a working elevator is usable, the per-flight stair surcharge is waived and replaced by a flat elevator carry fee of about $75 to $200. If the elevator is too small for large items, out of service, or unavailable, the normal per-flight stair surcharge applies to the items that must be carried.
Ask for a binding flat-rate quote that includes the stairs, carry small boxes yourself before the crew arrives, reserve and confirm the building elevator in advance, stage items near the door to consolidate trips, and compare local hourly movers (who often absorb stairs) against van lines (who itemize them). Disclose all flights at quote time to prevent day-of disputes.
Yes. The FMCSA requires interstate carriers to publish accessorial charges, including stair carries, in their tariff and disclose them in the written estimate. A disclosed stair surcharge is legitimate. An undisclosed stair fee that was reasonably knowable at the estimate is not allowed. Review the FMCSA "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" booklet.