How Many Movers Do You Need?

18 February 2024

Moving to a new home and opting for professional movers is a wise choice to ensure a smooth and successful relocation while reducing stress. However, this decision comes with additional considerations such as selecting the right moving company, specifying services needed, determining the necessary insurance coverage, and more. Moreover, you may be tasked with deciding the number of movers required for your move.

The classic "three men and a truck" crew might be just what you need for your relocation. While having more movers can speed up the moving process, it is essential to consider the potential increase in moving costs. Striking a balance between efficiency and expenses is crucial.

However, determining the optimal number of moving helpers for your relocation can be challenging. How do you decide the number of movers you need? Here are some guidelines to assist you in figuring out the answer to the question “How many movers do I need?”.

Factors Influencing the Number of Movers Required for a Move

The number of movers necessary to efficiently and safely complete your relocation is contingent on various factors:

1. How many friends will lend a hand during your move

This is a significant question, no doubt. Adhere to three crucial guidelines when seeking moving assistance from your pals:

  1. Thoughtful Consideration:
    • Show consideration for your friends' busy schedules by providing sufficient notice, if possible.
    • Communicate honestly about the expectations if they agree to help, avoiding any deception in securing their assistance.
  2. Transparent Communication:
    • Clearly outline the tasks expected of them, ensuring they understand the level of commitment without any misleading information.
  3. Avoid Hasty Judgment:
    • Refrain from passing judgment if friends are unable or unwilling to assist, recognizing that everyone has their limitations.

Once you've tapped your friends and got a rough count of the DIY squad joining you in this nerve-wracking period, time to take stock.

2. What type of items are you moving

The quantity and type of items you're moving are crucial factors in determining the level of assistance required for a successful move. While the sheer number of items is a primary factor, the nature of those items also plays a significant role. Certain items pose more challenges, and handling them may necessitate additional help – for instance, moving a piano, grandfather clock, pool table, hot tub, large appliances (like a fridge, washer, dryer), antique furniture, or any item that is exceptionally delicate, bulky, or heavy.

These challenging-to-move items demand special attention, which consumes extra time and effort. Consequently, a larger moving team is essential to ensure the safe and efficient relocation of these belongings, reducing the risks of accidents, injuries, and damages during the move. For smaller moves, two movers might suffice, but if you have specialty items, you might need three or four movers to ensure the extra care required for those belongings.

3. How many items you have for moving

The key factor in determining the number of movers needed is the size of the move. Larger homes naturally require more movers, with a two-person team typically sufficient for a one-bedroom apartment, while relocating a four-bedroom house demands a more substantial workforce. Size isn't the sole determinant; the number of occupants and their lifestyles play a crucial role. Larger families, regardless of home size, tend to have more belongings.

Lifestyle choices also matter – minimalists have fewer items, while those with a penchant for luxury fill their homes with possessions. Surprisingly, a smaller apartment may house more items than a larger home. Factors like leaving behind old items or buying new things after a move also influence the number of belongings. College students or young individuals moving out may not have many items despite leaving a large home. In essence, the number of movers required hinges primarily on the volume of items slated for relocation.

4. What kind of moving services you’ve requested

The extent of professional moving services you've requested will determine the number of movers needed:

  1. If you're handling the packing, loading, unloading, and unpacking yourself, and you only need transportation, a single experienced driver will suffice.
  2. If you require professionals for loading and unloading (or just loading), you'll need at least two movers. For larger households or if there are obstacles slowing down the process, more movers may be necessary.
  3. When opting for professional packing services, a crew of 3 or 4 experienced movers is recommended. If furniture disassembly is required, two movers may focus on that task, so hiring at least 4 moving helpers is advisable.
  4. For a full-service move where professionals handle the entire relocation process, the moving company will send a sufficiently large crew to ensure the safest and most efficient completion of the job.

how many movers do i need

5. What type of apartment do you have

Studio/Small Apartment

For a Studio/Small Apartment with up to 800 square feet, the following recommendations are suggested:

  • Loading time: 2 movers for 2 hours
  • Unloading time: 2 movers for 2 hours

2-3 Bedroom Apartment

For a residence with 800–1200 square feet, the following recommendations are advised:

  • Loading time: 2 movers for 3 hours
  • Unloading time: 2 movers for 2 hours

2-3 Bedroom House

For a 2-3 bedroom house spanning 1,000–1,500 square feet, the following recommendations are provided:

  • Loading time: 3 movers for 4 hours
  • Unloading time: 3 movers for 3 hours

3-4 Bedroom House

For a 3-4 bedroom house covering 1,500–2,000 square feet, the recommended moving crew and time are as follows:

  • Loading time: 4 movers for 4 hours
  • Unloading time: 4 movers for 3 hours

6. Are there any moving nuances?

If your moving day is gonna involve some tricky situations, it's gonna slow things down for sure. If your stuff has to navigate stairs, squeeze through tight doorways, or take a long trip from your place to the moving truck, you're gonna need more hands on deck. Those movers are gonna get tired quicker, and they'll need more breaks. So, a bigger crew is the way to go to speed things up. If there's a long walk between your home and the moving truck, expect those movers to get tired fast.

Quick tip: When it comes to moving big furniture up or down stairs, having three folks on the job is a good call. Two to handle the heavy load, and a third to give directions, warnings, and lend a hand on the "downhill" side when needed.

7. How far are you moving?

Now, don't forget about the distance you're covering. It's a key factor in figuring out your moving crew needs. Whether you're going for a local move or a long-distance haul makes a big difference: For a local move, the same team will handle loading, transportation, and unloading (if you've opted for that service). If you're taking on a cross-country journey, one crew will load your stuff, and a different crew will unload it at your new place.

For example, you might need 4 movers at your current home (loading demands skill and time), but only 2 at your new spot (unloading is quicker and less complicated). Of course, you could choose to handle the unloading yourself, and then you won't need any movers at your destination. With all these factors in mind, you'll be spot-on in figuring out just how many movers you need for your move.

8. How many hours do movers work?

Curious about how many hours your movers will be putting in? Once you've got an idea of the number of movers you'll need, understanding the time involved can be quite handy. How many hours should you plan for movers? The table up there offers average time estimates based on your home's size and its contents. But here's a bit more to help you grasp the time aspect of your move:

  • For local moves, opting for an hourly rate usually makes more sense than a flat rate. A smart move is to go for a larger crew size – this helps keep the hours down.
  • Hiring 3 movers is often a solid choice because while one gets things ready for the move, the other two can handle loading the packed boxes and furniture onto the moving vehicle.
  • Drive time from your current home (Point A) to your new one (Point B) is factored into the local movers' cost. For distances of 10-40 miles, anticipate about 30 minutes, 1-2 hours for 40-75 miles (traffic-dependent), and 2-3 hours for 75-100 miles.
  • Remember, the distance from your place to the moving truck matters too. If it's under 20 feet, it won't affect your time. For 20-50 feet, plan an extra 30 minutes to 1 hour. If it's over 50 feet, add 1-2 hours to your move time.
  • Stairs are no joke on Moving day – each flight adds around 1 extra hour. Ouch!


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