Short answer: full-service moving typically costs $500–$6,000 for a local move or $1,500–$15,000+ long-distance, depending on home size and distance. The bigger question is usually what's actually bundled into that price versus billed as an add-on.
The core service, and what's usually extra
Every full-service mover provides the core: a crew that loads your belongings, transports them, and unloads at the destination. Beyond that, "full-service" starts to mean different things at different companies. Packing and unpacking, furniture disassembly and reassembly, and appliance disconnection/reconnection are commonly offered but often priced separately rather than bundled in. Insurance beyond the basic released-value minimum ($0.60/lb per item) is almost always an optional upgrade, not included.
Full-service vs. the alternatives
| Option | What you do vs. what they do |
|---|---|
| Full-service | They pack (optional), load, drive, unload |
| Labor-only | You rent the truck and drive; they load/unload |
| Portable container | You load; a driver handles transport |
| Full DIY | You do everything |
Questions to ask before comparing quotes
- Is packing included, or priced separately? This alone can shift a quote by 20–40%.
- What's the liability coverage, and can I upgrade it? The federal minimum badly undervalues most households' belongings.
- Is this a binding or non-binding estimate? Binding protects you from a higher final bill; non-binding doesn't.
- What counts as an "extra stop" or "long carry" fee? These add-ons vary a lot between companies and can add up.
Get your own range
Run your route and home size through the calculator above for a baseline full-service estimate, then ask each company you quote exactly what's included so you're comparing the same scope of work, not just a headline number.