Key Takeaways
- Local moves: $80-$150/hour for 2 movers + truck
- Long-distance: $2,000-$5,000+ based on size and distance
- Target 10-15% profit margins on every job
- Automate pricing with moving CRM software
Pricing is one of the most critical decisions for any moving company. Price too high and you lose jobs to competitors. Price too low and you can't cover costs or grow. This guide shows you how to price moving services for maximum profitability.
Industry Averages (2025)
- • Local moves: $80-$150/hour for 2 movers + truck
- • Long-distance moves: $2,000-$5,000+ depending on size/distance
- • Average profit margin for successful movers: 10-15%
Understanding Your Costs
Before setting prices, you must understand your true costs. Many moving companies fail because they don't account for all expenses.
Direct Costs (Per Job):
- Labor: Wages plus payroll taxes (typically 15-20% on top of wages)
- Fuel: Calculate based on route distance and truck MPG
- Supplies: Boxes, tape, blankets, and wrapping materials
- Vehicle wear: Maintenance, tires, depreciation
Overhead Costs (Monthly):
- Insurance premiums
- Office/warehouse rent
- Marketing and advertising
- Software subscriptions (CRM, accounting)
- Phone and internet
- Administrative staff
Pricing Models Explained
1. Hourly Rate Pricing
Best for local moves within 50-100 miles. Charge a rate per hour that includes the crew and truck.
Sample Hourly Rates:
- • 2 movers + truck: $120-$180/hour
- • 3 movers + truck: $160-$240/hour
- • 4 movers + truck: $200-$300/hour
*Rates vary significantly by market. Urban areas typically command higher rates.
2. Flat Rate Pricing
Customers love price certainty. Flat rates require accurate estimating but can command premium pricing.
Pro Tip
Use inventory-based estimating software to accurately calculate flat rates. Reelow CRM's room-by-room inventory system helps you price moves down to the cubic foot, reducing under-pricing errors.
3. Cubic Feet Pricing
Common for long-distance moves. Calculate the total volume of items and charge per cubic foot.
- Average rate: $3-$7 per cubic foot for long-distance
- 1 bedroom apartment: ~300-400 cubic feet
- 3 bedroom house: ~1,000-1,500 cubic feet
Additional Service Pricing
Don't leave money on the table. These add-ons can significantly increase your average ticket.
| Service | Typical Charge |
|---|---|
| Packing services | $25-$50/hour per packer |
| Specialty item handling (piano, pool table) | $100-$500+ per item |
| Stairs fee (per flight) | $50-$100 |
| Long carry (75+ feet) | $75-$150 |
| Furniture disassembly/reassembly | $25-$50/item |
| Storage (monthly) | $100-$300/month |
Competitive Pricing Strategies
Research Your Market
Get quotes from 5-10 competitors as if you were a customer. This reveals actual market rates in your area.
Value-Based Pricing
Don't compete on price alone. Highlight your value propositions:
- Professional, uniformed crews
- Real-time job tracking and updates
- Comprehensive insurance coverage
- Online booking and payment
- Satisfaction guarantees
Maximizing Profitability
- Minimum charges: Set 2-3 hour minimums on local moves
- Travel time: Charge for drive time to/from the job
- Fuel surcharges: Add 5-15% to cover fluctuating fuel costs
- Peak season pricing: Increase rates 10-20% during summer months
- Deposits: Collect 10-25% deposits to reduce no-shows
Automate Your Pricing with Reelow CRM
Manual pricing leads to inconsistencies and lost profits. Reelow calculates prices automatically based on your rates, inventory, and distance—ensuring every estimate is profitable.
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