What Additional Services Do Movers Offer? And How to Avoid Extra Service Fees

When planning a home move, it’s easy to focus on the obvious costs, such as truck rental or hiring full-service movers.

However, many people overlook the additional services offered by moving companies, which, although they will make your move easier and less stressful, will inflate your moving bill significantly if you’re not careful.

Whether you’re hiring local or long-distance movers, knowing what you’re paying for and where the opportunity to save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars is, is crucial.

1. Packing and Unpacking Services

What It Is:

Moving companies offer full or partial packing services. This includes wrapping, boxing, labeling, and sometimes even inventory tracking.

Average Cost:

• Full Packing: $300–$1,400 depending on the size of the home
• Partial Packing (e.g., kitchen only): $150–$500
• Unpacking Services: $100–$400

How to Avoid or Reduce This Cost:

• Pack Yourself: Start early and pack room-by-room.
• Use Free Boxes: Get boxes from local retailers, friends, or online marketplaces like Craigslist.
• Declutter Before Packing: Fewer items mean fewer boxes and less cost.

Our thoughts:

• Look to save money elsewhere. This is one service we would always be happy to pay for.
• Packing is arguably the worst part of moving home. Not only is it time-consuming, hard work, but you will be living amongst piles of moving boxes for weeks on end.
• Most insurance policies will not cover any items that you have packed yourself.

You may also like to read: Self-Packing vs Professional Packing. In this guide, we look at the pros and cons of doing your own packing versus hiring professional packers.

2. Specialty Item Handling

What It Is:

Items like pianos, artwork, antiques, pool tables, and large safes require special handling, tools, and expertise.

Average Cost:

• Piano Moving: $200–$1,000
• Pool Table: $400–$800
• Artwork/Antiques: $150–$600 per item
• Safe Moving: $250–$600

How to Avoid or Reduce This Cost:

• Sell or Store Specialty Items: Consider if it’s worth moving the item.
• Use Specialty Movers: Sometimes hiring a specialist (e.g., a piano mover) is cheaper than adding it to your main move.
• DIY for Smaller Items: Carefully pack and transport small art pieces yourself using bubble wrap and hard-sided containers.

Our thoughts:

• If the value of the item warrants it, paying for this service makes sense. You want your precious items to arrive in their original condition, so custom crating, for example, is well worth spending the extra money on.

You may also like to read: 5 Items That Need Specialist Movers. In this guide, we look at 5 items that should never be moved by yourself and why.

3. Long Carry Fees

What It Is:

Charged when movers can’t park close to your door and must carry items a long distance (usually more than 75 feet).

Average Cost:

• $75–$200, depending on distance and difficulty

How to Avoid or Reduce This Cost:

• Declutter, the fewer items you move, the cheaper this fee will be.
• Reserve Parking: Check with building management or city parking services to secure a nearby spot for the truck.
• Shuttle Service Instead: Some companies offer smaller trucks that can shuttle between the truck and your home, sometimes cheaper than long carry fees.

Our thoughts:

• This is an easily avoidable fee in most cases. Just ensure that you reserve parking for the moving truck as close to your front door as you can.
• Of course, if the lane to your home is too narrow for the moving truck to get down, then this fee is unavoidable; just ensure that the mover knows of any width or height restrictions so that they can factor that into your moving quote.

You may also like to read: Decluttering for a Home Move. The fewer items that have to be loaded and unloaded, the cheaper your move will be. In this guide, we share tips for decluttering your home for a move.

4. Stair and Elevator Charges

What It Is:

Movers charge extra if they must carry items up or down stairs or wait for an elevator.

Average Cost:

• Stairs: $50–$100 per flight
• Elevator Wait Time: $75–$150

How to Avoid or Reduce This Cost:

• Declutter because the fewer items you take, the quicker and cheaper your move will be
• Move Smaller Loads Yourself: If you are physically able and it is safe to do so, move lighter boxes yourself using an elevator or stairs.
• Time It Right: Reserve the elevator in advance to minimize waiting and charges.

Our thoughts:

• Ensure your mover knows how many flights of stairs there are at both your old and new homes so that you get an accurate price estimate.

You may also like to read: Tips for Moving into an Apartment With No Elevator. In this guide, we share tips that will make moving into an apartment block with no elevator cheaper, easier, and safer.

5. Disassembly and Reassembly of Furniture

What It Is:

Taking apart beds, tables, or gym equipment and reassembling them at the destination.

Average Cost:

• $50–$200 per item

How to Avoid or Reduce This Cost:

• Create a floor plan of your new home to ensure items will fit. If they don’t fit, then sell them.
• Consider selling large items of furniture to your home buyer or landlord
• Do It Yourself: Use a power drill and label hardware in ziplock bags.
• Watch Tutorials: YouTube is full of step-by-step guides for disassembling common furniture items.

Our thoughts:

• Even if you can dismantle a few things, it will save you money, but check with your mover first if an item needs dismantling.
• Don’t waste time dismantling IKEA-type furniture; sell it. They often break during a home move or when you try to reassemble them, and some movers will even refuse to insure them because of their fragility.

You may also like to read: How to Dismantle Furniture. In this guide, we offer basic tips on how to dismantle a range of items found in the average home.

6. Storage Services

What It Is:

Temporary or long-term storage before, during, or after your move.

Average Cost:

• Short-term (less than a month): $50–$300/month
• Long-term: $100–$600/month, depending on size and location

How to Avoid or Reduce This Cost:

• Plan the Move Precisely: Avoid storage by scheduling closing dates and move-ins to coincide.
• Use Portable Containers: These can be used as temporary storage and are often cheaper.
• Ask Friends or Family: Temporarily store your items in their garage or basement if possible.

Our thoughts.

• You will pay for loading and unloading twice, as well as the storage hire, but storage can be a really convenient resource, especially if you need to renovate before moving into your new place.

You may also like to read: Temporary Storage Options. In this guide, we look at the pros and cons of the various storage options you have and how to choose the right option for your needs.

7. Insurance and Valuation Coverage

What It Is:

Moving companies offer valuation protection, which is not the same as insurance. Higher levels of protection cost more.

Average Cost:

• Basic Valuation: Free but minimal ($0.60 per pound/item)
• Full-Value Protection: $100–$600+, depending on the declared value

How to Avoid or Reduce This Cost:

• Check Home Insurance: Some policies cover moving damage.
• Opt for Basic Coverage + Self-Insurance: Insure only high-value items separately if needed.

Our thoughts:

• Being underinsured is one of the most common home-moving mistakes. Accidents happen, so ensure that you fully understand any insurance you are offered.

You may also like to read: Moving Insurance. In this guide, we explain the types of moving insurance that are available and what the differences are.

8. Last-Minute Booking Fees

What It Is:

Urgent moves (less than 7 days in advance) often incur premium charges.

Average Cost:

• 10–25% more than standard rates

How to Avoid or Reduce This Cost:

• Book Early: Ideally 4–6 weeks ahead.
• Flexible Move Date: Mid-month or mid-week is often cheaper.

Our thoughts:

• Whilst sometimes life may throw you a curveball and you need to move at short notice, the majority of home moves can be planned well in advance.
• For last-minute moves, shop around; you may get lucky and find a mover has had a cancellation.

You may also like to read: Emergency Moving. In this guide, we share 10 tips to make a last-minute home move easier, cheaper, and safer.

9. Toll, Fuel, and Travel Charges

What It Is:

These fees cover the cost of fuel, tolls, and labor for time spent traveling to/from your location.

Average Cost:

• Local Moves: $50–$150 flat fee
• Long-Distance: $0.75–$1.50 per mile

How to Avoid or Reduce This Cost:

• Choose Local Movers: Reduce travel time from their office to your home.
• Consolidate Trips: Have everything ready to avoid multiple truckloads.

Our thoughts:

• Not all movers charge from the depot to your home, so ask that specific question so that you can compare what other movers do in your area.

You may also like to read: Questions to Ask Movers. In this guide, we list the questions that you should be asking any mover you are thinking of hiring to ensure that you not only pick the best mover for you but that no hidden fees will sneak up on you.

10. Cancellation or Rescheduling Fees

What It Is:

• Changing your move date at the last minute can lead to penalties.

Average Cost:

• $100–$500 or loss of deposit

How to Avoid or Reduce This Cost:

• Know the Policy: Always read the fine print before booking.
• Flexible Moving Windows: Some movers offer flexible scheduling at a discount.

Our thoughts:

• Most movers offer a sliding scale of refund for cancelled or rescheduled moves, depending upon how much notice you give them.
• It is worth noting that some movers offer insurance against this extra cost.

You may also like to read: How to Compare Movers. In this guide, we share tips on how to compare the different services and charges that movers will offer you when they give you a quote for your move.

Summary Table of Additional Moving Services and Costs

Service	Average Cost	Avoidance Tips
Packing/Unpacking	$150–$1,400	Pack yourself, declutter
Specialty Item Handling	$150–$1,000	Use specialists, sell or store items
Long Carry Fees	$75–$200	Reserve parking, use shuttles
Stair/Elevator Charges	$50–$150	Reserve elevator, move small items yourself
Furniture Disassembly	$50–$200/item	DIY, confirm things need dismantling
Storage Services	$50–$600/month	Time your move, use container services
Insurance/Valuation	$100–$600+	Look at options, but ensure coverage
Last-Minute Fees	+10–25%	Book early, choose flexible days
Fuel/Travel Charges	$50–$1.50/mile	Use local movers, compare movers
Rescheduling Fees	$100–$500	Confirm dates, understand policies

More Tips to Avoid Extra Moving Charges

• Get Multiple Quotes: Always compare 3–4 moving companies.
• Request a Binding Estimate: Avoid surprise fees by locking in a final price.
• Read Reviews and Contracts: Check hidden fees and fine print before signing.
• Make an Inventory: Know exactly what’s being moved and communicate that clearly.
• Label Boxes Properly: Clearly marked boxes reduce confusion and save time.

By planning ahead, doing some of the work yourself, and ensuring that you thoroughly read and understand the paperwork you are given, you will ensure that you avoid unnecessary costs.

But your overriding concern above all else should be value for money. What price do you put on an easy and stress-free home move where all your things arrive safely at your new home?

You may also like to read: How to Cut Moving Costs. In this guide, we share 15 ways that you can save money on your home moving costs.

Good luck with your home move, and be sure to visit our home moving blog for guides on how to make every aspect of your home move easier, cheaper, and safer.