Often 3–5 billable hours
Customer-packed, standard furniture, uncomplicated access, and a local route.
Calculate a studio →2026 Los Angeles planning guide
Los Angeles moving rates by crew, home size, and workload
Published hourly planning assumptions start at $159/hr. Bedroom count sets a reasonable crew range; furniture volume, packing, route, access, and specialty handling determine the time and additions.
Published planning benchmarks
Hourly crew assumptions used by the calculator
These independent benchmark rates make the planning math visible. They are not the rates or offer of a particular moving company.
| Crew and truck | Hourly planning rate | Best starting fit |
|---|---|---|
| 2 movers + 1 truck | $159/hr | Studio and most standard 1BR moves |
| 3 movers + 1 truck | $199/hr | Most 2BR and loaded 1BR moves |
| 4 movers + 1 truck | $239/hr | Most 4BR and loaded 3BR moves |
| 5 movers + 1 truck | $279/hr | Larger moves when operationally necessary |
| 6 movers + 1 truck | $319/hr | Larger moves when operationally necessary |
The current model uses a 3-hour minimum and +$40/hr for each additional mover. More movers primarily reduce duration; crew size stays within the home-size policy unless the workload requires otherwise.
Often 4–6 billable hours
Inventory size and access can shift the result more than the bedroom label.
Calculate a 1BR →Often 6–9 billable hours
The current policy starts with a three-mover crew. Route and packing can materially change the total.
Calculate a 2BR →Often 8–12+ billable hours
Full packing, stairs, long carries, and heavy items can move work into overtime.
Calculate a 3BR →Planning ranges are not guaranteed quotes. They assume ordinary household furniture, honest inventory counts, and no unreported access or specialty conditions.
Flat rate vs. hourly
A flat moving price should describe the same scope.
Flat rate is a billing structure, not a guarantee that the total is lower. Compare the same inventory, packing, access, route, crew, valuation coverage, and written exclusions.
Read the complete flat-rate comparison →Hourly planning range
Crew rate × elapsed billable time, followed by disclosed travel, fees, overtime, and retained materials.
Flat moving price
One stated price for a defined inventory, route, access, service level, date, and change policy.
What both should disclose
Legal company, crew, truck, packing, stairs, parking, heavy items, valuation options, deposit terms, and controlling written documents.
Why ranges change
Four questions explain most price differences.
The calculator turns each answer into a visible time or price line.
How much is moving?
Furniture quantity and packing work become phase-specific minutes.
What is access like?
Elevators, stairs, and truck walking distance change handling assumptions.
How far is the route?
Distance and normal one-way drive time feed the published travel configuration.
Does it need special handling?
Full packing, retained materials, and confirmed heavy items appear separately.
Included and separate
Read the rate beside the assumptions.
Crew and truck
The selected crew size and one truck under the published hourly model, subject to the minimum and billable-time calculation.
Packing and handling
Already-packed boxes add moving volume. Crew packing, unpacking, crating, disassembly, and reassembly add work only when selected or confirmed.
Travel and repeated carries
Normal drive time, configured travel treatment, stairs, elevators, parking, hallways, and long carries can change elapsed time or disclosed additions.
Company identity and documents
Confirm a mover’s legal name, permit information, valuation options, payment recipient, cancellation terms, and written scope directly with that company.
Next questions
Use a specific guide instead of a generic average.
Replace the generic range