Why small moves cost less with us
Many movers charge a 2- or 3-hour minimum, so a one-hour job is billed as three. We bill by the minute. Two movers and a truck cost $2.50 per billable minute ($150 per hour), and a move that uses 60 billable minutes costs $150.
| Example small move | Work at the addresses | One-way drive | Billable minutes | 2 movers + truck |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One sofa or mattress across town | 40 min | 15 min | 70 | $175 |
| Furniture pickup from a seller | 30 min | 20 min | 70 | $175 |
| Studio apartment | 120 min | 20 min | 160 | $400 |
| Small one-bedroom | 150 min | 20 min | 190 | $471.50 |
Billable minutes = work at the addresses + 2 × actual driving time between them. These are pricing illustrations, not predictions of how long your move will take. The trip to your first address and back from your last is not billed.
A real small move: $465 elsewhere, $300 with us
A studio moved within one building, from the 3rd floor to the 6th, took two hours of work. The customer had booked another company advertising $88 per hour:
| Line on the bill | Mover with a $88/hour ad | Movers-LA, per minute |
|---|---|---|
| Labor | 3-hour minimum × $88 = $264 | 120 minutes × $2.50 = $300 |
| Shrink wrap | $35 | Included |
| Tape (2 rolls) | $16 | Included |
| Long carry (over 45 ft) | $100 | Included |
| Gas / truck fee | $50 | Included |
| Total | $465 | $300 |
The minimum and four add-on fees made the cheaper hourly rate $165 more expensive. See the fees to ask about before you book any mover.
What we move
- Single items: a sofa, mattress, dresser, desk, TV or appliance
- Furniture you bought from a store or an online seller
- Studios and small apartments
- Storage unit to home, or home to storage
- A few rooms of furniture within the same building or across town
Items over 250 lb or needing specialty handling, such as a piano or a safe, are welcome too; we agree a fixed charge in writing before the move because weight decides how many movers are needed.
Everything else is included
Moving blankets, shrink wrap and tape, stairs, long carries, standard disassembly and items up to 250 lb are all included. An extra stop on the way has no stop fee. No hidden fees, 100% guaranteed: if a charge isn’t in your text confirmation, you don’t pay it.
Tell us what is on the list
For a small move, a short item list works better than the number of bedrooms. Include dimensions for a sofa, mattress, dining table, or anything oversized. Photos show the crew what needs protection or disassembly. Also list boxes and loose items so the booking reflects the whole load.
Short distance does not always mean short time
Even a move across the street can involve stairs, elevator waiting, or a long walk from the truck. We ask about access at both ends and whether the building controls the moving window, so we can recommend a practical crew and explain the billable minutes before you book.
Questions before you book
Can I hire movers for just 2 hours?
Yes. Two movers and a truck for 120 billable minutes cost $300 with Movers-LA, with no minimum and no fees for shrink wrap, tape, stairs or long carries.
Are there movers in Los Angeles with no minimum hours?
Yes. Movers-LA has no 3-hour minimum and no 15-minute billing blocks. Two movers and a truck cost $2.50 per billable minute, so 60 billable minutes cost $150.
Can you move just one sofa or mattress?
Yes. Single items are welcome and there is no minimum. For example, 20 minutes loading, a 15-minute drive and 20 minutes unloading make 70 billable minutes: $175 with two movers and a truck, including blankets, shrink wrap and stairs.
Is there a minimum for a small move?
No. There is no 3-hour minimum and no 15-minute billing blocks. You pay for the billable minutes your move uses: work at the addresses plus twice the actual driving time between them. A move that uses 60 billable minutes costs $150 with two movers and a truck.
How much does a single-item move cost in Los Angeles?
It depends on the item, access and drive. With two movers and a truck at $2.50 per billable minute, 60 billable minutes cost $150 and 90 cost $225, with no minimum. Items over 250 lb or needing specialty handling are priced in advance.
Can you collect furniture I bought from a seller?
Yes. Confirm the seller’s pickup window, send dimensions and photos, and make sure someone can provide access at both addresses. An extra pickup on the way has no stop fee; it is simply billed time.
Do you charge extra for stairs on a small move?
No. There is no stair fee, long-carry fee or heavy-item fee for ordinary items up to 250 lb. The time it takes simply counts as billable minutes.