How Is Labor-Only Moving Help Priced?

How Is Labor-Only Moving Help Priced?

Last updated: October 2026

By crew size and hours, quoted upfront.

That's it. No mystery fees, no truck charges, because you're providing the truck. You pay for the people and the time it takes them to do the work. Nothing else. That simplicity is a big part of why labor-only works for people who already have a truck lined up, since the only real question left is how many hands you need and for how many hours.

How the math works

Labor-only is hourly. The hourly rate depends on how many movers are on the job. More movers cost more per hour, and they also finish faster. Like every job we do, there's a 2-hour minimum.

In the Chicago area, moving companies charge at least one hour for travel. If the drive is longer, travel is billed at an hour and a half, two hours, or more. That's on the quote from the start.

What changes the hours

How much you're loading. A studio fills a small truck fast. A three-bedroom house takes longer.

Stairs and distance. A walk-up apartment, or a truck parked half a block away, adds trips and time. Stairs aren't a separate fee. They just take time.

How ready you are. If everything is packed and stacked near the door, the crew spends its time loading. If boxes still need taping, the clock runs while they wait.

Disassembly. Beds, tables, and other big pieces that need to come apart to fit add some time. That's included in the hourly rate, not charged on top.

What labor-only doesn't include

You provide the truck, container, or storage unit, so there's no truck on our side of the bill. We usually don't use blanket padding on loading jobs. If you want blankets to keep with your load, you can buy them from us. Packing labor and packing materials, if you want them, are charged separately.

How to keep it short

Pack before we arrive. This saves more time than anything else.

Park close. Sort out any parking permit ahead of time so the truck sits near the door.

Stage the boxes. Stack them by the exit, heaviest on the bottom.

Have the unit or truck open and ready. No waiting on a key or an access code.

Read what you need to provide for a loading-only job for the full prep list.

What doesn't change

Our pricing stays the same all year, so a Saturday in July costs what a Tuesday in February costs. There's no deposit to book, and estimates are free.

Labor-only or a full move?

If you're weighing a rental truck plus loading help against a full-service move, compare the two quotes side by side. For a sense of full-move pricing, see how much a move in Chicago costs. For the service itself, read do you load rental trucks and PODS.

Labor-only pricing is covered on our loading and unloading service page, part of our moving services.

Call (773) 275-4100 or email info@wcmoving.com for a quote.