How Much Does Hoisting Cost?

How Much Does Hoisting Cost?

Last updated: October 2026

Every hoist is different, so we estimate after we know the item, the height, and the access.

That's not a dodge. It's just true. A loveseat going through a second-floor window is a completely different job from a grand piano going over a fifth-floor balcony. One number for both wouldn't be fair to anyone. So instead of a flat price, we ask a few questions and give you an estimate based on your situation.

What goes into the estimate

The item. What it is, how big it is, and roughly how much it weighs. A sofa and a piano need different rigging.

The height. Which floor the piece is going to or coming from. Higher hoists take more setup.

The access. The window or balcony size, what's below it, and whether there's room on the ground to work. Gangways, fences, trees, and power lines all matter.

Crane or no crane. Most residential hoists use standard rigging. Higher floors or heavier pieces can bring a crane into the conversation, and that's quoted job by job. Read how high can movers hoist furniture.

Added to a move, or on its own

Hoisting is usually added to a move. The crew is already there with your furniture and the truck, so the hoist simply becomes one part of the day instead of a separate trip that has to be scheduled and set up on its own. But standalone hoists are welcome too. If you just bought a sectional that won't make the stairs, we can hoist that one piece.

How to get an estimate

Send photos. The piece, the window or balcony, and the ground below it.

Send measurements. The piece, and the window or balcony opening.

Tell us the floor. And whether the hoist is going in or out.

Mention the rest of the move. If there's a full move happening, we plan the hoist into it.

We do estimates in person, online, or by phone if you prefer. Read how much does a move in Chicago cost for how our general pricing works.

Before you pay for a hoist

Check whether the piece comes apart. Sometimes taking the legs off or splitting a sectional is enough to clear the stairs, and assembly and disassembly are always included in our hourly rate. We'll look at that first. If a piece truly won't work any way, we tell you before move day.

Is it worth it?

Often, yes. Forcing a piece up a staircase it doesn't fit can damage the piece, the walls, and the stairs. Hoisting avoids that. Read is hoisting safe for the furniture.

And sometimes it's the only way. A piece that came in through a window years ago may need to leave the same way. Read can movers hoist furniture out of a building as well as in.

Hoisting estimates are covered on our hoisting and crane service page, one of our moving services.

Call (773) 275-4100 or email info@wcmoving.com with photos and measurements.