Moving FAQ for Detroit, MI
Short, direct answers to the questions people ask most before hiring movers in Detroit and Wayne County.
What do people ask about moving costs and estimates in Detroit?
How much do movers cost in Detroit, MI?
Most local moves in Detroit cost $110 to $150 an hour for two movers and a truck, or $150 to $200 an hour for three. A one-bedroom apartment typically totals $350 to $650 and a three-bedroom house $1,000 to $1,900. Long-distance moves are priced by weight and miles instead.
Are cheap movers in Detroit worth it?
Sometimes. A low hourly rate is only cheap if the crew is the right size and the truck arrives with pads, dollies and straps. Two movers at $100 an hour who take eight hours cost more than three at $160 who take four. Compare the estimated total, not the rate.
What is the difference between a binding and a non-binding estimate?
A binding estimate is a fixed price for the listed inventory and services. A non-binding estimate is the mover's best projection, and the final charge follows the actual weight or time. On an interstate move with a non-binding estimate, the mover cannot require more than 110 percent of the estimate at delivery.
Is a deposit required to book a move?
Policies vary by carrier and by season. Local moves are often held with a card on file or a small deposit, and long-distance moves more often need one. The amount and the refund terms should be written on your estimate. Read them before you pay anything.
Do you tip movers?
Tipping is optional and common. Many customers give each mover $20 to $40 for a half-day job, and more for a long day with stairs or a piano. Cash handed to each person is simplest. Cold water in July and hot coffee in January are appreciated as well.
What do people ask about planning a move?
How many movers and what size truck do you need?
A studio or one-bedroom usually takes two movers and a 16-foot truck. A two-bedroom flat or small house takes two or three movers and a 20 to 26-foot truck. A three-bedroom house with a basement and garage takes three or four movers and a 26-foot truck, sometimes with a second trip.
How do you choose a moving company in Detroit?
Compare three written estimates on the same details: crew size, hourly rate, minimum hours, the travel charge and what equipment is on the truck. Confirm the carrier holds Michigan authority for household goods, and a USDOT number if you are leaving the state. Then read the valuation line before you sign.
How far ahead should you book movers in Detroit?
Two to four weeks is comfortable for most local moves. Book six to eight weeks ahead for the last weekend of any month from May through September, and for late August around Wayne State University move-in. Midweek and mid-month dates are the easiest to get and sometimes cost less.
How long does a local move take?
A one-bedroom apartment takes about three to four hours, a two-bedroom four to six, and a three-bedroom house six to nine. Stairs, long carries, elevator waits and unpacked items are what stretch a job. The drive between two Detroit addresses is usually the shortest part of the day.
Do you need a parking permit for a moving truck in Detroit?
It depends on the street. A driveway, an alley or a private lot needs nothing. On metered or signed streets downtown and in Midtown the truck has to follow the posted rules, and holding curb space may have to be arranged with the city ahead of time. Describe the parking when you call so it is planned for.
What do people ask about moving day itself?
What will movers not take?
Carriers generally will not load hazardous items: gasoline, propane cylinders, paint thinner, pool chemicals, fireworks and ammunition. Plants, open food, pets, cash, jewelry, medication and personal papers should ride with you. Drain the fuel from lawn mowers and snow blowers before moving day.
Do movers work in snow and rain?
Yes. Detroit moves go ahead in rain and ordinary snow, with floor runners inside and plastic wrap on upholstered pieces. The customer's part is a shoveled, salted path and a cleared curb. A date is moved only when the roads are unsafe for a loaded truck.
Can movers handle a piano or a safe?
Yes, with notice. An upright piano, a gun safe or a pool table needs extra hands, a piano board or heavy-duty dolly and sometimes a liftgate. Tell the estimator what the item is, roughly what it weighs and how many steps are involved. Grand pianos are partly taken apart and padded.
What should you move yourself?
Carry anything you could not replace or cannot be without for a day: passports and birth certificates, medication, laptops, jewelry, cash, keys, chargers and a change of clothes. Put it all in your car before the crew arrives so none of it is loaded by mistake.
Service details: local movers in Detroit, long-distance movers, packing and full-service movers, piano and specialty movers and commercial and office movers. Prices are on the Detroit movers home page.
Have a move date in mind?
(313) 558-8005Tell us the date, both addresses, the size of the place and anything heavy or awkward. You get a written estimate before you book. Prefer not to talk? Text the details and a few room photos.