Can You Hire Movers to Move One Item?

Moving one item to a different room in your home may seem easy, but when it comes to big appliances or pieces of furniture, it’s not so simple. If you’re wondering whether you can hire movers to move one item, the answer is yes.

Hiring a professional mover is your best bet for this task. They not only have the experience and skill set to know how to move particular items, but they also often have specialized equipment to help the loading and unloading go as smoothly as possible. They’re trained to lift and move things with correct form and in a way that protects your item from damage. 

Benefits of Hiring Movers to Move One Item

The pros of hiring a professional moving company to move one item far outweigh the cons, which can include everything from risking your personal safety and potentially damaging the item. Other benefits include: 

• Affordable cost: It’s more cost-effective since you’ll likely only pay an hourly rate. The cost to hire movers is $25 to $50 per hour per mover. 

• Covered by insurance: Professional movers typically include their own insurance clauses in their services, so you’ll be covered for any damage or issues with your item.

• Saves time: Efficient movers will meet you at your home, load your item, then unload it at your destination. 

• No materials necessary: Movers supply their own equipment, so you don’t have to worry about providing a dolly or moving straps. 

Can I Hire a Handyperson to Move One Item?

If hiring a professional is out of your moving budget, you can try contacting a handyperson to help with moving your item. These pros likely have similar equipment or can tell you what kind of equipment to rent to help with the move. However, a handyperson probably won’t have the same training or experience as a professional mover, and they may not be able to provide insurance to cover damage or injuries incurred. Plus, a handyperson’s hourly rate may be higher than that of a mover at $40 to $140 per hour. On the flip side, if the item is on the smaller side and you’re able to help with loading and unloading, a handyperson may work as a backup option.

How Do Movers Move One Item? 

Single-item movers typically work for a larger moving company and receive payment on an hourly basis instead of for the entire project. If you need to move your couch or other large item, search for single-item movers near you and provide them with the following information: 

• What item needs to be moved 

• Size and weight of the item 

• Pickup and dropoff locations 

• Whether the item will be loaded into your personal vehicle or a rented truck or trailer 

• How long you expect the move to take

• Any obstacles in the moving path 

Once your mover has the necessary information, they can determine how much it costs to hire movers and other details, such as travel arrangements and equipment needs. Some national moving companies even offer their own marketplace where you can search for an extra set of hands if you’re willing to help with the heavy lifting. 

Once you’ve selected a mover, they will meet you at the loading location, move the item out of your home and into a vehicle or trailer, then meet you at the next destination to unload your item. 

How Much Does It Cost to Hire Movers to Move One Item?

When hiring professional movers for a local move, expect to pay $25 to $50 per hour per mover. If you're moving a single item more than 100 miles, you may pay $700 or more depending on the total distance traveled.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

You'll save a significant amount if you move an item yourself. Your only major expense will be renting a moving truck or trailer, which costs $150 to $250 for a local move. Due to the added mileage fees and fuel costs, you'll pay closer to $1,550 to $2,350 on average for a long-distance move. Depending on the item, you may also need to purchase packing supplies.

When considering a DIY move, account for the physical demand, skill, and time involved. Hiring professional movers can save you time and help prevent injury to you or those assisting you. Movers have the expertise to handle large, bulky items—like moving a piano—without causing damage. If the physical demand or the risk is too great, hire movers near you rather than attempting to DIY.