What Is the Meaning of White Glove Moving?

All your belongings will be in extra-safe hands with these moving pros

Movers unloading furniture from truck
Photo: Yellow Dog Productions / The Image Bank / Getty Images
Movers unloading furniture from truck
Photo: Yellow Dog Productions / The Image Bank / Getty Images
Barbara Bellesi Zito
Contributing Writer
Updated January 29, 2022

Highlights

  • White glove movers provide more hands-on service for a luxury moving experience.

  • It’s a good option for people who need help moving high-end or fragile items.

  • This level of premium service can cost tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the size of the home.

Get quotes from up to 3 pros!
Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you.

The words “white glove” and “moving” may not sound like a winning combination, especially when you think about how much dust gets kicked up when packing up a home. But it’s a great way to describe relocation professionals who provide the utmost care during your move.

White glove moving is a professional service that ensures your items are transported with extra care and attention. This luxury service is recommended for moving high-end or delicate items. If you have to move many fragile items or you simply recoil at the sight of moving boxes or bubble wrap—consider using a white glove moving service. Let’s take a look at what you can expect when you hire these premium moving professionals.

Safely Transport Valuable Items

From antique china to those very expensive bottles of wine, white glove movers will ensure everything gets to your new place safely. All moving companies carry some sort of bonding and insurance in case of accidents, but white glove movers also have the experience and know-how to move the most fragile items. White glove movers can give you peace of mind that your belongings will arrive safe and sound at your new home.

Delegate the Packing and Unpacking to the Pros

For some people, the height of luxury is a vacation at a five-star resort and spa. For others, it means not having to pack or unpack while moving. Luckily, that’s one of the services offered by white glove moving companies.

Keep in mind that even though these pros can pack fast, they will need some time to carefully prepare your things for transport. Particularly if you have fragile or valuable items, you’ll want to give them as much time as possible. The movers will be able to provide an estimated timeline for your move based on the size of your home and the number of items, so be sure to give them an accurate account of what you’re taking with you.

Move Into a Clean Home

Unpacking boxes isn’t the only chore you’ll have to tackle once you get to your new home. You’ll also have to do all the housework to make your new place clean and comfortable. A white glove moving company can take that task off your plate, too.

Not only will the white glove service ensure your new place is clean and sparkling, but you can also hire them to clean your old place. It’s money well spent if all you have to do on moving day is walk out one door and through another.

Assemble and Arrange Your Furniture

Do you have furniture that you need to assemble or reassemble? While regular movers will be happy to place the furniture in the requested rooms, they will likely put the pieces down and leave them to you to arrange them as you see fit.

White glove movers can take care of rebuilding and assembling items for you. Plus, some high-end movers offer design services so that they can professionally stage your space.

Reconnect Electronics and Technology

Workers setting tv onto wall
Photo: LanaStock / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

Today’s computers, gaming devices, and flat-screen TVs don’t have nearly the same complicated setup as their precursors, but plugging everything in is still a dreary task on your move-in checklist. That is, if you can find the box that has all the remote controls and wires.

However, white glove movers can help you connect to the internet and hook up your devices in time for a movie night on the first night in your home. Let the movers know ahead of time where you want your equipment, and you can have items like your internet router, smart devices, and stereo speakers plugged in and ready to use before you get home.

Hang Pictures and Wall Art

Understandably, you might be reluctant to hang anything on the freshly painted walls in your new home. But white glove movers are pros at doing that, too.

You can request that your white glove moving team help you hang your artwork or photo frames using professional hanging hardware. Your new house will feel like a home more quickly when the walls are filled with photos and artwork that you love.

Cost of Hiring a White Glove Moving Service

The cost for a regular moving company can range between $855 and $2,309. But for the high level of service that comes with white glove movers, the cost can range between $6,000 and $100,000 or more. Similar to other moving services, the final price tag of white glove moving varies based on the location, number of rooms moving, and extra services provided.

Need professional help with your project?
Get quotes from top-rated pros.
Learn more about our contributor
Barbara Bellesi Zito
Contributing Writer
Barbara Bellesi Zito is a freelance writer from Staten Island, NY, covering real estate investing and home improvement for Millionacres, Apartment Therapy, and others.
Barbara Bellesi Zito is a freelance writer from Staten Island, NY, covering real estate investing and home improvement for Millionacres, Apartment Therapy, and others.
The homeowners guide to Moving Companies
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.