How Much Do Movers Cost in Delaware and Maryland?
How local moves are priced in Wilmington, Newark and New Castle County and across Baltimore, Harford and Carroll Counties, what the rules say about your bill, and how to save.
The Short Answer
From a Wilmington row home to a Bel Air colonial, the price of a local move comes down to the same thing: how many hours your crew works.
Almost every local move is priced the same simple way:
Your crew’s hourly rate × the hours your move takes = your cost
Your hourly rate depends on how many movers you need and where you’re moving, and we give it to you in writing with your free quote. With A & M Friendly Movers, the clock starts when our crew arrives at your home (never when we leave the office) and stops when your furniture is reassembled at the new place. We bill in 15-minute increments with a 3-hour minimum. See how our pricing works.
How Many Hours Will My Move Take?
Time is the biggest part of your cost. These are typical ranges for a local move, including loading, the drive between homes, unloading, and taking apart and putting back together your furniture.
| Home size | Typical crew | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Studio or 1-bedroom apartment | 2 movers | 2 to 4 hours |
| 2-bedroom apartment | 2 to 3 movers | 3 to 5 hours |
| 2-bedroom house | 3 movers | 4 to 6 hours |
| 3-bedroom house (1,500 to 2,000 sq ft) | 3 to 4 movers | 5 to 8 hours |
| 4-bedroom house (2,000 to 3,000 sq ft) | 4 movers | 7 to 10 hours |
| 5+ bedrooms (3,000+ sq ft) | 4 to 5 movers | 9 to 12+ hours, sometimes 2 days |
Estimates, not quotes. Your written quote is based on your actual home and belongings. More detail: Average Move Times.
What Drives the Cost of a Delaware or Maryland Move
What adds (or saves) time on the moves we do in DE and MD.
Row homes & older houses
Wilmington neighborhoods like Trolley Square and the Highlands, and many Baltimore-area homes, have older staircases and tight doorways that take extra care.
Curb space & parking rules
Wilmington keeps vehicles 20 feet from crosswalks and 15 feet from hydrants, and some blocks are permit-only. A legal spot close to the door saves time.
I-95 and rush hour
I-95 runs right through Wilmington and the Baltimore area. The drive between homes is part of the move, so we plan start times around it.
Crossing state lines
A move between Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania is an interstate move under federal rules, even if it is only a few miles.
How much is packed
Everything packed, taped and labeled before we arrive is the single biggest time saver.
Specialty items
Pianos, safes, pool tables and hot tubs need extra hands and equipment.
Local vs. Long-Distance Pricing
Local moves are billed by the hour. Long-distance moves are not. For a long-distance move we give you a binding estimate: one flat price that will not change after you book. You get your own truck, the same crew from door to door, and a guaranteed delivery date.
What the Rules Say About Your Moving Bill
Maryland (moves within the state)
- Written estimate required. The estimate must list every charge separately and say whether it is binding or non-binding. Movers can’t have you sign a blank or incomplete estimate.
- The 125% cap. On a non-binding estimate a mover can’t charge more than 125% of the estimate, and on a binding estimate not a penny more. This applies to hourly movers too.
- Delivery is required. Once a mover has your goods, it has to deliver them whether you pay on delivery or not.
Source: Maryland Attorney General, “Hiring a Mover? Protect Yourself!”. Complaints: (410) 528-8662.
Delaware and moves across state lines
- Delaware’s Public Service Commission regulates utilities, not household movers, so get everything in writing and read it before you sign.
- A move between Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland crosses state lines, so federal FMCSA rules apply. On a non-binding estimate you can’t be required to pay more than 110% of the estimate at delivery, and the mover must give you the booklet Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move.
- Basic “released value” protection is 60 cents per pound per article. Full Value Protection covers replacement value. See our coverage options.
This is general information, not legal advice. Rules can change, so check the official source for your move.
Included With Every A & M Local Move
Furniture disassembly & reassembly
Beds, tables and other furniture taken apart and put back together at no extra charge.
Wrapping & padding
Every piece of furniture is pad-wrapped before it leaves the room.
W-2 crews, not subcontractors
Licensed, insured, background-checked and drug-tested movers.
Free certificate of insurance
If your building or HOA needs a COI, we send it free.
Free rescheduling
Plans change. We never charge a rescheduling fee.
No charge for our drive to you
Your clock starts when we arrive, not when we leave the office.
Ways to Lower Your Moving Cost
Pack before we arrive
Boxes packed, taped and labeled by room make the biggest difference in your hours.
Reserve parking and elevators
A short walk from door to truck saves real time. Reserve the elevator if your building has one.
Empty heavy drawers
Take out anything heavy or breakable so dressers move quickly and safely.
Pick the right crew size
A bigger crew often finishes faster, which can make the total about the same or lower.
Ask about discounts
5% off for military families, and referred customers save $100 on a local move.
Book early
Weekends and the end of the month fill up first. Early booking gets you the best date and start time.
Red Flags to Watch For
Maryland and federal regulators warn about these.
Phone-only estimates
An estimate given after a few quick questions, without seeing your home, often changes on moving day.
Hidden charges
Packing fees, heavy-item charges or card fees that weren’t on the estimate.
Lowball price, big final bill
A very low estimate followed by a much higher bill at the end of the move.
Cash or a big deposit up front
Our deposit is $100 and is applied to your move. Be wary of large cash deposits.
How Much Do Movers Cost in Delaware and Maryland: FAQs
It depends on crew size and location. We give you your hourly rate in writing with a free quote. Delaware: 410-499-8777. Maryland: 717-844-5125.
Usually 2 to 4 hours for a 1-bedroom apartment and 5 to 8 hours for a 3-bedroom house. Stairs, parking and packing all affect it.
It is priced like a local move when it is short, but because it crosses state lines, federal FMCSA rules apply to it.
For moves within Maryland, the Attorney General says a mover can’t charge more than 125% of a non-binding estimate, or anything above a binding one.
No. Your clock starts when we arrive at your home.
Yes. A $100 deposit reserves your date and is applied to your move. Local moves are paid after the move by credit card, debit card, personal check or certified check.
Get Your Delaware or Maryland Moving Quote
Free, written and no pressure.
Delaware & Maryland Areas We Serve
Wilmington, DE • Newark • New Castle • Middletown • Baltimore • Towson • Bel Air • Owings Mills • Perry Hall • Westminster • All Delaware towns • All Maryland towns