How Much Do Movers Cost in Pennsylvania?
How local moves are priced in York, Lancaster, Harrisburg and the Philadelphia suburbs, what Pennsylvania law says about your bill, and how to keep your cost down.
The Short Answer
There’s no single price for a Pennsylvania move, but there is a simple way to figure out yours. A small apartment and a four-bedroom house in the same town can differ by several hours of work, and hours are what you pay for.
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 Pennsylvania Move
These are the things that add (or save) time on Pennsylvania moves we do every week.
Row homes & narrow stairs
Historic neighborhoods in York, Lancaster and Harrisburg are full of older homes with tight staircases and doorways. Those take more care and a bit more time, and we plan the crew around them.
Parking & street permits
Many PA cities and boroughs have metered or permit-only blocks. Lancaster offers courtesy no-parking signs and West Chester Borough posts no-parking areas for moving vans. A spot right out front saves time.
Distance between homes
The drive from your old home to your new one is part of the move. Under PA PUC rules, in-state moves of 40 miles or less are priced by the hour and longer in-state moves by weight and distance.
How much is packed
A home that is packed, taped and labeled before we arrive moves much faster than one we are packing on the day.
College move weeks & winter weather
Late-August move-in near campuses like West Chester University jams streets, and snow and ice slow down every carry. Flexible dates help.
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, even if you add a few things. You get your own truck, the same crew from door to door, and a guaranteed delivery date.
Moving out of Pennsylvania? Moves that cross state lines follow federal rules. The FMCSA booklet Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move explains them.
What Pennsylvania Law Says About Your Moving Bill
- Movers must be licensed. Household goods movers that move people within Pennsylvania must be licensed by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC), carry insurance, and charge PUC-approved rates. Our PA PUC number is A-8927313.
- You get a written estimate. Moves of 40 miles or less are estimated by the hour; longer in-state moves by weight and mileage. You should also receive an “Information for Shippers” form before you sign anything.
- The 10% rule. If your final bill comes in more than 10% over the estimate, the PUC says you pay the estimate plus 10% (or $25, whichever is greater) on moving day and have up to 15 days after delivery to pay the rest.
- Basic protection is 60 cents per pound per article. More protection can be bought through the mover or a private insurer. See our coverage options.
- Check before you sign. Look for missing or damaged items before signing the delivery receipt and note any problems on it.
Source: PA PUC “Moving? Protect Yourself” brochure.
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
The PA PUC and federal regulators warn about these.
No PUC number
A mover moving you within Pennsylvania should be PUC-licensed and show its PUC number in its ads.
Only one estimate
Rates vary between companies. The PUC recommends getting more than one estimate.
Blank or incomplete paperwork
Never sign a blank form. Every service and charge should be listed.
Price “after loading”
A mover that won’t give a written estimate, or says the price depends on what goes on the truck, is a warning sign.
How Much Do Movers Cost in Pennsylvania: FAQs
It depends on how many movers you need and where you are moving. PA movers charge PUC-approved rates, and we give you your hourly rate in writing with your free quote. Call 717-844-5125 (York and South Central PA) or 410-499-8777 (Chester and Delaware Counties).
Usually 2 to 4 hours for a 1-bedroom apartment and 5 to 8 hours for a 3-bedroom house, with the right-size crew. Packing ahead and easy parking keep you at the low end.
No. Your clock starts when our crew arrives at your home, not when we leave the office.
Yes, a 3-hour minimum. After that we bill in 15-minute increments.
Under PA PUC rules, if the bill is more than 10% over the estimate you pay the estimate plus 10% (or $25, whichever is greater) on moving day and have 15 days to pay the balance.
Yes. A $100 deposit reserves your date and is applied to your move. Local moves are paid after the move is done, by credit card, debit card, personal check or certified check.
Get Your Pennsylvania Moving Quote
Free, written and no pressure. Tell us about your home and we’ll recommend the right crew.
Pennsylvania Areas We Serve
York • Lancaster • Harrisburg • Hanover • Hershey • Mechanicsburg • Carlisle • Gettysburg • West Chester • Downingtown • Exton • Media • King of Prussia • Philadelphia • All Pennsylvania areas