Labor-Only Movers in Los Angeles — Loading & Unloading Help From $80/hr
Renting the truck yourself? Our crews load and unload it like the pros they are — from $80/hr for two movers.
When labor-only makes sense
You've rented the truck or booked a container for a long-distance move, and the one thing standing between you and a smooth day is several hours of heavy lifting. Hire the lifting. Our crews bring the same training as full-service moves: furniture wrapping, load-securing straps, weight distribution and the spatial skills that fit a 2-bedroom apartment into a 15-ft truck.
Labor-only rates (2026)
| Crew | Rate | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 2 movers | $80/hr | Studio–2BR load or unload |
| 3 movers | $120/hr | 2–3BR, heavy furniture |
| 4 movers | $160/hr | Houses, tight schedules |
Two-hour minimum per stop. Driving between locations isn't billed — you drive the truck, we meet you there.
How long loading actually takes
If you have booked a rental truck or a container, the number you need is not the hourly rate — it is how many hours to reserve so the truck goes back on time. These are the times our crews actually run, loading a truck parked at the curb with normal access:
| Home | 2 movers | 3 movers | 4 movers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 1.5–2 hrs | — | — |
| 1 bedroom | 2–3 hrs | 1.5–2 hrs | — |
| 2 bedrooms | 3–4.5 hrs | 2–3 hrs | — |
| 3 bedrooms | 5–6.5 hrs | 3–4 hrs | 2.5–3.5 hrs |
| 4+ bedroom house | — | 4.5–6 hrs | 3.5–4.5 hrs |
Unloading runs about a third faster than loading, because nothing has to be fitted — it only has to come off the truck and land in the right room. Budget accordingly at the far end.
Three things add an hour or more and are worth mentioning when you book: a walk-up above the second floor, a long carry from the truck to the door, and boxes that are not packed and sealed when the crew arrives. Loading half-packed rooms is the single most common reason a rental truck goes back late.
What the crew brings
- Tools for disassembly/reassembly
- Ratchet straps and load bars to secure your load (rental trucks include neither)
- Shrink wrap; furniture pads if you haven't rented them
- Professional loading order — heavy base, tiers, no shifting on the 5
A loaded truck is only as good as its packing
Much of the damage in DIY moves doesn't come from dropping things — it comes from loads shifting on the freeway. A professionally loaded truck arrives with everything where it started. That's the real product here.
Solo option: for the smallest jobs, 1 mover + truck is available from $68/hour — ideal when you can lend a hand or the item is light.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Best Movers LA load PODS and storage containers?
Yes — PODS, U-Pack/ABF trailers, mobile storage and self-storage units, loading or unloading, anywhere in LA County.
Is there a truck included in labor-only?
No — that's the point: you've got the truck, we at Best Movers LA bring the muscle and skill. If you need a truck too, our full-service rate is $88/hr.
Can the crew secure the load for a long drive?
Yes — straps, load bars and tiered loading are standard; we at Best Movers LA won't release a truck we wouldn't drive to Texas ourselves.
What's the minimum?
Two hours per location. A typical 1-bedroom load takes 1.5–2.5 hours with two movers.
Can Best Movers LA help rearrange furniture within my home?
Yes — in-home labor (rearranging, staging, moving items between floors) books at the same labor-only rates.
Is Best Movers LA labor only movers, or do you bring a truck?
Both are available, but this page is the labor only service: you supply the truck, container or storage unit, and we at Best Movers LA supply the crew. If you need a truck as well, the full-service rate is $88/hr with two movers.
I just need moving help for a few hours — is that enough work for you?
Yes. Two hours per location is the minimum, and short jobs are routine — loading a container, emptying a storage unit, or moving heavy furniture between rooms after a remodel.
How many hours should I book?
Use the table above and add an hour if you are above the second floor with no elevator, if the truck cannot park close, or if packing will not be finished before the crew arrives.
Available across Los Angeles County
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