Local movers typically charge between $60–$100 per mover, per hour, depending on crew size, home access, and timing. Most local moves fall between $882 and $2,567. Long-distance moves are usually quoted as a flat rate based on distance, weight, and volume, often ranging from $2,700 to $10,000 or more. Additional costs may include packing, specialty item handling, stairs or long carries, and peak-season scheduling.
At Muscleman Elite, local moves are billed hourly for labor only, with a flat travel fee and no hidden charges. Long-distance moves come with a single, transparent flat rate. For an exact price, check our pricing page or submit info on our quote form.
Hourly rates are the standard for most local moves and typically cover professional labor, the moving truck, and essential equipment like dollies, blankets, and straps. Depending on the company, rates may or may not include travel time, stairs, disassembly, or protection coverage. Services like packing, materials, long carries, specialty item handling, storage, and extended travel often come with additional charges.
At Muscleman Elite, we believe in keeping it clear and fair. Our hourly rate includes a fully equipped truck, a skilled in-house crew, all the right tools, basic disassembly, stairs, and local travel time. We also charge a flat trip fee—usually starting at $50—to cover the time and fuel it takes to get to your home and back. Unlike other companies, we don’t bill from our dock or tack on surprise fees. Optional add-ons, like packing and specialty item moves, are available upon request.
Many moving companies allow soft, lightweight items to remain in drawers, especially for local moves. Things like clothing, linens, and other non-breakable items are generally safe to leave inside.
However, drawers should always be cleared of anything heavy, fragile, or valuable. That includes books, tools, glassware, electronics, or important documents. These items can shift during transport and potentially damage the furniture or make it harder to carry safely.
Some companies require all drawers to be emptied, especially for larger or fragile pieces, to avoid damage during the move.
At Muscleman Elite, we typically allow clothing and soft items to stay in dressers as long as the piece is solid and safe to move. If something needs to be emptied, we’ll let you know on-site and help you find the best option to secure it for the move.
While our crews take every precaution to protect your belongings, accidents can happen. Under current Texas law, moving companies are not required to provide automatic damage coverage. That’s why it’s important to understand what’s included and what your options are.
At Muscleman Elite, we train our movers to prevent damage before it happens — and it works. We proudly maintain a claim rate of less than 0.03%. Still, for added protection, we offer optional coverage for high-value items or full-service moves. If something does go wrong, we make it right fast, with a simple claims process and responsive local support.
Need extra peace of mind? Ask us about protection options that fit your move.
Rain, heat, or cold — moves don’t stop for Texas weather. Most reputable moving companies will continue as scheduled, with added precautions to protect your belongings and home from damage.
At Muscleman Elite, we’re prepared for whatever the day brings. Our crews come equipped with floor runners, furniture pads, shrink wrap, and the experience to keep your items dry and secure. If weather conditions become dangerous (like flooding or severe storms), we’ll communicate with you early and make any necessary adjustments to keep your move safe and smooth.
We monitor forecasts closely and always have a plan — so you don’t have to stress.
Muscle Man Moving & Piano Experts provides a Simple Move Tool that allows you to get a quick, accurate quote for your unique moving needs. To get your free quote, simply visit our Simple Move Tool page.
Ideally, you should book your movers 2–4 weeks in advance for local moves and 4–6 weeks for long-distance. This gives you the best shot at securing your preferred date and time — especially during peak moving season (May through September) or around the end of the month.
At Muscleman Elite, we book up quickly due to high demand, so the earlier you reserve, the better. We also offer last-minute availability when we can — just ask. Whether you’re planning ahead or need help fast, we’ll do our best to fit you in.
Tipping isn’t required, but it’s a great way to show appreciation for a job well done. A common range is 10–20% of the total move cost, or $20–$50 per mover depending on the size and complexity of the job.
At Muscleman Elite, our crews go above and beyond — and while they never expect tips, they’re always grateful when customers choose to say thanks that way. If you feel your team earned it, we suggest tipping each mover directly at the end of the job.
Yes — most moving companies can disassemble and reassemble furniture like beds, tables, and desks. However, some charge extra or may not include it unless you ask.
At Muscleman Elite, basic disassembly and reassembly are included in your move at no extra charge. Our crews come equipped with the right tools and training to handle furniture safely and efficiently, saving you time and hassle.
You don’t have to be there the entire time, but it’s highly recommended that someone is present at both the start and end of the move. Being available helps answer questions, direct the crew, and ensure everything’s loaded and unloaded correctly.
At Muscleman Elite, we always recommend having a point of contact on-site or easily reachable. It helps things go smoother, avoids delays, and ensures we move everything exactly how you want it. If you can’t be there, we’re happy to coordinate with someone you trust.
To make your move smooth and efficient, start by decluttering and packing ahead of time (unless we’re handling that for you). Label boxes clearly, disconnect appliances, and set aside personal valuables. Make sure walkways are clear and there’s room for the truck to park nearby.
At Muscleman Elite, we show up ready with all the equipment we need — and we’re happy to help with whatever’s needed, including disconnecting and reconnecting appliances as a courtesy service. Just a heads-up: we’re not licensed plumbers or electricians, so we ask that you double-check our work and understand that we can’t be held responsible for leaks or connection issues. Many companies won’t touch this kind of work — we still do, because we’d rather say yes than leave you stuck.
Yes — for safety, legal, or liability reasons, there are a few things moving companies typically won’t transport. This includes hazardous materials (like paint, propane, or chemicals), live animals, perishables, firearms (depending on state laws), and high-value items like cash, jewelry, or important documents.
At Muscleman Elite, we’ll help you identify anything that can’t or shouldn’t go on the truck. We also specialize in moving hard-to-handle items like pianos, safes, hot tubs, and commercial equipment — the stuff most movers turn down. If you’re unsure, just ask. We’ll walk you through it.
Most moving companies require payment on the day of service, with some requesting deposits or pre-payment for larger jobs.
At Muscleman Elite, payment is typically due at the end of your move. For multi-day jobs, we collect payment at the end of each day. In certain cases — like large projects or situations where there’s uncertainty around payment — we may request payment in advance. We accept major credit cards, cashier’s checks, ACH transfers, and cash. Personal checks are not accepted. Our goal is to keep things simple, secure, and stress-free.
Our moving estimates use a few different pieces of information to create as accurate of a quote as possible. This includes:
Muscle Man Moving & Piano Experts provides a Simple Move Tool that allows you to get a quick, accurate quote for your unique moving needs. To get your free quote, simply visit our Simple Move Tool page.
