How To Calculate How Many Movers You Need
Hiring a moving company is the first step to alleviating the many stresses of moving. However, figuring out how many movers you need for the job is easier said than done. So, how many movers do I need?
You only need 2 movers for a studio apartment, and 2-3 movers for a 2-3-bedroom home. Homes with 3-5 or more bedrooms require 3-6 movers depending on how much furniture you have. Bigger moving crews are necessary if you have large furniture that needs to be disassembled. Obstacles like tight halls and steep staircases also typically require more movers.
For example, 2 movers may be enough for a 3-bedroom home that is one level. However, 3 movers are optimal for 2-story, 3-bedroom homes with steep stairs and lots of furniture. Follow along as we explore the factors that determine how many movers you need.
How Many People Do You Need to Move?
Most people need between 2 and 6 movers. That said, it varies based on your time frame and how much furniture you have. For example, 2 movers are typically enough for a studio or 1-2 bedroom. Studios and 1-2-bedroom apartments typically take 2-5 hours to move.
However, let’s say you can only afford the movers for one hour. In that case, you may want to add a third mover to ensure the process goes faster. The same applies to 3-bedroom apartments and big houses with several rooms and lots of furniture.
That said, you will need up to 6 movers when you move from a house with 4 or more bedrooms. The extra furniture and typically bigger floorplan means that the move can take up to 6-10 hours between loading and unloading.
| Number of Bedrooms | Movers Required |
| Studio | 2 |
| 1-2 | 2 |
| 2-3 | 2-3 |
| 3-4 | 3 |
| 4-5 | 4 |
| 5+ | 4-6 |
How to Determine How Many Movers You Need
Everything from accessibility and amount of furniture to budget affects how many movers you need. The consultation process is necessary to figure out how many movers you need. However, several factors can give you a great idea of what’s required for the big moving day.
Amount of Furniture
How much furniture you have is the biggest factor in how many movers you need. For example, studio apartments and 1-2-bedroom homes don’t have as much furniture as 3-4 bedroom ranches. That’s why you typically need 2 movers for a small apartment and up to 4 movers for a 4-bedroom ranch.
Granted, not every homeowner with a 3-4 bedroom house has lots of furniture. The consultation process will tell you how many movers you need based on how much furniture you have. That said, you can typically expect to need one mover per bedroom once you get past 2-3-bedroom homes.
Budget
How many movers you hire for your moving team likely has a lot to do with your budget. However, some people mistakenly think that hiring fewer movers will make the job cheaper. On the contrary, small moving teams typically take longer to pack, load, and unload your belongings.
Because of that, you may have to pay more than you would if you simply added another person or two to the team. A large moving team is unnecessary for a studio or 1-2-bedroom apartment, but having more hands on deck is essential for big homes.
Accessibility
How difficult it is to navigate your house affects how many movers you need. For example, narrow halls and steep staircases can make moving quite challenging. While 2 movers may be enough for a 3-bedroom apartment, a 3-bedroom home with poor accessibility could benefit from an extra mover.
This is a safety concern in many ways. A spotter is typically necessary when moving large furniture items down a flight of stairs. That’s not possible if you only have 2 or 3 movers and they’re all carrying furniture.
Large & Fragile Items
Does your home have lots of large items that must be taken apart? If so, this will affect how many movers you need. For example, a 3-4 bedroom home without much furniture may only need 3 movers.
However, a 4th mover is typically necessary if your home has lots of furniture that is hard to take apart. For example, multiple beds, large dining room tables, cabinets, and sectional couches take time to disassemble. In that case, you may want to be cautious and add an extra mover.
Moving company consultants carefully inspect your furniture and belongings to see how many movers are necessary. They may also recommend extra movers if you have many fragile items. For example, large antiques, glass art, and even pianos require extra movers in most cases. When in doubt, ask the consultant what they recommend for the fastest and safest move.
Is It Better to Have 2 or 3 Movers?
It’s better to have 3 movers than 2 unless you’re moving out of a studio apartment. Hiring more movers means it will take less time and go much more smoothly. Sure, you must pay an extra mover.
However, it’s typically worth it to pay an extra mover than pay a smaller moving team for more hours. This is especially true if your home has lots of big furniture that needs to be taken apart before it can be loaded onto the truck. It also helps to hire an extra mover if you pay for a full packing service.
In that case, the moving crew will pack for you, and this can be time-consuming. Adding an extra set of hands will speed up the process. This also means that you’ll have an extra person to start loading boxes as they’re done being packed. More movers means it will be done faster, and you’ll get more bang for your buck.
So, How Many Movers Do You Need?
You need between 2 and 6 movers in most cases. Studios and 1-3-bedroom apartments only require 2-3 movers in most cases.
However, any home with 3 or more bedrooms typically requires 3-6 movers depending on how difficult it is and how much furniture you have. It’s typically worth it to hire a bigger moving team than a small team because it will take less time and possibly save money.