Labor-only moving services in Olympia, WA, are perfect for people who already have their own moving truck or storage container but need help with the physical work. These services include loading and unloading, rearranging furniture within your home, assisting with packing and unpacking, and disassembling and reassembling furniture. This option costs less than a full-service move, yet still provides professional assistance. The process begins with the Order of Service, a document that lists exactly what work needs to be done and serves as your official moving contract. Once everything is agreed upon, the movers assess your space, create a plan for completing the work efficiently, and complete the job safely and promptly. This is especially helpful in Olympia, where homes can be located anywhere from flat waterfront neighborhoods to hilly streets.Moving for the First Time?
Our trained crews load your rental truck or storage container safely and efficiently, and can unload everything at your new location.
We relocate furniture and belongings within your home or office, whether you're redecorating, reorganizing, or creating additional space.
Our team helps you sort through your belongings, remove unwanted items, and organize what you're keeping.
We safely move challenging items, such as pianos, gun safes, hot tubs, and antique furniture, that require special care and equipment.
Labor-only movers in Olympia provide professional moving assistance without supplying the transportation. According to Moving.com, “Unlike a full-service moving company, which handles the move from beginning to end, a labor-only service (or day laborer) just assists with heavy lifting, loading and unloading of the moving truck.” Labor-only moving services typically include loading your belongings into a rental truck or storage container, unloading items at your destination, or rearranging furniture within your home. Many companies also offer:
The labor-only approach allows customers to control their transportation costs while still receiving professional help with the physically demanding aspects of moving.
A&E Relocation Services offers comprehensive labor-only moving solutions tailored to Olympia residents. Our team handles everything from carefully loading your rental truck to strategically placing furniture in your new space. “People are often surprised to learn they can hire us for just the loading, or just to rearrange furniture after they’ve moved in themselves,” says Kira McIntyre, Office Manager at A&E Relocation Services. We provide professional packing assistance for an additional fee, take apart and reassemble furniture as needed, and specialize in moving challenging specialty items. Whether you’re moving between downtown apartments or suburban homes, we can adapt our services to your specific needs and timeline.
Labor-only moving costs in Olympia depend on how many movers you need, how long the job takes, and how difficult the move is. Most companies charge between $150 and $200 per hour for a two-person crew, and larger crews cost more. The final price can change based on:
“Professional movers know the most efficient ways to pack a moving truck, saving you time [and money] in the moving process,” says Angi.com. Many movers require a minimum of two to three hours of service.
A&E Relocation Services provides transparent, competitive pricing for labor-only moves in Olympia. Labor-only moves are significantly more affordable than full-service moves. This is because we stay at one location throughout the entire move. At A&E Relocations, a full-service move for a typical 2-3 bedroom home typically ranges from $1,500 to $2,000. In comparison, a labor-only move for a typical 2-3 bedroom home ranges from $750 to $1,500.
However, we offer moving estimates based on your specific situation, taking into account the size of your home, the number of items to move, and any special handling requirements. “If you have a piano, a gun safe, or you’re on the third floor with no elevator, let us know when getting a quote,” notes Kira McIntyre. “It helps us send the right crew and equipment so there aren’t any surprises on moving day.” Request your labor-only moving estimate today by filling out our online form or calling us at (800) 496-8276.
Experience levels among labor-only movers can vary significantly, making it important to choose a company with a proven track record. Professional movers develop specialized skills to balance weight correctly, lift heavy items safely, and pack space efficiently, thereby protecting your belongings and the moving truck. According to Fox 4, “Professional movers have the expertise to navigate narrow hallways, fragile furniture, weather disruptions, and tight deadlines.” Experienced crews know how to:
Companies with years of service typically have refined processes and trained staff who handle moves smoothly.
A&E Relocation Services brings extensive experience to every labor-only move in Olympia. Our team members undergo thorough training in proper loading techniques, safety protocols, and efficient packing strategies. We’ve successfully completed countless moves throughout Olympia since we opened our doors in 1898, giving us valuable knowledge of moving, the local area, and housing types in Olympia.
“One thing people don’t realize is how much loading strategy matters,” explains Kira McIntyre, A&E’s Office Manager. “Our crews know to load the heaviest items first and distribute weight properly so nothing shifts during the drive. We’ve seen rental trucks that were loaded by inexperienced people, and items can get really damaged when things aren’t secured correctly.” Our experience enables us to quickly assess the best approach for your specific situation, load your truck securely to prevent damage during transit, and work with the speed and confidence that come from over a century of professional moving services.
“If you’ve decided to hire a professional moving company to help you out with the toughest aspects of your residential move, then you shouldn’t worry about a thing because the full-service movers will arrive on moving day with their own professional moving equipment,” states MoveAdvisor. However, this is not limited to full-service moves. Labor-only moving companies also supply the basic equipment and tools necessary to complete the job safely and efficiently, except for the truck or POD. These supplies typically include:
Professional movers bring these items as part of their standard labor-only service, ensuring they have what’s needed to protect your belongings and work effectively. However, customers are usually responsible for providing their own packing materials, such as boxes and tape, if they choose to pack themselves rather than hiring movers for packing services.
A&E Relocation Services comes fully equipped to handle your labor-only move in Olympia. We provide all professional-grade moving equipment, including furniture dollies, appliance carts, moving blankets, straps, and shrink wrap. Our crews arrive prepared with the tools needed to disassemble and reassemble furniture on-site. “Our commercial-grade moving blankets and professional equipment are included in the service, so there’s no need to spend your own money on supplies you’ll only use once,” says Office Manager, Kira McIntyre. If you need packing materials, we can supply boxes, tape, and packing paper for an additional fee, or you’re welcome to provide your own. Our goal is to make the process as convenient as possible while ensuring we have everything necessary to protect your belongings.
Reputable labor-only moving companies maintain proper licensing and insurance to protect both their workers and customers. “They know how to wrap your glassware, secure your artwork, disassemble and reassemble your furniture, and handle your electronics. This level of care and professionalism is what sets licensed and insured residential and home movers apart from the rest, providing you with the assurance that your items are in good hands,” states TheBossMagazine.com. In Washington State, movers must be registered with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, hold a WTUC license number, and carry liability insurance. It’s important to verify these credentials before hiring any moving company, as unlicensed or uninsured movers can leave you financially responsible if something goes wrong.
A&E Relocation Services is fully licensed and insured to operate in Olympia and throughout the state of Washington as well as the United States. We maintain all required state registrations and carry comprehensive liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage. Our licenses include:
“We’ve had customers tell us about hiring unlicensed movers to save money, only to have someone get hurt or their furniture damaged with no recourse. It’s definitely worth asking for license and insurance information before booking,” notes Office Manager, Kira McIntyre.
We encourage customers to verify our credentials. You can check our state license on Washington’s UTC website and our USDOT interstate license on the FMCSA’s Database. As an interstate agent of Mayflower Transit, we operate under their USDOT license for interstate moves. This is why their name will show up on the FMCSA Database.
Booking labor-only movers in advance helps ensure availability, especially during peak moving season from May through September. “It doesn’t matter if you’re moving across the country or your new home is just down the road; you always want to book your movers as early as possible. If you know you’re moving several months in advance, book your movers,” notes moveBuddha.com. For most labor-only moves, booking one to two weeks in advance is usually sufficient advance notice. However, scheduling earlier is always better. Some moving companies can handle last-minute requests if they have crews available.
A&E Relocation Services recommends contacting us at least one to two weeks prior to your desired moving date, particularly if you’re relocating during the busy summer months. However, we understand that moving plans don’t always allow for advance scheduling, so we do our best to accommodate last-minute requests whenever possible. When you reach out, we’ll work with you to find a time that fits your schedule and discuss the details of your move. Booking early gives you the best selection of available time slots and allows us to ensure we have the right crew size ready for your specific needs. “Our schedule can book up three to four weeks out in the summer. If you have the flexibility to move on a weekday morning instead, you’ll usually have more options even during our busiest season,” explains Kira McIntyre, A&E’s Office Manager.