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Labor-Only vs. Full-Service Movers

A straightforward guide to choosing between labor-only crews and full-service movers based on your budget, timeline, and how much stuff you have.

Full-Service Movers

You call the company. They arrive with the truck, the crew, the pads, and the wrap. They load, drive, and unload. If you add packing, they show up two days early with boxes and wrap everything up. This is the least stressful option — and the most expensive.

Book full-service when:

You’re moving long-distance or across state lines
You have valuable or fragile items you don’t want to move yourself
You’re short on time and long on budget
You have a large home (3+ bedrooms)

Labor-Only Movers

You rent the truck (or the PODS container). The moving company shows up with a crew for the load and/or unload only. Cheaper — usually 40–60% less than full-service — but you’re responsible for the driving, the gas, and the return.

Book labor-only when:

You’re moving locally with a rental truck or PODS
You’ve packed everything yourself and just need muscle
You’re on a tight budget
You’re rearranging a room or need help unloading a delivery

The Middle Ground

We do both — same crew, same care, same trucks — and often people book a mix: labor-only for the load, and full-service for delivery in a new city. Just ask us what you actually need. We’ll tell you honestly which one is cheaper for your situation.

Book Your Move More guides

175+ reviews across 3 platforms · Google: 4.9/5 (123) 📞 208-295-MOVE 💬 Text us

“Michael and his crew were quick to my needs. Needed to move on short notice, on a weekend — they answered the call, showed up on time and moved us in quickly and efficiently. Courteous and treated our belongings with care. Highly recommend.” — Stephen P. Google “I've worked with Mike and his team for more than ten years. They are the only moving company I trust and will ever use. They've never damaged, broken, dropped, or lost a single item. Truly one of a kind.” — Five Star Ranch Google “Wonderful experience with Jacob and Deackon. They were very careful, gentle and efficient with moving our various items.” — Susan Waweru Google “Move Forward helped us move over 300 cabinets. Sam took the lead and his crew was professional, hardworking, and incredibly detail-oriented from start to finish. We highly recommend them.” — 3D Cabinets, CDA, ID Google “Great service. Samuel and Mickey were friendly, professional, and knew how to do their job. I recently retired from Washington State DOC as an executive manager — they reminded me great young professionals still exist.” — Dennis Jordan Google “Move Forward LLC helped us move our upright piano and did it without damaging the piano and our house. Very efficient and got it done on the same day.” — Zie T. Google “Very friendly, excellent movers, no wasted time. Would recommend and use again.” — Lynne M. Google “Great company and team all around. Very professional and do an outstanding job. I highly recommend.” — MP N. Google “The Move Forward team was amazing! Showed up on time, worked tirelessly throughout the day, and treated our belongings with the utmost care.” — Cindi H. Google “Outstanding experience. The crew was professional, efficient, and handled all of our belongings with great care. Highly recommend Move Forward LLC.” — Shad M. Google “Kyle and Zach worked incredibly hard. Very careful with our furniture and walls. They didn't waste a single minute — exceedingly efficient. I would never move again without hiring these two guys.” — Mary E., Greenacres, WA MovingHelp “These guys are amazing! Unloaded really quickly, came out to Dover for us. Friendly, personable, communicative. Makes moving that much easier.” — Julia J., Kirkland, WA MovingHelp “The entire transaction was great. Samuel and Gavin were awesome. Very efficient, careful with property, and obviously knew what they were doing.” — Brian G., Spokane Valley, WA MovingHelp “Micky called to give me an ETA since their previous job ran later. Drew and Micky worked well as a team loading and unloading — faster than anticipated.” — Colleen S., Spokane Valley, WA MovingHelp “Sammy was on time, professional, friendly, and got the job done. Amazing packers — got everything into my small SUV and trailer. Highly recommend.” — Sheryl S., Vernal, UT MovingHelp “Deacon and his partner were on time and ready to work. Pleasant, professional, and had a sense of humor. I enjoyed working with them.” — Ron J., Spokane, WA MovingHelp “Gentleman were amazing! Courteous, professional, exceptionally kind, and efficient.” — Michelle S., Caldwell, ID MovingHelp “This team was outstanding. Fast, efficient, took care with my things. Highly recommend. Would use them again.” — Susan S., Post Falls, ID MovingHelp “Gavin and Jakaih were a pleasure to work with. Timely, efficient and super helpful.” — Tim G., Spokane, WA MovingHelp “Efficient, polite, fast — a lot of work and they were very cheerful. Great attitudes. Would definitely hire them again.” — Valerie R., Sandy, OR MovingHelp “Michael and his crew were quick to my needs. Needed to move on short notice, on a weekend — they answered the call, showed up on time and moved us in quickly and efficiently. Courteous and treated our belongings with care. Highly recommend.” — Stephen P. Google “I've worked with Mike and his team for more than ten years. They are the only moving company I trust and will ever use. They've never damaged, broken, dropped, or lost a single item. Truly one of a kind.” — Five Star Ranch Google “Wonderful experience with Jacob and Deackon. They were very careful, gentle and efficient with moving our various items.” — Susan Waweru Google “Move Forward helped us move over 300 cabinets. Sam took the lead and his crew was professional, hardworking, and incredibly detail-oriented from start to finish. We highly recommend them.” — 3D Cabinets, CDA, ID Google “Great service. Samuel and Mickey were friendly, professional, and knew how to do their job. I recently retired from Washington State DOC as an executive manager — they reminded me great young professionals still exist.” — Dennis Jordan Google “Move Forward LLC helped us move our upright piano and did it without damaging the piano and our house. Very efficient and got it done on the same day.” — Zie T. Google “Very friendly, excellent movers, no wasted time. Would recommend and use again.” — Lynne M. Google “Great company and team all around. Very professional and do an outstanding job. I highly recommend.” — MP N. Google “The Move Forward team was amazing! Showed up on time, worked tirelessly throughout the day, and treated our belongings with the utmost care.” — Cindi H. Google “Outstanding experience. The crew was professional, efficient, and handled all of our belongings with great care. Highly recommend Move Forward LLC.” — Shad M. Google “Kyle and Zach worked incredibly hard. Very careful with our furniture and walls. They didn't waste a single minute — exceedingly efficient. I would never move again without hiring these two guys.” — Mary E., Greenacres, WA MovingHelp “These guys are amazing! Unloaded really quickly, came out to Dover for us. Friendly, personable, communicative. Makes moving that much easier.” — Julia J., Kirkland, WA MovingHelp “The entire transaction was great. Samuel and Gavin were awesome. Very efficient, careful with property, and obviously knew what they were doing.” — Brian G., Spokane Valley, WA MovingHelp “Micky called to give me an ETA since their previous job ran later. Drew and Micky worked well as a team loading and unloading — faster than anticipated.” — Colleen S., Spokane Valley, WA MovingHelp “Sammy was on time, professional, friendly, and got the job done. Amazing packers — got everything into my small SUV and trailer. Highly recommend.” — Sheryl S., Vernal, UT MovingHelp “Deacon and his partner were on time and ready to work. Pleasant, professional, and had a sense of humor. I enjoyed working with them.” — Ron J., Spokane, WA MovingHelp “Gentleman were amazing! Courteous, professional, exceptionally kind, and efficient.” — Michelle S., Caldwell, ID MovingHelp “This team was outstanding. Fast, efficient, took care with my things. Highly recommend. Would use them again.” — Susan S., Post Falls, ID MovingHelp “Gavin and Jakaih were a pleasure to work with. Timely, efficient and super helpful.” — Tim G., Spokane, WA MovingHelp “Efficient, polite, fast — a lot of work and they were very cheerful. Great attitudes. Would definitely hire them again.” — Valerie R., Sandy, OR MovingHelp