How Much Do Movers Cost? — Rotterdam, South Holland

Moving costs depend on distance, home size, and services needed. A local move (same city) for a 2-bedroom apartment costs $400–$1,500 in the US, PLN 800–2,500 in Poland, €500–€1,500 in the Netherlands, and €300–€900 in Spain. Long-distance moves cost significantly more — $2,000–$8,000+ in the US for a 3-bedroom home moving 1,000+ miles; Spanish inter-provincial moves run €600–€2,500. The time of year and day of week also affect pricing.

Average moving costs

Job type	Typical cost (USD)
Studio/1-bed local move	$300–$800
2-bed local move	$500–$1,500
3-bed local move	$800–$2,500
4+ bed local move	$1,200–$4,000
Long-distance (1-bed, 500 mi)	$1,500–$3,000
Long-distance (3-bed, 1,000 mi)	$3,000–$8,000
Cross-country (3-bed, 2,500+ mi)	$5,000–$12,000+
Packing service (full home)	$300–$1,500 additional
Piano/specialty items	$200–$800 per item

Sources: HomeAdvisor 2025 cost data, Angi service pricing reports.

What affects the cost?

• Distance — local moves are charged hourly; long-distance is by weight and distance
• Volume/weight of belongings — more stuff means a bigger truck and more labor hours
• Stairs and access — walk-ups, narrow hallways, and long carry distances add to the cost
• Time of year — summer (May–September) is peak moving season with 20–30% higher prices
• Day of week — weekday moves are often cheaper than weekends
• Additional services — packing, disassembly/reassembly, storage, and specialty items cost extra
• Insurance/valuation — basic coverage is included, but full-value protection costs 1–3% of item value

Moving costs in the United States

Local US movers charge $80–$200 per hour for a 2-person crew plus truck. Most local moves take 3–8 hours. Long-distance moves are priced by weight and mileage, typically $0.50–$0.80 per pound per 1,000 miles. For interstate moves, verify the moving company has a USDOT number and check reviews on FMCSA's database.

Always get a binding or not-to-exceed estimate for long-distance moves. Avoid movers who ask for large deposits upfront or give estimates without seeing your belongings. The cheapest quote is often a red flag.

Moving costs in Poland

Polish movers charge PLN 80–200 per hour for a 2-person crew with a van. A local apartment move (2–3 rooms) typically costs PLN 800–2,500. Inter-city moves within Poland cost PLN 2,000–6,000+ depending on distance and volume. Many Polish moving companies offer both transport and packing services (pakowanie).

Check for OCP transport insurance. For international moves from/to Poland (common within the EU), expect PLN 5,000–15,000+ depending on destination and volume.

Moving costs in the Netherlands

Dutch movers (verhuizers) charge €35–€60 per hour per mover, with most crews being 2–3 people. A local move for a 2-bedroom apartment costs €500–€1,500. The erkend verhuizer (recognized mover) quality mark from the Organisatie van Erkende Verhuizers guarantees certain service standards and liability coverage.

Many Dutch moves involve steep, narrow staircases (trappenhuis) — if furniture won't fit, a verhuislift (moving hoist/crane through the window) adds €150–€400. This is a common and normal part of moving in the Netherlands, especially in Amsterdam and other historic cities.

Moving costs in Spain

Spanish moving companies (empresas de mudanzas / portes) charge €25–€45 per hour per mozo, IVA at 21% included, with crews typically 2–3 mozos plus driver. A local mudanza for a piso of 2 dormitorios runs €300–€900 all-in for 4-8 hours of work; a piso de 3 dormitorios, €500–€1.500. Mudanzas inter-provinciales (e.g. Madrid to Alicante, Barcelona to Valencia) cost €600–€2.500 depending on volume and distance. Special items: piano vertical €120–€250 extra, piano de cola €300–€600, caja fuerte over 200kg €150–€400.

Two Spain-specific cost drivers worth knowing about: elevador exterior (the external elevator/hoist platform that lifts furniture through balcony openings) is required for ~40% of moves in apartments above the 2nd floor where the staircase or interior elevator can't fit a sofa/wardrobe — adds €120–€280 per use, valid for ~3 hours. Permiso municipal for blocking a parking space (vado / reserva de aparcamiento) at the origen + destino addresses is required by most ayuntamientos in centros históricos — €30–€80 per address, must be requested 7-10 days ahead. Verify the empresa has FENADISMER membership or equivalent insurance — basic coverage is mandatory by law but full-value protection (cobertura ampliada) at 0.6-1.2% of declared value is worth it for anything fragile. For mudanzas internacionales EU-wide, expect €1.500–€5.000 for a piso depending on destination.

How to save on moving costs

• Move mid-month, midweek — the cheapest time is Tuesday–Thursday in the middle of the month
• Move off-season — October–April has the lowest demand and prices
• Declutter before the move — less weight means lower costs
• Pack yourself — self-packing saves $300–$1,500 on a full home pack
• Get 3+ quotes — compare apples-to-apples on services included
• Ask about student/military discounts — many movers offer 5–15% off