DFW Moving Labor Cost & Load-Time Database
What it costs — and how long it takes — to hire movers to load or unload your rental truck, PODS or U-Pack trailer in Dallas–Fort Worth. Real hourly rates for 11 truck & container sizes. Free to use and cite.
DFW Moving Labor Hourly Rates
| Crew | Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 2 movers | $135/hr | Studios, 1-bedrooms, PODs & small trucks |
| 3 movers | $185/hr | 2–3 bedrooms, 20–26 ft trucks |
| 4 movers | $225/hr | 3–4 bedrooms, heavy or time-sensitive loads |
A one-time $60 travel fee applies and there's a 2-hour minimum. Rates are the same whether you're loading, unloading, or both.
Part 2 · Load Time & CostCost to Load or Unload by Truck & Container Size
| Truck / Container | Best For | Crew | Load Time | Est. Labor Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U-Haul 10 ft | Studio / 1 room | 2 movers | ~2 hrs | $330 |
| U-Haul 15 ft | 1 bedroom | 2 movers | 2–3 hrs | $330–$465 |
| U-Haul 17 ft | 1–2 bedroom | 2 movers | 2.5–3.5 hrs | $398–$533 |
| U-Haul 20 ft | 2–3 bedroom | 3 movers | 3–4 hrs | $615–$800 |
| U-Haul 26 ft | 3–4 bedroom | 3 movers | 4–5 hrs | $800–$985 |
| Penske / Budget 16–22 ft | 1–3 bedroom | 2–3 movers | 2.5–4 hrs | $398–$800 |
| PODS 8 ft | Studio / 1 room | 2 movers | ~2 hrs | $330 |
| PODS 12 ft | 1–2 bedroom | 2 movers | 2–3 hrs | $330–$465 |
| PODS 16 ft | 2–3 bedroom | 3 movers | 3–4 hrs | $615–$800 |
| U-Pack ReloCube | 1 room each | 2 movers | 1.5–2 hrs | $330 |
| U-Pack / ABF Trailer (28 ft) | Full home | 3 movers | 4–5 hrs | $800–$985 |
Times and costs are to load or unload one end. Booking both ends (load at origin, unload at destination) is two separate jobs. Estimates use the 2-hour minimum; stairs, elevators and heavy items add time — see below.
FactorsWhat Adds Time to a Labor Job
| Factor | Added Time | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Stairs / 2nd–3rd floor | +0.5–1 hr | Every item carried up or down |
| Elevator / high-rise | +0.5–1.5 hr | Shared elevator + longer carries |
| Long carry to truck | +0.5 hr | Distance from door to the truck |
| Heavy / specialty items | +0.5–1 hr | Pianos, safes, appliances, gym gear |
| Unpacked / not move-ready | +1–2 hr | Boxing on the clock slows loading |
Sources & Methodology
Rates are Moving Company Guys' own published DFW labor pricing. Load-time estimates are based on our field data from thousands of truck- and container-loading jobs as a licensed Texas mover (USDOT 3918729 · TxDMV 009567347C), for a move-ready home on ground level. Actual time varies with volume, access and how packed you are. Updated 2026-07-03.
Free to reuse under a CC BY 4.0 license — please credit Moving Company Guys with a link. Copy the citation below:
<a href="https://movingcompanyguys.com/dfw-moving-labor-cost-load-time-database/">DFW Moving Labor Cost & Load-Time Database</a> by Moving Company Guys
Related: moving labor cost guide · U-Haul loading help · PODS loading help · DFW moving labor.
Moving Labor Cost & Load Time — FAQ
A three-mover crew loads a 26 ft truck in about 4–5 hours for a move-ready 3–4 bedroom home on ground level — roughly $800–$985 in labor at our rates. Stairs, elevators and heavy items add time.
Loading a PODS container runs about $330 for an 8 ft (2 movers, 2-hour minimum), $330–$465 for a 12 ft, and $615–$800 for a 16 ft with a three-mover crew. Unloading costs the same.
Yes — a single $60 travel fee per job, plus a 2-hour minimum. There's no truck fee because you provide the truck or container; we provide the labor.
Yes — this database is free under a CC BY 4.0 license; reuse it with a link back to Moving Company Guys using the citation above.
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