When you start planning a move, one of the first decisions is how much help you actually need. Some people want a crew to handle everything from the first box to the last piece of furniture. Others already have a truck reserved and just need strong, careful hands for the heavy lifting.
Both options are common in Memphis, and neither one is automatically better. The right choice depends on your budget, your schedule, how much you’re moving, and how much of the work you’re willing to take on yourself. This guide explains the difference so you can decide with confidence.
What Are Labor-Only Movers?
Labor-only movers provide the people, not the truck. You arrange the transportation, whether that’s a rental truck, a trailer, a portable storage container, or a vehicle you already own. The moving crew handles the physical work at one or both ends of the move.
Typical labor-only tasks include:
- Carrying furniture and boxes out of your home
- Loading a rental truck, trailer, or container
- Unloading at your new home and placing items in the right rooms
- Moving heavy or awkward pieces through stairs, hallways, and tight doorways
- Rearranging furniture within a home or between floors
At Five Star Trusted Movers, this is what our moving labor services are built for: you handle the driving, and our team handles the lifting.
What Are Full-Service Movers?
Full-service movers take care of the whole move. The crew loads your belongings, transports them in their own vehicle, and unloads them at your new address. Depending on what you arrange, a full-service move can also include packing, furniture protection, and unpacking.
For most households, full-service means you don’t have to rent a truck, drive it across town, or coordinate pickup and return times. You plan the move with the company, and the moving team carries it out.
Labor-Only vs Full-Service: Side-by-Side
| Labor-Only Movers | Full-Service Movers | |
|---|---|---|
| Truck or vehicle | You provide it | The moving company provides it |
| Driving | You drive | The moving crew drives |
| Loading and unloading | Handled by the crew | Handled by the crew |
| Packing | Usually you, unless arranged | Can be included if requested |
| Your involvement | Higher: you plan and manage transport | Lower: the company manages the move |
| Best suited to | Small moves, DIY moves, flexible budgets | Larger homes, busy schedules, less hands-on involvement |
When Labor-Only Movers Make Sense
You already have a truck or container
If you’ve already reserved a rental truck or a portable container, paying for a second vehicle doesn’t make sense. Hiring a crew just for loading and unloading fills the gap without duplicating what you’ve already arranged.
Your move is small or short
Moving a studio apartment across Memphis, or just a few large pieces of furniture, may not need a full-service package. A couple of experienced movers for a few hours can be enough.
You’re comfortable driving a moving truck
Labor-only works best when you’re confident driving a large vehicle, parking it near your home, and returning it on time. If that sounds stressful, full-service may be the better fit.
You only need help at one end
Some people have friends to help load but no one available on the other end, or the other way around. Labor-only service lets you book help just where you need it.
When Full-Service Movers Make More Sense
You’re moving a whole household
A three- or four-bedroom home involves a lot of furniture, boxes, and planning. Having one team handle loading, transport, and unloading keeps everything coordinated. Our residential moving services cover this kind of complete household move.
Your schedule is tight
If you’re juggling work, children, or a closing date, picking up a truck, driving it, and returning it adds hours to an already busy day. Full-service movers take that off your list.
You’d rather not pack
Packing often takes longer than people expect. If you’d like help with it, you can add packing and unpacking services to a full move.
You’re moving a long way
Driving a loaded rental truck across state lines is a big commitment. For moves out of the Memphis area, many people prefer to let a moving company handle the transport. You can read more on our long distance moving services page.
How Cost Compares
Labor-only service often costs less up front because you aren’t paying for the moving company’s vehicle or driving time. But it isn’t automatically the cheaper option once you add your own expenses, such as:
- Truck or container rental
- Fuel and mileage charges
- Your own time picking up, driving, and returning the vehicle
- Moving supplies such as blankets, dollies, and straps if they aren’t included
The best way to compare is to price both options for your specific move. The number of movers, the hours needed, stairs, elevators, parking, and the distance items have to be carried all affect the final cost.
Questions to Ask Before You Book
- How many movers will be on the job, and for how long?
- Is there a minimum number of hours?
- Are moving blankets, dollies, and straps included?
- Will the crew help load a truck so items don’t shift during the drive?
- Can you help at both the pickup and the drop-off location?
- Are there extra charges for stairs, elevators, or long carries?
A Simple Way to Decide
Ask yourself two questions: Do I already have reliable transportation? And do I want to manage the move myself, or hand it off?
- Have a truck and want to save on the move: labor-only movers are likely the better fit.
- No truck, or want a hands-off move: full-service movers are likely the better fit.
- Somewhere in between: ask about combining services, such as full loading help with you driving, or full-service with packing added for certain rooms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do labor-only movers bring their own equipment?
It depends on the company. Ask whether dollies, moving blankets, and straps are included before you book.
Can I hire movers just to unload a moving container?
Yes. Unloading a container, rental truck, or trailer is one of the most common labor-only jobs.
Is labor-only moving good for apartments?
It can be, especially for smaller apartments. Mention stairs, elevators, and parking when you request a quote so the crew can plan for them. For more on apartment moves, see our apartment moving services.
Get Help With Your Memphis Move
Whether you need a crew for a few hours of loading or a complete move from start to finish, Five Star Trusted Movers can help you choose the option that fits. We help families and businesses across Memphis and the surrounding area.
Request a free moving quote or call us at +1 (901) 364-2959 to talk through your move.