Moving a fridge costs money. The price changes a lot. It depends on many things. If you hire help, the price to hire someone to move a fridge locally might be from $75 to $300 or more. This refrigerator moving cost estimate can go up fast. For example, how much does it cost to move a refrigerator upstairs adds maybe $50 to $100 or more per flight. Moving a large side by side refrigerator costs more than a small one. The cost to move an appliance like a fridge is part of appliance moving services cost. Hiring professional fridge movers price is based on time, distance, and how hard the job is. The cost of moving a fridge long distance is much higher. It could be hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
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Factors Affecting Refrigerator Moving Cost
Many things change the price when you move a fridge. Knowing these helps you guess the final cost.
Size and Type of Fridge
Big fridges are harder to move. They need more people. They are heavier.
* Small fridges (like mini-fridges): Easy to move. May cost less.
* Standard top-freezer or bottom-freezer fridges: Common size. Need two people.
* Large fridges (like cost to move a large side by side refrigerator): Very heavy. Need strong movers and special tools. Cost more money.
* Built-in fridges: Need skilled help to take them out and put them back in. This costs a lot more.
Distance of the Move
How far you move the fridge matters a lot.
* In the same house: Small cost, maybe just paying friends pizza or hiring help for an hour or two.
* Across town (local move): Movers charge by the hour or a flat rate. Hourly rates for two movers and a truck can be $100 to $250 per hour.
* Long distance move: This is the cost of moving a fridge long distance. It is much higher. It depends on miles and weight. It can be $300 to over $1000 just for the fridge, especially if it’s part of a bigger house move.
Difficulty of the Move
Some moves are harder than others. Harder moves cost more.
* Stairs: How much does it cost to move a refrigerator upstairs? Each set of stairs adds time and risk. Movers charge extra for stairs. This is often called a “stair fee” or added to the hourly rate. It can be $50 to $100 per flight.
* Tight spaces: Hallways or doors that are small make it hard to move the fridge. It takes more time. It might need special ways to move it.
* Floor type: Moving a heavy fridge on delicate floors (like wood or tile) needs extra care. Movers might use floor runners. This adds a little to the cost or time.
* Removal or Installation needs: If the fridge needs water lines disconnected or connected, this adds work. Built-in fridges take more skill.
Hiring Professional Fridge Movers Price
Using a company to move your fridge is common. They know how to do it safely.
* They have the right tools.
* They have strong people.
* They have insurance if something breaks.
The appliance moving services cost from pros can vary.
* Local movers: Often charge an hourly rate for moving a fridge. This might be $100 to $250 per hour for two movers and a truck. A simple local fridge move might take 1-3 hours. So, the cost could be $150 to $750.
* Specialized appliance movers: Some companies only move big appliances. They might charge a flat rate. This rate depends on the size of the fridge, distance, and difficulty.
* Moving companies (part of a whole house move): If the fridge is just one item in a larger move, the cost is wrapped into the total. But they might still add fees for things like stairs or special handling.
This breakdown shows the main things that change the refrigerator moving cost estimate.
Deciphering DIY vs. Hiring Movers
You can move a fridge yourself or pay someone else. Each way has costs and risks.
Moving the Fridge Yourself (DIY)
Doing it yourself can save money on labor. But you still have costs.
* Cost of renting equipment: You need a strong dolly or hand truck. Renting one costs about $20-$50 per day. You might need straps ($10-$30).
* Cost of materials: Moving blankets or padding ($20-$50). Tape. Floor protection ($20-$50).
* Cost of truck rental: If it’s not in the same house, you need a truck. Rental trucks cost $20-$50 per day plus mileage (like $0.50-$1.00 per mile) and gas.
* Cost of help: You need at least one other strong person, maybe two. You might pay them, buy them food, or just ask friends. This is a hidden cost.
* Risk of damage: This is the biggest risk. You could scratch floors, walls, or the fridge itself. You could even hurt yourself or others. This is a potential cost, but it can be very high.
* Time cost: It takes time to plan, get tools, do the move, and return the tools.
Total cost to move an appliance like a fridge yourself locally might be $50 to $200 in rentals and supplies, plus truck costs. But the risk of damage or injury is high.
Hiring Professional Fridge Movers
Paying pros costs more cash upfront. But it lowers other costs and risks.
* Price to hire someone to move a fridge: This is the main cost. As noted before, locally it might be $75 to $300+, depending on factors. For hard moves (stairs, big fridge), it’s more.
* Less risk of damage: Pros know how to move heavy things safely. They use the right tools. They often have insurance if something goes wrong. This saves you money if there’s an accident.
* Less risk of injury: Pros are trained to lift and move heavy items. This is safer than trying to do it yourself without training.
* Save time and effort: They do all the hard work. You don’t have to rent tools or trucks.
When you look at the total picture (money, time, risk), hiring professional fridge movers price can be a good value. The appliance moving services cost covers their skill, tools, truck, and insurance.
Grasping the Cost Ranges
Let’s look at some likely cost numbers for moving a fridge. Remember, these are just estimates. The real price can be different.
Local Move Cost Estimate
This is for moving a fridge within the same town or a short distance.
* Simple move (ground floor, easy access, standard fridge): $75 – $200. This is the lower end of the refrigerator moving cost estimate.
* Move with some challenge (some stairs, large fridge, tight spots): $150 – $400. This is where the cost to move a large side by side refrigerator or how much does it cost to move a refrigerator upstairs starts to show up.
* Hard move (many stairs, very large fridge, long carry distance): $300 – $600 or more. The hourly rate for moving a fridge from professionals adds up on these hard jobs.
These costs usually cover two movers and their truck for 1-3 hours. Many movers have a minimum charge, like 2-3 hours, even if the job is quick.
Long Distance Move Cost Estimate
Moving a fridge far away is much more complex and costly.
* As part of a whole house move: The fridge’s weight and size add to the total weight or volume of your move. This increases the overall price. The added cost for just the fridge might be hard to see. But it contributes.
* Moving just the fridge long distance: This is less common but possible. You might use a special shipping service or a moving company that does small loads. The cost of moving a fridge long distance could be $300 to $1000 or more. It depends a lot on the distance, the size of the fridge, and how fast you need it moved. Special crating or packing might add to the cost.
Specialized Moving Costs
Sometimes you need extra help.
* Built-in fridges: Taking one out and putting one in needs special skill. This can cost $100 to $500 or more, on top of the moving cost.
* Disposal: If you are moving an old fridge out to get rid of it, movers might charge a fee for this. It could be $50 to $100.
This part helps make a better refrigerator moving cost estimate based on your specific move. The price to hire someone to move a fridge really changes with the details.
Comparing Prices and Getting Quotes
To get the best price to hire someone to move a fridge, you need to compare.
Getting Estimates
Don’t just call one place. Get quotes from a few different movers.
* Call local moving companies.
* Look for appliance moving services.
* For long distance, ask national moving companies or freight services.
When you ask for a quote, be clear about everything:
* What kind of fridge is it? (Size, side-by-side, etc. – affects cost to move a large side by side refrigerator)
* Where is it now? (House, apartment, floor number)
* Where is it going? (House, apartment, floor number)
* Are there stairs? How many flights? (This is key for how much does it cost to move a refrigerator upstairs)
* Are there narrow halls or tight turns?
* Does it need to be disconnected (like water lines)?
Give them all the details. This helps them give you a better refrigerator moving cost estimate.
Types of Quotes
Movers might give different types of quotes.
* Hourly Rate: They tell you their hourly rate for moving a fridge. You pay for the time it takes. This is common for local moves. Be careful: if the move takes longer than expected, you pay more.
* Flat Rate: They give you one price for the whole job. This price does not change unless the job details change a lot. This is often better for you if the move is complex, as you know the cost upfront.
* Binding Estimate: A written flat rate that cannot change unless you ask for more services.
* Non-Binding Estimate: A guess based on the job details. The final price can be higher or lower.
For a fridge move, a flat rate or a binding estimate is often best if possible. It makes the appliance moving services cost clear from the start.
Interpreting the Hourly Rate
If a mover charges by the hour, you need to know what affects the time. The hourly rate for moving a fridge usually covers the cost of the crew, the truck, and basic tools.
What Affects Time
- How far the fridge is from the truck at both the start and end points.
- Number of stairs or steps.
- Tight hallways or doors that slow things down.
- Time to prepare the fridge (unplug, empty, secure doors).
- Time to protect the path (put down floor runners).
- Traffic if moving across town.
- Time to place the fridge in the new spot and reconnect (if agreed upon).
A simple fridge move across the street with easy access might take 1 hour (if they have a minimum). A move up two flights of stairs and through tight doors might take 2-3 hours. At $150/hour, that’s a big difference ($150 vs $300-$450). This is why how much does it cost to move a refrigerator upstairs is often higher.
Minimum Charges
Many movers have a minimum charge. This is often 2 or 3 hours of work. Even if the move only takes 30 minutes, you pay for the minimum time. This is part of the hiring professional fridge movers price.
Fathoming Additional Costs
Beyond the basic moving fee, there can be other costs. These add to the cost to move an appliance.
- Stair Fees: As mentioned, stairs cost extra. This is a common fee. It can be per step, per flight, or just an added fixed amount.
- Long Carry Fees: If the truck cannot park close to the door, and movers have to carry the fridge a long way, they might charge extra.
- Appliance Servicing: Disconnecting or reconnecting water lines for ice makers needs care. Some movers do this, some don’t. They may charge extra. This is part of the appliance moving services cost.
- Storage: If the fridge needs to be stored before going to the new place, that’s another cost.
- Insurance: Basic mover insurance covers items up to a certain amount per pound (often $0.60 per pound). This is not much for a heavy, expensive fridge. You can buy extra insurance (called valuation) for better protection. This costs more money.
- Packing Materials: If you need extra padding or a special box/crate (rare for a fridge, maybe for long distance shipping), this adds cost.
- Travel Fees: For local moves, the mover might charge for the time it takes them to get from their office to your old place and from your new place back to their office. This is sometimes called “trip time” or “travel time.” It adds to the hourly rate for moving a fridge.
- Disposal Fees: If you are getting rid of the old fridge instead of moving it, there’s a cost to take it away and dispose of it properly.
Always ask about all possible extra fees when getting your refrigerator moving cost estimate.
Saving Money on Moving a Fridge
Moving costs money, but you can try to lower the price.
Prepare the Fridge Yourself
- Empty the fridge completely. Food makes it heavier.
- Defrost the freezer if needed (do this at least 24 hours before moving). Water leakage is bad.
- Clean the inside.
- Unplug the fridge.
- Secure the doors with tape or straps so they don’t open during the move.
- Disconnect the water line if there is one. Know how to do this safely, or ask a handyman before the movers arrive.
Doing these steps saves the movers time. Less time means lower hourly rate for moving a fridge cost (if charged by the hour). It makes the job easier and faster.
Make the Path Clear
- Move furniture out of the way.
- Take doors off hinges if needed (only if you know how).
- Clear hallways, stairs, and entryways.
- Protect floors and walls before they arrive.
Making the path easy helps movers work faster and prevents damage. This affects the total appliance moving services cost.
Move Other Items Yourself
If you are using a moving company for a few large items, move smaller things yourself. Pay the movers only for the heavy or hard-to-move items like the fridge. This lowers the overall cost compared to paying them for everything.
Consider Moving Just the Fridge
If you only need the fridge moved across town, hiring a small local company just for that job might be cheaper than using a big moving company with high minimums. Get quotes specifically for appliance moving services.
Negotiate (Carefully)
Once you have quotes from a few places, you might be able to ask one if they can match a lower price you received. Be polite. They might not say yes, especially if their quote is fair based on the work needed.
When to Pay for Professional Help
Moving a fridge is risky. It’s often worth the price to hire someone to move a fridge.
- Safety: Fridges are very heavy and awkward. Lifting them can cause back injuries, broken bones, or worse. Pros have training and equipment (dollies, straps, lifting techniques) to do it safely. This is the main reason to hire pros. The risk of injury doing it yourself is high.
- Protecting your home: A falling fridge can break stairs, put holes in walls, or scratch floors badly. Repairing this damage costs a lot more than the moving fee. Pros know how to protect your home.
- Protecting the fridge: Dropping or tilting a fridge the wrong way can damage it. There’s also advice about keeping a fridge upright and letting it sit before plugging it in after a move. Pros usually know these things.
- Lack of help or tools: If you don’t have strong friends or the right equipment, hiring pros is necessary. Trying to move a fridge without the right dolly and enough people is very dangerous and likely to cause damage.
For most people, the hiring professional fridge movers price is a good value for peace of mind and safety. The cost to move an appliance safely includes paying skilled people.
Special Cases and What They Cost
Some fridge moves are not simple.
Moving a Fridge Up or Down Stairs
We talked about this already, but let’s look closer at how much does it cost to move a refrigerator upstairs.
* One flight: Often adds $50-$100 to the base cost.
* Multiple flights: The fee adds up. Moving to a 3rd-floor apartment without an elevator can add $100-$250 or more depending on the movers and the stairs.
* Spiral stairs or very narrow stairs: Some movers might refuse the job or charge a very high fee because the risk is great.
The number of steps, the width of the stairs, and tight turns all make it harder and more expensive.
Moving a Large or Heavy Fridge
The cost to move a large side by side refrigerator or a Sub-Zero style fridge is usually on the higher end of the estimates.
* Why? They are heavier. They might need 3 or even 4 movers instead of 2. They take up more space in the truck. They are harder to turn in tight spots.
* Expect to pay more than for a standard fridge. The extra cost could be $50 to $200+ on a local move, or more for long distance.
Moving Just One Appliance
Some movers don’t like moving just one item. Their business is moving whole houses. But many local movers or special appliance delivery services will do it. This is where getting quotes specifically for appliance moving services cost is important. Their price to hire someone to move a fridge might be lower than a big moving company’s minimum charge.
Long Distance Fridge Moving Details
The cost of moving a fridge long distance can be done in a few ways:
* As part of a house move: Cheapest per item if you are moving everything anyway. The fridge’s weight adds to the total cost of your move.
* Using freight or shipping: You can crate the fridge and ship it. This requires careful packing and finding a shipping company. The cost depends on size, weight, and distance. It could be $300 to $1000+.
* Using a ‘less-than-truckload’ (LTL) service: Some companies group small shipments together. This can be cheaper than shipping one item alone but might take longer.
For long distance moves, preparing the fridge is very important. It needs to be fully defrosted, cleaned, and secured.
Crafting Your Budget
Putting together a budget for moving your fridge helps you plan.
- Figure out the move type: Local (short distance) or Long Distance (far away)?
- Decide on DIY vs. Pro: Do you have the help, tools, and strength for DIY, or is it safer to hire pros?
- Note the fridge details: What size and type is it? Is it very heavy?
- Look at the path: Are there stairs? Tight turns? Long carries?
- Get quotes: Ask 3-5 movers for a refrigerator moving cost estimate. Give them all the details. Get quotes that are binding if possible.
- Add in potential extra costs: Stair fees, long carry fees, potential service needs, insurance upgrades.
- Compare total costs: Look at the quotes and think about the risks of DIY vs. the hiring professional fridge movers price.
Example Local Budget (Hiring Pros):
* Base Move Cost (2 movers, 2 hours): $100 – $300 (this covers the hourly rate for moving a fridge)
* Stair Fee (1 flight): $50 – $100 (how much does it cost to move a refrigerator upstairs)
* Large Fridge Fee (if applicable): $50 – $100 (cost to move a large side by side refrigerator)
* Total Estimated Cost: $200 – $500
Example Local Budget (DIY):
* Dolly rental: $30
* Straps/Blankets: $40
* Truck rental (day + miles): $70 – $150
* Help (pizza/gas money): $30 – $50
* Potential Floor/Wall Damage: ??? (Could be $0 or $100s or $1000s)
* Potential Injury: ??? (Could be minor or very serious medical bills)
* Total Out-of-Pocket: $170 – $270 + Risk
This comparison helps show that while the cash cost for DIY is lower, the unseen costs and risks can be very high. The price to hire someone to move a fridge includes paying them to take on these risks.
Final Thoughts on the Cost
Moving a fridge is a significant task. The cost to move an appliance like this is more than just muscle. It involves careful planning, proper tools, and safe lifting.
The appliance moving services cost covers the movers’ skill, their equipment, their truck, and insurance. For many, paying this hiring professional fridge movers price is worth it to avoid the risk of damage or injury.
Factors like the size of the fridge (cost to move a large side by side refrigerator), the distance, and especially stairs (how much does it cost to move a refrigerator upstairs) change the final price a lot. Getting a detailed refrigerator moving cost estimate from several companies is key to finding a fair price to hire someone to move a fridge.
Remember to prepare your fridge and the path for the movers. This can save time and lower your cost, especially if they charge an hourly rate for moving a fridge.
Moving a fridge long distance has a much higher cost of moving a fridge long distance. This requires different planning, possibly involving shipping companies or using it as part of a larger house move.
In the end, the “right” cost is the one that fits your budget while ensuring the fridge and everyone involved stay safe. For heavy appliances like fridges, professional help is often the smartest choice, even if it costs more money upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I move a fridge myself with just one other person?
A: A fridge is very heavy. Moving it with only two people is risky. You need at least two strong people, plus a heavy-duty appliance dolly with straps. Three people are much safer. The risk of injury or dropping the fridge is high with only two people.
Q: Do I need a special dolly to move a fridge?
A: Yes. You need an appliance dolly designed for heavy items. It should have straps to secure the fridge. Using a regular hand truck is not safe for a fridge.
Q: How much does it add to move a fridge up stairs?
A: Expect to pay an extra fee per flight of stairs. This can range from $50 to $100 or more per flight, added to the base moving cost. This is a major part of how much does it cost to move a refrigerator upstairs.
Q: Should I empty the fridge before moving?
A: Yes, always. Empty all food. Defrost the freezer and clean it. Secure the doors. This makes the fridge lighter and prevents messes or damage during the move.
Q: Do movers disconnect water lines for ice makers?
A: Some movers do, some don’t. Ask them before you hire them. You might need a handyman to disconnect it safely before the movers arrive. Reconnecting might also be your job or need a handyman. This can add to the total cost to move an appliance.
Q: How long should a fridge sit upright before plugging it in after moving?
A: Most experts say a fridge should sit upright for at least 2-4 hours after being moved (especially if it was tilted a lot). This lets the oil and refrigerant settle back into place. Check your fridge manual to be sure.
Q: Is the hourly rate for moving a fridge always cheaper than a flat rate?
A: Not always. If the move is very fast and simple, hourly might be cheaper (if they don’t have a high minimum). But if the move has problems (stairs, tight spaces, delays), paying hourly can become more expensive than a flat rate. A flat rate gives you cost certainty.
Q: How much does it cost to move a fridge to another state?
A: This is a long distance move. The cost of moving a fridge long distance can range from $300 to $1000 or more, depending on the distance and method (part of a house move, freight, etc.). It’s much higher than local moves.
Q: Does the type of fridge affect the price?
A: Yes. A standard top/bottom freezer fridge costs less to move than a larger, heavier cost to move a large side by side refrigerator. Built-in fridges cost the most because they need skilled work to remove and install. This is part of the factors affecting refrigerator moving cost.
Q: What is a typical refrigerator moving cost estimate locally?
A: For a simple local move, expect $75 to $300. For moves with stairs or large fridges, it can be $300 to $600 or more. This is the general price to hire someone to move a fridge for local jobs.