So, you are planning a move, and have wisely decided to hire professional removalists — a smart choice indeed! After all, having experts handle your relocation not only saves time and effort but also ensures your belongings are packed, transported, and delivered safely. However, hiring removalists comes with its own set of decisions — from choosing the right moving company to selecting suitable services. Most importantly, you’ll need to answer one crucial question: how many movers do you actually need?
If you hire too few, your move could take all day and cause unnecessary physical strain. On the other hand, hiring too many might lead to spending more than required. Therefore, finding the right balance is key to ensuring your move remains smooth, efficient, and cost-effective.
Whether you’re relocating from a small apartment or moving into a large family home, understanding how many removalists you need can make all the difference. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know — from quick estimates based on home size to the key factors that influence your mover count — so that you can plan your relocation with complete confidence and ease.
Quick Answer: Number of Removalists by Home Size
Planning your move but not sure how many Removalists you will actually need? Don’t worry — we have made it simple for you. The number of movers (and the time it takes) depends on your home’s size and how much packing or heavy lifting is involved.
Check out the quick reference table below to get a clear idea before booking your move:
| Home size | Pack Only | Load Only | Unload Only | Load & Unload | Full-Service Move |
| Studio | 2 Removalists / 2-3 hours | 2 Removalists / 2 hours | 2 Removalists / 1-2 hours | 2 Removalists / 3-4 hours | 2 Removalists / 5-6 hours |
| 1-bedroom apartment | 2 Removalists / 3 hours | 2 Removalists / 2-3 hours | 2 Removalists / 2 hours | 2 Removalists / 4 hours | 2 Removalists / 7-8 hours |
| 2-bedroom apartment | 2 Removalists / 4-5 hours | 2 movers / 3-4 hours | 2 movers / 3 hours | 2 movers / 6 hours | 2 movers / 10-12 hours |
| 2-bedroom house | 3 Removalists/ 3-4 hours | 3 Removalists / 3 hours | 3 Removalists / 2-3 hours | 3 Removalists / 5 hours | 3 Removalists / 8-9 hours |
| 3-bedroom apartment | 3 Removalists / 5-6 hours | 3 Removalists / 4 hours | 3 Removalists / 3 hours | 3 Removalists / 7 hours | 3 Removalists / 12 hours |
| 3-bedroom house | 3 Removalists / 6-7 hours | 3 Removalists / 4-5 hours | 3 Removalists / 3-4 hours | 3 Removalists / 8 hours | 3 Removalists / 14 hours |
| 4-bedroom house | 4 Removalists / 6-8 hours | 4 Removalists / 5 hours | 4 Removalists / 3-4 hours | 4 Removalists / 8-9 hours | 4 Removalists / 15-16 hours |
| 4+ bedroom house | 4 Removalists / 8-12 hours | 4 Removalists / 6 hours | 4 Removalists / 4-5 hours | 4 Removalists / 10+ hours | 4 Removalists / 20+ hours |
Pro Tip:
If you have a lot of furniture, stairs, or need full packing services, consider adding an extra mover to make the process faster and more efficient.
In short:
More rooms = more movers = a smoother, quicker move.
How Many Hours Do Movers Work?
When planning a move, one of the most common questions homeowners ask is: “How many hours will the removalists work?” Understanding the time required for your move is crucial because it helps with scheduling, budgeting, and ensuring a smooth relocation process.
In general, the total moving time can vary greatly depending on several key factors. These include the size of your home, the number of movers you hire, and whether you need assistance with loading, unloading, or both. For instance, smaller apartments might only take a few hours to move, whereas larger houses can take an entire day or even longer.
Moreover, external factors such as the distance between locations, the accessibility of your home, and the volume of your belongings can also significantly influence the time needed. For example, narrow staircases, elevators, or long walking distances can add extra time to the process.
To help you plan more effectively, we’ve created a simple and clear reference chart that outlines estimated moving times based on home size and service requirements. This detailed guide allows you to prepare efficiently, stay organized, and avoid last-minute surprises.
Ultimately, understanding these time estimates ensures your move goes as smoothly and quickly as possible, allowing you to settle into your new space with confidence and ease.
Estimated Moving Time by Home Size
| Home Size | Loading Only (Approx. Time) | Unloading Only (Approx. Time) | Loading + Unloading (Total) |
| Studio / 1 BR Apartment (≤800 sq. ft.) | 2 movers – ~2 hours | 2 movers – ~2 hours | 2 movers – ~4 hours total |
| 2 BR Apartment (800–1200 sq. ft.) | 2 movers – ~3 hours | 2 movers – ~2 hours | 2 movers – ~5 hours total |
| 2–3 BR House (1000–1500 sq. ft.) | 3 movers – ~4 hours | 3 movers – ~3 hours | 3 movers – ~7 hours total |
| 3–4 BR House (1500–2000 sq. ft.) | 4 movers – ~4 hours | 4 movers – ~3 hours | 4 movers – ~7 hours total |
| 4+ BR House (2000–3000+ sq. ft.) | 4–5 movers – ~5 hours | 4–5 movers – ~4 hours | 4–5 movers – ~9+ hours total |
How to Use This Chart
Let us say you are moving out of a 2-bedroom apartment and relocating across town.
According to the chart:
- You would need 2 Removalists for about 3 hours to load and 2 hours to unload, totalling ~5 hours.
- If you hire 3 movers, they might complete it in around 3.5 hours, saving you time and effort.
For a 3-bedroom house, expect 3 movers to take roughly 7 hours total (4 to load, 3 to unload).
Add a fourth mover, and that same job might wrap up in about 5 hours total — quicker but with an additional labour cost.
Key Factors That Determine How Many Movers You Need
Determining the right number of movers is essential for a safe, efficient, and stress-free relocation. The number of movers depends on multiple factors, from the size of your home to the type of items you own. Let’s explore the key considerations:
1. Volume of Items to Move
The sheer number of belongings is the most decisive factor. A small studio may require just two movers, while a four-bedroom home packed with furniture and personal items demands a larger crew. Even within similar home sizes, individual lifestyles and possessions can greatly affect how many movers are needed for an efficient move.
2. Type of Items
Heavy, bulky, or delicate items require extra manpower. Pianos, safes, large appliances, antiques, and awkwardly shaped furniture need careful handling. Including these in your move often increases the crew size, ensuring safety for both movers and belongings, and preventing costly damage or injuries during transport.
3. Packing Requirements
Whether you pack yourself or hire professionals impacts the number of movers. Full-service packing requires a larger team to handle delicate items, disassemble furniture, and box belongings efficiently. If you’ve already packed your items, fewer movers are needed, allowing the team to focus solely on loading and unloading.
4. Type of Moving Service
The scope of services you request influences the crew size. Simple transport may require only a driver or two movers. Loading and unloading services need a slightly larger team, while full-service moves that include packing, assembly, and specialty item handling demand the largest, most skilled crews to ensure a smooth relocation.
5. Potential Complications
Stairs, narrow doorways, long hallways, or elevators can slow the process and increase the physical effort required. Obstacles like these often require additional movers to maintain safety and efficiency, ensuring large items can be moved without injury or damage to your belongings or property.
6. Distance of the Move
Local moves and long-distance moves differ in manpower needs. For a local move, one team handles loading, transport, and unloading. For long-distance moves, a separate team may handle unloading at the destination. The number of movers may vary depending on the complexity and distance of your relocation.
7. Special Considerations (Additional Factor)
Extra services like vehicle transport, fragile collectibles, or last-minute schedule changes can influence crew size. Removalists may need more hands to accommodate these requirements, ensuring your move remains timely, safe, and stress-free. Planning for these factors prevents delays and avoids unexpected complications.
By carefully evaluating these factors — volume and type of items, packing needs, moving services, complications, distance, and special considerations — you can accurately determine the ideal number of movers for a smooth and efficient relocation.
How Professional Movers Simplify Your Relocation
Hiring professional Removalists transforms a stressful move into a seamless experience. With years of training, proper equipment, and organized planning, Removalists handle every aspect of your relocation efficiently. From heavy lifting to careful packing, professional removalist save you time, reduce risk of damage, and provide peace of mind during every step of the moving process.
1. Efficient Crew Planning
Professional Removalists, like those at Expert Movers, evaluate the size of your home and the volume of belongings to recommend the ideal number of removalist. Their experience ensures your move is completed quickly and safely, while also reducing costs. A well-planned crew prevents delays, keeps the process organized, and avoids overpaying for unnecessary labor.
2. Specialized Equipment & Tools
Removalists bring the right tools for the job—dollies, moving blankets, straps, and ramps—to handle every item safely. Heavy furniture, delicate appliances, or bulky items are moved without damage. This professional approach reduces physical strain on you and your family while ensuring your belongings arrive in perfect condition.
3. Handling Difficult & Specialty Items
Large or delicate items like pianos, safes, or antique furniture require expertise. Professional Removalists know the proper techniques for lifting, carrying, and securing specialty items, minimizing risk of damage. Their skill ensures that even the most challenging belongings are moved safely, efficiently, and without stress for homeowners.
4. Time-Saving Approach
Experienced removalist streamline the entire process, from packing to loading, transport, and unloading. With trained hands and organized methods, they complete moves faster than an untrained crew or DIY approach. This efficiency translates into lower costs, less fatigue, and a smoother moving day for you and your family.
5. Flexible & Customized Services
Professional removalist offer tailored solutions for every move. Whether you need full-service packing, partial packing, or just loading and unloading, Expert Movers adjust crew size and services based on your unique requirements. This flexibility ensures you receive the right level of support for your budget and moving needs.
6. Stress-Free Moving Experience
By entrusting your relocation to experts, you can focus on settling into your new home instead of worrying about logistics. Professional removalist handle the heavy lifting, transportation, and assembly, giving you peace of mind and a smooth transition without the usual moving day chaos.
7. Cost-Effective Moves
Expert movers often recommend hiring a slightly larger crew because it allows for faster completion of your move. In fact, this strategy can significantly improve efficiency while maintaining service quality. For example, four removalists working for four hours can actually be more cost-effective than two removalists working for eight hours. This is because the larger team can handle heavy lifting, packing, and loading more efficiently, reducing the total number of billable hours. As a result, you not only save valuable time but also lower overall costs. Ultimately, this smart approach helps you move quicker while ensuring a smoother, more effective relocation experience.
