Yes, movers will charge extra for stairs, but usually only past the first flight. Navigating stairs takes longer, requires more physical labor, and presents more difficulty, so movers usually add a fee to reflect the added complexity.
How much movers charge for stairs depends on your moving company's stair fee policy and your circumstances. In this article, we'll explain how movers calculate stair fees and what factors impact the final cost.
Thomas O'Sullivan is the Senior Manager of Service Operations at Porch Moving Group, where he oversees the post-booking customer experience for HireAHelper. His expertise is the part of a move most people never see — the logistics, coordination, and accountability that turn a booking into a finished move.
Thomas has spent six years in the moving and relocation industry, starting in corporate relocation and long-distance logistics before stepping into his current role. He's supported more than 130,000 moves across local labor, full-service, commercial, and long-distance work — experience he draws on to make sure HireAHelper content reflects how moves actually go.
While Consumer Affairs estimates that moving stair fees are usually around $50 after the first flight, this figure doesn't reveal the entire picture. Movers use various methods to calculate stair fees rather than 1 universal rate. For example, some companies charge per flight or even per step, while others may apply a flat-rate stair fee. Understanding these structures makes it easier to make sense of price variations between different companies and quotes.
Many moving companies charge a flat rate per flight, which is the most common way to calculate moving stair fees. Bear in mind that what constitutes a flight varies between companies. And, some movers adjust quotes depending on individual factors. For example, if you have 2 flights of stairs but only a couple of items on the top, they may only charge for 1 flight in the moving quote. Clarifying how your movers define a flight and their other policies can help you avoid unexpected moving costs.
Some moving companies apply a flat stair fee, which means the cost remains the same regardless of the number of flights of stairs involved in your move. This pricing structure is more common for apartment buildings and small local moves.
Generally, choosing a company that charges flat stair fees is most cost-effective if your home contains multiple short flights. However, it could work out more expensive if you live in a single-flight home.
Occasionally, moving companies may charge by the total number of steps and disregard the number of flights altogether. This structure can work out more expensive if your home contains multiple short flights. While this pricing method is relatively uncommon, it's still worth asking about when comparing moving companies.
Some moving companies include 1 or 2 flights of stairs in the base cost and only charge extra for additional stairs. Other moving companies don’t include any stairs in their base price, so even a single flight could increase your bill.
Some movers don't charge per stair or flight. Instead, they base their fees on the total labor time. As carrying items up and down stairs increases the time it takes to move your belongings, the number of stairs in your home will impact the overall cost.
A long carry fee is when movers must carry your things a long way to the truck to load and unload them. Much like stairs, this takes more time and labor, so the fee is meant to cover that extra work. Moving quotes often include both stair fees and long carry fees.
Movers consider your specific circumstances when deciding how much to charge for stair fees. Your building's layout, accessibility, and stair configuration can all impact pricing. Knowing how these variables work explains why estimates can vary significantly between jobs.
The more stairs your home contains, the greater the labor time and physical strain for your movers, and the more you'll pay for your move. Depending on your moving company's policy, they may calculate stair fees for bi-level homes (homes with 2 main living levels) and split-level homes (homes with multiple staggered levels) differently, so it's important to clarify this point during the quote process.
Most commonly, a flight of stairs is defined as 12 to 16 steps between a landing or the stories in a building. While this is a common industry benchmark, the definition of a flight can vary depending on moving company policies, differences in regional architecture, and the type of building you’re in.
For example, a single-family bi-level home typically includes 2 short flights of steps. Movers might treat these as a single flight or 2 flights, depending on their policies. An apartment on the second story of a building might be accessed by stairs broken up with a landing. In that case, one moving company could treat it as a single flight while another counts it as 2 flights.
"Generally, local movers are more likely to itemize moving stair fees separately, while long-distance moving companies may bundle stair charges into your total estimate."
Some companies may not count “flights” as the steps between stories or landings. They may instead provide a quote based on the total number of steps. If a company considers 10 steps to be a flight, you might be charged for 3 flights if you have 30 steps, regardless of landings or stories.
When researching moving companies, be sure to ask if they charge extra for stairs, about rates related to stairs, and how they define a flight of stairs.
If movers must navigate stairs with large items like couches or kitchen appliances, it may add time and expense to your move. Your company may also charge extra for moving specialty items, such as pianos, chandeliers, or pool tables. Specialty items require additional care, labor, or equipment to transport safely, which will likely reflect in your quote.
Winding or narrow staircases or other uncommon architecture could impact the efficiency of a move, leading to higher costs. Features such as tight turns, low ceilings, and narrow spaces create significant physical constraints that require movers to move more slowly and make frequent position adjustments, increasing the labor time. In some circumstances, your movers may need to disassemble items or use additional protection or equipment, making the task more time-consuming.
Awkward staircase designs also increase the risk of injury or property damage. To reflect these risks, movers typically charge higher stair fees.
Your building type impacts stair-related fees because it impacts accessibility. For example, moves in buildings with an elevator are usually quicker and easier to handle than apartment walk-ups because they don't involve stairs. While elevators generally reduce or remove stair fees, your movers may still charge extra if the elevators are small, require long waits, or cause other accessibility problems.
How your movers itemize stair fees often depends on the distances involved. Generally, local movers are more likely to itemize moving stair fees separately, while long-distance moving companies may bundle stair charges into your total estimate.
Labor-only moving companies (customer provides the truck or container) and full-service movers sometimes apply stair fees differently. As a rule of thumb, labor-only companies are more likely to apply separate stair fees because physical carrying work forms the majority of the bill. Conversely, full-service movers often incorporate stair fees into your total estimate instead of listing a separate stair fee.
You can reduce or even eliminate stair fees sometimes if you're able to do some of the labor yourself or improve accessibility for your movers. However, this isn't always possible.
The following tips can help you minimize moving stair fees:
Finally, ask whether your moving company includes the first flight in the base rate. If it does, you may not incur any additional charges if your building only contains 1 flight of stairs.
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