Hire Movers in Columbia, MD
Top-Rated Movers Ready to Help, In Your Local Area
Moving in Columbia should feel as effortless as strolling around Lake Kittamaqundiâno stress, just smooth sailing. That's why HireAHelper connects you with top-rated movers who know the local layout and can handle everything from quick studio apartment moves to 5-bedroom house relocations.
Whether you need labor-only movers to handle the heavy lifting or a full-service moving company to manage the whole process, our platform helps you compare moving quotes instantly.


How HireAHelper Works
Give us the most important details about your upcoming moveâlike your move date, home size, and any stairs or heavy items that might require extra help.
We instantly match you with the best-value moving services based on what you need, using exclusive data from over 850,000 HireAHelper moves.
Hire your movers in just a few clicks. Weâre here for youâcall, text, or chat with us 7 days a week before, during, or after your move.
The HireAHelper Advantage
The Traditional Move
Moving With HireAHelper
Compare the Top 35 Columbia, MD Movers
$85/hr
After 2 movers 2 hr minSamuel Services
Germantown, MD
8,401 moves with HireAHelper

$175/hr
After 2 movers 2 hr minMBK Moving &Hauling
Middle River, MD
2,026 moves with HireAHelper

$89/hr
After 2 movers 2 hr minDMV Discount Moving & Cleaning
Washington, DC
1,472 moves with HireAHelper

$125/hr
After 2 movers 2 hr minAll Aboard Moverz
Washington, DC
1,791 moves with HireAHelper

$80/hr
After 2 movers 2 hr minMD Expert Movers
Takoma Park, MD
3,518 moves with HireAHelper

$125/hr
After 2 movers 2 hr minI & O moving
Elkridge, MD
1,708 moves with HireAHelper

$150/hr
After 2 movers 2 hr minOn Go Moving And Hauling
Essex, MD
1,222 moves with HireAHelper

$100/hr
After 2 movers 2 hr minPrestige Laborers
Springfield, VA
503 moves with HireAHelper

Local Full-Service vs. Labor-Only: Which Is Right for You?
Wondering which moving service is best for you? We've broken it down so you can find what works for your needs and budget.
Full-Service Moving | Labor-Only Moving | |
---|---|---|
Price | $$$ | $ |
Moving Truck Included | â | â |
Loading | â | â |
Unloading | â | â |
Packing | Add-on | Add-on |
Unpacking | Add-on | Add-on |
Read more about HireAHelper's Moving Services
The Cost of Moving Services in Columbia, MD
When it comes to moving services, you typically have two options: labor-only moving or full-service moving.
Labor-only movers can load or unload your truck or storage container for a lower overall cost, but you have to handle the driving and other arrangements yourself. Full-service teams will bring a truck, do the driving, and load/unload your belongings. You donât have to lift a single box yourself, but this convenience does come at a higher cost.
See our comparison tables for details on both types of local moving services.
Average Moving Costs in Columbia, MD
Labor-Only Moving Help |
Local Full-Service Moving Companies |
---|---|
$324.80 |
$776.04 |
The Cost of Labor-Only Movers in Columbia
Labor-only movers bill hourly, and the final price depends on factors like crew size, number of floors, and the size of your home. In Columbia, the average hourly rate starts around $75.23. Expect a higher moving quote if you schedule during a busy weekend or in peak summer. For a better deal, consider booking on a Wednesday or moving during February, when demand is lower.
The table below shows typical hourly labor costs so you can estimate how much help you'll need.
# of Movers | Move Duration | Average Cost | |
Studio Apartment | 2 | 2.2 | $297 |
1 Bedroom Apartment | 2 | 2.2 | $301 |
2 Bedroom Apartment | 2 | 2.3 | $346 |
3 Bedroom Apartment | 2 | 2.7 | $404 |
2 Bedroom House | 2 | 2.5 | $379 |
3 Bedroom House | 2 | 2.7 | $441 |
4 Bedroom House | 3 | 3.2 | $529 |
5 Bedroom House | 3 | 3.8 | $626 |
The Cost of a Local Full-Service Move in Columbia
A full-service moving company in Columbia handles loading, transporting, and unloading for an effortless move. It costs a bit more, but you canât beat the convenience. On average, it costs around $776.04 for this type of move.
But timing matters! Try booking on a Wednesday or in February when demand is lower for better availability and rates.
The table below lays out the average costs of full-service based on the size of your move.
# of Movers | Move Duration | Average Cost | |
Studio Apartment | 2 | 3.7 | $617 |
1 Bedroom Apartment | 2 | 4.1 | $737 |
2 Bedroom Apartment | 2 | 4.7 | $929 |
3 Bedroom Apartment | 3 | 5.3 | $1,044 |
2 Bedroom House | 2 | 4.8 | $957 |
3 Bedroom House | 3 | 5.6 | $1,249 |
4 Bedroom House | 3 | 5.9 | $1,580 |
5 Bedroom House | 3 | 6.4 | $1,685 |
12,765 Columbia Mover Reviews
Moving Services in Columbia
How Full-Service Moving With HireAHelper Works
After booking online with HireAHelper, your movers will handle every aspect of moving day so you donât have to lift a finger. Your moving company will take care of loading, transportation, and unloading at your destination. Want even more support? Many full-service movers offer optional packing and unpacking services to help you settle in faster.
Full-Service Advantages:
- Less Planning: Skip the headache of coordinating truck rentals, parking permits, and loading helpâyour movers handle everything.
- Less Moving-Day Stress: No need to worry about driving or parking a bulky moving truckâprofessionals take care of it.
- Peace of Mind: Trust experienced movers to handle your belongings safely from start to finish. Plus, when you book with HireAHelper, you get our $1,000 service guarantee.
How HireAHelperâs Labor-Only Option Works
HireAHelperâs labor-only service gives you complete control of your move while providing the muscle you need to make moving day a breeze. Moving down the road? Your movers can help you load up the rental truck. Moving across the country? Get help loading your PODS in Columbia and help unloading in your new time zone.
Labor-Only Advantages:
- Big Savings: Pay only for the laborâperfect if you're renting a truck or using a moving container.
- Flexible & Customizable: You decide what help you need, whether itâs loading, unloading, or both.
- Easy & Transparent: Compare prices, read verified reviews, and book online in minutesâno hidden fees or sales calls.
Other Ways to Use Moving Labor Help
HireAHelper isn't just for moving day! You can also use our platform to find movers who can help with:
- Moving Furniture: Need to rearrange your home or set up a new space? Movers can lift and position heavy items exactly where you want them.
- Loading Heavy Items for Disposal: Whether you're clearing out old furniture, appliances, or other bulky items, movers can handle the heavy lifting into a trailer, dumpster, or curbside.
- Load or Unload a Storage Unit: If youâre moving items into or out of storage, extra hands can help pack, stack, and organize everything efficiently.
HireAHelper's Moving Guide for Columbia
Tip 1: Handle Utility Transfers Before Move Day
Don't leave utility transfers to the last minute! Get in touch with BGE for electricity and gas, and contact Howard County to switch your water bill. You should also follow these tips to make sure all your utility transfers go smoothly:
- Start the transfer at least a week before your move date to avoid service gaps.
- Update any home security or cable providers well in advance so everything's ready.
Tip 2: Pet Rules: Licenses and Leash Laws
In Columbia, pet rules aren't just for newcomers. Howard County requires cats and dogs to be licensed annually, which is easy to forget if you're only moving a few blocks away. You should renew existing licenses with Howard County Animals & Pets whenever your address changes.
Also, be sure to keep pets safely secured during the move. With so many people coming in and out of the home, they might try to bolt out.
Tip 3: Avoid Busy School Zones or Rush Hour Routes
Bustling traffic around school zones and commuter routes in Columbia can add hours to your moving day. Howard High, Wilde Lake High, and major highways like the US-29 see peak congestion from 7:30 am-8:30 am and 2:30 pm-3:30 pm. Here are some tips to avoid the worst of the congestion:
- Use back roads, like Oakland Mills Road, to avoid bottlenecks near The Mall in Columbia.
- Check the Maryland live traffic cameras for real-time updates.


Why Book Your Columbia Move with HireAHelper?
Frequently Asked Moving Questions in Columbia
The cost of moving in Columbia is influenced by factors such as the size and distance of your move, seasonal demand, and additional services like packing, handling stairs, or managing fragile items. On average, a labor-only move costs $486 for a three-hour job with two movers.
Handling the whole move yourself is the cheapest way to do it. But if you donât want to do all the heavy lifting, consider hiring labor-only movers and renting a truck or portable storage unit to handle transportation yourself. Scheduling your move for a Wednesday and/or in February can help you take advantage of the lowest rates and maximize your savings.
Itâs best to book movers at least 9 days in advance to secure your preferred date and time. For peak moving seasons, such as summer or weekends, consider scheduling a few weeks earlier to ensure availability and lock in lower rates.
Yes, you can find movers in Columbia on HireAHelperâs platform who are experienced in handling fragile and valuable items like pianos, artwork, and antiques. These professionals use specialized packing materials and techniques to ensure your belongings are transported safely.
The best times to move in Columbia are early mornings or weekends to avoid rush-hour congestion on major roads like Route 29 and I-95. Planning your move during non-commuting hours helps make the process a lot faster.
Resources for Your Move
Whether you are just starting to plan for your move, or you are dreaming about packing boxes in your sleep, we are here to help. We have loads of advice from professional movers to make your move as smooth as possible.

A Moving Checklist and To-Do List for an Organized Move

Where Can I Find Free Moving Boxes?
