What a Local Hamptons Move Actually Costs
Moving within the East End is priced differently than a move almost anywhere else, because the cost drivers out here are not the ones a generic mover plans for. The square footage matters, of course, but what really sets a Hamptons move apart is the access — the gated entrances, the long gravel and Belgian-block driveways, the narrow tree-lined lanes off Montauk Highway and County Road 39, and the Certificate of Insurance an association wants on file before the gate even opens. Add the fine art, antiques, and marble that estate homes are full of, and the season you choose to move in, and you have the four levers that move the price. Below is how we think about it, and what local moves with our own crews typically run.
Hourly vs. Flat Rate
For smaller local moves — a village apartment, a one-bedroom, a quick in-town shift — an hourly crew rate is often the most honest way to bill, and we will quote it that way. For anything with real furniture, crating, or gated access, we move to a flat written rate so there is no meter running while we clear a COI or work a long driveway. Whichever applies, you get the figure in writing before a piece is touched.
| Move size | Typical local cost | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1-bedroom | $650 – $1,400 | 2 movers, one truck, hourly or flat |
| 2-bedroom home or condo | $1,400 – $2,900 | 3 movers, pad-wrapping, one truck |
| 3-bedroom house | $2,900 – $5,500 | 4 movers, basic crating, COI handled |
| 4-bedroom shingle-style home | $5,500 – $9,500 | 4–5 movers, art and antique crating |
| 5+ bedroom waterfront estate | $9,500 – $20,000+ | 5–6 movers, full crating, gated access, long driveway |
What Drives the Price Up or Down
- Access: gated entrances, COI requirements, long gravel driveways, and narrow lanes off Route 27 add crew time and sometimes a shuttle truck.
- Crating: oil paintings, marble tops, chandeliers, and wine collections take custom crates and trained hands.
- Season: the Memorial-Day-to-Labor-Day rush is the busiest window on the East End; booking off-season or midweek is the easiest way to bring the figure down.
- Stairs and distance to the truck: a long carry from a far gate or up estate stairs adds labor.
Every one of these is accounted for at the survey, so the flat written rate already reflects your driveway, your gate, and your art — not an average. The federal baselines apply to every mover: released-value protection is included at no charge at $0.60 per pound per article, and full-value protection runs roughly 1–3% of the declared value of your goods if you want everything covered at replacement cost.