Loading and unloading services let you hire professional movers for the heavy lifting while you handle the truck rental and driving yourself. Most loading and unloading services in Green Bay charge by the hour, with the average cost for two helpers working two hours ranging from $208 to $402. It is one of the most budget-friendly ways to get professional help on moving day without paying for a full-service move.
Key Takeaways
- Save up to 50% on moving costs: DIY movers who handle their own truck rental spend an average of $1,334, compared to $2,907 for full-service moves, according to a 2025 Anytime Estimate survey. Loading and unloading help bridges the gap between doing it all yourself and paying full price.
- Protect your body: People who handle their own move are 39% more likely to report neck or joint injuries than those who hire professional help. Labor-only movers handle the most physically demanding tasks for you.
- Keep it flexible: You choose the truck or container, the schedule, and the route. The movers just show up, load or unload your belongings, and let you take it from there.
What Are Loading and Unloading Services?
Loading and unloading services (sometimes called labor-only moving help) provide professional movers who handle the physical work of getting your belongings on and off a truck or container. You rent your own vehicle, whether that is a U-Haul, a PODS container, or a Penske truck, and the crew takes care of the rest. This is different from a full-service move, where the moving company provides the truck, the driver, and all the labor from start to finish.
How Labor-Only Moving Help Differs from Full-Service Moving
With a full-service move, you pay one company to manage everything. With labor-only help, you stay in control of the logistics. You pick the truck size, choose your move date, and drive the route yourself. The movers focus purely on loading, unloading, or both. This setup works especially well for local moves around Green Bay, Appleton, De Pere, and surrounding Wisconsin communities where drive times are short and manageable.
What’s Included (and What’s Not)
Most labor-only crews will carefully load and stack your boxes, furniture, and appliances into the truck. Many will also disassemble and reassemble basic furniture pieces. They bring the muscle and the know-how, including proper lifting techniques and efficient truck-packing strategies. However, they typically do not provide the truck, packing materials, or transportation between locations. For a closer look at other tasks professionals can take on, check out these things professional movers can handle that might surprise you.
How Much Do Loading and Unloading Services Cost in 2025?
Pricing for labor-only moving help is straightforward. Most companies charge by the hour, and rates vary depending on your location, crew size, and the time of year. According to Moving Help, the average cost for two helpers working one hour across the United States is about $135, making the most common booking (two helpers for two hours) roughly $270.
Hourly Rate Breakdown by Crew Size
The national average for a single local mover runs about $80 per hour. Here is a general breakdown of what you can expect to pay:
- 2 movers for 2 hours: $208 to $402 (most common for apartments and small homes)
- 2 movers for 4 hours: $416 to $804 (ideal for 2- to 3-bedroom homes)
- 3 movers for 4+ hours: $600 to $1,200+ (suited for larger homes with heavy or specialty items)
Compare that with the national average for a full-service local move, which Thumbtack estimates at $100 to $120 per hour including the truck, and it becomes clear that labor-only service puts real savings back in your pocket.
What Factors Affect Your Final Price?
Several variables can push your cost up or down. The size of your home and the number of items you own are the biggest factors, since more belongings means more time on the clock. Stairs, narrow hallways, long walkways between the door and the truck, and heavy specialty items like pianos or safes can also increase your total. Moving during peak season (May through September) tends to cost more due to higher demand, while mid-week and off-season bookings often come with lower rates.
How Does the Loading and Unloading Process Work?
The process is simple and keeps you in control of your move from beginning to end. Here is how it typically plays out.
Step 1: Book Your Crew and Rent Your Vehicle
Start by reserving your rental truck or container. If you are moving locally in the Green Bay area, a U-Haul is a popular choice, and you can pair it with our U-Haul load and unload service. For longer-distance or more flexible moves, portable containers like PODS work well alongside our PODS loading and unloading help. Then, book your loading crew for the day and time you need them.
Step 2: Prepare Your Home for the Movers
Before the crew arrives, make sure all of your boxes are packed, sealed, and clearly labeled by room. Disassemble any furniture you can ahead of time to save on labor hours. Clear a path from each room to the front door, and make sure there is a parking spot for the truck as close to the entrance as possible. The more prepared you are, the faster the crew can work, and faster work means lower costs for you.
Step 3: Let the Pros Handle the Heavy Lifting
When the movers arrive, walk them through your home and point out any fragile or high-priority items. They will handle the loading strategically, placing heavy items at the bottom and distributing weight evenly. According to Angi, professional movers maximize usable space in the truck, which can save you from needing a larger (and more expensive) rental. Once everything is loaded, you drive to your new location, and a crew meets you there to unload.
Who Benefits Most from Labor-Only Moving Help?
Labor-only loading and unloading services are ideal for a wide range of movers. If you are comfortable renting and driving a truck but want to skip the back-breaking work, this option is for you. It is especially useful for:
- Budget-conscious movers who want professional help without the full-service price tag. A 2025 survey found that 82% of Americans who moved found the experience stressful, and labor-only help reduces both the physical and financial stress.
- DIY movers with no extra hands: About 51.7% of Americans rely on friends or family during a move, according to MovingPlace. When those helpers are not available, professional labor fills the gap.
- Seniors and people with physical limitations who cannot safely lift heavy furniture or carry boxes up and down stairs.
- Anyone moving specialty items like pianos, gun safes, or large appliances that require careful handling and proper equipment.
Not sure if loading help is right for your situation? Our guide on when to call professional movers can help you decide.
How Can You Prepare for a Smooth Load and Unload in Green Bay?
A little preparation goes a long way toward keeping your loading and unloading efficient, fast, and affordable. Here are a few steps that make a real difference.
Label Boxes by Room and Priority
Use a thick marker to write the destination room and a priority level on every box. Boxes marked “open first” should be loaded last so they come off the truck first at your new home. This simple step helps the crew place everything exactly where it needs to go, which saves time during both loading and unloading.
Clear Pathways and Secure Parking
Move any obstacles out of hallways, doorways, and staircases before the crew arrives. If your truck needs to park on the street, check whether your Green Bay neighborhood requires a permit. Having a close, accessible parking spot reduces the distance movers need to carry your belongings, which speeds up the process and keeps the hourly bill lower.
Ready to Get Loading and Unloading Help in Green Bay?
Loading and unloading services give you the best of both worlds: the savings of a DIY move combined with the safety and speed of professional movers. You stay in control of your timeline, your route, and your budget, while our crew handles the heavy lifting so you do not have to.
Whether you are moving across Green Bay, heading to Appleton, or relocating from De Pere, our team is here to make your move stress-free. Reach out to Green Bay Moving Co. today for a free quote and let’s make your next move a smooth one.
