Labor-Only Moving Help vs. Full-Service Movers in Colorado
Updated: 19 hours ago
Labor-only moving help means you rent the truck, container or storage unit and drive it, and a hired crew does the heavy lifting by the hour. A full-service mover brings its own truck, loads, drives and unloads for one price. In Denver and Aurora, Rocket Services labor-only help starts at $99 an hour for 1 helper or $149 for 2, with a 2-hour minimum.
What is the difference?
Labor-only help: you rent the truck (U-Haul, Penske, Budget), a moving container (PODS, U-Pack) or a storage unit. The crew loads it, unloads it, packs or assembles furniture. You drive.
Full-service movers: the moving company brings the truck and crew, loads your things, drives them to the new home and unloads them. You don't rent or drive anything.
Both can pack, wrap furniture and set up beds. The real difference is who owns the truck and who drives.
What each costs in Denver and Aurora
Rocket Services labor-only help: 1 helper $99/hr, 2 helpers $149/hr, 3 helpers $199/hr, 4 helpers $269/hr. 2-hour minimum, then 15-minute increments. Plus $1 per round-trip mile from our Aurora base (80017) and $20 per flight of stairs after the first.
Your rental truck or container: a separate cost you pay the rental company, usually a daily or monthly rate plus mileage and fuel. Check the rental company's current price for your dates.
Full-service movers: in our October 2025 check of Denver-area moving companies, hourly rates ran about $115 to $160 an hour for a 2 to 3 person crew with a truck, before any travel fees, materials or minimums. Rates change, so ask each company for a written quote.
Example: a 2-bedroom move in Denver
A typical 2-bedroom takes 2 helpers about 4 hours to load or unload. With Rocket Services that is 4 hours x $149 = $596, plus about $26 to $40 in mileage for most Denver addresses, plus your truck or container rental. If you need help at both ends, book a crew for loading and another visit for unloading, or one crew for both if the homes are close.
A full-service mover covers the truck and the driving in its price, so the total can be close to or higher than labor-only help plus a rental, depending on distance, stairs and how much you own. The best way to compare is to price both for your actual move.
When labor-only help is the better fit
You are using a moving container like PODS or U-Pack, or moving out of state in a rental truck.
You only need one end: loading in Aurora, unloading in Colorado Springs, or loading a storage unit.
You are fine driving a rental truck and want to control the schedule and the cost.
You need a few hours of heavy lifting: moving furniture between rooms, up or down stairs, or into a garage.
When a full-service mover is the better fit
You don't want to rent or drive a truck at all.
You need your belongings stored for you between homes.
You want one company responsible for your things from the old door to the new one, including the drive.
Those are good reasons to hire a licensed full-service moving company, and we are happy to point you to one.
What labor-only help includes
We load, unload, pack, unpack, assemble and move items inside a home. Our crews are insured with general liability and workers' compensation, and a certificate of insurance is available for your building or HOA.
Common questions
Is labor-only moving help cheaper than full-service movers?
Often, especially for container moves, long-distance rental truck moves and one-end jobs. Rocket Services starts at $149 an hour for 2 helpers with a 2-hour minimum. Add your rental cost, then compare with a full-service quote for the same move.
Will the helpers drive my rental truck?
No. You drive the truck or schedule the container delivery. Our crew loads and unloads it, stacking heavy items low and filling space tightly so nothing shifts.
How far ahead should I book?
Booking 2 to 4 weeks ahead gives the most choice of dates. Pay the deposit to confirm your booking. The latest it can be paid is 72 hours before the job.
Ready to price your move? See our pricing, request a free quote or book moving help online.