Moving into a downtown Chicago high-rise typically presents a different challenge than backing a truck up to a suburban driveway.
Get my moving quote →Local moves are hourly: the from-price above is the two-mover crew with truck, and the clock runs door to door with a two-hour minimum. The written quote firms up once access — buildings, parking, lift and inventory — is confirmed at booking.
Long-distance and interstate work is quoted as a total, not by the hour, so the figure you approve is the figure on the day — nothing added on arrival without your say-so.
Direct driveway access, two movers and truck, standard furniture and no long carry — usually the lowest hours.
Lift booking, loading-zone access and a certificate of insurance where the building requires it — more to coordinate, planned ahead.
Piano, safe or gym equipment, an additional crew and specialist kit — priced to the property after a walkthrough, not guessed at.
Planning categories, not scores. Your exact hours are confirmed at booking, once we see the buildings, parking and inventory.
Access indicators from dwelling, parking and street data for this suburb — planning proxies, not a survey of your building.
A high apartment/high-rise share means elevators, stair carries and loading-dock windows tend to set the hours — we book the building's window and size the crew to it.
Constrained parking is common — a loading permit or a nearby staging bay may be needed, arranged with the crew rather than assumed on the day.
Derived from this suburb's dwelling, parking and street data — conditions depend on your exact address and building, confirmed at the walkthrough.
Household moves are the core: the crew protects floors and door frames, pads and wraps furniture as standard, and loads for the unload — labelled by room so it lands where it belongs. Office and apartment moves are booked around building rules and lift windows.
We help coordinate lift bookings and loading-dock times, and are ready to reconnect washers and simple appliances where the building allows — flagged at booking so the crew arrives set up for it.
Furniture, appliances, boxes, pianos and gym equipment are standard work — packed, padded and placed room by room.
Hazardous goods — fuel, chemicals, ammunition, compressed gas — travel with you, not the truck; and anything needing a specialist (a full-size safe, a hot tub) is flagged before the day rather than turned away on it.
Movers in Chicago generally handle furniture, boxes, appliances, and standard household goods. They typically do not transport hazardous materials (paint, chemicals, propane), perishable food, plants, or items of extraordinary value like jewelry or important documents—those are best kept with you. If you have specialty items such as a piano, safe, or antiques, confirm in advance that the crew is equipped to handle them, as some pieces require additional equipment or expertise.
Many moving companies serving Chicago offer full or partial packing services, providing boxes, padding, and wrapping materials so your belongings are protected for transit. You can choose to have the crew pack everything, only fragile items, or simply deliver supplies for you to pack yourself. Unpacking services are also available, letting movers unbox and place items in your new home. Discuss your preferences when booking to ensure the right level of service for your timeline and budget.
Most movers in Chicago will disassemble larger furniture—bed frames, modular shelving, dining tables—so pieces fit through doorways and into the truck safely. They typically reassemble those same items at your destination, ensuring everything is stable and functional. If you have custom or antique furniture, let the crew know beforehand; complex joinery or specialty hardware may require extra time or care. Standard items like IKEA-style units are routinely handled as part of the move.
Downtown Chicago is dense with high-rise towers and walk-up apartments, so crews are accustomed to booking freight elevators and navigating stairwells. Many buildings require reservation of the service elevator and proof of insurance; your moving company typically coordinates that in advance. Expect stairs or lift access to influence timing—taller buildings or narrow stairways take longer. Confirm your building's move-in rules and elevator schedule early, since some properties restrict moving hours or require permits.
Chicago streets—especially downtown—are busy, and parking a moving truck often requires a temporary no-parking zone permit from the city's 311 service. Crews coordinate permits ahead of time to reserve curbside space near your building entrance. In areas with narrow alleys or loading docks, larger trucks may need alternate drop-off points, and some high-rises have dedicated freight bays. Check your building's rules and street layout early, so your movers can plan truck size and permits accordingly.
Local moves across Chicago and the surrounding area, plus regular long-distance corridors — tell us the origin and destination and we'll quote both ends.