THE MUSCLE GUYS LLC. WE ARE MOVERS YOU CAN TRUST. LABOR ONLY MOVING
We put our rates on the table. Our interactive charts use standard industry dimensions and we hand you the calculator. Build your own quote, pick your crew size, and book — on your terms. No calls required. No surprises. Powered by IQ Moves
WHY LABOR -ONLY
Why Labor-Only, puts the customer in control, with emphasis on self-booking and transparent pricing.
Save 30-50% vs. full-service movers
Full control of truck, schedule, and
route
Transparent pricing
Same day availability in many cases
All of the benefits of IQ Moves
”One of the things I’ve always found is that you’ve got to start with the customer experience and work backwards to the technology.”
~Steve Jobs.
We have been obsessed with trying to give every customer the perfect move, and what we learnt is there is no perfect mover, no perfect dispatcher, and no perfect manager. But there is something we can build. Our commitment to our customers, combined with the intelligence of IQ Moves, has become the bridge that brings us closer to perfection than ever before, just for you
Powered by IQ Moves
We invested in IQ Moves technology to make your move organized, transparent, and stress-free.
Real-Time Tracking
Just like Uber, see your movers on the way in real time. No waiting around, no guessing — you'll know exactly when they'll arrive.
Clear Communication
Automatic text and email updates from "On the way" to "All done." You'll always know the status of your move.
Easy Online Booking
Get a quote and schedule your movers in minutes. No long calls, no confusion — just a simple, fast booking process.
A BETTER MOVING PROCESS
Save Money, Stress Less, and Stay in Control with IQ Moves — Chicago’s Trusted Labor-Only Movers.
BOOK YOUR
MOVE
Tell us what needs moving and when — we’ll match you with the right number of Movers. No upfront payment required.
RENT THE TRUCK OR CONTAINER
You stay in control. Choose a truck or container from providers like U-Haul,
U Boxes, Penske, Budget, or use your own. We’ll handle the muscle.
WE BRING THE MUSCLE
Our Moving crew shows up on time, ready to lift, load, unload, and assemble. Friendly, experienced, and careful with your belongings.
WHY CHOOSE US?
We are a professional moving company dedicated to serving the Chicago area with reliable and affordable moving services.
LOAD AND UNLOAD
Full support at both ends. We’ll load up your truck and meet you at the new place to unload—stress-free from start to finish.
LOAD ONLY
Moving out of town? We’ll load and pack your truck at your starting location—even if we don’t service your destination yet.
UNLOAD ONLY
Just arrived? We’ll meet you at your new place and unload everything so you can settle in without lifting a thing.
OUR SERVICES
Your #1 Choice for Labor-Only Moving in Chicago
No matter the size or type of your move, The Muscle Guys have you covered. From carefully packing fragile items to handling the heavy lifting and cleaning, our team makes sure your relocation is smooth, stress-free, and right on time.
RESIDENTIAL MOVING
Safe and reliable home moving with extra care for fragile items.
OFFICE RELOCATION
Efficient business moves with minimal downtime.
PACKING & UNPACKING
Professional packing materials and careful labeling.
TRUCK LOADING & UNLOADING
Heavy lifting made easy by our strong and trained team.
FURNITURE ASSEMBLY & DISASSEMBLY
We handle the setup so you can
relax.
HOME & OFFICE MOVE‑IN / MOVE‑OUT CLEANING
Leave the mess behind — we’ll take care of the clean.
Our Services
PROUDLY SERVING
THE CHICAGO AREA
Based in Chicago, The Muscle Movers proudly serve the city and surrounding areas. Our crews handle moves within a 30-mile radius—including all the neighborhoods, suburbs, and busy streets that make Chicago unique.
Need help a little farther out? We can often accommodate moves up to 100 miles from the city, depending on availability. We also have Service in South West Illinois.
Not sure if we cover your area? Just give us a call or send a quick message—we’re happy to let you know if we can bring the muscle to your next move.
HOW IT WORKS?
Book your muscle
Book online or over the phone with a transparent price
Rent your truck or container
Select the perfect truck or container from one of our recommended partners: U-Haul, PODS, Penske, PackRat, Budget or use your own.
We handle the heavy lifting
Our vetted, professional movers arrive on-time with the equipment needed to handle all the heavy lifting for you
Packing & Unpacking:
Our team can professionally pack your items using high-quality materials, saving you time
Same-Day & Last-Minute Moves
Need to move in a hurry? We offer flexible scheduling to accommodate your last-minute and emergency moving needs.
PROFESSIONAL MOVERS, TRANSPARENT PRICING
No hidden fees. No fine print. Just honest, upfront rates based on the number of movers and hours you need. No need to pay in advance to hold your spot. Pay only when our movers arrive—never before.
Want to know what your move will cost?
How Our Pricing Works
| Movers | Hours | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2 movers | 2 Hours | $200 |
| 3 movers | 2 Hours | $300 |
| 4 movers | 2 Hours | $400 |
| 5 movers | 2 Hours | $500/hr |
3 or More Flights of Stairs:
5 or More Flights of Stairs:
Specialty items (piano, safe, pool table, 300lbs+) charged separately
Specialty items (piano, safe, pool table, 300pds) charged separately
How Long Will My Move Take?
Not sure how much time to reserve? Use our expert recommendations below, based on your truck size and whether you need loading, unloading, or both:
| Truck Size | Load Only | Unload Only | Load & Unload |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 ft / Studio | 2 hours | 2 hours | 2 hours (2 Movers) |
| 15 ft / 1-2 BDRM | 2 hours | 2 hours | 3–4 hours (2 Movers) |
| 20 ft / 2-3 BDRM | 3 hours | 3 hours | 4–6 hours (2-3 Movers) |
| 26 ft / 3-5 BDRM | 3–5 hours | 3-4 hours | 5–8 hours (3-5 Movers) |
If you want furniture wrapped: Add 1–3 hours to your estimate depending on truck size and the amount of furniture.
HOW LONG WILL MY MOVE TAKE?
Not sure how much time to reserve? Use our expert recommendations below, based on your truck size and whether you need loading, unloading, or both:
Truck Size
Load Only
Unload Only
Load & Unload
10 ft / Studio
2 hours
2 hours
2 hours (2 Movers)
15 ft / 1-2 BDRM
2 hours
2 hours
3–4 hours (2 Movers)
20 ft / 2-3 BDRM
3 hours
3 hours
4–6 hours (2-3 Movers)
26 ft / 3-5 BDRM
3–5 hours
3-4 hours
5–8 hours (3-5 Movers)
If you want furniture wrapped:
Add 1–3 hours to your estimate depending on truck size and the amount of furniture.
Instant Price Calculator
Use our calculator to estimate your project cost in seconds! Just select your options and see live pricing instantly
An additional $25hr fee applies for hazard jobs. To view the full details, please click the button below.
HOW MANY MOVERS?
Instant Price Calculator
Use our calculator to estimate your project cost in seconds! Just select your options and see live pricing instantly. All services are booked separated. Booking Assembly & disassembly in some cases can be include in the move.
Book load and unload
Book packing and unpacking
Book furniture assembly & disassembly
Book home or office moving-out cleaning
An additional $25 Per Hour fee applies for hazard jobs. To view the full details, please click the button below.
The Muscle Guys made our office move so smooth. They were fast, professional
and super careful with our equipment! We couldn’t have asked for
a better moving experience.
– Sarah M
READY FOR YOUR SMOOTHEST MOVE YET?
Moving doesn’t have to be a hassle. With The Muscle Guy, you get the muscle without the headaches. We’re Chicago’s trusted labor-only movers, helping you load, unload, and tackle the tough parts—so you can focus on what matters most.
Powered by IQ Moves.
THE QUESTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This questionnaire is for load and unload labor-only service. If your needs include packing and unpacking, please book accordingly. For labor-only moves, all belongings should be packed before the movers arrive.
This job does not provide a truck or supplies.
ITEMS ARE: appropriate dolly, blankets, shrink wrap, original TV or U-Haul boxes for TVs, moving rope and/or ratchet straps for securing belongings during transit. Not all jobs need all supplies.
Over 60% of damage to belongings happens in transit. We care about your belongings, but when supplies are not available, our skills may not be enough to prevent damage. Movers may decline to move items that are at high risk of damage without proper protection. Waivers are available if needed.
The clock starts when the mover arrives. We book by the hour. If you book a 2-hour job at 8:00 AM and it is 10:00 AM, your mover will ask if you want to book another hour.
If you have pictures or paintings, wrap them with moving paper and place them in a box or TV box. If you have an elevator, don’t forget to reserve it.
Please be as accurate as possible with inventory and answers. This is very important. If you book 2 hours and have not disclosed items or conditions that push the job beyond your booked time, we may not be able to stay in most cases because other customers are scheduled. We will do our best to find another crew or reschedule later in the day or the next morning. The last thing we want is to leave you stranded. Also, if you book 2 hours and the movers are done early, there is no refund.
For early jobs, getting your U-Haul truck the night before can be a blessing. If you choose not to buy insurance, we are not liable for damage that occurs.
Please reach out with any questions. We are here to make your move smooth and stress free. Our movers are amazing! We understand moving is hard.
Frequently Asked Questions
DO I NEED TO RENT A MOVING TRUCK?
Yes! We provide the muscle—you’ll need to rent a moving truck or container separately.
HOW DOES YOUR PRICING WORK?
It’s simple: you pay an hourly rate per helper, with clear minimums (see charts above). No hidden fees or surprise charges..
IS THERE A MINIMUM CHARGE?
Yes. For load only or unload only, there’s a 2-hour minimum. For combined load and unload, there’s a 3-hour minimum.
WHAT PAYMENT METHODS DO YOU ACCEPT?
We accept card payments online through our secure link. You don’t pay until our movers arrive and are ready to start.We take Zelle, Debit card or Venmo.
WHAT AREAS DO YOU SERVE?
We serve a 50-mile radius around Chicago.
WHAT IF I’M NOT SURE HOW LONG TO BOOK?
Scroll up to see our recommended times by truck size and service, or just call us—we’re happy to help you estimate. We’ve moved thousands of households and packed thousands of trucks, so you can trust our team to give you honest, expert advice every time.
HOW SHOULD I PREPARE?
Box up all loose items
Disassemble large furniture
Wrap fragile items carefully to prevent damage
WHAT SUPPLIES DO THE MOVERS BRING?
Our team brings essential lifting equipment (shoulder straps, 2-wheel dolly, etc). We recommend renting moving blankets with your truck for extra protection. We can provide other supplies but you will be charged for it.
DO I NEED TO PACK EVERYTHING BEFORE THE MOVERS ARRIVE?
Yes, please have all your belongings packed and ready to go before we arrive. Our team is here to provide the muscle for lifting, loading, unloading, and rearranging your items. We’re happy to use any moving blankets or shrink wrap you supply with your rental truck to help protect your furniture during the move.We have packing services that they can book us. we can take that stress away of packing do it for you.
CAN I LEAVE CLOTHES IN DRAWERS?
You can, but furniture will be heavier. For safety and efficiency, we recommend packing clothes in boxes or wardrobe containers.
HOW DO I PREP APPLIANCES?
Unplug, clean, and dry appliances. Drain washing machines and detach hoses.
CAN YOU LOAD A TV WITHOUT A BOX?
We’re unable to move TVs unless they’re safely packed in boxes. If you don’t have a box for your TV, we kindly ask that you transport it yourself to keep it protected.
WHAT TYPES OF MOVING HELP DO YOU OFFER?
We load and unload rental trucks, storage containers, and help with in-home moves. We also handle specialty items and small commercial moves. Our team can assist with furniture assembly and disassembly, rearrange furniture or appliances within your home, and tackle tricky moves involving stairs, tight spaces, or unique Chicago. neighborhoods. From last-minute moves to careful handling of pianos, gym equipment, or antiques, The Muscle Helpers are ready to make your move smooth, safe, and stress-free.
CAN I MAKE MULTIPLE STOPS?
Yes! Movers will follow in their own vehicles to each location you provide when you make your booking. Be sure to book enough time to include travel.
DO YOU ASSEMBLE/DISASSEMBLE FURNITURE?
Our movers are happy to assist with basic assembly and disassembly, but please note that we do not provide tools—so be sure to have the necessary tools ready. Book extra time according to how many pieces of furniture you need us to work on. If you’d prefer to save time and money, we highly recommend taking care of furniture assembly or disassembly yourself before moving day. This way, everything will go even more smoothly and cost effectively for you!
CAN I EXTEND MY RESERVATION ON THE SPOT?
Our movers are glad to stay longer if their schedule allows, but if we have a booked mover after you we will have to either honor the waiting customer (some customers have reserved elevators, or docs) or come back when we are done, or we will have another crew finish your job. We have a 60 minute window for arrival for situations just like that. Our customers are our priority. We will not leave you without any help.
HOW CAN I REQUEST A REFUND?
If you’re eligible for a refund, please click on “Request Refund” on your order page or contact our support team.