If you’re searching “how much do movers cost” in Austin or San Antonio, you’re usually looking for a straight answer. The honest one is that local moves are priced by time and crew size, and long-distance moves are priced differently. What changes your number is not a mystery fee on the truck. It’s how much you’re moving, how long the job takes, how hard it is to get in and out of both homes, and whether you want packing help.
Elite Star Movers is a family owned and operated moving company based in Buda. We serve Austin, Buda, Kyle, San Marcos, San Antonio, New Braunfels, Dripping Springs, and Wimberley. Hector Jr leads our moves in the field. Below is how pricing works for us, without made-up rate cards or “average” numbers that don’t match your home.
Local moves: hourly by crew size, no truck fees
For local moves around Central Texas, we price by the size of the crew and the time on the job. Travel time is listed separately on your quote. There are no truck fees: whether your move needs one truck or several, you’re not paying a separate truck charge on top of the crew.
That structure matters because a two-bedroom apartment on one floor with elevator access is a different job from a three-story house with a long driveway and a garage full of tools. Same company, same care, different hours. When you ask for a quote for Austin movers or San Antonio movers, we look at inventory and access first, not a one-size-fits-all price board.
Our slogan is “We Can Handle It,” and our motto is “Serving People & Protecting Furniture, Peace by Piece.” Pricing should feel as clear as the work: you know what you’re paying for before moving day.
What actually changes your local moving price
1. How much you’re moving
A studio with a bed, sofa, and a few boxes is not the same day as a four-bedroom home with a garage gym and a patio set. The more pieces and boxes, the more trips between the door and the truck, and the longer the clock runs. Decluttering before you request a quote is the simplest way to bring the total down: sell, donate, or toss what you don’t want to move.
2. Crew size
More movers can finish faster on a large home, but you’re paying for more hands each hour. On a small apartment, a smaller crew is often the better fit. We match crew size to the inventory and the access at both places so you’re not over- or under-staffed.
3. Stairs, elevators, and walking distance
Third-floor walk-ups in South Austin, long hallway walks in downtown San Antonio high-rises, and gated communities with tight parking all add time. Elevator reservations and certificates of insurance for apartment buildings can also shape the day. Tell us about stairs, elevator booking rules, and how far the truck can park from the door when you request your quote.
4. Packing
You can pack everything yourself, have us pack only the kitchen and fragile items, or have the whole home packed. Packing adds labor and materials, but it can also shorten loading day and reduce damage risk. Our packing services cover as much or as little as you need.
5. Travel time
Travel time between our staging and your stop, or between origin and destination on a longer local run, is billed separately so it’s visible on the quote. I-35 corridor moves between Austin and San Antonio, or jobs out toward Dripping Springs and Wimberley, need that clarity up front.
For a fuller picture of how a local day runs, see our local moving page.
Long-distance moves: flat-rate price guarantee
Long-distance and out-of-state moves work differently. Traffic, weather, and building access at the destination can stretch a clock-based price in ways that are hard to predict from Austin. That’s why our long-distance moves, including in-state trips to Dallas and Houston, come with a flat-rate price guarantee. The details are confirmed in your written quote.
Your flat rate depends on a complete inventory, packing needs, and access at both ends. An accurate list of what you’re moving matters more than a vague room count. Learn more on our long distance moving page, then get a free quote with your inventory.
A worked example (no dollar figures)
Imagine two quotes for the same Saturday:
- Quote A: Two-bedroom apartment in Kyle, elevator reserved, truck parks near the loading dock, customer packs everything except the kitchen, three movers.
- Quote B: Same inventory, but a second-floor walk-up with a long carry, no elevator, street parking a half block away, and the crew packs the whole home.
Quote B will take more hours even though the furniture list looks identical. Stairs, packing, and access explain the gap. That’s the kind of detail we want on your quote request so you’re comparing apples to apples when you shop movers.
What we do not add as surprise line items
We don’t charge truck fees on local moves. We also don’t offer storage or vehicle transport, so you won’t see those as add-ons from us. If you need a piano moved, say so early: uprights and grands, including stair moves, are part of what we do, and they need the right crew plan. Specialty items belong in the inventory, not as a surprise on moving day.
Payment options we accept include card, Venmo, Zelle, and Apple Pay. Ask us about deposit and cancellation terms when you book so those are clear in writing too.
How to get a useful quote (and compare fairly)
- Make one inventory and send the same list to every company you’re comparing.
- Include stairs, elevators, parking distance, and HOA or building rules.
- Say whether you want full packing, partial packing, or loading and unloading only.
- Ask what’s included: pads, wrap, disassembly and reassembly, and a final walk-through.
- For long distance, ask whether the price is a flat rate in writing.
Elite Star’s work is backed by our quality service guarantee. We don’t publish fine print here that we can’t stand behind; your written quote and agreement spell out what’s included for your move.
Ready for a clear number?
Submit your inventory online for a free quote, or call us at (512) 358-7827. Toll-free: (888) 368-4689. Email: info@elitestarmovers.com. Tell us where you’re starting, where you’re going, and what’s moving, and we’ll get back to you with a clear next step.
