Many moving companies advertise a "2-hour minimum" rate and let you do the math, but the bill on move day looks nothing like it. The usual gap is a time estimate that was too short, followed by travel time, fuel, stair or long-carry fees and materials billed on top. At AD Movers, local moves are hourly with no fuel surcharge and no weekend surcharge. Your ballpark is built from your answers, and nothing is added without your OK.
The Hidden Fee Playbook
A "2-hour minimum" ad sounds simple: two hours times the rate. But two hours is the least you can pay, not what most homes take, and the rate is often only part of the bill. These are the hidden costs of 2-hour movers we hear about most from customers who call us after a bad experience, and how AD Movers handles each one.
The biggest hidden cost isn't a fee. It's a two-hour estimate on a home that takes five. Two hours fits a small studio with easy access; a two-bedroom with stairs is usually a four-to-six-hour job. Ask every mover how many hours they expect for your home, not just what the minimum is.
Many companies add a fuel surcharge on top of the hourly rate, usually in the fine print. AD Movers has no fuel surcharge on local moves. Driving between your two homes is part of the job, not a line item.
Some movers charge per flight of stairs, per elevator, or a "long-carry fee" when the truck can't park near the door. With AD Movers these are not separate fees. Stairs and a long walk add time on the clock, which is why the calculator asks about them before it shows your ballpark.
Some companies charge for every blanket and roll of wrap, or bring supplies you didn't ask for and bill you for them. Moving blankets, furniture wrap and floor protection come with an AD Movers crew. If you want us to pack, packing service is part of your ballpark, so it isn't added on arrival.
A card processing fee, an admin fee or a booking fee can show up after the hourly math is done. Ask about each one before you book. With AD Movers, your final price is confirmed before move day, and nothing is added to it without your OK.
The Full Hidden Fee List
None of these are always a scam. Some are fair charges. They become hidden costs when they are left out of the quote, so ask about each one in writing.
Real Google Reviews
Word for word from our Google Business Profile, rated 4.8★ across 115 reviews. Katie L.'s move included a second stop, the kind of detail worth putting in your ballpark so it's priced from the start.
“Short and sweet review. The company was very punctual and professional. I moved into a third floor apartment, and all of my heavy solid wood furniture was put into place with not even a scratch.”
“AD Movers was fantastic!! They loaded up my apartment, made a second stop for more furniture, and unloaded everything fast and skillfully. Wonderful company, employees, and customer service!!”
“Best movers! Very professional, friendly, easy to work with and fun guys. Definitely recommend them to anyone who is looking for moving. Thanks for the hard work on a rainy day.”
How It Works
The fix for hidden costs is a quote built on the whole job: the real hours, the access and every heavy piece. Here is how ours works.
Use the form or the ballpark calculator. Include stairs, elevators, the walk to the truck, a second stop and any piano or safe. The ballpark shows in about 60 seconds, built on the hours your home is likely to take.
Pick any date, weekday or weekend, at the same rate. We go over the details with you and confirm the final price before move day.
The crew arrives with the blankets, dollies and wrap. If something changes on the day, like extra furniture that wasn't on the list, the crew lead tells you what it means for the time and gets your OK before anything is added.
Honest from the First Quote
Our crews don't add charges at the door. If the job changes on move day, say a storage unit nobody mentioned or a dresser from the neighbor's house, the crew lead explains what it adds and waits for your OK. That is the opposite of a two-hour quote that keeps growing with no warning. We work in New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner, Mandeville, Chalmette, Gretna and nearby towns.
Get Your Transparent Quote →
Fully Insured — No Extras
Every full move goes on an AD Movers truck with a crew of AD Movers employees, and every full move is insured. We don't sell a coverage upgrade on move day. Licensed by the Louisiana Public Service Commission as LPSC license #8127, which you can look up before you book.
Call 504-237-0855 →1,000+ Moves Since 2013
Areas We Serve
Every parish we serve gets the same terms: crew size and hours, no fuel surcharge, no weekend surcharge and no bridge fee for crossing the lake or the river.
Common Questions
The most common are a time estimate that is too short for the home, travel time to and from the mover's lot, fuel surcharges, stair or long-carry fees, materials billed by the piece, weekend rates, card or admin fees, and specialty items left off the quote. Some low rates also leave out the truck. Ask about each one in writing before you book.
Usually only for a small studio or a few pieces with easy access. As a general range, a one-bedroom is about three to four hours, a two-bedroom four to six and a three-bedroom six to eight, with boxes packed ahead. Stairs, a long carry or a second stop add time. The ballpark calculator shows the likely hours for your home.
There is no fuel surcharge on local moves and no weekend surcharge. Stairs, elevators and long walks from the truck are not separate fees; they add time on the clock, which is why the calculator asks about them up front. That way the time they take is already in your ballpark instead of showing up as a surprise line item.
Pianos, gun safes, pool tables and hot tubs carry a specialty charge, because they need extra equipment and extra hands. Packing service is extra if you want us to pack. You add both in the calculator, so they are part of the ballpark from the start, and your final price is confirmed before move day.
Ask every company the same questions before booking: How many hours do you expect for my home? When does the clock start? Is fuel included? Are there stair, elevator or long-carry fees? Do weekends cost more? Are blankets and wrap included? Is the truck included? Are there card or admin fees? Get the answers in writing and compare.
A low rate gets the phone to ring. It is not always a trick, but the rate is only half of the bill: the other half is the hours, plus whatever is charged on top. A cheap two-hour rate on a home that takes six, with fuel and stair fees added, can cost more than a higher rate with everything included.
Often not. Many app listings are labor only: a crew loads and unloads, and you rent and drive the truck, pay the gas and handle the mileage. That works well for some moves. Just compare it as labor only. AD Movers offers both full moves on our own truck and labor-only loading for your truck or POD.
Your final price is confirmed before move day, and nothing is added to it without your OK. There is no fuel surcharge and no weekend surcharge, and specialty items are priced up front. If your move changes before the day, tell us and we update the price first, so the change is something you agreed to.
Ready to Move?
Enter your home size and both addresses. The calculator shows the crew, the hours your home is likely to take and a ballpark price in about 60 seconds. Questions? Call 7am–7pm, seven days a week.
AD Movers is a licensed & insured New Orleans moving company providing local and long-distance moving across the areas we serve.
