Most local moves in Chicago cost between $450 and $2,000. That is a wide range, so here is what actually moves the number. The biggest factors are the size of the home, how many stairs are involved, and how ready you are when the crew arrives.

A one-bedroom apartment with an elevator and a packed customer is about three hours. The same apartment on a fourth floor walk-up with nothing packed can be eight.

When you compare quotes, look at the crew size and the hourly rate together. Two movers at $129 an hour will take longer than three at $169, and sometimes the bigger crew ends up cheaper.

• Studio or one bedroom: 2 movers, 3–4 hours
• Two bedrooms: 3 movers, 4–6 hours
• Three bedrooms: 3–4 movers, 6–8 hours
• Four bedrooms and up: 4 movers, a full day or more

Ask every company what is included: truck, fuel, pads, shrink wrap and disassembly should all be in the hourly rate. If a quote has a separate fuel charge for a move across town, ask why.