A short drive still deserves a complete plan
The distance between addresses is only one part of a local move. A ground floor home with a nearby loading area can involve very different work from an upstairs unit with a shared elevator, even when both routes take you across the same neighborhood.
Start with the full pickup and delivery addresses, the date and a room by room inventory. Include the garage, patio, basement and closets. Those easy to overlook spaces often explain why a move takes longer than a bedroom count suggests.
- List major furniture and an approximate box count.
- Identify the floor and access at both addresses.
- Tell us what needs packing, disassembly or special handling.
- Share fixed deadlines, including keys and building reservations.
Choose the amount of help that fits your move
If you want the crew and transportation together, movers with a truck cover the agreed loading, driving and unloading. A truck and two movers are $160 per hour with a three hour minimum, a $480 minimum service charge.
If you have arranged a rental truck, trailer or container, labor only provides the moving help. Two movers are $140 per hour with a two hour minimum, a $280 minimum service charge. Three and four mover options are available for either service.
Make a useful plan for moving day
Begin with a walkthrough of what is moving, what stays and any pieces needing particular care. Keep the route to the loading point clear and explain which furniture needs to be available first at the destination.
At delivery, use room labels and a simple furniture layout to guide placement. Before the job ends, check the spaces involved so the agreed belongings and placement work have been accounted for. A few clear decisions early can prevent repeated carrying later.
Bring parking and building access into the estimate
A nearby address does not always mean nearby parking. Describe the actual loading position, driveway slope, entrance and carrying distance. Send photos when a gate, tight approach or narrow stair turn is hard to explain.
For Portland street parking, check PBOT guidance early if you need reserved space. Reservation and sign requirements take advance planning. A building move reservation and permission to use public curb space are separate arrangements.
Finish the packing that would otherwise hold up loading
Have boxes closed and labeled before arrival if you are packing yourself. Keep the belongings you will carry personally together, and clearly mark anything staying behind. Tell us about unfinished cupboards or loose items while there is still time to plan for them.
Packing and unpacking can be included in the requested scope. They add billable time, and applicable materials are separate charges. Blankets, wrap, straps, hand trucks and dollies are used as appropriate for the agreed work.
Keep the estimate connected to the actual move
Hourly billing begins when the crew reaches the customer, and the service minimum applies even if the job finishes sooner. Inventory, stairs, elevator waits, furniture preparation and longer carrying routes affect time.
IronAtlas uses a one hour arrival window. Let us know about a strict building window or a change in keys, packing or inventory before the appointment. A complete request gives you a more useful estimate than an optimistic guess based on mileage alone.
Before you book
Can you move me between Portland and Vancouver?
IronAtlas serves the Portland metro area and Southwest Washington. Send both addresses so the route can be reviewed with your inventory and dates. Service and pricing are confirmed for the actual move rather than from the city names alone.
How far ahead should I get in touch?
Reach out when you know the likely date and addresses, especially if an elevator, loading dock or key handover limits your options. Share any flexibility. Availability is confirmed for your request; submitting an inquiry does not reserve a crew.
What most often changes the time estimate?
Additional furniture or boxes, unfinished packing, disassembly, waiting for access and longer carrying distances can all add work. Tell us about changes before moving day so the crew and transportation plan can be reviewed.
Is fuel or mileage automatically added to a local move?
Current local pricing has no automatic fuel or mileage charge. Unusually far travel needs individual review before an additional travel charge is quoted. Provide both full addresses so that discussion happens before you agree to the move.
Can I move just the furniture and handle my own boxes?
Yes. Identify the pieces you want moved and keep the items you are handling separate. We still need the access route, any disassembly and the intended placement. The applicable service minimum remains in place.
Can I ask for more than two movers?
Yes. Three and four mover options are available with or without a truck. The useful crew size depends on the load, access and requested work. Ask for the rates and minimums for the options being considered.
When do I pay?
Payment is due when the job is complete and before the workers leave. IronAtlas can send a card payment invoice and accepts Cash App, Chime and Venmo. Any deposit required for your booking is discussed after the service and pricing are agreed.