The average local relocation price for moving a gun safe or home safe is $150 to $800, depending on the weight, stairs, and distance. With safes, you can’t just take one for a walk and walk away, which is why we receive questions about safe moving costs almost daily at Premier Gun Safe Movers. A dolly carrying a 500 lb. safe is not too heavy. A 1200 lb safe in a basement corner is a much different operation, as is the cost.
What Actually Drives the Safe Moving Cost
The most important factor is weight. Under 500 lbs are the most inexpensive to move, as two movers can easily maneuver with straps and a heavy-duty dolly. After that, most companies require a third mover or dedicated equipment such as a stair-climbing dolly, a piano board with skates, or some other moving equipment.
Stairs are a definite expense. Each flight will cost $50 to $150 because they slow down the job and can cause damage to walls, floors, and the safe itself.
It’s not as much as people think about for moving locally, but it does matter. Carrying a safe from room to room within the house is much cheaper than loading it onto a truck and driving it across town.
The wildcard is access. It takes 10 minutes to load a safe in an open garage. Even at the very door of the closet, a safe that is bolted and has a narrow doorway will take an hour to get to the truck. Many don’t realize the importance of the width of the doorway. The standard width of an interior door is 32 inches, so there are plenty of gun safes wider than that once you add in the gun swing and handle. Then it’s time for a crew to choose between breaking through a door frame or lifting a safe on its side—which will both take time and cost more money.
Typical Safe Moving Cost Ranges
These are general estimates and not a set list of prices. The price of your quote will vary according to the details of your move.
- Small safes (under 300 lbs): $150 to $250
- Medium safes (300 to 800 lbs): $250 to $500
- Large gun safes (800 to 1,500 lbs): $500 to $900
- Extra-large safes (over 1,500 lbs): $900 and above, frequently after a phone or photo consultation
Like safes, hot tubes come in the same pricing model as the safe has: awkward shape, serious weight, and the risk for wall or floor damage if the crew is not knowledgeable.
Safe Moving Services That Change the Price
Not all moves are created equal, and not all quotes should be the same. These are the types of things that are usually included in a base rate:
If the safe must be taken apart to open a doorway, disassemble and reassemble it. If the safe must be disassembled to clear a doorway, do so and then reassemble the safe.
- Protection of floors and walls, particularly hardwood, tile, or newly painted walls
- Add additional person(s) for safes over 800 lbs.
- Truck parking: when the truck cannot park close to the door (Long carry)
Why Hiring Safe Movers Beats Doing It Yourself
Home Depot’s dolly and three friends are cheaper, until they get injured or the safe punches a hole in the stairs. Safes are heavy, high to the top, and tight to the sides, whereas furniture is not. A 1963 Chevy engine block weighs about 600 pounds. There are many gun safes out there that weigh more and don’t have a convenient lifting point.
Then there’s the insurance thing. When a rented dolly breaks on a rented truck ramp, you are liable for the contents of the safe, as well as the dolly. What a licensed moving company will provide coverage for is just that, and the few dollars that you can save by doing it yourself aren’t worth it.
FAQs
What is the price of relocating a gun safe?
The average price of a gun safe move is in the range of $150 to $900, which varies based on the type of gun safe and how easy it is to access. Premier Gun Safe Movers’ quote is based on your particular safe and location and not just a flat hourly estimate.
Would the cost be different if the safe were placed in a basement?
Yes. Often basements involve stairs, narrow turns, and low ceilings, which can cost an additional $100 to $300. Premier Gun Safe Movers take access points into consideration when quoting a job.
Can I move my heavy safe myself so that I can save money?
It is possible, but safes that weigh more than 500 lbs can pose a risk of injury or property damage. Premier Gun Safe Movers uses rated equipment designed for these exact weights, which is oftentimes less costly than repairs to damaged floors.
Are there additional charges for long-distance moving within the same city by safe moving companies?
Denver, Aurora, Centennial, Parker, and Lakewood moving costs are primarily determined by weight and access, rather than mileage. Premier Gun Safe Movers can assure you that the exact rates and prices will be determined when pickup and delivery addresses are known.
But how am I to get an accurate estimate of the safe moving cost?
Provide the weight of the safe, its dimensions, and a photo of the area it is required to pass through. Premier Gun Safe Movers takes that information into account and provides a solid estimate rather than a handset estimate.