Frequently Asked Questions

We charge by the hour based on crew size and time worked. The clock starts when the first item moves at your current address and stops when the last piece is placed at your new home and you have completed the final walkthrough with us. There are no flat rate fees, no fuel surcharges added at the end, and no hidden charges. Your written estimate tells you the hourly rate and realistic time range before we ever show up.

Most local moves in Royal Oak and Oakland County range from $300 to $900 depending on home size, crew size, and how long the job takes. Studio and one bedroom moves are on the lower end. Three and four bedroom homes run higher. We give you a written estimate before you commit to anything so you know your number before move day.

No. The rate in your written estimate is the rate you pay. We do not add fuel surcharges after the truck is loaded, stair fees after the fact, or long-carry charges because the sidewalk was longer than expected. We ask the right questions upfront so the estimate is accurate from the start.

We do not require large upfront deposits for most residential moves in Royal Oak and Oakland County. Payment is due upon completion after you have done the final walkthrough and confirmed everything is placed correctly.

We accept cash, personal check, and all major credit and debit cards. There is no credit card processing fee.

For peak season moves between May and September we recommend two to four weeks in advance. Summer weekend slots fill fast across Royal Oak and Oakland County. For weekday moves and off-season moves we can often accommodate bookings within a few days. Call us as soon as you have a target date.

Yes. We are available seven days a week including most major holidays. Weekend slots fill significantly faster than weekday slots especially in summer. Book early if your move falls on a Saturday or Sunday.

Yes. We have handled same-day moves throughout Southeast Michigan more times than we can count. Call us early in the day and we will do everything we can to get a crew to you. We understand that life does not always follow a schedule.

Studio and one bedroom moves typically take two to four hours with a crew of two. Two and three bedroom homes run four to six hours. Large estates and four plus bedroom homes are typically a full day job. Preparation is the biggest factor. A packed and staged home moves significantly faster than one where packing is still happening when the crew arrives.

We strongly recommend being present at the start to walk the crew through your home and at the end to approve final placement at your new home. If you cannot be there the entire time designate a trusted person to be on site. We need someone to let us in and complete the final walkthrough before we leave.

The more prepared your home is when we arrive the faster the job goes and the lower your hourly total. Everything should be packed and boxed before we show up. Boxes staged near doorways save carry time. Paths from rooms to doors should be clear. Confirm truck parking at both addresses in advance. Have keys and access codes ready for the new home.

Yes. Every piece of furniture gets heavy-duty moving blankets and stretch wrap before it leaves the room. This is a hard rule on every Mantis job. Nothing moves unwrapped regardless of how short the distance is.

Yes. Bed frames, sectionals, large modular furniture, and anything that cannot clear a doorframe assembled all get taken apart at the origin and rebuilt at the destination. We bring a complete tool kit on every job and handle all assembly and disassembly as a standard part of the move at no extra charge.

Yes. We offer full and partial packing services as an add-on to any move. Our crew brings all supplies including boxes in multiple sizes, packing paper, bubble wrap, and specialty containers for dishes, mirrors, and artwork. Tell us when you book how much you want us to handle and we will build it into the plan.

Yes. Upright pianos, baby grand pianos, gun safes, marble tabletops, large antiques, and oversized items require specific equipment and technique. Please tell us about specialty items when you request your estimate so we can bring the right equipment and plan accordingly.

Yes. Mantis Moving owns its own private vault storage facility in Royal Oak. We pick up your belongings, load them into our vaults fully wrapped, and deliver everything to your new home when you are ready. Month-to-month pricing with no long-term contracts. One company managing the entire process from move-out to delivery.

Yes. If you have your own rental truck or a PODS container we provide the loading and unloading crew. We bring all equipment including dollies, moving blankets, straps, and stretch wrap. Labor-only jobs are billed hourly with a two-hour minimum.

We are based in Royal Oak and serve all of Oakland County and Southeast Michigan. Our most frequent service areas include Royal Oak, Birmingham, Troy, Novi, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, Farmington Hills, Farmington, Berkley, Clawson, Huntington Woods, Pleasant Ridge, Rochester Hills, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms, Franklin, Orchard Lake Village, Grosse Pointe, Ann Arbor, Auburn Hills, Plymouth, Northville, West Bloomfield, and all surrounding communities. Call us if your city is not listed.

Yes. We regularly handle moves between Oakland County and Macomb County, Wayne County, Washtenaw County, and other parts of Southeast Michigan. For longer distances within Michigan we price by the job rather than hourly. Call us with your origin and destination and we will give you an honest number.

Yes. For out of state moves we typically recommend pairing a one-way truck rental with Mantis loading labor. We pack the truck for long-distance transit, secure everything for highway travel, and price the loading work hourly. You drive or fly. We load.

Yes. Mantis Moving and Storage is fully licensed under DOT number 4428907 and CVED number 51059 and carries full cargo insurance and general liability insurance on every move. We are A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau. We can provide proof of insurance upon request before your move date.

We carry full cargo and liability insurance on every move. If an item is damaged due to something our crew did we file a claim and make it right. In practice damage is extremely rare because we wrap everything, load strategically, and use proper equipment throughout every job.