Stair Carry
Definition
The physical process and associated fee for moving items up or down stairs. A flight charge of $50 to $100 per flight is standard. Charged at both origin and destination if applicable.
Stair carry refers to the labor involved in transporting household goods up or down staircases when an elevator is unavailable. It is one of the most common accessorial charges on moving bills.
Pricing: $50-$100 per flight at most companies. A flight is typically 8-12 steps. The charge applies at both origin and destination independently. Moving from a 3rd-floor walkup (2 flights up) to a 2nd-floor apartment (1 flight up) means paying for 3 total flights.
Some companies charge per flight per trip (the crew goes up and down multiple times), while others charge a flat per-flight fee regardless of trips. Always ask how the fee is calculated.
Alternatives: if your building has an elevator, you may avoid stair charges but could face an elevator fee instead ($75-$150). For high-rise buildings, reserve the elevator in advance and confirm any building-imposed time restrictions.