A Murphy bed can absolutely be moved — but almost never in one piece. The cabinet must come off the wall, the mechanism and mattress platform must be disassembled, and the hardware that holds the spring or piston system together must be carefully catalogued before anything leaves the room. For most people, the safest and most cost-effective approach is to hire a mover who explicitly handles specialty furniture, or the original installer if the bed is still under warranty.
What Makes a Murphy Bed Harder to Move Than a Regular Bed Frame?
A standard bed frame disassembles in minutes. A Murphy bed is a different animal for three reasons:
- It's wall-anchored. The cabinet is bolted into wall studs, sometimes with a secondary floor anchor. Removing it wrong can damage drywall, pull studs, or warp the cabinet.
- The mechanism is under tension. Piston-lift and spring-counterbalance systems store significant mechanical energy. Releasing them without the right sequence — usually specified in the manufacturer's manual — can cause the platform to snap open unexpectedly.
- The cabinet is heavy and awkward. A queen-size Murphy bed cabinet typically weighs between 200 and 350 pounds once the mechanism is attached. Even with the mattress removed, two people cannot safely carry it through a standard doorway without furniture dollies and door-frame padding.
Should You Disassemble It Yourself or Hire a Pro?
| Approach | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| DIY disassembly | Owners with the original manual, basic carpentry skills, and a helper | Spring/piston tension; stripped anchor bolts; losing small hardware |
| Furniture mover with specialty experience | Most moves where the bed will be reinstalled | Confirm they've done Murphy beds specifically — not all movers have |
| Original installer / Murphy bed dealer | Beds still under warranty; custom built-ins | May not be available on your timeline; can add cost |
| White-glove moving service | High-end custom units; long-distance relocations | Higher price, but includes reinstallation at the destination |
Our team has 35+ years of hands-on service-provider experience, including an operator who ran a moving company for 18 years — and the consistent advice from that side of the business is this: call the mover before moving day and describe the mechanism type. A piston-lift bed and a spring-counterbalance bed are taken apart differently, and a mover who doesn't know which one you have is a mover who may improvise on the spot.
If you're weighing whether to hire full-service movers or handle the heavy lifting yourself, our guide on DIY vs. full-service moving lays out exactly when the extra cost of a pro pays off.
Step-by-Step: How a Murphy Bed Is Typically Disassembled
This is the general sequence most manufacturers follow. Always consult your specific manual first — sequences vary by brand, and doing steps out of order on a tensioned mechanism can be dangerous.
- Remove the mattress. Strip the bedding completely and slide or lift the mattress out before touching any hardware. Set it aside in a mattress bag to protect it during the move.
- Lock or secure the platform. Most Murphy beds have a travel lock or a strap that holds the platform in the closed (vertical) position while tension is relieved. Engage it now.
- Relieve spring or piston tension per the manual. On spring systems this typically means loosening adjustment screws in a specific order. On piston systems, pistons may need to be pinned or removed before the platform is unbolted.
- Unbolt the platform from the cabinet. Once tension is fully released, the bed platform (the part the mattress rests on) can usually be unbolted and removed as a separate panel.
- Remove the cabinet from the wall. Locate all anchor points — typically 4 to 8 lag bolts into studs. Remove them carefully and have a second person support the cabinet as the last bolt comes out. Patch and save photos of the wall for reinstallation reference.
- Bag all hardware immediately. Use labeled zip-lock bags for every set of bolts, brackets, and pins. Tape them inside the cabinet or put them in your open-first box — not loose in a moving box.
- Pad and wrap every panel. Cabinet doors, the platform, and any integrated shelving should be wrapped in moving blankets and secured with stretch wrap before loading.
For a detailed look at how movers protect large wooden cabinet pieces in transit, see Moving an Armoire or Wardrobe Without Cracking the Doors — the padding principles apply directly to Murphy bed cabinetry.
What Does It Cost to Move a Murphy Bed?
Costs vary widely by mechanism complexity, floor access, distance, and whether reinstallation is included.
| Service | Typical price range |
|---|---|
| Disassembly only (local mover, 2 crew) | $150 – $400 |
| Disassembly + loading + local transport | $300 – $700 |
| Reinstallation at destination (local) | $200 – $500 |
| Full-service disassembly + long-distance move + reinstallation | $800 – $2,000+ |
| Original installer / dealer service call | $250 – $600 (each end) |
These are typical ranges — your actual quote will depend on the bed's size, weight, the number of flights of stairs, and whether a long carry or elevator is involved. Stair carries and long carries are common surcharges; ask about them when you get your estimate. Our hidden moving fees guide explains exactly what those line items mean before you sign anything.
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What Happens at the Destination?
Reinstallation is not automatic — confirm it in writing before moving day. Most movers who handle Murphy beds will reinstall, but some contract only for delivery to the room. You need to know:
- Who patches and preps the new wall? If you're moving into a rental, you may need landlord approval before anchoring into studs.
- Are the wall studs in the right place? Murphy beds need solid stud anchoring. A stud finder and the manufacturer's minimum spacing requirements should be checked before the crew arrives at the destination.
- Is the ceiling height compatible? A queen-size wall bed typically needs an 8-foot ceiling minimum; some brands require 8'6" or more. Measure before the move, not after.
If you're moving into a condo or apartment building where elevator reservations and loading dock rules may affect your timeline, the specifics in How to Move Into an Apartment Building are worth reading before you schedule.
Valuation: What Happens if the Mechanism Is Damaged in Transit?
This matters more for Murphy beds than for most furniture because the mechanism alone can cost $400 – $1,200 to replace.
On an interstate move, the two valuation options under federal FMCSA rules (49 CFR 375) are Full Value Protection — where the mover must repair, replace, or pay replacement value for damaged items — and Released Value, where liability is 60 cents per pound per article. Released Value only applies if you sign a written waiver choosing it. At 300 pounds, that's $180 for a bed that may cost $3,000 to replace. If the mechanism is at risk, Full Value Protection is worth the added premium.
On an in-state move, federal rules don't apply; your state's rules govern liability. The specifics vary — check with your mover and your state's consumer protection office. For more on how these coverage options work in practice, see our overview of moving valuation versus insurance.
Before you book, verify the mover's USDOT number yourself at the FMCSA's search tool (protections.fmcsa.dot.gov) to confirm they're licensed as a Motor Carrier of Household Goods. You can also read mover reviews to get a sense of how companies handle specialty items, and find movers in your area who list specialty furniture experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can movers move a Murphy bed without disassembling it?
Almost never safely. The cabinet is wall-anchored and too large to move through standard doorways in one piece. Even if the opening allowed it, the mechanism under tension makes transport without disassembly dangerous. Any mover who says otherwise without seeing the specific unit in person is a red flag.
How long does it take to disassemble and reassemble a Murphy bed?
Disassembly typically takes one to two hours for an experienced pair of workers. Reassembly and reinstallation at the destination often takes two to three hours, since anchoring into new studs and testing the mechanism adds time. Budget a half-day at each end if you're coordinating a full-service team.
Do I need the original installation manual?
Yes, if at all possible. Spring and piston systems vary significantly by brand, and the tension-relief steps are not interchangeable. If you've lost the manual, search the manufacturer's website by model number — most post PDFs. If you can't find it, the original installer is your safest call.
Will a standard moving company move a Murphy bed, or do I need a specialty mover?
Many full-service moving companies will move Murphy beds, but not all crews have done it before. Ask directly: "Have your crew members disassembled and reinstalled a [spring/piston] Murphy bed?" If the answer is vague, ask for a specialty furniture specialist or contact the bed's manufacturer for a recommended installer in your destination city.
What if the Murphy bed is a built-in with integrated cabinetry?
Custom built-ins that share walls with shelving, desks, or closet systems are significantly more complex. In most cases, a finish carpenter should disassemble the surrounding millwork before the movers arrive, and a carpenter should also handle reinstallation. The movers' job is transport — the cabinet work is separate.
Is it worth moving a Murphy bed, or should I sell it and buy new?
It depends on what you paid and what replacing it would cost. A new queen Murphy bed with a piston mechanism typically runs $1,500 – $4,000 installed. If your moving and reinstallation costs are under $800 and the bed is in good condition, moving it usually makes financial sense. If it's a basic spring model and you're moving long-distance, the math may favor selling and buying new. Our guide on whether to move old furniture or buy new has a framework for making that call piece by piece.
Need a mover who handles specialty furniture? Browse movers by state to find carriers in your area, check mover reviews to see how companies handle heavy or complex items, or connect with Robert, our moving concierge, for help narrowing down your options.
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