Category Archives: Moving Costs

Can You Really Trust Your Movers in 2022

As peak moving season is winding down, consumers planning their upcoming out of state moves will be able to hire the best long distance movers in 2022 with a little more ease. This was not the case for many in the past few years. The pandemic caused a lot of rogue moving companies to pop up – inexperienced and fly-by-night scams are on the rise. Of course another new trend of one moving company owning multiple locations and “brands” to cut out any competitors is also something we have seen in 2022.

Take Boston, MA for instance. The market saw over 20 moving companies associated with Elromco/Boston Best Rate/Michaels Movers. The have over 20 brands all owned by out of country owners. Their terms and conditions for all of these brands states it is illegal to write a poor review and you cannot sue them. We spoke with an anonymous mover who used Anton’s Movers aka. Xpress Movers – one of the many “brands” all owned by Eli Derei, Stoil Andreev, Ronan Dhory. “Getting in touch with the owner to make a complaint after the move was impossible, its a goose chase to someone in another country.” He then received a letter from an attorney stating he take down his poor review or he will be sued. A quick web search finds all of their brands have impeccable reputations on the internet – a little too good do be true for moving company owners that have had to shut down several times under the name Boston Quality Movers. What’s more? Eliran Derei has ownership in these moving companies and owns Elromco – moving company software that gives him and his team every contact, email, access to every move coming in from movers that sign up for elromco.

In Florida, large moving companies flood the market with google ads and basically take every move. They do an abhorrent job then when the claims pile up, their business simply disappears only to rebrand and reopen somewhere else. This is the case with Good Greek. Good Greek has rebranded several times after claims get too much to bear. Another moving company that has constantly rebranded and reopened under new management several times – All My Sons. There is an entire facebook group dedicated to All My Sons Moving which is one of the largest moving companies in the country, yet their individual city reviews remain stellar. Something has to be done to fix the moving industry – how can the average consumer trust movers that are able to manipulate the internet to look like valid, trusted movers?

can you trust your movers
Can You Really Trust These Reviews?

So, the question is- Which Movers Can You Trust

Choosing a moving company that has been around for a long time in your area – one that has not had to rebrand. Also, you can do a local search on your state corporation site to find out who the owner is. Look for red flags – owners who live in another country, owners with more than 2 businesses. Another red flag is which movers received PPP. Out of every industry moving is one that never experienced a slow-down and were considered essential workers. Most moving companies had their best years during the pandemic. If your moving company took PPP money, it’s highly likely they are shady. You can check who received ppp here.

Moving Reviews

Moving Reviews have been completely fabricated in the past 2 years. You can easily pay a company $5/moving review that companies are able to write themselves. These same companies can have fake reviews written and good ones flagged for review which means after so many flags google takes them down. You can not trust google reviews at all. They are not accurate. Yelp and BBB are paid. So, who can you trust? Movers Near Me has a platform that is filtering out fake/duplicate moving companies. This platform also verifies insurance and has a real intimate knowledge of the moving companies they put on their site. You can also visit Move Line. This is a startup that verifies moving companies and helps small, independent movers compete with larger companies so consumers can get the best moving services at lower rates.

Moving Costs

Moving Costs are also an area of concern when finding movers you can trust. Prices can range by as much as 40% between moving companies. How can you tel which company is giving an accurate quote vs. low-balling only to upcharge you at a later time? You can start here using our instant moving calculator to give you an estimate of about where your moving company pricing should be around.

How To Pay Your Movers

When hiring movers near me, one important thing to ask is when, how and the conditions for the transfer of payment. Because there are many different ways that moving companies accept and request payment you should be privy to the different ways movers will ask you to reimburse them for your move.

How much should a moving deposit be?

Your moving deposit is an amount of moving a moving company will want to secure your moving date. Moving companies only have so many trucks and men for each day so if you reserve a day and time they do not book anyone else for that truck on that day. Moving deposits are generally non-refundable.

How To Pay Your Movers
How to Pay Your Movers

Local Moving Deposits

A local moving deposit should be no more than $100. You can easily find movers near me that do not charge local moving deposits during the pandemic because so many issues have arisen with move-in and closing delays. When you book a moving company they should send you an invoice to pay your deposit online – never give credit card info over the phone.

Your local moving balance should be due at the offload and it will be based on an hourly rate.

Learn more about local movers near me.

Long Distance Moving Deposits

Long Distance Moving Companies will look for 10-20% of your move up front. Any more than that and I would find out why. If your moving company cannot cover the costs of the move without getting more of a deposit that is not a good sign. Monster Movers, the “best private long distance moving company in 2020, generally charges 10% at the pick up and 90% at the delivery. Van lines and Franchises usually ask for 50% at pick up as well because their moves are usually split between two parties.

Learn more about long distance moving companies near me.

What payment methods to moving companies accept?

Moving companies payment methods vary across the board. Some moving companies accept certified bank checks only and some accept everything including bitcoin.

For local moves, expect your moving company to send you an invoice during the offload to your phone or email. Some companies with older technology still may have you input your information into a tablet. Newer moving software allows the customer to feel safe knowing nobody else has their information as it is encrypted with services like paypal, wave, fattmerchant etc.

Long distance movers may expect customers to pay by either certified bank check, credit card, or cash. It is suggested to stay away from movers that only accept cash – first off having $5,000 in cash is not an option for everyone and second it’s just not safe. Certified bank checks can be annoying but they protect both parties. The best solution again is hiring movers that send you an invoice to your phone/email to pay. Some moving companies like Monster Movers and Movers Near Me accept bitcoin which is a great way to pay as all of your information is encrypted ensuring another layer of protection

Learn more about moving company costs.

Movers By The Hour Near Me

If you are looking for a movers by the hour near me, it could be because you are moving locally, or just trying to move a few items. Whatever the reason, it’s essential to identify the best movers nearby the for your move. Local hourly movers are abundant, and there are some great companies out there, but how do you separate the good from the sketchy? The internet is filled with sites like taskrabbit and hireahelper but any “moving company” can get listed on their sites for a fee. They don’t need to be licensed or insured! This could mean a lawsuit for you if someone gets hurt at your residence during the move or no way of holding these hourly movers responsible for damages to your furniture or property.

When hiring movers by the hour, it is best to make sure they are:

  • licensed and insured
  • maintain excellent moving reviews
  • have been in business (without changing names) for at least 10 years
  • are active in your community
  • have full time labor
  • are not affiliated with van lines, brokers or moving franchises

Many moving websites today pose as an actual moving company but are really lead generators which means if you are looking for movers by the hour near me and fill out a form you could have dozens of moving companies an annoying calls for weeks! Almost all movers by the hour have a minimum because by law moving companies need to pay their crews a minimum amount of hours for each job. If your moving company doesn’t make sure they are licensed and insured and following the laws in your state. Residents commonly hire movers by the hour to transport large items while managing part of the move themselves, perhaps making several trips with small items and boxes. Having someone else handle the most difficult pieces is a relief and doesn’t have to be expensive. However, if you are already hiring movers for the big pieces it should only take a short amount of time for them to move the rest so you’ll have to determine if the additional 1-2 hours cost is worth 4-5 hours of your time.

How Can I Hire Movers For 2 Hours?

Moving companies near me by hour should offer a minimum of 3 hours that being said many have a flat rate for a move of 2 hours or less. Movers Near Me offers a flat rate of $250 for any move where it will be less than 2 hours without a truck.

Local moving companies are most likely small businesses. Many moving companies only operate 2-4 trucks, it is up to you to perform the research and ensure that you are contracting with a reputable company.

Average Moving Cost Per Hour

Average hourly moving costs for a local move is going to depend in part on where you live since labor is the primary determinant. This will mainly be determined by the cost of living in your area But as a national average, you can expect these to be the average hourly moving rates:

  • Two movers with one truck: $130-$170 per hour
  • Three movers with one truck: $150-$209 per hour
  • Four movers with one truck: $210-$270 per hour
  • Four movers with two trucks: $249-$299 per hour

The total cost to complete your move will vary according to the number of things you are moving. While long-distance moves are charged based on the load’s weight, local moves are priced on labor—the length of time it takes to load up the truck, drive to the destination, and unload. Your local moving rates could also be increased if you have bulky items, stairs, disassembly of furniture, packing, storage and specialty services.

Your local movers should never charge the following and should be included in your quote:

  • stair fees
  • taxes
  • tolls
  • shuttle fee
  • long haul
  • elevator fee
  • full coverage
  • shrink wrap, tape

There are many movers, usually associated with franchises that charge for all of these extras AFTER they have already completed the move. Have this list handy to make sure you will not be up-charged.

Learn more about moving helpers near me

Hourly Moving Quote

You want to find out in advance when you are getting your estimates, but there are some fees to be aware of. Movers charge for long carries, which means if the distance they must carry things from your door to where they park the truck is over a specific number of feet, they may charge you more. They may add a fee if you have stairs or an elevator and if they need to disassemble and reassemble any furniture. If you ask the mover to stop at a storage unit or another residence, they will charge an extra fee for those stops. If you aren’t ready when they arrive, you can expect to pay a wait time charge.

Getting an hourly moving quote post-COVID means no more in-person moving estimates. However, there is a moving calculator that allows you to enter an inventory or upload pictures and get an instant hourly moving quote.

Whether you want a mover for one hour or a more extensive move, you can find one to complete the work for you. It may be easier to hire a moving company for a small job when it isn’t peak season, or if you can be flexible in your timing. Movers are busier on weekends and during the summer since that is when most people prefer to move. Local moves are even more likely to occur at month-end when people switch from one rental to another. If you want to hire a mover for a smaller job, you may be able to get a better price if you offer to fill a time slot that they have available, instead of asking for a specific day.

Movers Near Me

Do your research before choosing Movers Near Me no matter how quickly you need one, or how small the move is. Check with the BBB (Better Business Bureau), which maintains information about complaints against companies. Ask every company for references when you get an estimate and call those references. Don’t rely on reviews – those can be fabricated or paid for. We like porch for the best moving reviews. Get a moving quote that is guaranteed and make nsure that the quotes make sense and that the representatives of the company seem honest and straightforward. If the company does not want to provide you with a written estimate based on a visual survey of the move parameters, you should find another company to hire. They should also provide you with information about insurance protection and dispute resolution. Reliable long distance movers will never ask you to sign a blank document, and will not ask for payment in advance, or a large cash deposit.

Hourly Movers in Popular Cities

Here are the most popular areas that need movers by the hour near me. These local moving companies have movers and moving trucks ready to assist you on your hourly moving needs:

Hourly Movers Near Me Boston

Hourly Movers Near Me Miami

Hourly Movers Near Me Orlando

Hourly Movers Near Me Charlotte

Hourly Movers Near Me DC

Hourly Movers Near Me Philadelphia

Hourly Movers Near Me Jacksonville

Long-Distance Moving 2021

Are you searching for long distance moving? Well we are almost done with one of the most surprising years ever and lots of families, millennials, singles who are ready to mingle, get x-ers and baby boomers, and everyone else seems to be heading to a new state. Perhaps it’s because we have been unable to leave our homes for the past 9 months? Regardless with lots of long distance moving comes many scams and new ways rogue movers have found to rip you off! Don’t be a victim to a moving scam in 2021 – take our advice and you will have a stress-free move!

Are you looking for long distance moving companies near me for a long distance move? You are not alone! This year looks to be very busy for those moving more than 100 miles. Moving to a new place can be very stressful especially if you don’t have any contacts in your new area. When hiring long distance movers near me – there are a few major things to keep in mind: size of your shipment, dates you need it there by, moving costs, quality of your moving company, moving scams and long distance moving costs in 2021.

Long Distance Moving Costs

Demand for long distance moving is going to be very high in 2021. Low prices and bartering with companies will not be as easy as you think. One thing to remember is that if it seems to good to be true theres a 75% chance your movers won’t show up. There are so many long distance moving scams so we can help you determine the best value for your move.

  • Cost to Rent a Moving Truck
    • $150 (small truck, local move) to $4,500 (large truck, long-distance move) Uhaul rates were above $4800 for a move from CA to TX
  • Cost to Hire a Long Distance Moving Company
    • Long-Distance: $2,000 to $5,000 per load
  • Cost to Hire a Full-Service Long Distance Moving Company
    • $2,000 to $10,000
  • Cost to Rent a Moving Container
    • $4,500/container – about 2 bedroom apartment (large container, cross-country move)

The average cost for a local move typically ranges anywhere from $2500 for a one-bedroom apartment to $7400 for a four-bedroom house.

These are estimates only for a guaranteed, not to exceed moving quote you will need to provide more information.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire Long Distance Movers?

Long-Distance Moving Costs 2021

Okay, now let’s see what costs look like if you’re moving beyond 100 miles—including the same state The factors that could make your long distance moving costs fluctuate:

  • Distance You Are Moving From and To
  • Weight of Items Being Moved
  • Dates You Need to Be In and Out
  • Specialty Services: Pianos, Packing, Storage, etc
  • If Your Long Distance Moving Company Charges Extra Fees
  • Quality of Your Long Distance Movers

Full Service Long Distance Moving Costs 2021

Hiring a full service long distance movers in 2021 is going to be the best option for most people. Eliminating the stress of coordinating an entire move is exhausting and it usually ends up costing the same amount or even less than a DIY move or a moving container.

Full service moving costs will vary depending on how far you are moving and the size of your move along with other add-ons. However, the average long distance moving companies costs are:

$1500-$2000 for a one bedroom move about 150-400 miles

$2000-$3000 for a two bedroom move about 150-400 miles

$3000-$4000 for a three bedroom move about 150-400 miles

$2000-$3000 for a one bedroom move about 500-900 miles

$3000-$4000 for a two to three bedroom move about 500-900 miles

$3000-$5000 for a one bedroom 1000+ miles

$5000-$6000 for a two to three bedroom 1000+ miles

$5000-$6000 for a four bedroom 1000+ miles

Of course these are just averages, in order to get a binding, guaranteed not-to-exceed quote you can start with this moving calculator that will provide you with an option to fill out an inventory or provide pictures.

Long Distance Moving Companies Near Me

How Much Are Moving Containers?

What if you don’t want to run the risk of movers mishandling your stuff or deal with the hassle of driving a moving truck yourself? Then you’ll probably want to use moving containers. It’s kind of like having the back of a moving truck dropped off at your house. You load all your stuff into the container on your own time, then you schedule a date for the container company to pick it up. They drop it off at your new location for you to unpack. Moving containers are about 25% more expensive than hiring an actual mover plus you have to pay someone to load and unload unless you have some good friends. Expect to pay $4500/container which a 3-4 bedroom house will need at least 2 so at $9000 this is not a less expensive option plus labor to load and unload can be over $12,000. Do your due diligence if using moving containers for a long distance move – the reviews are horrendous. What’s more, they have become notorious for thefts. There are viral videos of robbers cutting the containers with a small pocket knife and making out with peoples stuff.

Can I Deduct Moving Expenses?

Taxes are the last thing you want to think about when you’re moving! But if you’re banking on a tax deduction to reimburse your moving expenses, we want to warn you—it won’t. There is a misconception that you can deduct moving expenses but that was eliminated in 2018.

Long Distance Moving Scams 2021

It would be a complete lie if we said moving scams have disappeared. The end of 2020 has been ripe with moving scams and 2021 looks to be no different. As the economy is filled with uncertainty van lines and brokers have been scamming customers more than usual. Here are some very important things to look for when moving long distance in 2021 so you can avoid being scammed:

  • Van Lines have been underbidding long distance moves and don’t have the support to do all of the moves leaving customers stranded on their day of the move resulting in hiring another moving company at top dollar because they don’t have time to start over and look for a new company. Avoid van lines at all costs in 2021.
  • Because van lines and brokers don’t have the support to handle all of their moves they have been sending moving companies that are uninsured, unlicensed, unexperienced, untrained and without background checks. Read reviews people and know that consumer affairs reviews are owned by van lines – they are not real reviews. It is best to hire flat rate private moving companies for any long distance move in 2021.

LONG DISTANCE MOVING SECRETS 2020

long distance moving 2020
Long Distance Moving 2020

Our MOVING CREWS love to help you with moving any way we can. Whether you are moving a short or long distance, we feel honored that you would trust us with your belongings.  While we are skilled at both types of moves, long distance moves are different from local moves. Long distance moving is our specialty! Here are some secrets to moving long distance and ways to help you prepare for a long distance move.

Careful Planning and Packing

Plan and prepare for a successful and safe long distance move.  First, check out our moving prep checklist. Next, pack with a plan because your items will be traveling far and there is greater opportunity for your items to become damaged.  Packing is charged by hour plus materials for most honorable moving companies.

Packing and Moving Secrets

These packing and moving tips are not a secret. In fact, we want to share our packing and moving tips with anyone and everyone, regardless of how they choose to move.  Putting as much information in the hands of our clients as possible and our commitment to transparency have enabled us to assist in thousands of successful moves. From thinking of moving as a game of Tetris to using different colored painters tape – this will save time and money in the long run. However, this is not the most important ling distance moving secret! If you want to get the best value for your move, let the movers pack all the breakable items because they are liable for things they pack only. So, why pay to have movers put linens and easy things in boxes. You will get charged 2-3 hours and have coverage on the things that can get broken – a win, win for you.

The Cross Country Move – Moving Secrets

When moving a long distance, you should distinguish between which particular items you will need upon arrival and items that are not immediately necessary. Think of moving much like packing for a trip and leave out enough clothes, toiletries and other necessary items to last the duration of your journey to your new home.

Long Distance Moving Secret –

Moving can be stressful, especially when you will be traveling a long distance.  We hope these tips will help you plan, prepare and pack for the best long distance move possible.

You’ve got your boxes, bubble wrap, tape and labels. You’re ready to get packing, but as you look around your home you don’t know exactly where to start. Sound familiar? Well, you’re definitely not alone. Until you’ve moved a few times (or more), packing up every single thing you own into the fewest number of boxes possible doesn’t come easy. Everyone has made a box too heavy or broken a dish a time or two. But, with a few tips from Movers Near Me you can make short work of a tall order.

Long Distance Moving Secrets
Long Distance Moving Secrets

LONG DISTANCE MOVING 2020

Finding Long Distance Movers in 2020 is going to be a challenge for everyone. Here are our Top 2020 Moving Tips:

1. We suggest using movers who do not mix shipments which causes delays, missing items and more damage from shifting of shipments.

2. Guaranteed Dates are a must for long distance movers. Too many movers have only a two week window which works for a lot of moves but you will not be happy if you are waiting without any of your belongings for a week or more – not to mention the additional expenses. Long distance moving companies usually charge additional fees for an expedited or guaranteed dates but it will be well worth it.

3. Hire Movers that are able to accommodate last minute changes without enormous fees. Even when you think the sale of your home is going perfect, there are always hiccups along the way so make sure your movers can handle changes. You can do this by making sure they have lots of experience and are not a fly-by-the-night company. We recommend Movers Near Me – they have been in business for 20 years and have moved thousands of families.

15 Long Distance Moving Secrets for Moving and Packing

  1. Make sure you have plenty of boxes and other necessary packing supplies. Running out of tape or bubble wrap can really slow down a productive day of packing
  2. Recruit family and friends for help! Make a task list and delegate a job for each person to do.
  3. Keep your belongings from each room together as much as possible. For example, try not to pack anything that goes in the kitchen with your bathroom stuff. This will make it much easier to unpack after you move.
  4. A box should not weigh more than 50 pounds.
  5. Pack heavier items on the bottom and lighter items on top.
  6. Use your socks, pillow cases, scarves, and small towels to fill empty space in your boxes.
  7. Boxes should not be over- or under-filled. This can result in broken belongings when boxes get stacked. Make sure your boxes can be sealed so the tops are flat.
  8. Avoid using standard garbage bags at all costs. They tear too easily and make moving harder. If you’re going to pack clothing or linens in bags, buy the thicker, heavy-duty ones to ensure they don’t rip open during the move. One advantage of packing bags with soft items is that they can be squished between larger items on the truck, taking up less space while also protecting your furniture.
  9. If you have lots of very small, loose items, like spoon collection for example, pack them in a small box or sealed bag, and then pack that into a large box. Label every box, large or small.
  10. Keep items assembled when you can. For example, when packing your silverware, keep it in its’ tray and wrap it to secure the contents. This will be easier than packing your silverware and tray separately.
  11. Tape down anything that moves! This can prevent loose items from breaking or damaging other items it comes in contact with during transport.
  12. When you disassemble furniture, keep bolts, washers, and other loose items in a small plastic bag and tape it to the furniture it came from. This will be a life saver when you put your tables and shelves back together.
  13. Keep the tools you’ll need to reassemble your furniture in a box that is clearly labeled.
  14. If you’re moving liquids, first check with your mover about items they may not move. Most movers will not take most liquids, especially if the manufacturer seal is broken. To move them yourself, you might want to put your liquid into a snap-seal container and even tape the lid closed. Put that container in a waterproof bag, then place it upright in a box. Mark the box with bold arrows and “LIQUIDS – this end up” to prevent an inadvertant spill. Usually things like unopened wine are fine to ship with your mover.  However, no chemicals, cleaners, or other liquids should be shipped in the truck. If you do decide to pack it without the movers’ knowledge, any damage caused by the liquid would not fall under the movers’ liability.
  15. When packing your boxes, label them on the side of the box. If you only label it on the top, every box will need to be unstacked to see which room to place it. Alternatively, If you label it on all the sides, you can see the labeling even when stacked. The label should include the contents and the room the box is destined for. If you are having the movers place all boxes in the garage, however, do write the room they are eventually destined and ask the movers to place the boxes with like-labeled boxes. This will save you time and frustration later.
  16. Put together some essentials that you’ll need when you arrive at your new home, like toiletries, towels, and a clean set of sheets. Label it “Load last, unload first” to ensure that you don’t have to unpack everything to find what you need after a long day.
  17. Keep important records, such as your bill of lading, with you in the car for the move. Do not pack them with the rest of your household goods.
  18. Start packing now! It’s never too early to plan, sort and pack belongings you don’t use every day.

Moving Companies Near Me Prices

Moving Companies Near Me Prices
Moving Companies Near Me Prices

How much does a moving company cost?

Local moving companies typically charge $40-$60 per mover per hour, which includes a moving truck. Moving a 3-bedroom home may require 3 movers and 6-9 hours, or $1000-$1500. The factors that will determine the exact rate per hour will be: time of year, quality of moving company, additional services, distance travelled, size/access inside home and a slew of other minor factors that will be discussed below.

If you’re facing a local move and don’t know how you’re going to get all your household goods from one place to another, a professional moving company can make your worries disappear. Any move of 150 or fewer miles is categorized as a local move. Longer moves are handled by long-distance movers, or considered an interstate move when crossing state lines. Local moving companies provide a range of services to make your life much easier during what is a notoriously stressful time. 

Professional movers can pack, they can load/unload and they can transport. The only work you really have to do is hiring a moving company. Everything should be insured and safely handled, making your ceramics collection far more likely to survive than in your hatchback or in the hands of your friends. Here are some of the services moving companies can provide you:

  • Packing: Pro movers can supply all your moving boxes and the labor to pack them. Different box sizes have different retail rates and packing rates. Box contents will affect packing rates. For example, china or glassware could be an average of $18 per box, linens $10 per box, and books $5 per box.
  • Standard move: You pack your own boxes before the movers arrive. The movers load the moving truck with your belongings and unload the boxes for you in your new location.
  • Full-service move: The moving company handles all aspects of your move: packing your belongings, loading them into their truck, transporting your items to your new location, unloading, and then even unpacking the boxes if you’re willing to pay extra.
  • Specialty Moving: Delicate and oversize items, like your pool table or baby grand piano, require special handling. There may be an additional charge for moving these items, as technical expertise is important for safely transporting them without damage.
  • Storage: Your moving company may offer storage at reduced rates if you bundle their storage services and moving services at the same time.
  • Long Distance Moving: Pro movers can drive your belongings across the country for you. Long-distance moves are often priced per cubic foot, with total mileage affecting the cost.

If you are moving anywhere within the same city — or to one nearby — you likely will work with a local moving company. For your local move you can choose from a range of service levels. Which service level you choose will depend on your budget and how much assistance you need. Simple moving services might just include helping someone unload a truckful of items into a storage unit. A full-service move can include boxing or packing up a home, loading, moving, unloading and unpacking. Or you can hire a company to pack boxes for you if you need a few extra sets of hands. Full-service moving does cost more, but it saves you time — which for many people equals money. Spending more on a full-service move might actually save you money by freeing up precious spare time for work, family or much-needed rest. 

If you’re ready to get help with your next move, here are the things that affect the average cost for full-service movers. 

Moving Prices Hourly Rates

Moving is hard work. If you’re doing it yourself, it’s long, sweaty hours of packing boxes and wrestling with your king-size mattress. Hiring professional movers to do the heavy lifting can save your relationships and your back. The cost to hire local movers is often calculated on an hourly rate, which can increase as more movers or moving trucks are needed. Your geographic location will also affect your hourly rate. Often cities with a higher cost of living have higher local moving rates than smaller cities with a lower cost of living, which accounts for higher costs of doing business, such as workers’ comp, insurance and labor. Most movers charge an hourly rate that increases with each additional mover you require. Two movers are $120 per hour, three movers are $150 per hour, and four movers are $180 per hour. 

Other factors that may affect your hourly rate are logistical challenges such as stairs or steep driveways, or having many fragile items that require extremely delicate handling. During your initial call with the movers, it’s important to let them know about fragile items you want moved so they can have the appropriate moving and packing equipment on hand the day of the move. 

Here are some rates from a local branch of Movers Near Me:

  • Two movers and one truck: $120 per hour
  • Three movers and one truck: $150 per hour
  • Four movers and one truck: $190 per hour
  • Service fees may apply when booking a company’s moving services 

To obtain an instant moving total for your quote – you can visit their online moving price generator for a 100% guaranteed moving cost.

Full Service Moving Prices

Full Service Moving Prices
Full Service Moving Prices

Full-service moving is your best option. Full-service moving includes a moving truck and moving boxes, labor for packing household items into boxes, loading boxes into the moving truck, driving boxes and furniture to the new location, and unloading boxes into the new home. Unpacking items from boxes in the new home is generally not included, but may be available for an additional cost. Moving companies typically request that you be present the day of the packing and moving, although other arrangements can sometimes be made for people who are traveling. The cost of local full-service moving is greater than for standard moving services, but the payoff comes in the free time you have not spent packing up all your possessions. 

  • Moving Prices for a Full-service on a three-bedroom house: Three people packing for approximately four hours and five or six hours of loading, moving and unloading time = $1,200-$1,800 

In general, the larger the house, the higher the moving cost. Seasoned movers often can provide a ballpark number for moving costs based on the number and type of rooms in a house. However, your individual home might be different, and that’s why most moving companies will need to do a site visit to provide you with a true estimate for services. Home size is not always an indicator of how many belongings a person has; you and your partner may have more in your two-bedroom apartment than a single person has in a three-bedroom home. 

Moving Prices for Additional Services

Anything that makes the move take longer or that demands more physical exertion on the part of the movers can increase the cost. Stairs at the initial move site or the new destination can increase moving costs because they require more work for movers and present more risk of injury or damage. Narrow passageways, steep driveways, lack of parking out front, and the presence or absence of elevators are other factors that can influence your local moving costs. It’s important to tell the moving company about these obstacles when you are first booking their services. This allows them to bring any special equipment that will be necessary to navigate the obstacles or maneuver furniture in tight places, as well as prepare their moving staff. 

How they charge for obstacles may depend on the company. Some moving companies have set rates for stairs, such as $50-$70 per flight of stairs. If you live on a top floor and the moving company has to transport all your belongings down in the elevator, they may have a one-time fee, such as $75-$100. Be sure to provide as many details as possible to your local moving company upfront. This allows them to provide you the most accurate estimate and to ensure the safest and most efficient move for your belongings. 

Moving Prices – Packing costs

It’s easy to forget just how time-consuming packing is until you are faced with another move. Fortunately, local moving companies near me can help you pack all your belongings, saving you hours of frustration and lungfuls of dust. If you have already arranged for a truck, you can hire movers just to help with the packing and heavy lifting. When movers are hired for only packing, loading and unpacking, the costs will be less than if a moving truck is also requested. Different companies may charge for packing by the hour or by the box. The cost for packing can vary by geographic region, and by what type of moving boxes you need. Moving companies often have different prices for different size boxes. Specialty moving boxes, such as “wardrobe” boxes with a hanging rod inside, will also cost more. For example, charges $3 for a small moving box, $4 for a medium-sized moving box, $5 for a large moving box, and $8 for a dish-pack moving box. Packing labor costs are not included in any of those box prices. Movers Near Me, charges $5 per book box, $10 per linen box and $18 per glassware box, not including the cost of labor for packing the box. 

Local moving companies may be able to provide ballpark estimates of how much it will cost to pack your home. Movers Near Me provides rough estimates for packing charges based on their experience with previous customers:

  • Studio apartment: $305-$465, including three or four hours of packing by two workers and $50-$125 for packing materials
  • One-bedroom apartment: $440-$625, including three to five hours of packing by two workers and $100-$200 for packing materials
  • Two-bedroom apartment: $770-$1,180, including four to six hours of packing by four workers and $250-$400 for packing materials

Moving Prices – Specialty Moving

If you have lots of unusual items, you may require special assistance in moving them to ensure their safety and want a moving quote that covers those items. Specifically if you have a pool table or baby grand piano, improper moving can do real damage to their delicate components. Unless your local moving company is specially trained to move pool tables or baby grand pianos, it may be wise to hire a specialist.

The cost to move a piano will vary depending on your location and any obstacles such as stairs also what type of piano it is. Moving prices for upright pianos, spinets, baby grand and grand pianos will all be different but you can expect a spinet piano move to cost about $300, an upright $400, a baby grand $500 and a grand up to $1000 depending on the brand and coverage.

In addition to specialty items, some companies may have additional charges (beyond their hourly rate) for disassembling and reassembling furniture or moving extremely heavy items. Communicate clearly with your movers beforehand about what you need moved to prevent any confusion on move day. Keep in mind that auxiliary tasks that require extra work may increase costs and ask for these to be itemized in your moving estimate. 

Moving Prices for Travel Time

Moving Prices for Travel Time
Moving Prices for Travel Time

Travel may affect the price for local moving costs. Some companies don’t charge mileage unless the distance is over 50 miles, while others do. Confirm how distance is handled in the contract before signing. Companies have to take distance into account to ensure they’re meeting their costs for the time that driving can require, the cost of fuel for large moving trucks, and the cost of upkeep on their moving trucks. For example Monster Movers’s base local moving fee is $100 per hour, and the company does not charge for mileage if the distance covered is under 50 miles. Beyond 50 miles, however, a mileage fee applies. Moving date could also affect travel costs with moves over the holidays or during peak season (typically summer in most areas) costing more.

How Should I Tip My Movers

Your movers have hustled all day, loading and unloading boxes, and your furniture arrived in terrific condition. An easy rule of thumb for local moves is to tip your movers 5 to 10 percent of the total bill. Tipping 5 percent is reasonable for standard local moves where the pros are in and out in a half day. Tipping 10 percent can be appropriate when the movers were also packing your boxes and had a longer workday. Tips can be split up among all the movers. Many companies recommend you give the tip directly to each worker, not only to recognize their effort but also to ensure that each one receives their share. You are not required to provide a tip, but it is a much-appreciated gesture for a job well done. 

Saving Money on Moving Expenses

Packing all boxes ahead of time is a big cost saver. Having all your boxes well organized and labeled (on all sides of the box) also make packing and unpacking easier. If you’re paying by the hour, this saves you cash. When gathering boxes to pack for your move, be sure to find ones strong enough for the task. Moving boxes provided by moving companies have double walls that can support the weight of other boxes and furniture stacked on top of them. If you use single-wall boxes, the sides could crumple, damaging your goods inside. 

Clearly labeling each box also saves you time, because the movers can put the boxes in the appropriate rooms as they are unloading them. Disassembling furniture is another way to save money. Pro movers will usually disassemble furniture for you, but if you’re able to take things apart yourself, it can cut back on the number of labor hours you pay for.

Moving can be really stressful, and it’s easy to make mistakes. Unfortunately, these mistakes can end up costing you money or wasting your precious time. The experts at Monster Movers have tips for you to have the most successful move possible. They’ve moved thousands of families, and these are the most common mistakes they encounter: 

  • Not downsizing before the move. Going through your belongings before you pack them allows you to donate or sell items you don’t really want. Otherwise you are paying someone to pack and move unwanted stuff for you. 
  • Only partially packing boxes. If your moving boxes aren’t filled to the top, you lose out on moving space, and you risk damaging items inside when they get bounced around. 
  • Using the wrong sized boxes. Don’t fill large boxes with books or other heavy items. Keep your brick collection to small boxes. The movers, and your belongings, are more likely to get hurt when improper packing occurs. 
  • Not being ready when the movers arrive. If you are paying for standard moving services, you are paying by the hour. Having your things spread all over means more work for the movers and more money for you to pay. Be ready to go on moving day.
  • Unlabeled boxes. Label each side of each box with a description of the box’s contents. At a minimum, label one end and one side of each box. This protects your more delicate belongings during the move and it helps you find things when you unpack. 
  • No room labels on the boxes. Clearly mark on each side of each box which room you want that box to go to in the new home. This helps the movers help you by unloading the boxes into the right rooms, and makes your life far easier when you are unpacking. 
  • Mixing up boxes. If you are putting some items in storage and some items in your new apartment, label each box very clearly. Use flag tape (from any big-box store) in two separate colors to indicate which furniture and which boxes go to which destination. 

Moving Coupons and Free Moving Gift Certificate

There are dozens of sites offering moving coupons on moving labor and moving help – but are they really legit?  Moving coupons usually come from van lines or large companies which have systems in place to trick the average consumer.  If you read the fine lines on most moving coupons – the coupons must be presented before a quote and/or before the move.  This allows the company offering the moving coupons a chance to jack up the price before taking off for your coupon.  Not so for some moving companies however.  Here are numerous moving coupons and gift certificates for moving help that you can use:

Moving Gift Certificate

Here is a phenomenal moving gift certificate – and it is absolutely free!  There is no catch whatsoever.  If you know someone who is moving this is a perfect free $100 cash off of a move in gift certificate form.

 

free gift certificate
Moving Gift Certificate

And even better a free $200 long distance moving gift certificate which costs you nothing.  Do you know someone who is moving cross country and would appreciate a moving gift.  This moving gift certificate will mean so much to someone and best of all – it’s free!

gift certificate for moving
Free Moving Gift Certificate

Moving Coupons

Now for those of you that are moving yourself and are simply looking for moving coupons to help ease the burden of moving costs, these are the best moving coupons we have found.  Overall, these could save you up to $1000 on a long distance move and $500 on a local move.  We have checked all of these  moving coupons and they are 100% reliable.

Moving Coupons
Moving Coupons

 

Coupon for Moving
Moving Coupon

Listed above you’ll find some of the best moving coupons, gift certificates, discounts and promotion codes for moving help.  To use a coupon simply click the picture- this will bring you to the website of the moving company that accepts the specified moving coupon or gift certificate.  Today’s Top Moving Help Coupons are from Monster Movers.

99 Ways to Save Money When Moving | Mover Help

Moving expenses can get out of control really quickly – you need to prepare yourself to save money when moving from the very beginning – here are 99 Ways to Save Money When Moving:

Moving
99 Ways to Save Money While Moving – Mover Help

1. Buy disposable booties for movers if it rains during your move – this could save money getting carpets cleaned.  This is especially true if  you are moving into a newly constructed building where the landscaping hasn’t been finished.

2. Schedule your move for off dates mid-week. The beginning, middle and end of the month are usually very expensive and book early.  Plan for a weekday from the 7th-12th or 19th to 24th for the best rates.

3. Don’t pay for moving insurance if you already are covered through homeowners insurance – you will have to call and check your policy.

4  Donating your items to Salvation Army or other non-profits will reduce moving costs and provide you with a tax-deductible receipt which will save you money during tax season.

5. Using a moving calculator, get your weight and negotiate the best moving company rates.

6. When moving long distance, you have to consider if your items are worth shipping – for example if your mover charges $.80/pound to move from NYC to Miami – a 200 pound table is going to cost $160.  You may be able to get a new IKEA table in Miami  rather than pay for shipping your old one.

7. Don’t pay for packing materials.  You should be able to find slightly used boxes on craigslist, liquor stores, big box stores like Costco, Walmart.

8.  Move during the off-season.  January-March are usually much less expensive than June-December.

9.  If you are moving to/from a major city – think Boston, NYC, DC – steer clear of long distance movers who charge shuttle fees.  A shuttle is a smaller truck that can get into smaller roads and on Manhattan – this can save thousands.

10.  Ask your moving company to include any and all additional fees that may pop up. Learn more about moving costs.

11.  When packing, use towels, socks, clothes to cushion breakables.

12. Pack vertically to save space and reduce chance of breaking dishes and items.

13. Make sure your movers provide free moving blankets.  If they do charge for rentals, you can use your own blankets.

14.  Get a flat rate moving price when you move.

15.  Nest smaller items in larger items to save moving boxes.

16. Consider buying see through plastic crates that you can reuse instead of boxes that will be thrown out.

17. Garage Sale – nuff said.

18.  Enlist your friends instead of paying for moving labor if you are loading/offloading a shipment.

19.  Dishes can be packed using packing paper – don’t pay for bubble wrap.

20.  Pack all of own stuff.  If you really cannot pack everything – leave anything expensive and annoying ( dishes and breakables) for your moving company since they are responsible for anything they pack.

21. If you need storage, find a facility that will give you a month free.

22.  Make sure your movers will not charge for stairs or a long haul.

23.  Organize your move – write down crucial steps to your move so you don’t forget any necessary steps.

24.  Use a moving checklist to help you organize.

25.  Consider shipping books via FED EX or USPS  – it may be less expensive than paying heavy weight charges on long distance shipments.

26. For a local move, move over boxes and breakables yourself – hire movers to move big, heavy items that could injure you.

27. Negotiate moving fees – suggestions would be negotiating taxes, tolls, mileage or fuel fees.

28.  Make sure your movers have a flat rate for travel time – you don’t want to be paying for them to sit in a traffic jam – or worse hanging at the gas station. Find flat rate movers near me.

29.  You can sell moving boxes at Box Cycle, on Nextdoor or Facebook marketplace

30. The Dollar Store has cheap plastic bins and cleaning materials that are cheap and great for single use

31. Find movers who will keep your items on a truck if you need storage for a few days or overnight.  You don’t want to pay for 2 moves. Find Movers Near Me.

32. Find movers who have their own storage facility just in case there is a last minute change. Find moving companies near me

33.  Make sure storage fees are prorated – you don’t want to pay for an additional month if you are only there for a few days over.

34.  Measure your furniture before moving it and know where it’s going – most local movers pay by the hour.  Don’t pay for them to move furniture twice.

35. You can move non-perishable food.

36.  Movers don’t move flammable materials including gas tanks for grills so make sure yours is empty or plan on moving it yourself.

37. For an extensive wine collection, hire professional movers and make sure it is insured.  Many movers are not qualified and don’t understand the importance and proper packing procedures for wine and specialty materials. Find full service movers near me.

38. If you are moving a piano, hire movers that move pianos as well.  A private piano moving company can cost over $1000 for a same town piano move.  If you hire movers that move pianos as well – they will be trained piano moves but will only charge around $350 for the same move.

39. Most movers will do junk removal – but make sure they are not using the same trucks that they use for moving for junk removal or you could end up with unpleasant after effects.

40. Hire movers with clean trucks and that steam their moving blankets.

moving
How To Save Money While Moving

41. Hire movers that have their own trucks.

42. Make sure your movers have new trucks and change their fleet every 3-5 years max.  There is nothing more costly than waiting for a broke-down truck.

43. Skip UHAUL – they will not reimburse for broken down trucks also if they don’t have a truck for your reservation – you’re out of luck.

44. Leave kids/pets at a family member or friends house during your move.

45.  You may want to sell your house furnished – saving you and possibly the new buyer decorating and furniture fees.

46. Rental truck companies will usually price match other competitors – call the 800 number and check.

47. Make sure your movers know if they will need to hoist anything.  If they don’t find out until that day, you may need to pay while you wait for other movers to come or you may need to wait until the next day if other movers aren’t available.

48.  Find movers who have an online inventory so you can ensure you can input all your furniture so both parties are on the same page and you can be sure moving rates wont change.

49.  When moving yourself, drive in off hours saving gas and time.

50.  Movers are not responsible for IKEA or pressboard furniture – you really need to consider if it is worth it to move those pieces.

51.  Sell your used furniture on craigslist or donate.

52.  Optimize utility shut-down dates.  Do this in advance – especially if moving out of state so you don’t have to pay for additional days.

53. Make sure your realtor/lawyer accounts for any oil leftover in a tank.

54.  Instead of tipping your movers big bucks, consider purchasing a less expensive lunch or snacks and drinks which are usually more appreciated.

55.  Appliances may not be worth it to move if they are older – especially if you are moving out of state.

56.  Moving a hot tub is not possible to move in the winter if you live in the north.  Plan this out in advance.

57. Consider moving yourself by renting a moving truck.

58.  If you are looking for a discount moving company make sure you make sure they are a private, flat rate moving company and not a broker who has the authority to sell or barter your shipment!

59.   You may be able to find moving company coupons.  Do a quick google search for the name of your moving company coupons.

60.  Priceless antiques or other expensive items should never be entrusted to a moving company that doesn’t have a great reputation.  Seek out movers in your area that have won awards and are active in the community – these are usually the best moving companies.

61.  Some moving companies offer veterans discounts as well as educator discounts.  Most are only 5% off but if you are moving long distance and your move costs $5000+ – that could be a big savings!

62.  Save TV and computer boxes to use for your move – it is really expensive to get custom boxes for these items.

63.  Save moving receipts -some moving expenses like realtor fees, etc may be tax deductible.

64. Hire a moving company that charges by weight – not square feet.  Square feet depends on the way a shipment is loaded, weight is a true, factual measure of the items you are shipping. Find long distance movers near me.

65. Label boxes as you are packing so the movers place them in the right rooms at your new residence -this can save lots of time.  As we all know, time is money.

66.  Disassemble your furniture when you arrive.  But remember, movers cannot put together what they take apart.  This is especially true for baby cribs and bunk beds.

67. Swingsets and hot tubs cost a bundle to move.  Strongly consider selling these items with you house.  It just isn’t worth it to move these items.

68. There is a box service called box buddy that recycles boxes – right now they will send 30 boxes for $90 – these prices are about 25% than your local mover but they do reuse which is earth-friendly.

69.  Use coffee filters or Styrofoam plates in-between dishes.

70. Put hanging clothes in garbage bags – you can save money on wardrobe boxes.

71. There are charities that will pick up your old, unwanted furniture for free.  Some moving companies offer a free delivery of furniture to charities as well.

72. Some cities have utility concierges that will negotiate utility expenses to find the best deals for you.

73.   Have any special tools ready for the movers.  Moving companies usually have a basic set of tools including allen wrenches.  However, if your furniture was purchased overseas there may be special tools that are needed to disassemble and reassembled.

74.  Upcycle moving boxes to make them awesome.

upcycled box
Upcycled Craft Cardboard Box

75.   Try not to close on the last day of the month.  Sometimes there are delays in recording the property which will mean your items will have to stay on a truck overnight.  Overnight fees should be about $150/night.

76.  Take pictures of your space before you move in and after you leave in case there are landlord issues.

77. Use old toilet paper rolls to hold jewelry so it doesn’t get tangled en route.

78.  If you are moving long distance, call a reputable mover in the city you are moving to.  They can usually book at much lower rates because you would be a back-haul. Find out more about long-distance movers.

79.  Basic moving coverage is always free – movers must award it to you.

80.  Don’t trust a low-ball estimate – you pay for what you get and no truer words were ever spoken when this relates to moving costs.

81.  You can leave fitted sheets on mattresses to protect them although your movers should put shrink wrap on them too.

82.  Be precise with your moving company.  Your estimate is only as accurate as you are. Get a moving quote here.

83. Don’t pack liquids.  You really don’t want spillage all over your items.

84.  Find long distance movers with guaranteed delivery and pick-up dates – the last thing you want to do is wait around in anticipation for “up to 14 days.”

85. Use a moving company that won’t sell or barter or trade your move – make sure they do their own moves.

86. Make sure you get copies of weight tickets – any moving company can claim your shipment weighs a certain amount – make them prove it with copies.

87.  Your moving company should give you a detailed inventory of the items you have moved – keep this with you.

88.  Make a necessities bin which includes everything you need for your first night – toilet paper, cleaning products, sheets, clothes, medications, etc.

89. Portable storage isn’t all it’s cracked up to be – check the reviews.  Also, they are very easy to break into.

90.  Hire a safe, reliable moving company – you don’t want rogue movers showing up at your house.

91.  Make sure your moving company CORI checks all crew members.

92.  Have cold drinks on hand – everyone works better when hydrated.

93. Take a picture of your electronic cords or label them so you can remember what they go with.

94. Keep all screws, bolts and nuts in baggies so they don’t get mixed up with your shipment.

95.  Check moving company reviews before hiring.  Remember yelp reviews aren’t reliable as moving companies can pay for good reviews.  Trust customer lobby or google.

96.  Find the best questions and the answers your movers should have by using a compare movers worksheet handy.

97.  When hiring packers make sure you are getting charged by hour instead of by the box.  You will unpack to find three cups in one box…trust me.

98.  If you have awkward items that don’t weigh a lot like kayaks or basketball nets – you may be charged a bulky item fee.  See if your movers charge additional fees for bulky or unstackable items.

99.  Make sure your moving company isn’t going to offload, reload or swap your shipment before delivery.

Being frugal while moving can be a challenge.  These tips are priceless and can help you navigate to a low-cost move.

Average Moving Costs of a Long Distance Move

The moment you decide to move there will be thousands of questions that will flow through your mind.  Knowing the average moving costs of your move up front should ease some of that burden.   Figuring out how much your move will really cost can be really frustrating that regardless of how thorough you are.

Average Moving Costs
Average Moving Costs

Also, the move distance between the two homes  in-state or less than 150 miles (local) or long distance or more than 150 miles will affect your average moving cost.

How Much Does Moving Cost?

The truth is, you may not get the right answers to all the pressing issues at the beginning of your preparations, but you must know the price of your incoming move in advance so that:

– set up your moving budget the way you’re supposed to

-understand all miscellaneous charges that can incur
– prevent any unpleasant cost related surprises at the end of the relocation;
Don’t Forget!  The only way to get an accurate estimate of the costs of your move is to have your chosen moving company perform an expert visual inspection of your home and give you a precise price quote.

The approximate costs of moving you’ll find in this article should serve as a useful preview of what your actual moving quote will look like. In reality, these approximated values can only be used as guidance because the real-life moving company rates will be dependent on the region where you live, your town or city, the moving company itself, and the specifics of your own local or long distance move.

Moving company costs on average

In most cases, moving house with the help of a professional moving company is the preferred way to approach the numerous challenges of that significant period in one’s life. As a rule of thumb, turning to the pros for assistance will eliminate plenty of stressful guesswork and will make the entire house relocation much faster and easier.

The only drawback is that you will have to pay for their moving services but that often proves to be a disadvantage in disguise the moment you calculate the potential risk and dangers of self-moving, add up the lost time in doing it all by yourself, and include the possible irreparable damage to your nervous system.

So, what are the average full service moving costs?

Once your move is bound to cross state lines or exceed the 150-mile radius, it’s already classified as an interstate move and the approximate costs of moving across the country will be calculated differently than short distance relocation cases. In practice, cross country moves are much harder to be generalized as far as preliminary expenses are concerned because of three major price formation criteria that work at the same time:

-distance you are moving from and to

-quality of moving company

-size of shipment

-additional fees (most should be avoided like shuttle fees and long haul)

-if you need packing

-your dates – very few long distance movers will offer guaranteed dates

The cost to move furniture, for example, will be calculated based on the weight, size, and nature of your home furniture. Expect to pay more if you need experienced packers and movers to handle bulky, super heavy or antique furniture pieces. The cost of moving furniture will also be dependent on the specific conditions in your home such narrow corridors and staircases, smaller doorways or unavailability of an elevator. For instance, if some of the furniture pieces will have to be disassembled, the furniture moving costs will be respectively higher.

1-bedroom apartment. The cost of moving out from a 1 bedroom apartment to a new home located 500 miles away is around $1500, while moving to a new address 1000 miles away should cost you roughly $2000. Both these prices have been calculated for a shipment weight of 3500 lbs.
2-bedroom apartment or house. The average moving costs for a 2 bedroom apartment or house are roughly $2000 (500 miles) and $2500 (1000 miles). Both costs have been approximated for a shipment weight of 5000 lbs.
3-bedroom apartment or house. The average moving costs for a 3 bedroom house or apartment are approximately $2600 (500 miles) and $3500 (1000 miles). The shipment weight for both values has been rounded up to 7500 lbs.
Please keep in mind that the above mentioned average moving costs per mile and average moving costs per pound can only be used as reference values due to the case-by-case nature of residential moving. As mentioned above, approximate moving company costs can still be useful for forming a general idea of just how strong a hit your budget will take. For much more accurate price estimation, get free quotes by filling out our quick moving costs calculator.

According to U.S. Census statistics, 19 million American households pack up and move each year. In 2010, Worldwide ERC, the Worldwide Relocation Association, reported the average professional household move cost $12,230.

The dollars and cents that go into those moves vary greatly depending upon a number of factors:

Distance of the move – using local movers vs. long distance movers
Need for packing supplies and services
Size/weight of the household being moved
Weight matters
When it comes to a professionally handled interstate move – one that takes you from one state to another – load weight and distance traveled are the two biggest factors in determining the cost of your relocation.

The weight of your items is actually measured on a scale. Before the move, the empty truck is weighed; you may ask to accompany the driver to the scale during the weigh-in to ensure everything is on the up-and-up. Your mover should provide you with an “empty weight” receipt or certificate. The truck will be weighed again once it is loaded with your items.

A reputable mover will provide a cost estimate prior to your move. The estimate you receive will only be as good as the information you provide. If you have a shed full of bikes and tools that you failed to mention when the movers did their estimate, the estimated weight of your load won’t be accurate. Likewise, estimates given over the phone are not as accurate as those given in person. Companies can “guess” what your load will weigh based on an average 1- or 2- or 3-bedroom home, but if your home is minimally furnished or jam-packed with items, the estimate will be off.

Longer move, higher price tag
To get an idea of moving costs, consider these examples:

The fee for moving an average 1,000-square-foot, 3-bedroom apartment (goods weighing 5,500 pounds) from Boston to Miami would be approximately $4,400 to $4,900. The same 1,400-mile move for a 2,800-square-foot, 4-bedroom household (20,500 pounds) would likely cost $14,600 to $15,600. Same distance, different loads.

For comparison, consider that moving a 1,000-square-foot, 3-bedroom apartment (5,500 pounds, same as above) 200 miles from Boston to DC would cost roughly $3,200 to $3,700. Same load, different distance.

Beyond weight and distance, you may find one or more of these fees applied to your move:

A transportation surcharge if the moving company pays workers more for working in metropolitan areas, where labor costs are often higher.
You may opt to purchase full value protection insurance for your belongings. (Released value coverage is provided by movers at no cost, but protection is minimal – just 60 cents per pound per article lost or damaged.)
Charges for moving heavy items such as automobiles, boats, riding lawnmowers, snowmobiles or pianos.
Additional charge for specialists brought in to disconnect gas mains or disassemble/assemble pianos and pool tables.
Additional charge if the movers have to walk more than 75 feet from door to truck or need to use stairs or an elevator.
Additional charge if your street is too narrow to accommodate the moving truck; movers may need to shuttle your belongings from your home to the truck via a smaller truck.
Be sure to ask your moving company’s sales representative about these add-on costs. Are there things you can do to avoid or reduce them? Working with the city to reserve parking space right outside your door, for instance, may prevent a surcharge.

Remember that the fees you pay to your movers are only a portion of what your total move will cost you. You also must factor in your personal travel and accommodations, on-the-go meals, the cost of new vehicle registration and driver’s license, utility hook-ups, and carpet and drapery installation.

Moving from one home to another can be a tedious job. Before you start thinking about making the move, there are three things that you might want to consider:

I. Budget
The financial burden can be pretty large, and can grow depending on the place you’re moving to; be it a move within the same city, between states, or to a different country.
II. Number of People
Whether you’re single or moving with your family, the total cost to move will vary depending on the cubic feet of items being moved; which directly impacts the size of the moving truck you use or the amount of movers you may need. It might be helpful to write down the number of items being moved, along with their weight and size before moving onto getting an estimate.
III. Time
The next thing to focus your attention on should be the time it takes to actually make the move. If the move is not properly planned, it can become a stressful production. One way to plan for the amount of time it will take for the move is to consider how long it will take to move large items, time spent loading everything onto the truck, time spent moving all of your items to your new location, and time and effort unloading the truck.
How does our moving calculator help?
It can be difficult to estimate the cost of a move. There are so many things that pop up that most people don’t consider. How will you ever be able to calculate an accurate estimate of your moving costs? Try the Monster Movers moving calculator which will provide you with a free moving estimate. It makes the task of budgeting for a moving company’s assistance easier than ever.
Our online moving calculator gives an estimate that will take the hassle out of hiring a moving company. However, there are always unexpected expenses so be sure to budget for that. The moving calculator will calculate:
Approximate time taken to get from one destination to the next
Number of movers that will be required based on large items, like furniture
Estimated weight of the load
Fuel charges
Level of difficulty involved

With regards to average moving costs – remember hiring the cheapest or most expensive movers won’t guarantee any level of service.  You really have to look at what moving services your movers offer to find the best movers for you!

Moving Company Pricing Guide

MOVING COMPANY PRICING GUIDE – Navigating the costs of moving

Obtaining moving company prices from local and long distance movers is enough to make one want to do the unthinkable.  Hold in there, pull yourself out of the corner of that wardrobe box.  This moving company pricing guide will help you navigate through completely  unregulated and obnoxious pricing schemes to help you get the best value for your move.

Moving Company Prices
Moving Company Pricing GuideI

Before getting down to the nitty gritty of moving company prices – you should know a few simple things about moving companies in general.  Just like health care professionals or restaurants  – there are many different kinds of quality movers.

I have found this article about movers from quora to be an insightful explanation of  moving companies and the quality difference.  Here’s the gist of it – there are three different “types” of movers:

  1. Van lines – Usually priced about 25% higher than private moving companies because the 25% goes to a corporate office.
  2. Moving Brokers – Buy, sell, trade, barter your move to independent contractors – usually 5-10% less than private moving companies but you never know who will actually be delivering your items.
  3. Private Moving Companies – For the rest of the article, I will be giving you private moving company fees – you can adjust these if you are considering a van line or moving broker.  In my opinion, the best value for a move will be through a private moving company.  Generally, they have their own trucks, own labor, don’t have to pay a corporate fee and have the best reputations.

Other terms you will need to know:

Full service move – this is where a moving company loads, drives and delivers your shipment.  You don’t do any work except packing.  All full service movers I know offer packing services as well.

Interstate move – any move over 150 miles ( even if it is in another state)

price/lb – this is the price per pound that a long distance mover will charge.

MOVING COMPANY PRICES – HOW THEY ARE DETERMINED

When I was in college and before working in the transportation industry, I got three moving quotes because that’s what I was told to do.  One was astronomical – about $1000 over the competitors, one was so low I was scared and one was just right.  Moving companies really haven’t changed much.  You have most likely experienced a similar situation.  Here is how moving companies price moves:

Full Service Move Prices

If you have chosen to a full service mover for your move this will be more expensive by about 10-15% than doing the actual moving yourself.

If you are performing an interstate move, then the relocation cost of your move will be based on a few factors:  distance your old residence and the new won, time of year you are moving,  the amount you are moving.  Full service movers charge by weight.  I do not suggest getting a price by cubic feet as this adds an additional variable to your moving cost equation.  What if your movers load your shipment to take up more space?

A quick example – if you are moving from Boston to DC and you have an 2 bedroom apartment your weight will be right around 3000 lbs.  The average rate to go to DC from Boston is $.60/lb.  So, you would multiply 3000 x .60 – $1800 plus the labor which will average $400 so the total moving company price would be $2200.

If you are not using a full service mover, the $400 for labor will be omitted.

Full Service Local Prices

Average Cost of a Move
Average Cost of a Move

If you are using a local mover for a move less than 150 miles,  the moving price is calculated by hour. Here are some considerations if you are doing a local move:

  1. If you are moving a small amount of furniture/boxes, most local movers have a minimum -usually of four hours.  Per DOT and labor laws, movers must pay their workers 4 hours even if they work only two – so essentially movers have implemented a minimum hours per move.  So, if you think your move will take less, find something else for them to do – for example, rearranging furniture or bringing items to the salvation army.

2) In most cases,  local movers charge on an hourly basis for all moving services. For example, whether they are packing, carrying your household items outside your home, loading these same household goods into the moving vehicle, driving to your destination, unloading your stuff, or carrying all your furniture pieces, household appliances and cardboard boxes over the threshold of your new apartment or house.  However, some movers charge differently for different services for example when packing – they charge per box.

3) There is a travel fee for all movers that is usually non-negotiable.  However, make sure it is flat-rated.  Most private movers and trustworthy ones, have a flat rate of an hour or less.  That fee covers the expenses in terms of fuel and time your local moving company needs to reach your home, and then travel back from your second location.

Average Cost of Packing for a Move

If you are in a mood to pack your belongings and box every room, your average moving bill will be much lower than if you choose to have professional movers do the packing for you. Based on my experience in the field, packing costs can be similar to the moving cost itself. A 4 bedroom house can take more than 12 hours to move from one town to another. In this case, your average moving costs will be around $1800-$2500 with no packing included.

Average Local Moving Prices

Average moving rates vary considerably depending on where you live and the cost of living.  For the most part:

2 men and a truck $100-$150/hour

3 men and a truck $150-$200/hour

Anything outside of this range, I would be rather weary on.  Either the movers are making minimum wage and won’t be professional or there is so much being taken off the top you are being ripped off.

Studio apartment: 4 hours  for 2 men an a truck x $100/hour – $400
2-bedroom apartment: 5 hours  for three men and a truck x $150/hour = $750
4 bedroom home: 10 hours x 3 men and a truck x $150 = $150

If you are moving from a 3 bedroom 1500 sq. foot home or larger, you really need an on-site or in-home estimate.  Your best bet is to have three movers come to your home to estimate and give you moving options.

Average Interstate Moving Prices

Interstate moves are not charged by hour.  The average moving costs for interstate moves are calculated by 5 factors.:

  1. The Distance Between pick-up and delivery.
  2. Shipments are priced per pound.  Logically, the more weight you have the more expensive it will be.  However, weight and price per pound are directly related.  As an example consider these scenarios:  Boston to Orlando with 2000 lbs is $.75/lb.  Boston to Orlando with 7000 lbs is $.70/lb.
  3. Date Flexibility.  If you need guaranteed pick up and delivery dates – it can get pricy.  For example the average fee to incorporate guaranteed pick up and delivery dates is right around $500.
  4. Additional Moving Services. The price estimates you receive from reputable long distance movers should include the basic move Additional services will be moving pianos, pool tables, or major items. Other moving services are packing, unpacking, long term storage or overnight storage.
  5. Time of Year – The least expensive time of the year for an interstate move is the end of January through April 1.

The most important thing to remember here is that the following moving costs are only approximate values that can serve you well to get a general view of what your cross country move will cost you.   I suggest using this instant moving cost estimator for any interstate move.  It will give you an instant moving quote to compare to other movers.

HOW TO NEGOTIATE THE BEST PRICE FOR YOUR MOVE

With 20 years of intimate knowledge of the moving company industry here are the most helpful tips and tricks to use when negotiating your move:

Moving Company Price
Negotiating Moving Company Prices

  1. First off – don’t settle for “additional fees.”  Additional fees are all costs that moving companies add on top of the bottom line to make additional money off of the consumer.  I have seen some really crazy fees as of late such as “interstate optional pick-up charge.”  Optional pick up ?  The other additional charges that you need to stay away from are: taxes, tolls, stair fee, elevator fee, certificate of insurance fee ( this is FREE through your moving companies’ insurance company), long haul, long walk, mileage charge, interstate move fee, fuel surcharge.  Oh, and my favorite – the shuttle fee.  This is a fee for a long distance move when a big rig cannot fit in your city/neighborhood and they need to bring a small truck to shuttle it.  Find long distance movers that do not charge this fee – it’s a doozy and averages $800!  Additional moving fees that are usually not negotiable are overnight storage fees, storage fees in general, fees to move pianos, pool  tables, or exercise equipment.
  2. Do not get an interstate moving price based on cubic feet.  If your movers need/feel like charging you additional money it is easy to load shipments with more/less space.  Only get an interstate move estimate based on weight.  Weight is not a variable where cubic feet are.
  3. Tell your movers that you were referred to them after you get a quote.  While working at a van line recently, their data suggested charging an additional 14% to people who have been referred or any corporate relocation accounts because they have found, statistically, that they can still book the move with that kind of a pricing increase.  Get the quote first so you can negotiate the moving price and any additional costs and don’t let your moving company know you are going to book them.
  4. Be flexible.  Moving Companies Nearby are usually booked the first five days of any month, the last five days of any month, and a few days around the middle of the month.  Most leases and closings happen around these dates.  If you are flexible – say around the 8th-10th or 18-24th of the month, your moving company will usually have lower rates.
  5. If you are hiring additional packing services to your move – don’t let them charge you per box.  I have heard that some movers will place a few items in a box which means you will have more boxes and get charged more.  Make sure all moving services and charges are detailed and at guaranteed prices.
  6. Take only what you need.  A move is priced per pound – do you really want to take that pile of wood or bricks that has been sitting in your garage?