How Much Does It Cost To Move?

How Much Does It Cost To Move Across Town?

Local moves make up the vast majority of people moving every year.  According to Zillow research, 57% of home buyers who also sell a home move within the same city, and 86% move within the same state.

For local moves, you will typically pay an hourly rate that includes a truck and the services of two movers.  The bigger your home, the longer your move will take.

Below are estimates from HomeAdvisor.

How Far In Advance Should I book Local Movers?

Note that most people move between May and September, so you will want to book your movers at least four weeks in advance.  The earlier you book, the more likely you are to get the day and time that works best for you, and the more likely you are to get an experienced crew.

The least expensive days to move are Monday-Thursday.  In the offseason (October-April), you can often book movers with only one or two weeks' notice.

How Much Does It Cost To move Across The Country?

Local movers typically charge by the hour, but for a cross-country move, you will likely be charged based on two key variables: weight and distance.

Weight

Before the move, the empty truck is weighed, and your mover should provide an "empty weight" receipt.  then, once all your belongings are loaded, they will weigh your truck again to determine your moving cost.

Have no idea how much your belongings weigh?  Reputable movers will give you an estimate before you sign on the dotted line, using average weights for homes of your size.

Distance

Simple put, the farther a moving company has to transport your belongings, the higher the bill will be.  You will likely be charged a per-mile rate in addition to the weight based charges.  Make sure to ask if there are any additional transportation charges, like fuel or tolls.

How Far In Advance Should I Book Movers For A Long-Distance Move?

For an interstate or cross-country move, you will want to book your movers as early as possible - ideally six to eight weeks before your move.

Typical Moving Expenses

Whatever kind of move you are planning, the moving expenses you will incur will vary based on the level of service you are looking for:

Just A Truck Rental:

In this scenario you will be doing the packing, loading, transportation, unloading and unpacking on your own with a rental truck.  Flat per-day rates start around $20 per day, depending on the size of the truck, plus charges for gas and mileage.

Loading, Transportation and Unloading:

Save your back by doing all the packing and unpacking yourself, but have professional movers do the heavy lifting.  For a local move, this service can range from $200 for a 1-bedroom apartment to $2,000+ for a 4-bedroom house.

Full Service Moves:

Leave everything to the pros, including wrapping and packing your belongings, loading them, transporting them to your new home and unloading.  You will just be responsible for unpacking your belongings and getting settled.  This type of move is usually used for long-distance moves.  Expect to pay roughly $2,000-$5,000 for the transportation, plus about $0.50 per pound, plus $25-$50 per hour per mover for packing and unpacking help.

Temporary Storage:

If your moving dates do not line up, you may have to temporarily stash your things in a storage unit or moving container.  Storage facility rates start at about $50 per month for a small unit and go up to $300 or $400 for larger units.  If you would like the convenience of a portable storage unit that is delivered to your home, loaded by you, and stored in a warehouse until you are ready for re-delivery, expect to pay $150-$300 per month, plus delivery and re-delivery costs.

Moving Supplies:

Instead of buying and then recycling boxes, you can go green and rent hard plastic boxes for your move.  Prices start at about $50 per week for enough boxes to pack a 1-bedroom apartment and up to $200 to pack a large house.  Once you are done, the rental service will pick up the boxes.

Additional Costs Of Moving

When calculating your relocation budget, keep these unexpected moving costs in mind:

1.  A transportation surcharge if the moving company pays workers more for working in metroploitan areas where labor costs are higher.

2.  Full value protection insurance (Released value protection is typically included by movers at no cost, but the protection is minimal - just $0.60 per pound per article lost or damaged.)

3.  Charges for moving vehicles, including cars, boats and motorcycles.

4.  Surcharges for moving large or fragile items.

5.  Additional charges if your street is too narrow to accommodate a moving truck and they will need to shuttle your belongings with a smaller truck.

6.  Unexpected moving costs if there is a delay in the availability of your new home and the moving company has to put your items into storage.

Moving Cost Agreements

Any reputable moving company should provide a quote using the industry-standard rate book published by the Household Goods Carrier Bureau, called the Tariff 400-N.  There are two main types of moving quotes:

1.  Non-binding estimates are the industry standard.  They reflect the company's best guess as to what your final bill will be, but they can often be inaccurate.  Whenever possible, opt for the not-to-exceed quote.

2.  Not-to-exceed estimates are quotes where the moving company commits to a maximum price.

Get Moving

When it comes to moving, the best way to limit your costs is to move quickly.  The faster you are out of your old home and into your new home, the less you will pay in movers, rented supplies, storage costs and overlapping mortgage payments or rent.