Moving house is a costly and time-consuming endeavor, no two ways about it. If you have plenty of time, you can cut down the moving costs by accomplishing most (or all) of the moving tasks by yourself. On the contrary, if you can afford professional assistance, you can save some valuable time. If you are somewhere in between and haven’t made up your mind yet, you need to get an accurate idea of the average moving costs and the time required to organize your relocation in order to make an informed decision and ensure a gratifying moving experience.
As everyone knows, time is relative – you will need time to sort out and pack your belongings, to take care of all the relevant paperwork, to find and purchase or rent adequate moving equipment, etc., but also to say proper goodbyes to your friends and your old home, to visit your favorite places, to tend to your pets’ needs, to prepare your kids for the big change, and so on. So, only you know how much time you are going to need to get ready for your move. One thing is certain though – hiring professional moving services will save you lots of time.
Moving costs, however, are absolute – they depend on a number of factors but you can easily calculate them when you input the right parameters. You just need to know how to estimate moving expenses.
How to estimate the cost of a move
Moving companies will estimate the cost of your move based on the following factors:
- Distance to your final destination – the greater the mileage, the more gas will be used, the more road tolls will be paid, the larger the vehicle insurance will be, etc. So, it’s only logical that the final moving costs will increase in direct proportion to the distance that the moving truck will have to travel in order to deliver your goods;
- Total weight of your shipment – the heavier your shipment, the more efforts will be required for moving it and the more fuel will be used for the transportation. The equation is simple: many household items = lots of used up space = larger moving truck = more fuel needed;
- Time – the time for loading, transporting and unloading your goods is a critical factor for short-distance moves;
- Number of movers – the more helping hands you have hired, the faster your move will be performed but you will pay for each of the movers in the event of local moves;
- Complexity of the job – special handling requirements and particular obstacles necessitate more efforts and longer time to complete the strenuous moving procedures, so the price will be higher;
- Required additional services – extra services come at extra fees, of course.
How to estimate the cost of moving house short distance
Distance is not an important factor when it comes to local moves. If you are moving less than 50 miles away from your old home, the time required for loading, transporting and unloading your household items and the number of movers you have hired to perform the job will define the final moving cost. So, the basic formula for local moves looks like that:
(Hourly rate) X (Number of movers) X (Number of hours for accomplishing the moving procedures) + (The cost of the fuel and the amount of money for road tolls and parking fees – if any) + (The charge for packing services and materials you have requested)
Time is of paramount importance when estimating the moving costs for a local move, as moving companies typically charge by the hour. They calculate the time that the moving truck will need to get from your old property to your new one and the number of work hours it will take for the moving crew to load and unload your belongings.
Keep in mind that most companies have a minimum charge, equal to the charge of 2-4 hours’ work. Even if your move doesn’t take that long, you will have to pay this minimum amount. Hourly rates begin from $40 an hour and go up depending on the city you live in and a number of other relevant factors.
How to estimate the cost of moving cross country
When it comes to long distance moves, the moving costs are estimated based on the total weight of your shipment. You are strongly recommended to ask for on-site written binding estimates before choosing the best state-to-state movers for your specific needs. When representatives of several moving companies visit your home to determine the approximate weight of your furniture and boxes, you should give them all the relevant information (special handling requirements, possible obstacles, etc.) in order to get a realistic estimate. This will guarantee that the final price you pay when your shipment is delivered will not exceed the estimate, as long as you don’t add items not included in the original estimate.
Here is the formula to calculate the cost of your move to another state:
(Weight) X (Rate per pound per mile) X (Distance) + (Charges for accessorial services) + (Optional full value protection of your shipment) + (Packing services and/or materials)
Once your belongings are packed and the moving truck is loaded on moving day, the entire vehicle gets weighed on a certified scale. The actual weight of the moving truck, the exact distance to your new home and the extra services (packing and unpacking, disassembly and reassembly of furniture, hoisting services, shuttle services, etc.) you have used will determine the final cost of your move.
A number of other factors also play a crucial role in determining the exact price of your move – moving in peak season or on national holidays, deciding on a moving date during the weekend or at the end of a month, your chosen insurance plan, consolidation options, need for storage in transit, etc. So, to get an accurate estimate, fill in a moving quote – you will be contacted by several reputable movers and will be able to discuss whatever concerns you and to compare their offers. Look for quality services at a reasonable price, research the moving companies and hire trustworthy professionals to ensure a smooth and trouble-free relocation.
