When it’s time to prepare for a big move, you know it’s going to come with some costs. The moving company is one, of course — but there are plenty of other costs and fees to consider. So as you prepare your moving budget, use our moving costs checklist to make sure you’ve covered all your bases. It’s always better to be prepared than to be surprised!
Hiring a moving company
This is undoubtedly one of the larger costs of moving to a new home depending on how far of a move you have planned. A local move will be less expensive. Long-distance moving will be more expensive and will likely be priced by the weight or volume of your shipment.
To get the most accurate estimate possible, a good moving company should assess your shipment either in-person or using a detailed inventory process. According to Capital One, moving a studio apartment about 1,000 miles will average about $1,200 for moving services. Moving a 3-bedroom house the same distance is around $6,300.
Keep in mind that quotes can vary significantly depending on the shipping method you choose and the time frame you require. Get a few quotes to compare!
How Much Do Movers Cost For A Local Move
A local moving cost can vary depending on several factors. These factors can include, location, distance of the move, size of the move and additional moving services needed. As a ballpark moving estimate, in the United States, local movers typically cost $80-$130 per hour if the moving company prices on an hourly rate. You also have professional moving companies that can price using a flat rate. Flat rate pricing usually includes a full service, price guaranteed move with labor and travel expenses included. With a flat rate pricing system, instead of pricing by the hour or by weight, they price based on the logistics of your move. The average cost of moving companies also will vary depending on the type of move you need. Cross country and long distance moves typically cost more than a corporate move or moving locally. For example a move from California to Texas typically costs $2,000-$6,000 and a move from Chicago to Los Angeles typically costs $3,000-$8,000. Each individual moving company will have their own cost calculator, so it is important to ask your moving company about their standard moving costs.
Moving A House Vs Moving An Apartment
What are the differences between moving a house and moving an apartment? Well, a few of the most important differences are size of the move, space, and accessibility. Before hiring professional movers, it is important to understand these different moves. For example, to move a one bedroom apartment locally is going to cost anywhere between $500-$1,500. Whereas, the average cost to move a 3 bedroom house will cost anywhere between $1,500-$4,000. The price per pound/kg does typically matter during a move. How much do movers cost for a 2 bedroom apartment? This can average anywhere between $800-$2,500. These prices will vary from state to state, but it is important to note professional movers and packers will vary in cost depending on the size of your move.
Upgrading moving insurance
For federally licensed moving companies, baseline moving insurance is minimal. You’ll only receive 60 cents per pound if any of your belongings are damaged in transit. Opting to upgrade your insurance will cost more, but will cover the value of your belongings in the case of an accident or mishap. Full valuation coverage moving insurance costs about 1% of the valuation of your items, which means that if you value your items at $50,000, full value protection insurance would cost about $500.
Additional moving services
Sometimes the basic moving services offered by your company don’t quite cover your needs. Whether it’s custom crating, piano hoisting, or disassembling your surround sound system, additional services typically come with additional fees. Your moving company may offer packages that meet your shipping needs or may include some specialized services, so ask about what they offer and how much they charge.
- Custom crating
- Upgrading to an Elite moving services may cover more of your needs
- Storage services to store furniture with a moving company
- Packing materials may be included with packing services or could be an additional cost
- Removal of packing debris
- Shuttle services may be required to transport your shipment from a moving hub to your home
Personal travel
Now that you have your belongings taken care of, decide how you will travel to your new home if it’s more than just a few miles away. Will you drive or fly? For some, driving allows them to transport things like plants, pets, or other personal items that the movers cannot take more easily. For others, flying is the way to go!
If you are driving, you’ll need to account for:
- The cost of gas
- Meals along the way
- Lodging for each night of the trip
If you are flying, you’ll need to account for:
- Airfare
- Baggage fees
- Meals
- Vehicle shipping if applicable. Shipping your vehicle while you fly can take the stress out of a move.
Costs at your new home
Once you’ve arrived, there are still additional costs to consider. If you purchased a home, you may need to begin some minor fixes or major renovations. You may still have closing costs to attend to, real estate fees to cover, and down payments to utility companies to get everything up and running.
If you are renting your home, you’ll have your security deposit and pet deposit (if you have one!), as well as possible utility deposits.
Lastly, you’ll probably need to purchase some additional appliances, at least a few new furniture pieces, and other odds and ends to make your new house a home. You might also want to hire a cleaning company to come and give your new home a good scrubbing before you begin to unpack and settle in.
Congratulations on planning for your new home! Let FlatRate Moving get you there, stress-free.
Get an estimate and inquire about add-on services!