Moving is a lot of work, from the initial packing to organizing to cleaning. Whether you decide to hire professional help or bribe your friends, there are going to be some costs involved. Although your total moving costs depend on how much stuff you have and how far you’re moving, the American Moving & Storage Association averages about $1,170 if you’re moving within a state.
Use a moving calculator
There are many different online tools you can use that will help you estimate the cost of your next move. You start by adding your basic details like the number of rooms and the distance you’re moving. The more details you can add the more accurate your calculations will be, so when searching online, look for one that asks for the square footage of your home, date of your move, the number of movers, the number of flights of stairs, or anything else that will affect your move.
Get a custom quote
Your next step will be to get a custom quote from a qualified professional. The most accurate quotes are in-home estimates, but you can also send an inventory list to your movers, so they can gauge the move.
Get competing quotes
Don’t stop once you get your first quote, get some from various movers. You can contact each mover individually or you can you sites like movingguru.com where you enter similar information and get competing quotes from various licensed moving companies. Either way, it’s best to get more than one estimate to compare prices and services.
Don’t forget the extras
Now that you have all your estimates, it is time to calculate some of the extra costs you may be unaware of. Packing will be an extra charge on top of your estimate. Here are few other costs that do add up:
- Assembly: When the movers have to disassemble and then reassemble furniture.
- Long carry: Some companies charge when they can’t park near the home and have to carry items a long distance.
- Lowering/hoisting: If you have extremely large furniture, such as a piano, that has to be lifted or hoisted.
- Redelivery: If you missed the truck and they have to redeliver your stuff.
- Specialty items: Often times there is an extra fee for items like pool tables, pianos, gun safes, exercise equipment, hot tubs, freezers, and antiques.
