How Much Does a Mover Cost

We understand that relocating is an expensive endeavor, and that determines how much movers charge can be difficult. When determining whether or not to hire movers or whether or not to hire a moving business is the best option for you (and your budget), we understand that it may be necessary to conduct some window shopping first. This tutorial will help you through the process of determining how much movers cost as well as other factors that may influence pricing.

Now the question arises, how much does it cost to hire movers? Usually, the average cost of hiring movers might fluctuate depending on a variety of factors. It can also be perplexing when you consider all of the numerous fees and charges that certain moving firms will slap on you. Base charge, hourly rate, truck fee, and the cost per mover are some of the words you may come across in the moving industry.

The size of your move, whether you’re moving locally or long distance, and the specifics of your home can all have an impact on the overall cost of your relocation. For example, transporting your belongings up two flights of stairs will take significantly longer than the same move in a one-level home.

Do you want to know how much does a moving company costs? Are you looking for an additional strategy to save money? Look for promotional coupons or request a quick moving quote to find out how much our moving services will set you back.

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Estimated Cost to hire Local Movers

Considering that local movers charge by the hour, employing two guys and a truck will cost you between $90 and $120 per hour, based on the average cost of local moving. Moving labor alone (without the use of a moving truck) will cost approximately $60 to $80 per hour when moving within the city limits.

Moving prices and the entire cost of a local move will vary depending on where you live – state and metro area, for example.

In order to compensate the movers for the time they spent working on your relocation, you will be charged an hourly cost. No matter if the movers are wrapping, loading, or driving from point A to point B, they will be charged the same hourly cost.

Travel fees may also apply depending on the pickup location. Many times, this charge can be negotiated between the moving business and the client based on the distance between the moving company and the customer’s new location.

It is possible that you will be charged for packing materials as well. Keep this in mind when you ask your moving company to provide you with an estimate of your moving costs. The cost of your complete move can be calculated using our local moving cost calculator form, which can be found at the top of this page.

Of course, while determining the cost of local moving, the size of your home is taken into consideration. Taking into consideration the average hourly rate of roughly $60 per mover, the following are the approximate costs when hiring local movers in your area:

Studio apartment: Apartment in a studio for $480. You may expect to pay approximately $480 for moving out of a studio apartment with the assistance of two local movers if the full loading, transportation, and unloading process is finished within 4 hours.

1-bedroom: A one-bedroom apartment costs $480. It should cost roughly $480 to move locally from a 1-bedroom apartment if two movers finish the move in approximately 4 hours.

2-bedroom: $1,080 for a two-bedroom apartment. It should cost you roughly $1,080 to relocate out of a 2-bedroom apartment or house (approximately 1,000 square feet) if three local movers finish the local relocation service in six hours.

3-bedroom: $1,680 for a three-bedroom house. Moving out of a 3-bedroom apartment or house (about 2,000 square feet) will cost you approximately $1,680 in labor and materials for a local moving crew of four people who can complete the move in about seven hours.

If your property is substantially larger than the samples shown above, the cost of moving can increase significantly. Your best strategy, however, is to use the local cost calculation tool we provide to get a better idea of how much local movers will cost you and then adjust your moving budget appropriately.

Local Movers Cost

If you are making a move within the same town, local moving companies will charge hourly rates ranging from $60 up to $250 per hour. This rate depends on the number of workers hired to complete the job.

House Size	No. Of Movers	Price Per Hour	No. Of Hours	Avg. Total Cost
Single room	2 movers	$95 per hour	3 hours	$290 – $610
1 bedroom	2 movers	$ 95 per hour	4 hours	$400 – $730
2 bedroom	3 movers	$ 120 per hour	6 hours	$750 – $1900
3 bedroom	4 movers	$ 155 per hour	8 hours	$1020 – $3250
4 bedroom	4 movers	$ 155 per hour	9 hours	$1250 – $4900
5 bedroom	5 movers	$ 200 per hour	12 hours	$2100 – $6500

Estimated Cost to Hire Long Distance Movers

The movers and packers estimated cost for long-distance moving is determined by the weight of the shipment, the distance between your home and the destination, and any additional services. Expect to pay an average of $0.70 per pound of home goods to have them transported to a location more than 1,000 miles away. In addition to the approximate fee, no additional services are included.

Yes, long-distance expenses are computed based on the weight of the products being transported, or in very rare situations, by the cubic foot of the objects being transported. However, in addition to charging you for the weight of your shipment and the distance between your old and new residences, most cross-country moving firms will also charge you for a variety of additional services and fees – see the section below for more details.

You should be aware that long-distance movements are computed on an individual basis because the moving price is dependent on too many variables to list them all here. You must get an in-house estimate if you want to know how much your move will cost in advance. After that, a representative from the organization will come to your home and thoroughly analyze the moving situation before providing you with an accurate moving estimate.

There is no better way to get an estimate for your long-distance moving charges than to contact a few top-rated cross-country movers and ask them to come out and give you on-site estimates. Having a legally binding estimate will help to ensure that the final cost of long-distance relocating does not exceed the amount estimated at the time of the estimate.

Any moving firm that will not provide you with a visual estimate should be eliminated, and you should insist on binding or not-to-exceed estimates.

Caution should be exercised if you receive a pricing estimate that is significantly cheaper than the others. This could be a symptom of moving fraud and should be investigated further. Read our Moving Fraud Prevention Guide to keep yourself out of trouble when you move.

Now, take a look at these estimated moving prices to get a better idea of how much a cross-country move will cost:

Studio / 1-bedroom: Apartments range from $1,500 to $3,200. Depending on the weight and distance of the items (approximate weight of goods: 1,800-3,200 lbs., distance to new home: 1,000 miles), moving out of a studio apartment or a 1-bedroom home should cost between $1,500 and $3,200.

2-bedroom apartment: $3,500 – $5,200. If you’re moving out of a 2-bedroom home (approximate weight of goods: 5,500-6,000 lbs., distance to new home: 1,000 miles), you should expect to pay somewhere in the region of $3500 – $5200 in moving expenses.

3-bedroom apartment: $6,300 – $7,800. For a 3-bedroom home with around 9,000 lbs. of goods and a distance of 1,000 miles between the old and new residences, the cost of moving should be between $6,300 and $7,800.

Remember that these are just hypothetical pricing. Request on-site surveys from reliable movers, followed by realistic price estimates, to see how much you will have to pay for expert moving services.

Long Distance Movers Cost

Long-distance moving companies charge according to the number of household belongings and distance traveled. The overall cost of moving for a longer distance may vary from $920 up to $20,000+ depending on the size of the container and the distance of the move.

Home size	<50 miles	250+ miles	1000+ miles	2500+ miles
1 bed room	$400 – $610	$920 – $2500	$2000 – $3950	$3000 – $6000
2 – 3 bedrooms	$750 – $3500	$2000 – $4955	$3500 – $10000	$4400 – $13000
4 – 5 bedrooms	$1200 – $6500	$2750 – $9900	$5000 – $15000	$8500 – $18500

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Estimated Cost to Hire Cross Country Movers

The lowest possible method of moving is not always the best method of moving. Interstate movers provide the attention, drive, and knowledge necessary to complete your relocation. This is especially true when you hire one of our hand-picked movers.

The most cost-effective method of relocating across the country is to rent a moving truck. However, this will imply that you will be responsible for driving the enormous truck across the country, as well as for all of the packing, unpacking, loading, and unloading that will take place. Moving container companies, for example, are another economical choice for your cross-country relocation that you should take into consideration.

Take the time to go through the specifics of your relocation before you begin looking for moving firms. You should take into consideration the following points…

Make a “move, trash, donate, sell” list of anything you want to get rid of. It goes without saying that you must be aware of what you are actually moving. This is something you should not leave until the last minute to figure out. Make a list of everything you own and decide if you want to move, donate, trash, or sell each item on the list. If you’re moving with a group of people, this checklist will assist you in getting everyone on the same page.

Make a firm commitment to a move-out date. Do you have a deadline for moving on a specific day? Is it possible for you to relocate at any point within a week? You can save money by being flexible with your moving date. It’s always a good idea to leave yourself at least a one-day buffer just in case something happens.

Choose a date for your move-in. How quickly do you require delivery of your order? Unless you’re driving everything yourself, most cross-country moves will take between 10 and 14 days to be delivered to their destination. If you don’t already have a location to reside in mind, you’ll want to think about which storage choices will be the most convenient for you.

Understand all of your moving-out and moving-in policies. In terms of moving, do your apartment complex or homeowners association have any specific rules you must adhere to? Parking restrictions, elevator reservations, and insurance needs, to name a few considerations. Speak with your landlord or a neighbor about your situation.

Estimate the total dollar value of everything that is being relocated. You’ll need to know how much everything being relocated is worth in order to properly consider your insurance alternatives. Websites such as eBay and Craigslist can assist you in determining the value of previously used products. Now that you have a better understanding of the intricacies of your relocation, you must establish a budget.

We recommend that you use our cross-country moving cost calculator to receive a quick estimate of the cost of various moving services and service price options.

You’ll also want to factor in travel fees, housing charges (such as cleaning services and a security deposit), packing material expenses (such as boxes, tape, and other supplies), and any other moving-related expenses into your overall budget.

Cross Country Movers Cost

The best way to have a cross-country move depends on your needs and budget. Even, the cheapest cross-country moving options will cost more than thousands of dollars.

Do you know how much do professional movers cost for a cross-country move? The average cost is approximately $5000 based on an average weight of 8000 pounds and a distance of more than 1000 miles.

Description	1 Bedroom	2/3 Bedroom	4/5 Bedroom+
Rental Truck	$1,800-$3,000	$2,400 – $3,500	$3,700+
Freight Trailer	$1,500 – $2,500	$2,100 – $3,200	$3,300
Moving Container	$1,500 – $3,500	$1,500 – $4,500	$6,300+
Moving Company	$1,500 – $4,500	$4,000 – $7,300	$8,200

How Do You Estimate Moving Costs

Time and distance are the most important factors while estimating the cost of a move which are usually charged per hour. They trace the time of the moving truck from its starting point to the final destination and the time taken by the moving crew to load and unload the belongings. A small amount of travel fee, any requested packing materials, and extra services are typically added to the final price as well. 

You can be able to calculate the moving cost if you get to know the number of movers required to perform the move and how much time the movers will take to load-unload and transport your shipment. You can simply use a moving cost calculator or apply this formulation i.e.

{Rate per hour × number of movers × time (hours) taken to complete the move} + additional services charge and packing materials if requested by you + travel fee.

Rate per hour depends on the area you live in, shipment movement time, and any particular condition for relocation which can vary somewhere between $30 and $90 per mover per hour.

If you are moving abroad, the cost of moving will be based on the actual distance to your destination and the total weight of the goods. The exact distance from your starting to the final destination can be figured out but estimating the total weight of your belongings can be the biggest challenge. For this, you have to take the help of a moving service to not only get a rough idea about the weightage you want to relocate but also to get a realistic estimate for which you need to perform an in-depth survey of your goods and belongings.

• Firstly, fill out details on a moving quote to find out several reputed movers, go through their credentials to know if they are licensed and reliable moving professionals, compare what they offer, and contact them for onsite estimates.
• Movers company will send their employees to make a way to your home to figure out the approximate weight of your goods and personal belongings.
• Based on that database the moving companies will create moving cost estimates.
• Then it is up to you to choose the best movers for the relocation of your belongings by comparing the offers provided by them.
• Do not forget to consider requested deposits, insurance options, extra services, cancellation policies, time-slots, and other special conditions and relevant date hours with the price.
• During shipment, your belongings will be weighed again. Before the move, the empty truck is weighed and an empty weight receipt will be provided to you by your mover. Then the moving vehicle is loaded and is weighted again, thereby providing you a weight receipt or ticket after it.
• The actual weight of the mover, the extra services you consider, and the exact distance to the final destination will determine the overall cost of your overseas move.

You can also calculate the final cost with the help of a moving cost estimator or by applying the formula:

(Actual load weight × rate per dollar for mile × relocation distance)+ additional moving insurance + accessorial service charges.

Factors that Affect the Moving Costs

The moving cost for relocation to the final destination is harder to calculate. Other than moving price, several other factors influence the cost of moving. The more you get to know the factors, the more you can have control over the price of moving.

• Moving distance: The greater the moving distance between the old and new home, the more expensive your move is gonna be.
• Size of your move: Moving out of a small home is less expensive than moving out of a 3BHK apartment in terms of the number of heavy household belongings. The more things or bulky items you wish to move, the more you have to pay during relocation. Therefore, save money by moving only those items that are essential, that you love and want in the future.
• Extra services: Every add-on service that you request will cost you extra money. For instance, packing is an additional moving service if done by you you can save add-on costs while moving.
• Moving date: The moving date can also affect the cost of hiring a moving company. Making a move during the peak moving season (April-September) is more costly than the off-peak season (winter).
• Extra charges: While hiring the moving services don’t forget to discuss the extra charges that you might get charged which must be added to the overall estimate you receive.
• Insurance: Consider purchasing insurance coverage from your moving company for moving valuable items for prized possessions.

Keep in mind Hidden / Additional Moving Costs

Moving companies add a lot of additional or hidden costs that occur after noting the details provided in your move. Here is a list of possible additional costs considered while estimating the cost of the move:

• Storage: Most moving companies keep storage options, whether for the short term or long term, to store your items. Moving companies are a great option for short-term storage but not for the long term as it might be costlier than storing your belongings at a personal storage facility if needed.
• Additional stops: Movers typically charge additional fees for extra stops other than your final destination.
• Early delivery: Movers also charge additional fees, if it is possible for them to deliver early to your new home.
• Fragile items: Shipping special or fragile items can increase the moving cost a lot sometimes. If you want to move antique furniture, a hot bathtub, a heavy safe, or a piano to your new home you might have to hire experienced services or movers.
• Packing supplies: Movers usually use bubble wrap, covers, boxes, packing papers, or any other packing materials to pack your belongings which may cost you for the supplies. It will be a wonderful idea if you talk about it with your movers ahead of time for which particular items you might need.
• Shuttle service: Moving companies charge shuttle fees if they have used a portable/ flexible truck to transfer your property from your old home to the main tractor-trailer.
• Unpacking service: Moving companies charge an unpacking service fee if you demand them to unpack all your belongings and put everything back in place at your new home. It is although rarely purchased, but if purchased costs less than $100 for a small home and $100-$300 for a larger home.
• Elevator charges: Moving companies charge an elevator fee if your building has a small elevator needing a lot of trips or if your apartment is located on a higher floor needing a long elevator ride.
• Staircase carry charges: Moving companies charge a staircase carry fee if your home is located on the first floor or above where they have to carry the moving items by climbing several long staircases.
• Long carry charges: Moving company asks for a long carry fee if their truck is not parked within a distance of 50-100 feet from your home.
• Tipping: Moving items or belongings safely is quite a difficult job. Many customers gave moving tips to the representatives for their hard work. The tipping fees vary according to the move.

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Tips to Save Money During a Move

Looking for ways to cut money during a move? Here we have provided you with 10 tips to save money during a move to your new home.

1. Pack yourself: Instead of lending a helping hand to professional movers for packing and systems, do it yourself as packing rates are quite costly and might cost at least $100 or more. To cut the cost of unpacking we recommend you to pack your stops yourself and add your family and friends for help.
2. Choose a cheap moving date: Relocation creates a big difference in the total cost of your move. In general, it is best to opt during mid-week, weekends, mid-month, summers, or when the demand of moving companies and moving costs is lowest. Avoid your moves during peak moving season, memorial days, holidays, labor days, and winters as it can be more expensive.
3. Get quotes from multiple moving companies: Hiring a mover providing the best moving service with an affordable price range must be your only motive, isn’t it? So, we recommend you to get quotes from at least two to three moving companies. Before giving a quote, they must send their representatives for inspection of your belongings. Quotes are always customized according to your belongings to be relocated, so don’t blindly go with quotes you see over their web pages.
4. Dispose of unnecessary belongings: The only way to save money during a move is to get rid of unnecessary household belongings. Start packing necessary items that you may need immediately when you reach your new home. Donate or sell unnecessary clothes, furniture, machinery, etc.
5. Collect free moving supplies: A simple way to start packing your household belongings is by packing them with boxes, plastic wrappers, newspapers, or bubble wrappers. You can get these supplies from large chain stores, liquor shops, grocery stores, office buildings, and recycling points. You can also order them from wholesale online stores at reasonable prices.
6. Make a list of family and friends for help: Packing and sorting out belongings is quite a hectic job that needs professional assistance. If you can’t pay for it, try asking your family, roommates, or friends for their help. Ask them to give you enough time for this. Also make sure that they can make secured packages, lift heavy appliances and boxes.
7. Book your mover early: If you plan to move around holidays or during Summers, consider booking a mover 1-2 months in advance to make a safe move. Usually, they increase prices if you make a last-minute booking or they may not be available to take up your work.
8. Look for moving discounts: Moving companies with AAA membership can provide you with special moving options and moving or storage discounts. Search for a moving company that provides military discounts both on local and international moves.
9. Hire a portable moving container: Hiring a portable moving container can be a great alternative than hiring a full-service moving container. The renting cost depends on the container size and the number of hours needed to make the move. The process involves loading your stuff up in the container and the rest will be done by the container company.
10. Cancellation of services: Cancel all your belongings two or three days after the moving date to get rid of unnecessary bills.

How Much Does Mover Cost FAQs

Conclusion

Given that many people consider moving to be as stressful as going through a divorce, you owe it to yourself to devise a strategy that will make your transition into your new home as pleasant as possible. There’s a common misconception that hiring movers is something that only the very wealthy can afford.

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