How Much Does a Moving Cost in 2023?

Moving to a new place can be tiring and hard on the body. Getting a professional moving company to help can ease a lot of that burden. Yes, hiring movers might hit your wallet, but many believe it’s money well spent. Wondering about the moving cost? Let’s dive into the usual prices for both short and long-haul moves and other things to think about when getting help for your move.

 

Local Moving vs. Long Distance Moving Costs

A local move means you’re relocating within the same state. Wondering about the cost? On average, moving locally costs about $1,250. This price is for a typical two to three-bedroom home, carrying around 7,500 pounds of stuff. If you have fewer bedrooms to move, you’ll probably need less help, which means you can save some money on the labor part.

Local move costs are typically charged by the hour, but what counts as “local” can differ from one state to another. In some places, if you’re relocating over 50 miles, the cost is decided by how much your stuff weighs, not by the hour. Each state has its own rules, so it’s a good idea to check your state’s specific guidelines. If you’re unsure, your moving company should be able to clear up whether your move is considered local or long-distance in your area.

Moving between states is called an interstate or long-distance move. Wondering about the price of such a move? On average, it costs around $4,890. This is based on moving a two to three-bedroom home with roughly 7,500 pounds of belongings over 1,000 miles.

The cost of moving long distances mainly depends on how heavy your stuff is. Other things that affect the price are the distance, how many workers you need, any packing services, and insurance. When getting a price from your movers, they should give you a written quote. Always ask for a “binding not-to-exceed estimate” so you know the maximum you’ll pay when everything’s delivered.

 

6 Important Considerations That Affect Moving Costs

Add-ons

The cost of hiring movers will be affected by the number of movers involved (labor costs); services required, such as disassembling and reassembling furniture; and any add-ons provided by the movers, such as stretch wrap, felt pads, and mattress bags. These add-ons may be included in the original quote, so make sure to check first.

Supplies

Don’t forget about the moving supplies you’ll have to purchase. You’ll need to make sure you add cardboard boxes, plastic bins, plastic wrap/packing paper, and any other supplies needed for the move into the equation.

Date

Believe it or not, the specific date of your move can affect the price of your move. Here are some general guidelines to follow when choosing your moving date:

Move during the morning hours

Avoid moving on a weekend. Saturdays and Sundays may increase your costs due to the high demand for movers. A weekday move (Monday through Thursday) is usually more affordable.

Given that leases tend to start and end at the beginning and end of the month, we recommend aiming for a mid-month move when there is less demand.

Avoid moving in late spring and summer, if possible. Peak moving season is May to early September. This is the time when families usually choose to move because of school schedules and activities. Students are also leaving for the summer or returning for the school year during this time. Due to high demand, moving company rates tend to be higher during this time frame.

Travel fees

Travel fees can quickly bump up your moving costs, especially for long-distance relocations. It’s essential for movers to include these charges in their estimate. These fees account for the time taken to move from your current location to your new one and the fuel costs. If your move is local, expect a travel fee roughly equal to an hour’s worth of labor.

Liability and valuation coverage

If you’re using a moving company, you’ll likely need to purchase some sort of liability coverage. Most moving companies offer multiple levels of protection, including:

• Basic Released Value Protection, which covers 60 cents per pound cargo liability. For a local move, this type of bare minimum coverage will be included in the hourly rate.
• Full Value Protection, which is more comprehensive than Basic Released Value Protection. This type of coverage holds the movers accountable for any items damaged and requires them to replace the item or reimburse you with the item’s current, depreciated value.

Gratuity for Movers

Thinking about the cost of hiring movers? Remember to set aside some money for tipping. Many people like to reward the movers for their hard work, especially when they handle your items with care and stick to the schedule. After all, lifting and carrying isn’t easy. If your moving team did a great job, a generous tip is a fantastic way to show your appreciation. Let’s dive into some suggestions on how much to tip your movers:

In general, tipping 5 percent of the total moving bill is considered the industry standard. Just remember to divvy up the total tip between the movers. If you decide to tip based on a flat fee and not by percentage, then keep the complexity and distance of the move top of mind.

Tipping advice varies from person to person. Ultimately, the decision over how much to tip a mover comes down to your budget and level of satisfaction with the service. If you do plan to tip the movers, just make sure to grab cash from the ATM before moving day.

 

Tips to Save Moving Costs

While hiring professional movers isn’t cheap, you can still save money and cut costs by following these tips below:

Clear out items you don’t use before moving

Since long-distance moving prices depend on how much your stuff weighs and local moves are charged by the hour, getting rid of things you don’t need can save you cash. Simply put, the less you have to move, the lighter everything is and the quicker the job gets done.

Pack your own boxes and label them clearly

Paying movers to pack your boxes may be convenient, but it’s also quite expensive. To cut down on costs, we recommend packing your own boxes before the movers arrive. Make sure to also label the boxes clearly to save on the time it takes to load and unload items.

Choose a less expensive date and time to move

As mentioned earlier, hiring a professional moving company to move you on a weekend or during peak moving season is going to increase moving costs. It’s typically cheaper to move on a weekday during the late fall and winter months. For a closer look at the best time to move, check here.

Get estimates from several moving companies.

To make sure you’re getting the best price for your move, talk to several moving companies. It’s a good idea to get quotes from at least three movers before making a decision.

 

How to Avoid Moving Scams

Avoiding rogue movers and moving scams should be a top priority when hiring a moving company. To avoid moving company fraud, we recommend watching out for these red flags.

• • The company isn’t licensed and/or insured.
  • The movers lack professionalism.
  • The estimate is too good to be true.
  • The contract doesn’t include valuation coverage.
  • The mover demands to be paid upfront.
  • They can’t provide references.
  • The company has bad reviews and a history of customer complaints.

If you notice any warning signs while checking out moving companies, quickly step back. You don’t want to trust unreliable movers with your valuable items.

 

Choose Penguin Logistics for your next move; we offer top-notch service at reasonable prices. Trust in our expertise to make your transition seamless and affordable.