How Much Does a Moving Company Cost? We Break Down the Expenses

Moving to a new home can be an exciting but stressful time. One major cost to factor in is how much you’ll pay for a professional moving company to transport your belongings. The cost of hiring movers can vary greatly depending on the type of move, amount of items being moved, distance traveled, services required, and timing. We break down the common factors that influence the cost of hiring a moving company.

Introduction

The average cost to hire professional movers ranges from $400 to $1000 for a local move, $1000 to $4000 for a long-distance move, and $2000 to $8000+ for a full-service international relocation. However, many elements impact your unique moving quote, making it hard to pinpoint an exact figure until you request detailed estimates from multiple companies.

When budgeting for your move, the primary expenses to consider are:

Distance traveled
Weight/quantity of possessions
Packing and unpacking services
Additional services like crating valuables or providing temporary storage
Timing – peak moving months tend to be more expensive
Company reputation – well-reviewed movers often charge higher rates

We break down how each of these key factors can influence the overall cost to hire a moving company for your relocation. Understanding these components will help you plan your budget and select the right level of service to fit your needs and price range.

How Distance Traveled Impacts Cost

The distance your possessions will be transported is one of the biggest determinants of moving cost. Local and long-distance moves have significantly different price points:

Local Moves

For moves under 50 miles, most companies charge an hourly rate. Expect rates around $60-$120 per hour. The final cost is based on the time it takes to load, transport, and unload your items. Most local moves will cost between $400-$1000.

For example, a 3-hour local move at $100 per hour will be $300 before other fees like materials and insurance are added.

With local moves, companies may also charge a minimum number of hours, usually 2-3 hours. There may also be additional fees for things like stairs and elevators.

Long-Distance Moves

Moves over 50 miles are considered long-distance. For these relocations, costs are typically based on a binding estimate calculated per 100 pounds shipped and miles traveled.

Expect to pay around $1000-$4000 for long-distance moves, depending on weight, distance shipped, and services added. For example, moving a 4000 lb shipment 1000 miles could be around $4000 at $1 per pound per 100 miles traveled.

For multi-day journeys, costs may also include motel and meal fees for the moving crew.

International Moves

For intercontinental moves, both sea and air freight options are available. Sea freight is less expensive but much slower (taking 1-2 months in transit). Air freight costs significantly more as cargo space is limited, but your items arrive within days.

Full-service international moves with customs clearance, shipping, and destination services average $2000-$8000 for a moderately sized shipment.

How Weight and Quantity Impact Cost

The weight of your possessions and quantity of items being moved directly relate to the cost. Movers determine weight using:

Floor space – Items that take up more floor space on the truck cost more.
Weight – Almost all moves are priced per 100 pounds shipped. More weight equals higher cost.
Item count – Moving lots of small, loose items costs more in labor time versus moving a few large pieces of furniture.

Requesting an in-home visit for movers to do an inventory of your possessions helps create the most accurate weight estimate possible. Be sure to point out any extremely heavy objects like pianos or safes that may skew weight calculations.

Decluttering and getting rid of unnecessary possessions before the move helps reduce weight and overall cost. Consider selling or donating anything you don’t really need or use.

Packing and Unpacking Services Cost More

Packing and unpacking services are commonly available add-ons, but prepare for this convenience to increase your bill.

Packing – Movers charge around $50-$150 per hour to pack belongings based on the complexity involved. This includes materials like boxes, tape, labels, and protective wrapping.

Unpacking – To have movers unpack at your new home expect to pay the same hourly rate as packing. Costs quickly add up if movers handle unpacking for an entire household. Unpacking dishware for an entire kitchen alone could take several hours.

Many people opt to pack themselves and just hire the moving company to load and transport their packed boxes and furniture. Packing yourself also ensures items are handled with more care and wrapped how you prefer.

Additional Services Cost More But Add Value

Besides basic loading and transport, full-service moving companies offer a range of add-ons. The most relevant options that increase cost include:

Crating or specialty wrapping – For premium protection, movers can crate large items like pianos and art. Specialty wrap furniture and mirrors in protective blankets. Costs range $50-$300 per item wrapped.
Storage – If you need items stored temporarily before or after the move, movers can transport belongings to their climate-controlled storage facilities. Storage fees range $100-$300 monthly based on space required.
Packing supplies – Expect to pay extra if the company provides specialty boxes, tape, protective wrapping, and labels. Costs for full packing supplies often add $200-$500+ to estimates.
Stair carries – For multi-floor moves, an additional fee of around $50-$150 per flight of stairs is usually charged.
Elevator fees – When required, elevator fees range $75-$300 depending on building rules and how many elevator trips are needed.
Long carry fees – For homes where the moving truck has to be parked a long distance from the door, companies charge long carry fees based on the distance range. For example, $50 for 25-50 ft, $150 for 50-100 ft.
Fuel surcharges – For long-distance moves, fuel surcharges help cover added diesel costs, ranging 15%-30% of the total bill.

While addon fees drive up the total, services like crating large antiques and art reduces the risk of damage during transit.

Peak Moving Seasons Are More Expensive

Due to high demand, the summer months of June through August are the most expensive time to hire a moving company. October through November are also relatively high-cost due to many families relocating before the school year and holidays.

January through March tend to be the least expensive months to move since demand is lower during winter. However, moving in winter can increase risks of items being exposed to cold and snow during transport.

No matter when you move, Saturdays and Sundays incur premium rates around 50% higher than midweek moves. Friday moves are also slightly higher cost than midweek.

Moving as close to the first of the month as possible can yield better rates. Many part-time movers seek short 1-2 day jobs between monthly contracts with large corporate clients. More movers on the market helps reduce pricing.

Reputable Companies Often Cost More

Established moving brands that invest in quality training, insurance protections, and newer trucks justify their higher estimates based on superior service. Warning signs of an extremely low estimate include:

Anonymous moving trucks – makes the company hard to identify if problems occur.
Day labor movers – picked up at intersections with no formal training.
Old rented trucks – may not be well-maintained.
Lack of insurance – leaves you unprotected for damages.

While deals from less professional movers pop up on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace, the old saying “you get what you pay for” is often painfully true in the moving business. Paying a fair but not rock-bottom price helps ensure a smooth stress-free move.

How to Get an Accurate Moving Quote

Since many factors impact cost, follow these tips for an accurate estimate:

Get on-site estimates from 3+ local moving companies. Avoid vague online instant quotes.
Be present during the in-home estimate. Point out any special circumstances.
Make it clear which services you want – packing, unpacking, crating, etc.
If doing a long-distance move:
Provide exact new home address and distance calculator results.
Highlight any extremely heavy items.
Read the estimate carefully! Verify it includes all requested services and addresses.
Ask about hidden fees – fuel surcharges, stairs, etc. that may not be listed.
Avoid unusually high/low quotes that seem unrealistic.

With an itemized estimate accounting for services needed, you can effectively budget and prepare for a smooth move.

Questions To Ask Moving Companies About Cost

Get clear written estimates from multiple movers before deciding. Here are key questions about costs and fees to ask upfront:

How exactly is the overall price calculated?

Hourly or binding estimate? Get all details.

What factors in our specific move may increase costs above your estimate?

Make sure you understand what could make the final bill higher.

What add-on services do you offer and what is the additional cost?

Get menu pricing for packing, crating, storage, stairs, elevators, etc.

Are boxes and packing supplies included or extra? What about fuel?

Avoid assumptions. Know what is and isn’t included.

When is your peak season? Do you charge extra during summer/holidays?

Ask about surcharges for peak times.

What long-distance routes do you run frequently? Are any priced lower?

Some companies specialize in popular routes and offer deals.

Can I get a discount for paying in cash, or do you require payment upfront?

Inquire about cash/check discounts and deposit requirements.

What happens if my possessions appear to weigh more than the estimate after loading?

Make sure no big surprise overages get sprung on you.

Tips to Reduce Moving Company Costs

While hiring movers saves huge time and effort, costs can still be contained through smart preparation:

Declutter as much as possible – Less stuff = lower weight and hourly time.
Pack yourself – Just pay movers to load/drive.
Move midweek – Avoid weekend rates.
Supply your own boxes/materials – Reduce supply fees.
Book during off-season – Steer clear of summer rush season.
Take the stairs – Skip elevator fees if you are able.
Compare companies – Don’t go just by the lowest bid. Vet quality.
Form a moving team – Recruit friends to help pack in exchange for pizza and beer!

While these tips can help control costs, resist any urge to underinsure your items. Paying a fair rate helps ensure movers have incentive to handle your belongings with care.

How Much Does a Moving Company Cost? – The Bottom Line

Professional movers provide a valuable service during a very stressful time. Their expertise hauling large furniture and safely transporting cherished possessions makes hiring a moving company worth the expense for most people. While costs in the range of $1000-$5000 may seem high when getting estimates, keep in mind the long hours and physical labor involved, as well as the liability of transporting your life’s belongings.

Performing due diligence to get itemized estimates, asking questions, and hiring a reputable company helps ensure costs stay within your budget. Avoid going just for the cheapest mover, which increases risk of damaged belongings or hidden fees. Consider costs an investment toward reducing your personal stress and physical strain from attempting such an enormous task alone. Leverage the equipment, efficiency, and experience of professional movers to make your moving day as smooth and easy as possible!

Conclusion

Moving requires significant financial, emotional, and physical investment. Keep the process manageable by understanding typical costs and planning accordingly. Obtain detailed estimates, compare movers, and ask plenty of questions to find the right fit based on your budget. While not cheap, a reputable moving company prevents immense strain of tackling a move alone. With upfront budgeting and planning, you can concentrate on the excitement of starting your next chapter in a new home.