How Much Do Movers Charge?

How much do movers charge for a long-distance move?

You should bear in mind that long-distance movers do NOT charge by the hour. Instead, they will quote a price that’s been calculated on the basis of several factors: distance, weight, extra services, and complexity.

Here’s something really important that you need to remember when moving across the country: the cost of an interstate move is calculated on a case-by-case basis.

The cost of moving long-distance can be tricky—this video explains it all!

In reality, all this means that the only way to learn how much movers charge for a long-distance move is to request accurate cost estimates from the best interstate moving companies in your city or town.

Here’s how much movers charge for a cross-country move for 250 miles, 500 miles, 1,000 miles, and 2,000 miles respectively.

How much do movers charge for 250 miles?

How much do movers charge for 500 miles?

How much do movers charge for 1,000 miles?

How much do movers charge for 2,000 miles?

Remember that these price ranges are nothing more than average moving costs aimed at giving you a general idea of what to expect from the long-distance movers you hire.

Use our Moving Cost Calculator to get accurate cost estimates for your upcoming cross-country move.

Factors that affect movers price

According to my personal house-moving experience, how much movers charge will depend on several critical factors. It’s important that you understand what affects the moving cost so that you can have more control over your own moving costs and expenses.

• Home size. The size of your home is especially relevant when using the services of local movers. The bigger the home, the more items are likely to be in it. The more items to pack and move, the more time it’ll take to complete the move. Local movers charge by the hour, remember?
• Distance. The move distance is the major price-formation factor when moving across the country. The more miles the movers have to cover to reach the new place, the more the interstate move will cost.
• Weight. Long-distance movers calculate the price based on the total weight of the shipment. So, reduce the number of items to move to lower the moving cost.
• Extra services. Each additional service such as packing, unpacking, furniture disassembly and reassembly, and temporary storage will cost more money. If possible, pack up your things by yourself to save some serious cash.
• Complexity. Movers will charge you more for packing and transporting specialty items such as a piano, a pool table, a heavy safe, a hot tub, or antique furniture. Also, too many flights of stairs on Moving day are likely to inflate the final moving bill.
• Move date. Professional moving companies tend to charge more during the peak moving season (May – September) because of the higher demand for their services. If possible, consider moving during the off-peak moving season for a better deal.

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How movers charge: Additional charges and fees

The thing is that moving companies may charge you more money, either for add-on services that are required for the successful completion of the move or for any unexpected problems on the day of the move.

The last time I moved house, I had to make a tough decision about whether or not to use a couple of extra services provided by the moving company I had hired. Keep in mind that each add-on service will cost you money, so assess your own situation carefully to determine whether you really need a certain moving service or not.  

Here’s how movers charge extra – that is, the different ways movers may charge you for any additional services or Moving day difficulties.

• Packing labor. Packing is the most common service requested from full-service movers. If you wish professional packers to protect your prized possessions, then you’ll have to pay extra for that add-on service. Packing labor alone can cost from $300 to $750 depending on the number and nature of the items for moving.
• Charge for furniture disassembly. If you’re moving large pieces of furniture, then they have to be disassembled properly for safe transportation and then re-assembled in the new place. Professional movers can do this for you for a fee.
• Charge for handling bulky items. If you’ve decided to take with you extra big items such as a piano, a pool table, a heavy safe, or bulky pieces of furniture, your movers may charge you more money for the additional trouble.
• Elevator fee (flight charge). Your movers may charge you an elevator fee (around $75) if the elevator in the apartment building is out of order or if the building does not have an elevator in the first place. Make sure you reserve the elevator exclusively for your move.
• Long carry fee. If your movers are unable to park close to the entrance of the house or apartment building, you’re likely to be charged extra for the inconvenience. Known as a long carry fee, expect to pay anywhere between $90 and $120 for every 75 feet from the door to their truck.
• Storage fee (delayed delivery fee). If your things need to be stored temporarily at the movers’ storage facility, then you will be charged a storage fee for the time your possessions are kept by the moving company until you can receive them at the new place. Make sure you tell your movers in advance that you wish to have your items stored so that they can calculate the cost of the storage fee in their estimate.
• Express delivery fee. If you want your household things to be delivered to the new address as fast as possible, then your movers will charge you an express delivery fee for the exclusive use of the moving truck.
• Extra stops charge. If you want your movers to stop for additional pick-ups or drop-offs along the moving route to the new home, then you’re likely to be charged extra for the add-on service.
• Travel fee. Your local moving company may charge you a travel fee – the time they need to reach your home from their main office. Typically, a travel fee is calculated as one extra hour of labor.

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