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If you’re about to move across town or the country, it’s a good idea to hire a moving company. Why? Because someone else will take the heavy lifting and the stress off your shoulders. Hiring a moving company isn’t a cheap prospect, but they are well worth it.
So, how much should you plan on budgeting? Read on for the essential factors involved in calculating your cost to hire a moving company.
Type of Move
The first factor that will heavily weigh into the cost of a moving company is your type of move. Are you moving to a new neighborhood in the same city or are you moving across the country?
Here are a few different types of moves:
In-Town
The shorter the distance, the less overall expense you’ll be charged. This is due to the requirement of fewer hours of labor needed and less fuel for the journey to your new home.
Out of Town
Out of town moves will start increasing the bottom line due to more labor and time needed for the move, a larger moving truck, and increased fuel from the movers.
Across Country
This is where your moving costs really start to add up. If you’re moving across the country, you won’t be able to hire a regular moving truck.
Instead, you’ll likely add your belongings to a long-distance shipment by purchasing space in a container truck. You’ll then incur fees related to space, fuel, and manpower.
Size of Your Move
The general rule when it comes to cost, “is the more you move, the more you’ll pay.” This is due to the time it takes to load and unload your boxes, furniture, and other items.
If you are moving long-distance and you’re purchasing space in a container truck, the more space your things require, the higher your total cost.
Cost Saving Tip
If you’re moving across the country, and you can be flexible on your dates, ask a moving company to piggyback your move. What is piggybacking? It works like this.
Let’s say you’re moving to the East Coast, and there are a few pieces of furniture you can’t live without along with several boxes of personal items you want to be moved. These items won’t take up much space.
A moving company will then look for other long-haul trips they’re taking to the East Coast with a little extra space. They’ll offer you the space you need at a discounted rate to fill up their truck.
Moving Services
Most moving companies offer services from loading or driving after you load to full-service loading, unloading, and moving into your new home. Understandably, the more services you add on, the more you will pay.
Cost Saving Tip
Pack up yourself. If a moving company will drop off its container and allow you to pack it yourself, you will save hundreds of dollars in time and labor costs.
Get a bunch of friends to help you out and make a day out of loading up the moving container. Ordering pizza for a half dozen friends to help you load up will cost far less than using the moving company and paying for the labor and time of three movers.
Besides, packing parties are far more fun too.
Time of Year
When you move won’t impact how many people you hire or the amount of space your belongings take, but it will impact the premium you pay for moving services.
Around 70% of all moves occur during the summer months from Memorial Day to Labor Day. If you decide to move during this time, as well, you’ll be paying peak moving rates.
If you can move during the fall or winter, you’ll find overall prices significantly decreased. Should you want to hire a full-service moving company, fall and winter will offer you the best rates when companies aren’t as busy and you’ll have your pick of the days.
Other factors include the time of month and week you choose to move.
In general:
Moving during the week will cost less because moving services are less frequently required during the week. Moving mid-month instead of the beginning or end of a month can also help you save on moving costs.
Opting to move during the off-season for moving companies will provide the company much-needed business and will save you much needed moving expenses.
Whether you choose to use the savings to help reduce your overall cost or add on extra services you couldn’t otherwise afford, you’ll still save money in the long run.
Cost Saving Tips
Here are more cost savings tips to help you make moving as cost-efficient as possible.
Ask About Discounts
For extra savings possibilities, ask your moving company about discount programs. Many offer AAA, AARP, and military discounts. These discounts won’t be large, but they will put some money back in your pocket.
Look for Free Supplies
Check your local Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Freecycle, U-Haul Box Exchange, and the Nextdoor app for people who are giving away free boxes.
You can often save hundreds by picking up boxes from someone who just moved into your current area and wants to rid themselves of extra boxes. You can do this when you’re finished moving, as well.
It’s a quick way to get rid of all those extra boxes.
Get Multiple Quotes
Never hire the first moving company that offers you a quote. Request quotes from three to five highly rated moving companies.
Ask for a quote in writing that lists out every service the quote covers. Compare what is offered vs. how much they’re asking you to pay and choose the best option. You could save hundreds or score better services simply by comparing quotes.
Are You Ready?
Moving can be an exciting though stressful time. Hiring a moving company, while pricy, can help remove some of the stress from your shoulders.
The factors that influence how much your move will cost include how much you need to move, the time of week and year you want to switch residences, and how many services you hire a moving company to perform.
Be sure to get multiple quotes, ask for discounts, and look for freebies wherever possible. Now that you know the factors to estimate moving costs, are you ready to start asking for quotes?
