How much do movers charge?

There isn’t a simple answer to this question because moving is a complex affair. How much do moving companies charge? Different category moving companies charge according to their tariff. There are varieties of charges depending on the type of your move. There are three general types of moves – local, long distance and commercial move. You should start from here and then ask all other moving questions. Moving cost can be most precisely determined only if you have an moving estimator come into your house and look at everything. It is not as easy as asking How much do moving companies charge to move? The moving cost will depend on whether you are moving locally or long distance, which would be out of the state or out of the radius of the moving company ( which is around 100 miles).

How Much do Movers Charge For A Local Move?

Local moves usually cost less than long distance or commercial relocation. When moving locally the movers will charge an hourly rate, which would include travel time and packing labor. So here, you can ask how much movers charge per hour. That would not get a synonymous answer though. How much moving companies charge per hour depends on how many movers you will need, how many hours and it would depend on the area where you live. For two men and a truck, you would pay an hourly rate between $70 to over $120, again depending on the area and $45 to $65 for extra mover, again it varies from one company to another. More charges may apply though. There could be a charge for packing materials and long carry fee if your front door is a certain distance away from where the truck can park.

How much do movers charge to pack you may ask? Well, based on the moving company and on the things you need wrapped, for a 1 bedroom apartment costs could go over $100. This charge would include additional boxes, shrink-wrap, tape and bubble wrap. So, how much do movers charge per hour and to pack is relative and will reflect the standard of the area you live, the movers category and the number of movers and hours you need them to work. So, total moving cost is difficult to determine unless you get an in-house estimate that would guarantee a final cost.

Long Distance Moving Cost or…

How Much Do Movers Charge per Mile?

When you are moving long distance the moving costs are usually higher. Long distance move could be within the state and out of state. We usually refer to interstate moves as long distance and they are charged based on the weight or volume of your inventory. Most companies charge by the weight and the distance. So, how much do moving companies charge per pound would be relative because for some companies your move may be local, while for others long distance. Thus, based on the weight and size of your household goods, get some moving estimates and see what would be the moving cost. There are 2 types of moving companies – one will determine the cost based on the weight of your shipment (more accurate) and the other will use the volume of your household goods to determine the moving cost (not so accurate). Let’s talk a little more about both scenarios.

Movers Charges by Weight

It is very hard to determine the actual volume of a move and there is a great chance you could become a victim of a scam. Find movers that charge by the weight.

If you go ahead and choose a company that will charge you based on weight you are looking for a minimum of 2000lbs regardless of the the distance between your current home and the new one. Based on our research, I should say $0.50 per lbs would be approximate cost for moves up to 500 miles without any packing service. For full moving service you pay for packing labor and materials, loading and unloading, in many cases the movers will offer storage and insurance. However, since moving companies’ charge per pound, you may request only that service that would include loading, delivery and unloading. In this case though you will have to do the packing yourself and may not be eligible for moving insurance thru the moving company. Be sure you check how much moving companies charge per pound and mile before you commit to any agreement.

Movers Charges by Volume

The other type of moving companies are the ones that determine the moving cost based on the volume of your shipment. This method is not very accurate since the volume of your move is determined by the moving crew that loads your items inside the truck. I don’t recommend using companies that charge per cu.ft. as the prices can vary dramatically depending of who loads your items on the moving truck.

Reducing overall moving costs

If you are looking at reducing your overall moving cost, check our resources on how to save on moving cost and read more about some of the major cities on our moving guides section. Some of you may choose to go with a cheap moving company, but sometimes the final costs may be double because of a moving scam. You can also consider self moving, but never forget that moving your entire house is not an easy task and you will need help. Now that you have a better idea of how much moving companies charge get a few estimates and see for yourself. Always keep in mind that moving charges depend on the moving company category, the area you live (of course it’s more expensive to hire New York city movers, than Minneapolis movers), the type of your move – local or cross-country – and your moving requirements. Therefore, when ready to move and hire a moving company consider all the factors and then choose a moving company wisely.

Now you can calculate your local and interstate moving costs faster and easier. Try our moving cost estimator (click here) for a detailed tailored calculation of your moving expenses. This will help you set the correct budget for your upcoming relocation.

Let us know how much you were charged for your moving in the comments below.

Author: Vasilka Atanasovaon October 21, 2011
An expert contributor to My Moving Reviews.