Working with professional movers is the surest way to simplify and streamline your relocation project. This remains true whether you’re moving halfway across the country, or simply transferring your items a few miles across town. Before hiring a moving service, however, it’s important to understand exactly how they calculate the costs of each job.
How Moving Companies Calculate The Costs For Local Moves
There are many factors that a company might consider when preparing your job estimate. More often than not, however, the basis of local moving charges is time. This means that your provider will likely charger a per hour rate for each mover that’s working on your project. Average per hour moving costs ranges between just $25 and $50 for each professional mover present. Homeowners typically need to have one more mover than they have actual rooms in their homes. For example, if you’re packing up and hauling off the contents of a three-bedroom property, then you’ll probably need no fewer than four movers to help you get everything done in a safe and timely fashion.
How Much Does it Cost to Move Across the Country
Any move that requires travel beyond 100 miles is considered a long-distance move. Rather than charging an hourly rate according to the number of professional movers on duty, cross-country moving companies charge their clients according to the weight or volume of goods that they want hauled. This is why consumers are frequently advised to look for cross-country moving companies that offer in-person estimates. In most cases, it is impossible for movers to accurately estimate the weight or volume of a household’s goods, without first visually inspecting them in-person.
Keep in mind, however, that each long-distance moving company may have differences in how its rates are structured (See this resource to find out which moving company is the cheapest). Some companies will charge you both a rate per pound of items transported, as well as a rate per each mile of distance traveled. Conversely, long-distance companies might offer you a flat rate according to the distance of your move, along with an additional fee for the number of moving trucks that your items fill. The average cost for a long-distance move is approximately 75 cents per mile traveled, and 50 cents per pound of goods transported.
The Benefits Of Getting An In-Person Cross Country Moving Quote
If your next move takes you 100 miles or more from your current location, than getting an in-house assessment of your items before receiving a quote is important. This will give movers a chance to assess your haul thoroughly, and to base their numbers on the actual weight and volume of your goods, rather than merely giving you very generalized quotes. These in-person meetings can also provide many other benefits. For instance, this will provide you with the chance to ask about any available special services, obtain professional packing tips, and inquire about hidden fees.
Hidden Fees To Be Mindful Of When Working With Moving Companies
The estimate that you initially receive from a moving company will not reflect all of the additional charges that you’re likely to face. During an in-home estimate, it is always a good idea to be straightforward and clear about the specific services that you want. Moreover, you should additionally ask in-depth questions about any extra fees that the company charges. Among some of the added services that can drive your bill up are:
- The provision of packing materials
- Professional packing services
- Blanket wrapping and other anti-breakage protection
- The assembly or disassembly of furnishings
- The need to traverse stairs
- Short-term storage
- Insurance that exceeds the legally required coverage limits
What You Need To Know About Professional Moving Insurance
One very important thing to understand when working with moving companies is that you’re entitled by law to a very nominal amount of moving insurance. On average, this usually works out to be about 60 cents of protection, per each pound of goods transported. More importantly, you may not have access to even this very basic level of protection unless your provider has packed your belongings on your behalf while using company-issued packing supplies. For many businesses, it simply isn’t feasible or cost-effective to insure goods that consumers have boxed up on their own. If you have a lot of high-value items to move, you may want to pay for additional coverage, beyond that which is issued as standard. Moreover, you may need to pay added costs for professional packing supplies and professional packing services, in order to maintain access to these protections.
The Costs Of Moving Specialty Items
If you have a grand piano or any other heavy, cumbersome item, you may need to work with a specialty moving service that’s fully trained and equipped to deal with larger products. Special moving projects typically entail special moving costs, and you’ll want to know exactly what these are before booking. Making specific arrangements for pianos and other like items will also help you avoid any last-minute surprises after your providers have shown up.
