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You're ramping up to move, but unsure of where to start or how much money to set aside to avoid any surprise moving costs. What should be on the top of your moving to-do list?
Unless you plan on going through the hassle of renting a truck, packing, loading, and unloading all your stuff yourself, your first step in setting up any move is to compare moving quotes from local, full-service moving companies near you. Doing so means you'll know exactly how much to budget for your big day.
Whether you're planning a local move or a interstate move, also known sometimes as long distance move or out of state move, getting multiple moving quotes from reputable local and long distance moving companies is a must. It's the only way to be sure you aren't getting scammed or paying too much.
You can start comparing some moving quotes by using our Moving Cost Calculator instantly!
It's easy to assume that arranging a move will be a piece of cake, but things can get complicated quickly if you don't take the proper steps to prepare.
Finding a professional moving company with a track record of high-quality customer service and delivery at a competitive cost can be tricky-and the cost of moving can easily range from just a few hundred dollars to into the thousands!
That's why it's so important to obtain moving quotes from at least three or four different moving companies before deciding which one deserves your business. And, to do so with plenty of time to spare, so that you're not caught scrambling to make room in your budget.
So, how do you get the best moving quote?
Here at MoverJunction, we've helped thousands of families save on moving costs and processed over a million moving quotes through our Moving Cost Calculator. And all that experience has given us unique insight into how you can save on your moving day.
Read on to learn unique tips, including the best way to find and compare local, affordable moving companies-including narrowing your search to only those who are BBB-accredited and the easiest way to get instant quotes!
Get and compare moving quotes from professional moving companies. instantly!
Start My QuoteEvery moving company will have different moving rates and different criteria of giving you a moving quote based on their quality of service, availability and several other factors. While this is true, the basic formula of calculating moving quotes remains the same for different types of moves: local moves or long distance moves.
Want to know that that formula is???
But lets dig a little deeper and see a couple different scenarios .. shall we?
Typically a move is considered a local move, if the customer is moving within the same state and the move is less than 100 miles apart. For these types of moves, moving quotes are generally based on the number of people you'll need and the number of hours they'll need to complete the job. Moving companies have hourly rates for 2 men or 4 men based on your requirements. Rates typically range from $50/hr for 1 helper to $200/hr for 4 men and a truck.
if you're moving out of state, or even cross country, the moving quote formula changes. No longer will your moving estimate be based on the number of hours it takes, but the weight and distance of shipment. Although it still holds true that the longer it takes to complete your job, the higher your moving cost will be, in case of out of state and long distance moves, weight and distance have more impact on the rate.
The cost calculation is a bit more complicated here as some moves can takes days even weeks to complete. For example, if you'are moving from Boston, MA to California, it can take upto a week or more for you to get your stuff. Therefore, these longer distance moves are a bit more expensive and priced differently.
Don't want to wait any longer to see how much your moving will cost? Click here to start your quote.
From estimates to extra charges, here's everything you need to know about how to reduce your moving costs:
If you've lived in the same home for a year or more, it's likely that you've got at least a few boxes of unwanted things still stashed away. Of course, the simplest way to lower your moving costs is to reduce how much stuff your movers will have to move.
How to get rid of all that unwanted stuff? It's easy!
Hold a garage sale, or list big-ticket items on Craigslist to potentially earn some extra cash. If you have shelves full of books that you've already read, consider donating those to a local library, or even trading them in for credits at a used bookstore.
Is your closet teeming with clothing that you no longer wear? Consider donating items to a local charity to reduce your load and do some good at the same time.
Bottom line, when it comes to moving, weight equals money. The less weight that your movers need to load and unload, the less you'll have to pay.
If you can be slightly flexible with your moving dates, knowing the best time of the week to move can save you money. Ask your moving company if they can give you a deal on mid-week moves, or if changing your moving date by a week in either direction could help lower your total moving quote.
If you're moving last minute and have to book movers within a couple of weeks of your scheduled date, chances are they may charge you more money simply for the inconvenience of slotting in your move.
Which brings us to the golden rule of moving is this: The sooner you book your mover, the less likely you are to be charged a higher rate.
Compare upto 6 Moving Quotes and save upto 65% on Your Move.
Find Movers NowTo find the most affordable moving company, it's important that you compare quotes from at least three competitors. You could call local companies and ask for a ballpark estimate or search for affordable, local movers online.
Of course, while you might be able to save some costs, neither of those options save you time.
At MoverJunction, we save you from going through all the stress of searching for a qualified moving company to help you move your home. We provide free moving quotes to give you an accurate idea of how much your move will cost, compare prices, select the most appropriate moving company for your particular kind of move and save the most money on your relocation.
Because we have the largest network of moving companies across the United States, MoverJunction will supply you with up to six quotes from local, BBB-certified moving companies instantly.
Plus, using our moving quote calculator is totally free. And, because all of the moving companies in our network are professionally licensed, insured, and BBB-certified, there's no risk that you'll wind up hiring the wrong company-putting your belongings at risk.
That's instant savings on your next move, with no commitment and no risk.
To receive free moving quotes right now, just use our moving cost calculator at the top of this page. you'll be asked to answer some simple questions about your move, and provide basic contact information.
Using a proprietary algorithm, we'll scan our database of licensed professional movers to find the best matches in your area. Then, those companies will compete to offer you the lowest bid, allowing you to save big.
We've mentioned that one perk of using MoverJunction to compare moving quotes is that all of the companies in our network have been screened to ensure the quality of service.
But what if you still want to call and compare moving company quotes the old fashioned way? you'll need to interview the company to see if they meet your needs.
To help you confidently compare different moving companies, we've compiled a list of important questions that will allow you to assess if a mover is dependable-or disastrous:
Some larger moving companies subcontract to a smaller company in low-demand areas or during particularly busy times. If this is the case, it's not an immediate red flag. However, you'll need to also check out the subcontracting company to ensure that you still get good service.
Ask for the subcontractor's name and if the company uses several subcontractors, ask for a complete list. Then, proceed to call any potential subcontractors with these same questions.
Every professional moving company should have a registration number with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), called a USDOT number (US Department of Transportation Number). This number is unique and is used to track a company's safety record including any accidents or incidents.
Note that, if a company only travels within one state, then they may not be registered as only some states require local movers to register. You can check online with FMCSA or call 855-368-4200 to learn more about your state's regulations.
To provide you with the lowest possible initial quote, some companies will charge extra for awkward items, if the destination is difficult to access, or if the load has to be hand-carried over a certain distance.
To avoid being surprised by a bill that's higher than your estimate, be sure to discuss any potential additional fees before deciding on one moving company.
If asked, most moving companies will give you a history of complaints and claims filed against them, as well as if they were resolved to the customer's satisfaction. While details won't necessarily be provided, the overall number of complaints is a good indicator of the service you'll receive.
Most reliable moving companies can provide you with at least several letters of endorsement from happy customers. Granted, anyone with a printer could fake a referral. However, asking for evidence of jobs well done combined with an awareness of past complaints and claims will allow you a complete picture of a moving company's service standards.
There is no common rule book based on which a long-distance moving company decides the quote. Instead, each mover will have its share of factors. To help you, we’ve outlined 7 major factors that each mover will consider while determining the moving quote.
For a mover, the total weight of your household items that are to be moved is a major factor in deciding the quote. Based on the stuff you need to move, the truck size also varies. In addition, a company will also calculate the time needed to pack and load the items into the truck. The heavier your stuff is, the more expensive the quote will be.
To move locally, the cost is calculated on the basis of the number of laborers and the time taken to complete the task, in addition to the travelling time. A mover considers this factor while deciding the local moving company quote.
A long-distance moving company will consider this aspect most of the time. The distance of the journey, coupled with the gas filling and the amount paid to the driver for such distance, is the cost that will be incurred in the course of doing such movement.
While you hire a full-service mover, it will take up the packing part and will bill you for the materials brought in, such as the cartons, packing boxes, and plastic ropes. The more stuff you have to pack, you need to be prepared to shell out high.
If you are moving to a new home smaller in size, you may require extra space to keep your belongings. The moving company can offer you a storage unit against rent, which will be included in the moving quote.
Summer is the busiest moving time of the year, which means that moving in the summer will cost more. It is possible to save on your moving quote if you are ready to move from September to May. You’ll also pay more if you move on a national holiday or the first or last day of the month.
When you assign your belongings to a company to move to a new home, you are taking a big risk. And coverage will be a good decision. Most movers offer a small coverage, which will not be sufficient against a big accident. You can take additional coverage from the mover but that will add up to the moving quote.
On a moving day, you may need additional services from the company, such as handling heavy furniture or disassembling it to move easily. There will be a price tag for every additional service and the company will include it in the final quote.
MoverJunction promises a stress-free moving experience. Get amazing and affordable moving quotes for both local and long distance from us. Our range of services also covers storage, auto moving, and truck rental as well.
A full-service moving company undertakes packing, loading, and unloading the truck, driving it to the new home, and finally unpacking the household stuff. Full-service moving quotes may be costlier when compared with other moving types but highly helpful and time-saving. When you have a plan to hire a full-service moving company, we can get you the best movers in your area.
Often, full-service moving companies may be costly for you and the best bet available is to hire moving labor service companies. You hire a truck and take the help of moving labor to load and unload the truck. Moving labor quotes cover loading and unloading costs and packing services can be added on request. Here is all you need to know about moving labor quotes.
Long-distance moving company quotes are determined by the distance, types of services, moving season, moving company, and many other factors. If you have a plan to relocate long-distance, we can help you get the best long-distance moving quotes. Check here to know how to get our long-distance moving quotes.
While you move locally or within the state, the moving cost is calculated based on the number of laborers involved and hours taken to complete the job. And we can help you get the best and affordable local moving company quotes in your area. Read here to know how to get our best-in-class local moving quotes.
While hiring a moving company does not fit into your budget but still you want to relocate professionally, rent a moving container. Highly cost-effective, this mode of relocation is now a hot trend. Here is what you need to know about moving containers.
Renting a truck and driving to the new home helps you move on a minimal budget. Even when you add the moving labor service cost, it is cheaper than many moving options. Know more about moving truck rentals.
An auto-moving company saves you from the stress of driving your car long-distance. When you have a car to move to the new home, hire a reliable auto/car moving company through us. Here is everything you need to know about auto moving.
Hiring a storage unit is a convenient way to stock your belongings for a specific period. If you are in search of a storage unit, MoverJunction can help you hire one at an affordable rate. Read to know all about storage units.
When you have an office to relocate to a new location, many questions may pop up in your mind. Concerns related to office moving quotes, types of moving services, and how to find good movers may make you sleepless. Read to know everything about office/commercial moving.
Usually, a moving company you hire will pack your belongings, load the truck, drive it to the new home, and unload and unpack the belongings there. Any service in addition to it is an add-on, for which you will need to pay extra.
Some of the add-on services that a mover offers include:
Certain pieces of furniture are best moved in wooden crates for better safety. This is especially true for artworks and your mover will recommend you one if found necessary. Since custom wooden crates reduce the risk factor, a mover will use them with your permission and this is considered an add-on service.
When you hire a professional company to pack and unpack the household items, disposing of them will not be your headache but the company will handle it. There will be a lot of cardboard boxes, cartons, and plastic ropes and though recycling boxes may not be a challenge, it is still time-consuming and you need to do it properly. This is the reason why movers take up this add-on service for an additional cost.
Bulky furniture needs to be disassembled to pass it through an elevator or a narrow passage and later assembled back at the new home. This is not just a time-consuming task but also requires special types of tools and skills. Most movers include this in the quote as an add-on service.
Though full-time moving quotes include packing and unpacking services, some people hire moving labor services and additionally add packing and unpacking services at a later stage. This is to save time and ensure the heavy and fragile items are carefully wrapped. Movers will either charge separately for these services or include the costs in the hourly rate. The cost for packing services will greatly depend upon the volume of items and the time it will take to pack them.
As illustrated by the checklist above, calling around to compare different local moving companies is a time intensive process.
So, what's the best way to find an affordable moving service online? Get an instant moving quote from Mover Junction today!
MoverJunction takes the hassle out of shopping around by providing up to six different competitive moving quotes from licensed and BBB-rated moving companies in your area. Even better, our instant moving quotes are risk-free and don't cost you a penny.
As the no-sweat (and no-commitment) way to get moving quotes online, we're confident that MoverJunction is the easiest way to keep your moving costs in check. We'll also factor in additional services you may want, including full or partial packing, appliance services, and special handling needs.
Tell us a little bit about your move and let us make your move simple.
Start My QuoteA full-service moving company quote will have in common:
And based on your demand, a mover can add a service or remove one, which will make tweaks to the quote.
In a non-binding estimate, the quote is based on the weight of the customer’s belongings. As it is ‘non-binding’, the cost can change based on the actual weight of the move. It is risky to opt for a non-binding estimate as the final bill may be much higher than what you have expected.
A binding estimate will have a fixed cost based on the approximate weight of the belongings. The final cost will not change and you would need to pay only what you have agreed. However, the disadvantage is that the final bill will not be reduced even if the actual belongings weigh less than what was originally estimated.
The binding not-to-exceed estimate is the most popular among people moving long-distance as even if the weight of a customer’s shipment exceeds the original estimate, they won’t be charged anything extra. However, if the shipment weighs less than originally estimated, you will only have to pay for the cost of shipping the actual weight.
Avoid moving scams by hiring a licensed and certified moving company. Verify the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website to ensure that the mover is properly licensed. Read the online reviews to understand the customer feedback about the services and also get suggestions from your friends, coworkers, and local property agents about the moving company.
One of the FMCSA rules for licensed moving companies is the mandatory registration of a USDOT number. You can search for a mover on the FMCSA website using the company details, such as an address, phone number, and fax number and its information will appear on the screen. The information will also include the company’s most recent safety rating, number of drivers, cargo carried, vehicle inspections, and crash reports, along with the complaint history.
Also, a licensed mover will have its license number on its website and active social media platforms. If a moving company has zero online presence and does not have the license number on its website, there is something fishy and you need to drop the plan to hire it.
To check the USDOT number, Simply enter the Company Name or U.S. DOT # or MC# into the FMCSA search engine. You will receive the USDOT number along with all relevant information related to the company.
A moving company receives the USDOT number (unique identifying number) after it registers with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which is legally mandatory to operate in the industry.
There is no cap on the number of moving quotes you can collect and 4 is the best number. The more moving quotes you have, the better you can negotiate. However, ensure there should be a minimum of 4 moving quotes.
Yes, they do. However, there is no fixed rate of discount and it is completely based upon how much you negotiate. Discounts are most available during off-peak moving season (September-April), when you can even grab an off of up to 20%, based on multiple factors, including your skill to bargain.
Summer is an expensive time to move as most people prefer moving in this season for warm climate and long sunny days. Moving companies will have a packed schedule and will not be ready to give discounts in summer. Similarly, moving is costly even on weekends and public holidays.
Yes, it is cheaper to hire moving companies. The concept that DIY is cheaper than hiring a mover is a myth. While you move without professional help, you need to procure the packing supplies, rent a truck, and give a treat to all friends & relatives who helped you pack and load the truck. The fuel costs and other expenses on the road are extra. In addition, there is also a high risk of injury and damage to an item while hauling. When you add up all the expenses, it would come almost near to an amount quoted by a moving company. Plus, you can relax on a moving day.
Getting an online moving quote is simple. You fill in the zip codes of both destinations (the present one and the destination you intend to move to), the assumed moving date, the approximate volume of your belongings, along the email at respective boxes. You will instantly receive moving company quotes from different movers in your area from which you can pick the best suitable quote.
Fill in the zip codes of both your current location and the destination you plan to move to, along with the moving date, the volume of the household stuff, and the personal email at required boxes. Instantly you will get moving company quotes from the movers near your home.
Yes, it is possible to hire furniture movers and there are many companies specialized in moving furniture of multiple types. However, when you have just a single piece of furniture to move, it would be largely based upon the time of year, day of the week, and your overall flexibility, since it is a low-dollar service.
One of the best places to find the country’s top-rated legitimate movers is MoverJunction. Its Mover’s Directory has a robust network of the best and licensed moving companies in the US from which you can easily pick one based on the services and quote.
An average long-distance moving will cost between $840 and $4,460 for a one-bedroom apartment, but that will depend upon the distance you need to cover. The prices can be higher or lower, based on multiple factors such as the volume of the belongings, the services you avail of, the type of truck, and the season. Apart from that, the company you hire is also important as every moving company will have its criteria in deciding the moving quote.
Two major and common ways to get moving company quotes are to find them online and visit the moving company office in person. You can find the names of movers through recommendations, yellow pages, and even online. However, before you accept a moving quote, ensure the moving representative visits the home and takes a stock of every belonging there. Do not accept a quote via phone and it should be given in writing.
This would depend upon the size of your home and the type of service you prefer. On average, a 1-bedroom home would cost you $1,500 while a 2-bedroom home would cost you roughly $2,000 to move 500 miles. If your house is larger (3-bedroom), this can be approximately $2,600.
On average, a moving company would charge roughly between $3,000 and $18,000 to move a 2,000 square feet home long-distance. However, this is a rough estimate and it can either go down or higher based on multiple factors, such as the distance you want to cover, type of services, packing quality, the truck type, and the season you prefer moving in. Learn more about moving costs on MoverJunction moving guide.
A 3,000 sq ft home will typically have around 4 or 5 bedrooms and may have belongings weighing between 15,000 to 20,000 pounds and this may charge anywhere from $1,500 to $2,000 to move locally, which means less than 50 miles. While moving long-distance, a moving company may charge you anywhere from $4,000 to $20,000. However, this is a rough estimate, and to know more about calculating the moving cost
The cheapest way to move long distance is to hire a truck, fill your belongings into it and drive to the new home. The only cost you need to bear here is the truck rental plus the fuel cost. You can even think about renting a portable moving container, which may cost you from $900 to $4,500+ depending on the distance and size of the move.
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