Your Guide to Moving Cost Estimates

In an increasingly competitive moving industry, access to professional and well priced movers is easier than ever before.

Some operators provide fixed moving price guarantees with no hidden surprises, while others scope your relocation based on distance and volume.

After reading this article, you’ll be armed with all the know-how of a seasoned pro when approaching moving companies for estimates and quotes.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this article and the breakdown on moving cost estimates:

1. How far are you moving?
2. How big is your move?
3. The 2 calculations used for moving cost estimates
4. How complex is your move?
5. The cost of packing supplies
6. Additional cost factors
7. Gratuity & tipping etiquette

To help you get an immediate estimate, feel free to use our moving cost calculator for an instant quote. Simply enter details such as the pick-up and drop-off locations, list any specialty items, and if you want additional services like full packing and unpacking add-ons to receive a personalized moving cost estimate. This tool can be useful in budgeting for your move and comparing moving cost estimates from different companies.

How far are you moving? The distance between pick-up and drop-off location

What’s fair and best practice comes down to a few factors that depend on the type of your move. That means either:

• Long Distance (out of State)
• Regionsal (within state)
• Local (cross-city)

Some companies specialize in one of these areas and will be more competitively priced depending on the geographic scope of your relocation.

At Piece of Cake Moving & Storage, these are our average moving costs broken down by moving type and the main regions we operate out of:

How big is your household? The volume of your items that you are moving

The next biggest variable in moving cost estimates comes down to the volume of the items that you intend to move. How many items are you moving, and whether any particularly challenging pieces of furniture like a piano or heavy marble table top are part of your item inventory list.

At Piece of Cake Moving & Storage, these are our average moving costs broken down move size and the main regions we operate out of:

Calculate Moving Cost Estimates: The 2 pricing formulas

There are two main approaches to calculate a moving cost estimate. One of your first questions in speaking to movers for quotes is to ask them which of these formulas they use to create your unique moving cost estimate.

Volume-based vs Hourly Moves:

Moving companies that use a volume pricing formula protects you from any hourly guessing estimates and hourly extra fee charges that are out of your control on the day of the move, such as traffic delays and more time required to move items.

Companies that calculate their fee based on the volume of furniture in cubic feet to be moved, versus charging an hourly rate, are more likely to be able to offer you a flat-fee price that isn’t impacted by traffic, parking issues, or storage check- in delays.

Volume-Based Moving Cost Estimate:

Volume of goods + mileage + any special complexities = moving cost estimate

Your moving company will have their per cubic foot price on your quote.

Long distance moves are charged either by cubic feet or weight, depending on the mover’s pricing model. Keep in mind, long distance moves can also include a storage fee if delivery is delayed and an extra stop charge. Ask your movers upfront for all possible additional fees.

Other movers will price your relocation based on the time needed from movers and the moving truck. Travel fees between destinations may also apply, but this is something you can negotiate with your moving company directly.

Hourly-Based Moving Cost Estimate:

Hourly cost + travel fees = moving cost estimate

Be sure to familiarize yourself with which formula your moving company uses before you schedule a move date/time and put down a deposit. We prefer flat-fee quoting based on volume for our clients, so time does not become a variable and they are not going to be surprised with any additional charges or fees.

One important point to add here is also the timing of your move. The day of the week and time of year can incur higher moving rates of up to 20% more due to demand, poor weather, or holiday disruptions.

When you’re negotiating price, ask your mover about discounts for a lower demand day of the week and the quietest time of the month to move, if you have some flexibility in your schedule. As a rule of thumb, May to September are the busiest months of the year to move, as well as the first and last days of the month since most leases expire during these time frames.

When shopping around for a moving company, remember to compare prices and services. Reviewing customer feedback, testimonials, and company ratings can also help you choose the best mover for your needs.

The complexity of your move

Movers love to hear there is a service elevator booked for them on the day of your move, but it’s not always possible in every apartment building. This applies double if you’re moving oversized or heavy items that need to be navigated through narrow stairwells.

A pool table, antiques, and pianos are good examples of specialty items that carry their own risks due to their heavy weight and bulky size.

Specialty items will add more time to the overall move and are usually itemized separately and in detail. Ask your movers how they will manage any valuables and what their insurance arrangements are.

While most movers are well prepared for any disassembling and have additional equipment for rolling and lifting your items, if you have any challenges specific to your move, be sure to book a mover that can provide a genuine quote and discuss their additional handling fees for those items.

Professional moving companies are well versed in navigating any physical challenges and will provide you with the peace of mind that your complex move is in good hands.

What you might save in price with a less experienced mover, could end up costing you more than heartache in the end without the appropriate insurance and claims process when it comes to your family heirlooms or specialty items. Balance their quality of service with a competitive quote.

The cost of moving & packing supplies

Some of the materials you will need for your moving cost estimate e includes boxes, protective packing paper, and tape. Good moving companies provide pack and provide supplies such as blankets, mattress protective plastic, TV boxes, and wardrobe boxes as a part of their flat fee when they arrive on your move day to pack and move your big items. They will usually pack your larger items in these boxes and unpack your items at the drop off location, then take these packing materials with them, so you’re not left with a large empty stack of moving boxes to dispose of.

You will need boxes for your kitchen, books, and general household items. Depending on your time and budget, you can try to source durable moving boxes and materials for free, or buy boxes from your mover or a moving supplies company. The second option takes less time and will guarantee that you get the appropriate supplies to pack your belongings safely. It also means that your moving supplies will be delivered directly and conveniently to your door. You may end up spending a lot of time researching free boxes, when you could have bought them for a reasonable price. There are custom moving kits available from movers and retailers. Kits from movers come with free delivery if you are using them for your relocation as well. How much time you have to source these boxes and be ready in time for moving day may also impact how much flexibility you have. Be sure to read our guide to finding free moving boxes for more tips on finding them fast.

There is also the newest packaging option in the moving industry, which is to rent plastic moving bins from your moving company. These are studier and water resistant options which also reduce waste, as no packing tape is required and they negate the need to dispose of them afterwards, as your movers collect them when you are done. These boxes can be rented on a weekly basis.

When time or a fixed deadline is a factor

If you have a life event that has prompted your move like a new baby, an ill family member, or a job change, adding to your total moving cost to have a professional pack most of your home and unpack it at the other end is a valid consideration when it comes to budgeting for your moving cost estimate.

A full packing and unpacking service is an added cost that will increase your budget, but is often considered by people for whom the logistics of a move just won’t work without an extra few pairs of hands.

Many moving companies today provide competitive packaging and unpacking quotes as part of a bundle for also providing the transportation.

To help reduce moving costs further, if you have to put your things into storage, find a moving company that also owns secure storage facilities which can provide a discount for handling all aspects of your move.

Costs at the end of your move

Avoid common mistakes by planning ahead and reading the fine print in your moving contract to understand what is included and any potential extra fees that may incur on moving day. Ensure all your items are packed and ready to go to avoid additional hourly charges and verify that your new home is ready for move-in to prevent any last-minute delays or accessibility issues.

Finally, at the end of it all, factor in a tip of between 15-20% for your movers, depending on the size and complexity of your move, and if you were happy with the crew’s service.

When it comes to gratuity, the best way to remove any awkwardness or stress is to be prepared with cash on hand, before the movers arrive.

Then you can gauge on the day if your expectations were met and how much their hard work deserves recognition.

Tips are not compulsory but are always much appreciated.. We have a more detailed guide on tipping here if you want to read more on this final cost of the move.

Wrapping things up: to summarize on moving cost estimates

When all is said and done, as much as you want to keep moving costs down, any company that offers you a widely lower rate than the rest of its competitors should raise concerns for you.

Your moving quote from a professional company factors in a lot of variables, and as much as you would love to move for free, it’s not possible.

The US Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has also created a useful guide to detect fraud in the moving industry, to help consumers like you guard against unscrupulous operators. You can take a look at the FMCSA guide here.

Now, with our moving cost estimates based on the size of your move, supplies needed, or the cost per hour of professional packers, and the rule of thumb on tipping, you have a reliable way to calculate your overall moving costs and the right questions to ask when you’re looking for professional moving estimates.

If you have any follow up questions from any of the material in this article, feel free to reach out to us here. Good luck with your upcoming move, we hope this guide has helped take some of the stress and hassle out of planning your moving cost estimate.