Moving costs are a big deal. Whether you decide to hire out of state movers or you’re looking to do it all yourself, you have a lot of different things that you need to try and work out in a positive manner. Putting together your budget ahead of time can go a long way.
That being said, having a moving cost calculator that you can use with the details that you get can be a great first step when you’re trying to sort out a budget. In this article, we’re going to help you think about some of the details necessary when you’re looking to put together a budget and know the cost of your move.
1. Check out the distance of your move
Knowing the distance of your move is a really essential part of determining how much that you’re going to pay. With local moves, you’re likely only going to need to pay a certain amount of money based on how long you need the movers and how many movers that you are going to need to have on hand to make things happen.
Long distance moves, on the other hand, are much more complex and you need to be sure that you are doing the best that you can to sort everything out financially. Your moving company should have the expertise to be able to work that out with you. Then, they charge by the mile and in relation to how much stuff that you’re moving, as well.
2. Know any details that may increase costs
Are there some issues that can come up during your move that may cause your moving company to charge you move? Are you going to need some special services or could there be delayed related to your move and how you want to accomplish everything? There are a lot of hiccups that may arise in your move, so have some wiggle room in your budget as well.
3. Take a look at how much you’re moving
As you start trying to calculate how much that you’re going to be paying, you need to know how much stuff that you’re going to be taking with you. Typically, you’re going to get your quote based on how many bedrooms are in your current home. That will tell you and your movers approximately how much stuff that you’re going to be dealing with during moving processes.
4. Shop around for online quotes
The internet has all sorts of resources, and most moving companies will have some sort of tool that you can use in order to figure out how much that they are going to charge you in order to get your items to your new place.
When you go to get these quotes, you’re going to need the information listed above – where you are, where you’re going, how much stuff you have, and if you’re going to need any other type of help in order to be able to get things done. Put it into whatever forms they have and then make sure that you see the results. It’ll go much more smoothly.
5. Talk to people about the movers in your area
If you have friends or family that have recently moved, you’re going to be able to chat with them about the different movers in the area and get a solid idea as to what it is that that you need to be able to do. They can let you know if they liked their moving company and if they were able to get the services that they needed from them.
But, most importantly, they can let you know how things went in regards to determining the cost of the move. While they may not necessarily feel comfortable telling you exactly how much they paid for the move, they will likely be able to tell you what the moving company looked for and how their in-home quote process went. Speaking of which, we’re going to touch on that next.
6. Ask for companies to come and do in-person quotes
You don’t want to go by an online quote alone. They’re typically not binding, instead, they are just meant to give you a ballpark of what it is that you may be looking for in terms of cost. This will allow you to make a budget and talk to companies.
Contact companies that you’re most interested in and have them come into your home and take a look around at what you’ll be moving. Then, they can give you a more accurate idea of what you can expect to pay, and may even give you some sort of binding quote that they have to stay within a certain dollar amount of.
7. Work with a moving facilitator
Moving facilitators have all sorts of resources in regards to working out what is necessary in terms of moving costs. They typically have relationships with a number of different moving companies, allowing them to help you find the best quotes and the best price. Plus, they have a lot of safety nets that can protect you in case there’s an issue related to your move.
Moving facilitators are going to help you learn as much as possible about the process and give you an idea about what movers can provide you with what services. It takes a lot of the load off of your back, allowing you to focus on everything else that you need to do before your moving day comes around.
8. Have a yard or moving sale before you move
If you’re trying to keep your costs low, another consideration is that you may want to go ahead and have a moving sale or yard sale before you head out on your new adventure. If you’re getting rid of stuff, that means that you’ll have less to take, so it’ll take less time to get things done and you can have a smaller truck and fewer people trying to assist you.
9. Consider the cost of renting a truck and doing it yourself
If you don’t have a lot of items, or you have a lot of people that are willing to work with you so that you can load up your truck and unload it at your new home, you may not need to go ahead and hire long distance movers. In those cases, you may be in a position where it’s better to just go ahead and rent a truck and then deal with the packing, loading, and other parts on your own.
You will want to have some sort of thank you gift for those who may be helping you, so you want to be sure that you add that in your cost calculation as well.
10. Look into moving pods
In some cases, moving pods may be a solid option for you to consider as well. These are really easy to use options that look like giant shipping crates. They come in many sizes and all you need to do is load them up so that they’re ready to go.
The pod company will come and drop the pod off when you schedule it, and then they’ll come get it whenever you call them to get it. You typically rent them by the week or by the month, so the cost will depend on how long you have it and how far that you need it to go. Pods are typically between $250 and $500 to rent and freight, when all is said and done.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I tip my drivers and movers?
Most certainly, yes. They are providing a service for you, and they typically don’t get all of the money that you give to the moving company. So, if you can, give them $20 per mover per hour, or $20 to $60 per mover per day (if you’re doing a long-distance move). In some very rare cases, you may find that the movers refuse a tip, it may be due to a union situation or an arrangement with their company.
Do movers only offer loading and unloading services?
Not at all. Many moving companies provide a wide array of services that make it easier for you to get everything completed. Some moving companies will pack and unpack for you, or at least sell the items that you need in order to make the packing process simpler. On top of that, they may also provide services related to sorting out the logistics of your move and how to complete it properly.
Do I have to pay for the moving truck that my movers use?
Typically no, unless you’re going to be driving it (then you’ll pay for that rental, and then the loading and unloading services that you get from those movers).
Saving Money on Moves
If you’re savvy about what you’re trying to do, you’re much better off in relation to how you want to move and how much you’ll spend. With a little time and planning, you can save money and ensure that you have great movers to help you with your entire process.
