How Are Moving Costs Calculated?

Summary: Want know-how are moving costs calculated? The cost of long-distance move is determined by the mileage between the origin and destination, the weight of the shipment, and the labor costs. Learn more about moving costs and cost-saving tips.
How Are Moving Costs Calculated?

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Do you have a big move on your horizon? Are you currently planning a move to a new home? You may be experiencing a range of emotions, such as stress, sadness, excitement, and more, all rolled up together. You might be stressed because you have a lot of work ahead of you to make this move happen.

You might be sad because you’re leaving your home behind and excited because you have something new waiting for you, whether it’s across town, across the state, or across the country. With all of these things going through your mind, you will also, of course, have money on your mind. When it comes to getting your finances for your move in order, you should consider using a moving cost calculator to figure out exactly what you’re working with.

When you start to consider all the things that go into your move, there are several different factors that could affect the overall price of your move. When you’re deciding on your overall budget for your move, you will have a lot of different things to consider.

Factors That Go Into an Average Move

When you begin to plan your move, you will need to take a few things into consideration. You’ll want to ask yourself if you’re planning to move everything with a few friends and a rental truck, or are you planning to hire a state to state moving company? How far is your move? Can you handle lifting up on your heavy furniture and all your belongings, or would you rather the professionals handle this daunting task for you?

Let’s expand on a few of these points, as they are very important when it comes to deciding on an overall budget for your moving plans.

Overall moving fees 

If you’re moving a long distance, then you’re going to have some added traveling fees that you need to think about. You should think about the cost of gas (especially if you decide to handle the move by yourself), or the cost of labor if you are planning to hire professional long distance movers. 

The amount of stuff you have 

This is a big factor to consider as well. For example, if you’re moving things by yourself, you will need a larger truck for all of your stuff. If you are hiring movers, then more things for them to move can add to more time they are on the clock working for you. 

Whole-home packing services 

If you don’t want to or aren’t able to, move all of your stuff by yourself, then you might consider using professional movers who offer whole-home packing services. They will pack all of your belongings up for you, so you can sit back and handle other aspects of your move. 

Supplies for your move 

As your big day gets ever closer, you are going to need to make sure you have plenty of supplies for your move. Moving supplies include cardboard boxes, packing papers, storage tubs, and anything else you can use to keep things in. You can buy some of these things, and you can even get cardboard boxes for free from your local retail stores. 

Storage for your stuff

Sometimes, when you’re moving, you may find that storage solutions can be a lifesaver for some of your belongings before, during, or even after your move. Many moving companies provide climate-controlled storage facilities for their customers to use to make their move as easy and stress-free as possible. 

These are some of the main things you will want to consider as you prepare for your big moving day. Each of these little factors can influence how much your moving process is going to cost, so think about all of these factors, whether you need any special services for your move, and ensure there is room to accommodate these factors.

Moving Costs Frequently Asked Questions

Everyone has questions when it comes to moving. It is a process no one enjoys but is ultimately rewarding when all is said and done. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about moving costs:

What is the usual overall cost for a move?

The overall cost of moving is entirely dependent on how you choose to move. If you are moving everything yourself with a rental truck and some friends, then the cost of your move is mostly related to the distance you’ll be traveling.

Depending on the distance, you could be looking at costs from as low as $50 to as much as $2000. If you are hiring full-service movers, the average cost to move the contents of your home locally would be around $2,300, while a long-distance move could be as much as $4,300.

What are some things I should think about when choosing a moving company?

If you decide to hire a professional cross country moving company for your big move, then you should shop around before you settle on just anyone. Check out the websites and social media pages of moving companies in your area. Find some reviews from previous customers, and even ask your friends or family who has moved recently for recommendations if they used a moving company.

Glowing reviews and word of mouth are always great signs when it comes to hiring someone to help you out with your move. A great moving company will provide you with great service and treat your stuff and you with dignity and respect. 

How is the cost of my move figured up? 

When calculating the costs of your move, things like extra services, distance, labor costs and hours involved, and bonuses like full home packing are all factors that go into deciding the final cost of your moving process.

Movin’ On Up

Now that you know how moving costs are calculated and what to expect when figuring out your moving budget, all that’s left for you to do is decide how much you’re working with and plan your moving day out. Once you’re moved into your new location with all of your stuff, the moving process will be behind you, and you can enjoy all that your new home has to offer.

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