Average Professional Moving Costs for 2022

How Much Do Movers Cost?

The national average cost of a local move is around $1,500 with prices ranging from $800 to $2,200.

Of course, there are many factors that affect your moving expenses, such as the size of your home, the distance between your old home and your new location, and the weight of your belongings. Keep reading to learn more about these factors and how they can impact moving costs.

What to Consider When Calculating Moving Costs

If you wish to lessen the burden of moving out and want your stuff to be handled professionally, there are a number of moving costs to consider when it comes to budgeting your expenses. To best prepare for your moving cost calculation, below are several things to learn before hiring a moving company.

Level of Professional Involvement

Depending on your moving needs and wants, you can choose from two main types of movers.

• Labor-only movers: These are professional movers without the truck — their expertise is to load and unload all of your items. This may be the better option if you already have your own truck or rental vehicle.
• Full-service movers: These are professional movers that can provide the moving truck as well as loading and unloading your belongings. Full-service movers’ cost is typically higher since you’re also paying for the truck rental.

Size of Your Home

The size of your home will also determine your moving service cost. Below are the estimated moving costs for each home size, according to Forbes.

• Studio/1-bedroom: $400
• 2-bedroom: $900
• 3-bedroom: $1,400
• 4-bedroom: $1,800
• 5-bedroom: $3,000

Keep in mind that the total cost of movers will depend on the materials needed, gas, and other add-on services you may need to pack and move your items.

Location and Distance

If your new home requires travel over 400 miles, it is considered a long-distance move. Moving within 100 miles or fewer of your current residence is regarded as a local move. Your moving expenses will be largely dependent on whether you’re moving locally, out of state, or cross country.

Time of Year

The demand for mover services fluctuates based on the time of year. In other words, when you move can make a difference in your overall mover costs.

For instance, since moving on a weekend is more convenient than during a weekday, the demand, and therefore the cost, will most likely be higher. This means that you may want to choose a weekday move so you can get a lower quote for moving.

Also, keep in mind that Memorial Day to Labor Day is the peak of the moving season with approximately 70% of moves taking place during this time. To try and save money, opt for a fall or winter move if possible.

Moving Supplies

Movers will supply add-on services you may want to include in your move. If you need an extra hand in disassembling and reassembling furniture and other equipment, movers will charge you for supplies such as bubble cushioning, felt pads, stretch wrap, and more.

If you supply any of these extra supplies yourself, it may help you save more on moving expenses.

Storage and Truck Rentals

If you need storage before, during, or after moving, you may ask the moving company to hold or store your possessions in their storage for extra moving costs. Storage can cost around $100 to $300 per month.

Additionally, you may be able to save money by renting your own truck for the move instead of opting for full-service movers. A moving truck cost can be anywhere from “$155 for a local move, $225 for a short move, and $971 for a long-distance move,” according to HireAHelper.

Knowing this, you can weigh the pros and cons of each choice carefully before deciding whether or not you want a full-service moving company.

Extra Services and Fees

Depending on your moving needs and wants, these extra services and add-ons can affect your moving costs.

Packing and Unpacking

Packing is time-consuming and tedious. You can pay extra for a pro to pack and unpack your belongings so you can focus on other aspects related to moving.

Furniture Disassembling and Reassembling

You can pay extra to eliminate challenging moving tasks, such as disassembling and reassembling bulky, fragile, or highly valuable items like bed frames and other furniture.

The overall cost includes packing materials, such as boxes, and labor to disassemble and reassemble these items.

Moving Specialty Items

Moving specialty items like valuable artwork, jewelry, or collectibles requires specific equipment and skills. In turn, you’ll likely need to pay extra for special handling.

Stair or Elevator Fee

Homes with multiple stories mean more labor for the movers — increasing your movers’ cost.

If your move takes place at a high-rise building with an elevator, be sure to check with the moving company as you may also be charged an elevator fee.

Liability Coverage

You might feel uneasy putting all of your household belongings in the hands of strangers. Unfortunate circumstances, such as damaged or lost items, are the last things you want to worry about. So, paying for liability coverage might be worth considering.

Fortunately, most moving companies offer three levels of liability coverage: basic release value, full-value protection, and third-party insurance.

• Basic coverage: Also known as released value protection, this coverage is required by the federal government for interstate moving companies and will already be included in your mover expenses. Basic coverage is best for those doing a local move (less than 100 miles) with few high-value items or those who want to save money. Each pound of lost items typically equates to around 60 cents.
• Full coverage: Sometimes known as expanded valuation, full coverage is best for people moving long-distance (over 400 miles) or cross-country to ensure protection for all household items. A typical valuation is $6 per pound. This means that if your total shipment was 7,000 pounds and all of it somehow got lost or damaged, you may be entitled to receive as much as $42,000.
• Third-party insurance: Since basic and full coverage is based on weight, they don't adequately cover high-value items like heirlooms or jewelry that weigh less than a pound. For this reason, it may be best to opt for additional third-party insurance to cover these types of items.

Tipping

While tipping is not required, it’s a great way to say “thank you” for a job well done. If you plan to tip your movers, remember to have cash on hand.

What Is the Best Approximate Moving Cost Calculator?

A moving cost calculator can help you estimate your mover cost and budget effectively. It's simple, quick, and secure.

To help you prepare for what your move should cost so you can choose the right moving company, you can utilize a moving cost calculator from Moving.com or moveBuddha.

Frequently Asked Questions About Average Professional Moving Costs

What is the average cost to move a 3-bedroom house?

The average cost to move a three-bedroom house is around $480 to $800, while the average cost to move a 4-bedroom house is $640 to $1,200.

For a 1- or 2-bedroom apartment, you can expect to pay $240 to $700, according to Ramsey Solutions.

How much do moving companies charge?

In general, full-service moving companies cost as little as $300 for a studio and $850 and up for a 4-bedroom. Labor-only movers cost around $150 for a studio and $350 or more for a 4-bedroom.

How much does it cost to move a car?

The cost to move a car depends on several factors: vehicle type, mileage, time of year, origin, and destination. You can expect your cost to move a car to be around $600 and up.

How much do movers cost per hour?

MoveBuddha reports that the cost of movers by the hour for a local move will range from $65 to $250 depending on the number of people needed to complete the job.

On the other hand, long-distance movers don’t typically charge by the hour. The total long-distance rate can range from $920 up to $15,000 based on the number of household goods and the miles being traveled.

Lessen Stress By Budgeting Your Moving Costs

Hiring movers may cost you more upfront, but it will save you from many of the common moving day stressors, mentally and physically.

As discussed, movers’ costs will depend on your budget and the proximity to the new home. By learning the average cost of most moving companies, as well as the factors that may affect your moving expenses, you will be sure to budget effectively.

To hire professional helpers for your move-out, visit Moveout.com.