Average Cost of Local Moving Company

Average Cost of Local Movers

Do you want to move your home all by yourself? Or should you hire movers? Each of these questions is connected to another question; how much does it cost?

When it's time to move, you need the right local movers near you. Whether you're hiring local movers for a local or long distance, full service movers or those without packing services, bear in mind that their charges are not based only on the distance you move.

Elements, such as hourly rate of each laborer, volume of goods, truck rental, packing materials, the cost of storage unit, and many others add up to the total moving cost. Also, you may want to do a little comparison of prices different movers charge. Considering all this, estimating a moving cost is not easy.

It's really not as easy to calculate moving costs, or have an idea about the range. The average cost of a local moving company depends on several factors.

Factors Impacting the Local Moving Companies Rates

Moving companies calculate the cost of services differently. Rightly so, because some factors can directly impact the cost of professional movers. Say, a larger vehicle is used to move a relatively smaller volume of goods because the moving company had no other options on the day of the move.

While this may be one of many concerns customers complain about, here are the main factors to help you find out how much do movers cost:

• The volume of goods to be moved
• Number of abnormally large items
• Number of fragile items
• Packing paper and its quality
• The distance of your move
• How long your move will take
• Type of the moving vehicle used
• Laborers to be employed
• Physical effort required to load and unload items
• Additional services you might want
• The moving company option you choose

Now, let's discuss these factors in detail.

Items to Move

The first step to choose any professional mover is determining the volume of items. In fact, the volume of goods serves as reference in choosing the type and size of the moving truck. If you're moving cross country or long distance, you have to consider the weight of all the items.

What About Large or Fragile Items?

Moreover, there must be some abnormally large items, such as an old cupboard, a large dining table, sofa set, an over-sized oven or refrigerator, etc. On the other hand, some items are too fragile to be kept with the rest of the items at the same place. These may include mirrors, dinner sets, tea sets, glasses, LEDs, etc.

These items may not fit an average-sized truck or may need additional support during transit. Nevertheless, fragile or abnormally large items can make a huge impact on movers cost. That's especially true in the case of large items as some reputable moving companies use lifters to load those in a portable moving container. So, your moving expenses can go higher.

Packing and Other Moving Supplies

Whether you're packing items yourself or hiring professional movers that also offer packing services, add in the cost of abnormally large or fragile items. That's because these items require extra care so packing materials should be durable enough to protect those items while in transit.

Sometimes, people tend to save money by taking on the packing responsibility on themselves. That's not a new thing; however, what's more awkward for the moving services is adjusting variable sized boxes in a truck.

Here, it is highly recommended to consult the professional moving company if they offer moving boxes. There may be a possibility of free moving boxes that will have no impact on your moving cost.

Moving Distance

Perhaps the basic factor related to moving, moving distance makes the major portion of the final cost. It sounds pretty straightforward - the longer the distance the higher the moving costs. However, it's not as simple as it appears.

How Can You Distinguish Between a Local Move or Long Distance Move?

By definition, long distance moves are typically longer than 400 miles. So, if you're moving cross country, you may have to contact long distance moving companies to know about their charges.

On the other hand, a moving distance of 50 miles or 100 falls under local moves. If it's a small distance within the city or an inter-city move within 100 miles, you can hire local movers.

Set aside long distance movers that cost higher, a local move can also go higher than the average costs because of a number of factors. Local moving companies charge based on the number of items, their weight, your location vs. destination, packing material, and more.

Anyhow, to get a rough idea about how much does it cost to move from one place to another, you can use a moving cost calculator or get a free quote right now.

Pick Up and Drop Off Locations

Your starting point - and the one you're moving to - are the key moving expenses that can impact the total cost. There are many ways to adress it.

Suppose, you're living in one bedroom apartment. This simply means less items to move, lower packing cost, and less labor costs. Also, you can save money by going for a truck rental vs. a full service mover.

But the total cost will increase if your apartment is on the tenth floor. This simply means, while the per hour cost of labor remains the same, the moving cost will increase because of the extra hours spent on loading items on the vehicle.

On the other hand, if the drop off location is a two bedroom apartment or a studio apartment on the second floor, unloading, unpacking and reassmebling will take less time.

Type of Vehicle

One of the important moving cost factors is the type of moving vehicle. Whether you plant to do it all by yourself, hire movers that only transport your stuff, or full service movers, choosing the right type of moving truck is vitally important. On the other hand, if you've planed about hiring movers for the entire move, there's no need to worry about the vehicle type.

Suppose, you are renting a moving vehicle yourself. What should you conisder? The rental truck company will ask you whether you want a one-way rental or a round trip one because it will affect your average moving cost. The truck rental company will assis you in choosing the right vehicle, but before they do, they might want to know about the moving items.

Based on the volume of goods, they may offer you with the following options:

• Pickup Truck: Best for one bedroom apartment; carries small loads
• Cargo Van: offers limited (closed) space; good for transporting studio apartment items and small deliveries.
• 10-foot Truck: If it's a large studio apartment, a 10 foot truck may be a feasible option; offers fuel economy and has an easy-loading deck as well.
• 14-foot Truck: Carries higher volumes of goods; good for a small two bedroom apartment. Its low deck makes loading and unloading easier.
• 17 foot Truck: Suitable for homes with two bedrooms.
• 20 foot Truck: It can easily transport three bedroom apartment content.
• 24 foot Truck: Meant for three bedroom or four bedroom aparments
• 26 foot Truck: If you have more goods than a four bedroom home, then this option would be feasible.

Moving Insurance Cost

Moving insurance is optional, but it's a viable option based on how complicated the moving process is in your case. However, when you consider it, your belongings are exposed to potential problems, hence a moving insurance is worth giving a thought. If your belongings are lost, stolen, or damaged during a move, you will be entitled to receive a handsome amount to cover your losses.

If you hire local or long distance moving services, you will be offered one of the following insurance plans:

• Full value protection
• Released value protection; offers minimal protection against no additional cost. In case of damages to your possessions, you will recieve 60 cents per pound.
• Separate liability coverage; similar to the released value protection, offered via a third-party insurance company for additional charges.

Alternatively, if you decide to rent a moving truck, you need a homeowners insurance policy to cover your goods during transit. Moreover, the truck rental company may offer coverage for all passengers, the vehicle and the items in transit.

How much does it cost? If the moving insurance is from a third-party insurer, you may have to pay between 1% and 5% of the total valuation of your possessions. So, based on your belongings, expect to pay in the range; $180 - $900 for coverage.

The Average Cost of Professional Movers According to Top Sources

Several sources estimated average moving costs based on different factors. According to their estimate, average price for moving starts from a few hundred dollars, going in excess of $1500. Below are the per hour rates according to top sources:

HomeAdvisor's Estimated Cost

According to HomeAdvisor.com, the average moving charges of a local moving company range from $600 to $1,650. They believe the average hourly rate of local movers is between $25 and $50.

Thumbtack's Hourly Rate Calculation

Thumbtack.com believes the average price to hire movers will fall between $72 and $135 per hour. The cost can go up some if you have larger items, such as a piano, pool table, or hot tub to move. They state the national average cost for a local move is $95 per hour.

According to HomeGuide

Another source states that, on average, a moving company can charge between $491 and $1,1516. HomeGuide.com uses this range for any move under 50 miles and believes even a small move will cost at least $400.

What Will You Pay Based on the Type of Moving Company?

There are different options you can choose for your local move, which will impact the final cost of moving. For example, if you simply rent a moving truck, you might pay less than $100 (plus the price of fuel) to move your items. However, you will have to do all the work yourself and if you need more than one day, you will pay extra for more time.

Packing and Unpacking Labor Costs

A full service movers will provide laborers to help load up your things and unload them at your new location. Usually, if you want laborers to pack and unpack your things, that will add up with other moving costs.

Per Hour Movers Cost

When you hire a full-service moving company, they will also charge per mover. So, how much do movers cost?

If you need two people to help with household items and common furniture, you will pay the per-hour rates multiplied by two movers. However, if you have an item, such as a pool table or piano that requires three or four movers, you will pay extra for those additional movers.

Movers Charge 2 Hours Per Mover

If you hire movers, you will be paying per hour and per mover. This is how local moving companies figure out how much it will cost and they usually have a minimum cost of two hours per mover, even if it doesn't take a full two hours.

Hiring Movers vs. DIY Moving: A Quick Comparison

So, which option suits you? A local moving company or long distance movers can do almost all the tasks, from packing your belongings to reassembling them in your new home. However, It's obvious, local moving companies cost more than DIY moving.

Through proper planning, calculations, research and expert bargaining skills, you can bring down your total cost to move.

DIY Moving

Local moves are usually done by either full service movers or by moving truck rentals. You might be able to save money by renting a truck and hiring labor yourself. If you have your own truck, it'll be a free moving, but you can also borrow a truck from your friend or neighbor to minimize your cost to move substantially.

Maybe you just need one person to help you for one hour with loading things and one hour to unload. You can hire someone to help you and do the rest yourself. This might decrease your cost to move.

Is DIY Moving Suitable for You?

But think about it for a minute - you're all tied up with multiple tasks when it comes to DIY moving. Plus, you're also responsible for damages occured due to poor packing, loading and unloading. And quite frankly, when you're thinking about saving money, you won't consider insuring your belonging, would you?

Unlike hiring a professional moving company, DIY moving is a long process. It requires a presence of mind and management skills. If you've done it before, you'd agree that preparations start at least a week before the final day.

You have to plan the packing phase that involves creating a list of all the items and determining where they should be kept. In the next phase, you have to arrange all the necessary packing materials, and that also requires some calculation.

Plus, you need to be extra careful with fragile items, especially if it's an electronic appliance. Meanwhile, you're supposed to arrange the moving vehicle, preferably a truck rental, making sure that it is spacious enough to accomodate all the items without breaking anything - and that's hardly possible in most cases.

Drawbacks of DIY Moving

Set aside the economies, your belongings are consistenty at risk when on the move. Here are a few some disadvantages of DIY moving:

• DIY moving can be a time-consuming process, especially with kids around.
• When you're doing it all on your own, there is always a chance of missing a thing or two.
• You have to keep in touch with the truck rental service, right until they reach the desired location.
• While loading your items, you have to be there near the vehicle, making sure your items are dealt with care.
• You also have to make sure that the truck is loaded to its full capacity, and this requires constant monitoring.
• The entire process is repeated when you reach your destination.
• Managing the entire moving process can be a hectic job, and not too many people can handle it.

When you hire movers - professional moving services - you save yourself from a lot of trouble.

Moving Companies (Local or Long Distance)

If you're think that moving companies might be expensive, think again. You don't hire movers without a contract, and before that they'll give you a run down on all the services you can expect to pay for. Moreover, they also offer you an insurance coverage, which will be absolutely viable if it's about moving a large apartment.

It's true, there will be quite a few moving expenses. To know how much does it cost to move, you can contact a bunch of moving companies in your areas before finalizing the best one. So, what exactly do you get when you hire movers?

When you learn about different moving costs, you will surely think about how much you can spend: What moving costs you can bear and which ones to avoid to bring down the total moving cost. Anyhow, the point is, you will save your efforts on the DIY stuff as professional movers will take the entire responsibility.

What else? Here are some benefits of working with professional moving companies:

• Free and customized moving quotes
• No need to spend time planning what to pack and where to put things
• Professional packing
• Hassle-free loading and unloading
• Option for portable storage container for long distance transportation
• Safety and security of all your possessions
• No need to tip movers as they're paid by the company

The best way to find out how much your local moving company will cost is to get a free estimate. This should help you plan your move while staying as close to your moving budget as you possibly can. Even better, when you have one of the leading moving companies, why go anywhere else?

Contact Three Movers

Whether you want to know about long distance moving costs, or inter-city move, contact us to get a free quote. Or simply give us a call at (888) 202-0036 to learn more. We are giving exclusive 20% off your move no matter the distance.

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