Average Cost Of Moving Containers
Published by Chris Townsend
As you are considering all of your options for an upcoming move, you’re likely going to come across hauling containers. Moving containers give you the option to hire help for a major part of the moving process, without having to work with a full-service moving company. These companies will deliver as many containers as you need to your home. Then, you simply load up your belongings into the container and the company retrieves them and delivers it to your new address. After you’ve unloaded everything, the company will return again to pick up the container.
Regardless of the service you choose, how much money it’s going to cost is often the deciding factor. After all, hauling can be pretty pricey. So, if you’re wondering how much it’s going to cost you to hire a moving container service, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s dive right in to understand what you can expect regarding the average cost of moving containers.
Average Cost of Moving Containers
The average cost of moving containers is roughly $3,000, but prices vary considerably depending on the amount of stuff you have and where you’re headed. Even the season and where the company is located can make a huge difference in the charge of hiring a hauling container service.
In order to fully understand average costs, it’s important that you first know what contributes to the final charge of your move.
Factors that Influences the Charge of Hauling Containers
There are a number of factors that impact overall moving container price. Let’s take a look at the most common factors in detail to understand how a moving company calculates the quote for your move.
- The number of containers you need. Some companies charge different rates based on how many containers your haul requires. Fortunately, you can often estimate the number of containers you need based on how much stuff you have and the number of rooms in your home. This is important, as you don’t want to end up with too few containers and struggle to stuff everything inside. On the other hand, if you order too many moving containers, you’ll still have to pay for the space that you don’t use.
- The moving container company’s locations. If the hauling container company you work with has locations near your current and new home, you likely won’t have to pay any additional fees for delivery. The distance that the delivery truck has to travel in order to deliver and pick up the containers impacts the final cost. Moving somewhere that doesn’t have a nearby location of the company that you hired may cost you extra. The pricing structure varies from company to company so make sure that you check with them for further information.
- The time of year. If hauling services are in high demand, the charge of hauling containers will be higher. As summer and spring tend to be the busy seasons for the hauling industry, you’ll likely pay more than if you were to move in the winter. There is also a higher demand for containers on weekends, as this is when most people prefer to move. As a result, reserving a container on a weekend will be more expensive when compared to a weekday haul .
- The distance of your move. Logically, the further away that you are hauling , the more expensive your move is going to be. Most companies increase container hauling costs based on fuel charges, vehicle maintenance, environmental taxes, and additional factors. With that said, a local haul will be cheaper than a long-distance haul – and especially an overseas relocation.
- The size of the containers. Different companies offer a variety of sizes for their containers. They may charge you more, depending on the size of the container that you choose. For instance, the price of a 40-foot container ranges from $200 to $450, and each company has different rates.
- Additional services selected. Some companies may offer extra add-on services to make your move even more convenient. Additional services may include loading and unloading assistance, storage, packing supplies, and extra insurance coverage options.
Price of Shifting Containers by Home Size
Again, the average cost of moving using a hauling container is about $3,000. Though, the final charge of your haul will depend on two distinct factors: the size of your home and the distance of your move. Average cost changes based on the size of your house. Refer to the following table to help you estimate how much your haul will cost based on how many bedrooms your house has:
Home Size | Average Cost |
One-bedroom house | $2,000 |
Two-bedroom house | $2,600 |
Three-bedroom house | $3,200 |
Four-bedroom house, or larger | $3,800+ |
Based on the data in the aforementioned table, the average cost of moving containers is roughly $1,100 per bedroom. The larger the move, the lower the cost per bedroom becomes. Also, every container moving company has different rates so the best way to know exactly how much your haul is going to charge is to request a quote.
Cost of Relocating Containers by Distance
On average, moving containers cost approximately $2.50 a mile. Shorter hauls tend to be cheaper overall, though they have a higher per-mile rate. For example, a 1,750-mile move drops to about $1.60 a mile, but hauling only 100 miles is almost ten times higher at $16.50 a mile. The table below outlines the average charge of moving containers based on the distance of your haul:
Distance of Move | Per Mile Rate | Average Cost |
100 miles | $16.50 per mile | $1,720 |
475 miles | $5.60 per mile | $2,580 |
1,025 miles | $3.10 per mile | $3,210 |
1,750 miles | $1.60 per mile | $2,800 |
1,850 miles | $2.10 per mile | $3,900 |
2,050 miles | $1.70 per mile | $3,500 |
Transporting Freight Containers to Overseas
As I’m sure you might expect, shipping a moving container overseas is more expensive than a local or cross-country relocation. With that said, here are some things to keep in mind if you’re planning an overseas move:
- Overseas transportation methods. When relocating overseas, there are a couple of transport methods to choose from. The method that you select will impact the final cost of your move. Shipping via sea is the most affordable option, while air freight is the most expensive.
- Storage needs. In some cases, you may need a temporary storage solution when shipping your items overseas. For example, if you ship your items ahead of time, you can keep them in storage until you arrive. The average charge of storage is approximately $100 a month.
- Cost varies by destination location. The cost of shipping a hauling container overseas can vary based on the country you’re heading to. Hiring an international moving company is pricey and the charge can increase based on your destination.
- Moving insurance. Moving companies are required to offer the minimum in terms of insurance, but you may desire to purchase additional coverage to protect your belongings. For this, the average start cost is $100, but may be higher if you are transporting rare, valuable, or expensive goods.
In need of a hauling container company for your upcoming move? Look no further than Three Movers for all your moving container needs. Call today or fill out our convenient online request form to receive your free, no-obligation moving estimate and we’ll show you how simple your container haul can be when you work with us!