How Do Moving Companies Charge? Everything You Should Know

Are you planning on moving? You probably don’t have the trucks and other required equipment. That’s why you’ll need to hire professional movers. While picking the right moving company, there are several factors to consider. They should handle your moving type and cover the desired destination. The team should also be available on time and finish the project in the specified timeframe. And it would be foolish not to consider the cost of the actual move.

In this guide, we are focusing on how moving companies charge. We’ll cover different factors that affect the price. That way, you’ll understand how things work and what to expect. Here is what you should know about the pricing process!

How Does Pricing Work?

The majority of moving companies, such as Allied, are ready to offer a free estimate for your move. Here is how the process of pricing and paying works:

1. You contact the mover with the desire to get a free quote. It’s necessary to provide basic information about the move.
2. Once you give them all the data, they come up with an estimate. The estimate is usually free and non-obligatory.
3. If you accept the quote, you choose the moving date. It’s customary for the company to require a deposit before the date when they are scheduled to arrive at your address.
4. The actual quote might change depending on what happens during the move. However, some companies guarantee that they won’t charge more than 110% of the quote provided. That largely varies from one mover to another.
5. You should pay the full amount before they unload things from the truck.

What Factors Affect the Moving Cost?

Different parameters will affect the moving company’s cost. Depending on the brand, they

Distance

The distance directly affects the moving type. The basic local moving projects involve staying within the same city or state. That implies trucks won’t cover big mileage, which means they won’t spend plenty of fuel. Therefore, the price will be lower than for big distances.

If you move to another state, that’s considered long-distance moving. The price of these moves varies significantly. However, there’s a simple rule to stick to – the higher the mileage required, the higher the moving cost. If the truck needs to move 1,000 miles from location A to B, that will cost less than if the destination is 4,000 miles away.

And it’s not only about utilizing more fuel. Long-distance projects last longer than local moving. That means the company will need to pay the drivers more hours, which increases the total project price.

Moving Supplies

Each move will require utilizing packing and other materials. Here is a quick list of items that you’ll need:

• Boxes – you’ll need boxes of different sizes when packing things from your current home.
• Tape – apart from duct and shipping tapes, you could also use masking tape. Those could assist with different labeling boxes.
• Protective items – apart from bubble wrap, you can even improvise and use blankets to cover TVs, mirrors, and other fragile items.
• Other materials – these include scissors, markets, gloves for protection, felt pads to keep the floor safe, etc.

If you want to save some money, it’s possible to acquire all this yourself. These packing materials are fairly affordable. It could be a hassle, but you can even pack the items. However, be careful when packing the fragile ones.

Alternatively, you can rely on moving companies for a full service. That means they’ll deliver the boxes to your address. Many teams are also ready to pack your fragile and even other items themselves. However, that could increase the total project cost.

Truck and Apartment Size

The next thing to consider is the size of your move. Is your loading point a studio or a small one-bedroom home? If yes, the price could be from $240 to $400 for a local move, up to $1,200-$2,200 for long-distance moving. But if you are moving to a three-bedroom home, those rates could increase up to three times.

The apartment size usually goes hand in hand with how big a truck you’ll require. It’s only normal that renting a bigger truck will result in you paying more money for it.

When Do You Plan to Move?

You might be moving to Florida or another tempting destination, and it’s only normal to be excited. But did you know that the time when you decide to move affects the price? Moving companies have more work during summer and warmer months. That’s when it’s the peak season for them, and that could increase the total rates. Apart from that, an open moving date might not show up for a while.

If you want to save, aim for months outside the peak season. Another useful tip is to avoid the weekends. Instead, try to pick a Wednesday and never target the holidays to move.

Other Factors That Affect the Move

Moving companies could also consider the following when providing a quote:

• Storage – do you need the company to store items for you? If yes, they might charge extra to keep your things stored for a while.
• Coverages – the law requires basic liability and valuation coverage. However, there are some premium plans that provide better protection but cost more.
• Additional services – do you need the team to disassemble your furniture and reassemble it at the destination? Would you like a TV, network, and other setups? These could all cost extra.
• Specialty items – these are fragile and other sensitive things, such as a piano, hot tub, pool table, etc.
• Shuttle services – if it’s impossible to park a truck close to your property, a shuttle might be required.

Are Moving Estimates Binding?

It depends on the company, but there are two main estimate types:

• Binding – the quote is obligatory for the business providing the service. It can only change if the client asks to move additional things or wants an extra service.
• Non-binding – these estimates don’t bind the company. However, US law specifies they can charge you 110% at the time of the delivery. It might be possible to bill the additional charges later. Many brands, such as American Van Lines, decide on this option. Another estimate is the “binding-without-exceeding” type. That’s where the moving companies cost decreases if your items weigh less than you estimated.

Conclusion

It’s impossible to perform a move without a professional team. They will ensure everything goes hassle-free and your items arrive safely to your destination. Apart from the pricing process, it’s vital to pick a reliable mover.

The moving companies offer different features and extra options when providing their services. That’s why you should pick the desired option carefully. Feel free to check our detailed reviews of moving business. We singled out the top brands, and it’s up to you to pick a favorite and contact them for your upcoming move!