Updated on August 21, 2024
Trying to guesstimate the cost of an upcoming move is one of the first things movers typically do when deciding to move. Everyone wants to know or at least have a good idea of how much they will end up paying for their move, whether it is a local or long-distance move. Calculating the costs of any move will require several quotes and a general idea of how much moving typically costs. Whether you choose to go with a traditional moving company and moving trucks where you have to pack and drive your stuff yourself or a portable moving and storage container company like 1-800-PACK-RAT, knowing a general idea of how much you will end up paying is critical.
Getting a Quote: Your Essential Moving Price Calculator
The easiest way of learning how much a move will cost is to simply gather quotes from a variety of sources. Once you know your preferred move date, you can begin to collect moving estimates to get a general idea of how much your move might cost.
According to Moving.com, local moves can range anywhere from roughly $500 - $3,000, while long-distance or cross-country moves can range from $1,100 - over $10,000. These cost variables depend on how much stuff you are moving, the length of the move you are making, and whether or not you are getting a full-service move or moving help to complete your move. These costs include your moving company’s part but typically don’t include extra expenses such as fuel for your personal vehicle, hotel stays if necessary, food, etc.
This is where getting a customized quote for your needs is essential. Legitimate movers will provide you with a full quote for services. Here at 1-800-PACK-RAT, we are happy to explain every part of your move, including the quoting process, so you are comfortable with the services we provide and their price point.
Other Costs to Consider for Your Move
As mentioned, the quote from your moving company is just the first part of your moving cost calculation. You will need to take into account a number of other items that can add to that price, including:
Travel costs: This is primarily for long-distance movers, but depending on how far you are moving your stuff, you will need a place for you and your family to stay at if it is going to take several days to complete your move. This is especially true if you take on the immense stress and strain of driving your stuff yourself with a moving truck. This is where opting for portable moving units like 1-800-PACK-RAT’s containers can help, as you can remove planning for driving your stuff entirely from the equation. Either way, planning out how many stays you need will help calculate your moving cost.
Fuel costs: Again, if you are driving your stuff yourself with a large moving van or truck, your fuel costs are going to skyrocket your overall moving costs, especially over long distances. You will end up stopping for more fuel, adding more time and costs to the trip. Even in a local move situation, constantly driving back and forth will waste fuel and add more to the overall costs. With our portable moving containers, you pack once, let us handle the driving, and unpack once - no unnecessary driving or expenses.
Preferred moving dates: The busiest time of the year for moving is typically the end of Spring and early Summer or the months of May - July. This is when moving services typically cost the most due to supply and demand issues. Moving on the weekend can also be more expensive. If possible, moving during the “offseason” and during the week can reduce the overall cost of your move.
Packing cost calculations: Surprisingly, one often overlooked cost of a move is packing. Now, this is something that you can do on your own to help save money. For some, though, who may not live near friends or family or are physically unable to pack and load their belongings, getting professional packing and labor assistance is required. According to Moving.com, professional labor companies can cost anywhere from $200 - $3,200 for their services. Much of this will depend on how much stuff you are moving, how big your home is, and how long it takes to pack and unpack. 1-800-PACK-RAT is happy to suggest trusted third-party professional labor providers to help, who can quote your move to help calculate the overall movers cost.
Packing materials: Getting moving and packing supplies is a requirement for any move unless you plan on just tossing your stuff into a container/truck. This includes boxes, mattress covers, furniture blankets, bubble wrap, etc. The costs of these packaging materials can vary depending on the source, but getting everything from one place to easily add it to your overall moving cost calculations might be helpful. 1-800-PACK-RAT, for instance, has partnered with Lowe’s® Home Improvement to provide a place to get all your moving and packing supplies quickly and easily. This will help you determine your packaging costs upfront.
Storage: Let’s face it, things happen during moves. Perhaps your closing gets delayed by a week, your apartment isn’t ready, or the renovations on your new home are taking longer than expected. In that case, you have to have a storage solution for all your stuff that doesn’t include sitting in a rented truck and racking up costs daily. With a portable container option like 1-800-PACK-RAT offers, the container doubles as a moving and storage unit. We can move your container to your new home or place it in one of our local and secure warehouse facilities for as long as needed. No need to spend more money on a storage unit, unload everything, then rent a truck again, pack everything up again, and then unload one more time at your home.
Time Costs: This isn’t something that can be done by adding up numbers, but your time is just as valuable as the currency you will be paying for your move with. Not very many can afford to spend days driving a moving truck or packing and loading all of their stuff in one morning to avoid getting hit with truck or professional mover overage fees. That is why 1-800-PACK-RAT not only handles all of the driving but also gives you as much time as you need to pack your container at your own pace. No rushing to get everything done and no worrying about spending time behind the wheel of a large moving truck. We give you all the time you need to get your move done on your terms, not the other way around.
How to Cut Costs for Your Move
You can try to cut some costs for your move to fit into your budget and drive that overall move cost calculated number down.
Moving discounts: Whatever mover you decide to go with, be sure you are not missing out on any discounts. Check with the mover and see if you qualify for anything, be it a AAA, senior, or military discount. 1-800-PACK-RAT has a page dedicated to keeping our customers up to date on our current offers, so check there to see what you might qualify for!
Hybrid Do-It-Yourself (DIY): Opting for the full-service move option can make your moving cost calculation skyrocket quickly, as it takes much of the burden off you. On the flip side, renting a large moving truck is the pure DIY option, from packing and unloading everything to driving the car yourself to your destination. That is why 1-800-PACK-RAT’s portable moving containers offer a hybrid solution. We handle all of the driving and logistics, leaving you to do the packing entirely at your own pace. If you want, you can hire labor assistance or pack the container(s) yourself. Our containers give you complete control over your move and its costs and open up many flexible options for you.
Downsize: The amount of stuff you plan on moving can increase your move’s cost calculation. More stuff = more weight and time spent moving it. That is why we recommend downsizing as much as possible before your move. 1-800-PACK-RAT can assist you by showing you how many containers you might need for your stuff with our handy Space Calculator tool. This gives you a reasonable estimation of how many containers it will take for your stuff - pairing down your overall move with a garage sale or donation run before your move can save you money on that overall moving cost.
Enlist friends and family to help: Hiring professional movers is sometimes a necessity, but if you have friends and family who can help you pack and unpack, this can greatly reduce the additional costs added to your moving cost calculation.
1-800-PACK-RAT is the Best Choice for Your Overall Moving Needs
Getting quotes from a number of companies is the best way to get a good idea of how much your move will cost. While some companies will be cheaper than others, you have to keep in mind the other costs associated with it, such as: will that cheaper option take more time to complete your move? Will it add more stress to the overall situation? Is this company offering such a low price legitimate? You should answer these types of questions after getting some cost calculations done with some quotes.
We here at 1-800-PACK-RAT believe we are a cost-effective option for any mover’s needs while providing a moving and storage solution that simplifies the entire process. Whether you are moving locally or long-distance, we give you as much time as you need to pack, handle all of the driving, and store your stuff whenever you need to during the process. You will pack and unpack only once - no wasted time or energy on your part. Plus, you can add several different services, including professional labor and auto shipping services, if you require them.
We want to be your one-stop shop for all of your moving and storage needs. Every move is unique and requires customized solutions to make it happen the right way. Let us help you make your move simple today. Get started with your moving cost calculation by getting a free quote, and see how we can make moving and storage simple for you today!