Depending on what and how far you’re moving, relocating is often more expensive than you might think.
Whether you’re hiring residential moving services to take care of your move or planning on a DIY approach, creating a budget for your move can help keep those costs under control and reduce the risk of costly mistakes. But sometimes — whether it’s hidden fees, tips for movers, or overruns — you might end up paying more than you expect.
If you have concerns about potential moving fees and costs, this guide is for you. Let’s explore the different expenses that go into a professional move and how hiring a moving broker can help you avoid hidden costs and overruns that might drastically impact your experience.
Basic Moving Fees
Many moving fees are transparent. The size of your home, travel fees like fuel costs, and the number of movers impact the cost. The following fees usually comprise the bulk of your moving costs, although hiring a moving broker can sometimes simplify the itemized receipt.
Transportation or Travel Fees
Transportation and travel fees are standard charges that cover the cost of fuel, vehicle maintenance, and time spent driving to and from locations. Fees typically depend on the distance between your current and new homes and can include tolls or parking expenses incurred.
Hourly Labor Rates
Hourly labor rates are the basis of most moving company quotes. These rates cover the time your movers spend packing, loading, transporting, unloading, and unpacking belongings. Hourly rates typically range between $25 and $50 per hour per mover. However, average moving company fees vary based on location, company reputation, and the complexity of your move.
Minimum Hours Required for Service
Most moving companies enforce a minimum number of service hours, regardless of how quickly the movers complete your move. This policy ensures the company can cover operational costs and typically ranges from two to four hours.
For example, if a moving company has a three-hour minimum and your move takes two hours, you’ll still be required to pay for three hours of labor. You’ll want to clarify this policy before you move when sourcing quotes.
Local vs. Long-Distance Move Fees
Moving home fees for local moves are often less expensive than long-distance moving services. Those moves — typically under 50 miles — are subject to hourly charges. Long-distance moves are priced based on weight and distance.
Long-distance moves often include additional fees for fuel, tolls, and potential overnight accommodations for your moving crew. Understanding this distinction is important for accurately budgeting your move and avoiding surprise costs.
Insurance and Liability Coverage Fees
Insurance and liability coverage are essential components of moving company fees.
Insurance protects your belongings during the move, while liability coverage safeguards against any potential injuries or damages that occur during the moving process. Most reputable movers offer basic coverage as part of their standard fees, with options to purchase additional protection for valuable items.
Storage Fees
While not everyone pays for storage as part of their move, it is an optional purchase that may be necessary for some. In addition, storage fees don’t just include paying for short-term storage in a storage unit. Consider additional potential storage options, which can include keeping the moving truck longer than agreed or renting portable storage containers.
Whether you’re hiring professionals or going through a DIY move, you might need temporary storage if the new home isn’t ready or if you’re downsizing. Include these potential fees when budgeting for your move, even if you don’t book them directly through a moving company.
Packing Materials Fees
Packing materials can be a significant part of your moving budget. Most moving companies sell packing supplies, including boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and packing paper. While buying them from the moving company can be convenient, it’s also often expensive.
If packing yourself, you’ll need to budget for those materials separately. In many cases, you can save money by sourcing free boxes from area stores or by creatively using household items (like blankets, pillows, and towels) to save money on cushioning supplies.
Whichever path you choose, factor those expenses into your move ahead of time.
Moving Date Fees
Moving date fees can significantly impact your overall moving costs and fluctuate based on the timing of your move. Moving company fees tend to be higher during peak seasons, weekends, or holidays. Planning your move during off-peak times (such as in the middle of the week) can lead to substantial savings.
Peak Season, Holiday, and Weekend Pricing
The peak season for many movers runs from May to September and coincides with warm weather and out-of-school time for children, which often makes it easier for families to move. However, this increased demand for movers often leads to higher prices. During these months, rates may be as much as 20% to 30% higher.
In addition, holidays are another expensive time for hiring movers. Moving on or around major holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year’s, or the Fourth of July can result in premium charges due to the reduced number of available movers.
Finally, moving on the weekend has a higher price tag. Most people prefer to move on the weekend to avoid taking time off work, which leads to increased demand and higher fees. A Saturday move can cost 10% to 20% more than a weekday move.
To save on costs, consider scheduling your move during off-peak months, such as October through April, and on weekdays, usually Tuesday through Thursday. Avoid major holidays and the days immediately before or after them.
Often, one of the best ways to see significant savings for your overall moving expenses is to be flexible with your moving date. Given that’s not always possible, make sure to check for any peak, holiday or weekend pricing while you are planning your budget.
Cancellation and Rescheduling Fees
Cancelling or rescheduling your move is also expensive. Moving companies often charge cancellation or rescheduling fees to protect them from last-minute changes that can disrupt their schedules. Typically, canceling or rescheduling your move within five to seven days of your move can incur a fee, ranging from flat costs to percentages of your total moving cost. To avoid these extra expenses, carefully select a moving date and communicate any changes as early as possible.
Tips and Gratuities
Tipping and other gratuities aren’t included in your moving quote, but you should still budget for it anyway. It’s standard etiquette, especially when they’ve done a satisfactory job.
The general rule of thumb is to tip $4 to $5 per hour for a local move or 5-10% of the total move cost for long-distance relocations. For example, two movers working for six hours on a local move might warrant a tip of $48-$60.
Consider tipping more for exceptional service, especially if your movers deal with difficult situations like bad weather or complicated stairs. Delicate or fragile items being handled with care is another reason to tip well. You can also tip each mover individually if some performed better than others.
It’s best to have cash on hand for tipping, so you can directly tip the movers at the end of the day.
Hidden or Overlooked Fees
Unfortunately, not all fees are as transparent as others. As you budget for your move, beware of potential hidden or overlooked costs that might catch you off guard. These can include, but aren’t limited to, the following:
- Stair fees: Extra charges for moves that involve multiple flights of stairs
- Elevator fees: Charges for time spent waiting for and using elevators
- Long-carry fees: Additional costs for carrying items long distances from the truck to your home
- Bulky item fees: Extra charges for moving large items like pianos or safes
- Packing and unpacking fees: Additional charges for time spent packing or unpacking items before loading
- Shuttle fees: Charges for transferring items to a smaller truck if a large one can’t access the area near your home
- Expedited delivery fees: Extra costs for guaranteed delivery dates for long-distance moves
To avoid surprises, ask for detailed breakdowns for all potential fees when getting quotes. One way to handle this is to use a moving broker offering transparent, “locked-in” pricing models. Brokers help navigate the complexities of moving fees and potentially save you from unexpected costs.
Weighing the Cost of Professionals vs. DIY Moves
If you’re concerned about moving fees, you might consider foregoing professional help in favor of a DIY approach. While that’s valid — it can save you money — it also has several pros and cons, depending on your needs and budget.
Going the DIY Route
Opting for a DIY move can reduce costs, which makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious movers. Renting a truck, enlisting friends or family to help, and handling most (or all) aspects of the move on your own is part of it, but you’ll also need to think about:
- The physical labor of packing, lifting, and transporting items yourself
- Time spent organizing, executing, and unpacking your whole move
- Ensuring the safety of your belongings at all steps of the process
- Coordinating all aspects of the move
- Paying hidden costs, like truck rental, fuel, packing material, and other equipment rentals
DIY moves can be cost-effective but far less convenient than hiring professionals. Evaluate your physical capabilities, time constraints, and your move’s complexity before choosing this option.
Hiring Professional Moving Services
Professional moving services offer convenience, expertise, and peace of mind — albeit at a higher cost. As you consider this option, understanding the various moving company fees is necessary. Professional movers can handle packing, loading, transportation, and unloading, saving you time and physical strain. The benefits of hiring professionals include:
- Efficiency: Experienced movers work quickly and effectively.
- Safety: Professional movers use proper equipment and techniques to handle heavy items.
- Insurance: Movers often include protection for your belongings during transit.
- Stress Reduction: Professionals manage logistics and unexpected issues.
One way to significantly simplify the process and save on costs is to hire a moving broker, such as Safe Ship Moving Services. A broker facilitates nearly every aspect of your move, from navigating (or reducing) complex fees to sourcing quotes from providers to meet your budget and moving needs.
Professional services come with higher upfront costs, but they can save you time, energy, and potential injuries. The right moving broker will vet long-distance movers to help you accomplish your move efficiently and with as little stress as possible.
Our commitment to service helps you find licensed cross-country movers within our carrier network at fair, competitive prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the typical costs associated with moving?
Typical moving costs include transportation fees, hourly labor rates, insurance, and packing materials. In some cases, you may need to pay additional costs for storage, travel fees for long-distance moves, or specialty item handling. Long-distance moves usually range from $2,500 to $5,000 or more.
Are moving costs negotiable?
Some moving costs are negotiable, especially with local companies. You should always source multiple quotes, either on your own or via a moving broker. Ask about discounts for off-peak times and bundling services, too. Some companies may offer price matching or reduced rates based on flexibility. Beware of unusually low estimates, however, as they may indicate hidden fees or subpar services.
What is the most expensive part of moving?
The most expensive part of moving is usually the labor costs, especially long-distance moves. These costs cover the time and effort of professional movers to pack, load, transport, and unload your belongings. For long-distance moves, transportation costs like fuel and overnight accommodations for movers can be a significant expense.