Moving is expensive. How expensive depends on several factors. While the costs of many moving services are calculated based on the size and distance of your move, several unexpected factors can (and often) arise.
Since these hidden costs can impact your budget significantly, we put together this guide. It explores the hidden costs of moving that you should always be aware of, from cleaning your home to paying extra to move on short notice. Let’s dive in.
Key Takeaways
- There are several hard costs baked into long-distance moves, such as overall distance, weight, and labor hours.
- There may be other moving fees for specialized equipment, elevator or stair usage, or heavy items.
- Some hidden costs of moving you may not have considered include tips for your movers, hiring professional cleaners, and packing materials beyond boxes and tape.
- Moving brokers can help you reduce the number of unexpected moving costs by sourcing comprehensive quotes from several movers at once.
What is the Typical Cost of Moving
How much your move costs depends on several factors. One factor is whether you hire professionals or move yourself. Other factors are distance, weight, time of year, and more. Long-distance moving services are often the most expensive type to hire, for example.
In addition to the costs of movers, you’ll need to factor in the price of moving supplies. This is especially true if you’re packing yourself. Moves can sometimes include additional fees that may or may be hidden costs of moving, depending on your research.
Cost Breakdown by Move Type (Local, Long-Distance, and International)
When you hire moving companies, you can typically expect to pay between $879 and $2,543 for local moves. Moves of 100 miles or more can cost between $2,700 and $10,000.
What goes into those prices? The cost of long-distance moving often includes factors like mileage, hourly labor costs, overnight lodging charges, and supply fees. Most movers will also charge a minimum fee for your move regardless of how long it takes. If you book your movers for three hours but they only need two, you’ll still pay the same amount.
Factors that Influence Moving Costs
But what goes into those common moving fees? As it turns out, quite a bit. Significant contributors to the cost of long-distance moving include, but aren’t limited to:
- Hourly labor rates
- Fuel surcharges
- Total distance of your move
- Weight of your total belongings
When You Move Matters
Peak moving season runs through the summer months (May to September). The highest rates are often in June through August. You may not be able to control when you move, but you should be aware that moving during this time will add significant costs to your move.
Best Times of Year and Month to Save on Moving Costs
Booking your move during off-peak times like October through April is a great way to save money, as is moving in the middle of the month when demand is lower. If you really want to save, try to schedule your move for winter. In some cases, movers will discount rates by anywhere from 20% to 30%.
Weekday vs. Weekend Moves: Which is Cheaper?
Moving in the middle of the week is significantly more affordable than relocating on the weekend. Mid-week moves can cost 10% to 25% less than weekend ones. The price difference reflects lower weekday demand, which makes it ideal for cost-conscious movers. Many moving companies offer their most competitive rates on Wednesday and Thursday mornings.
Early Booking vs. Last-Minute Moves: How Timing Affects Rates
One of the hidden costs of moving that people don’t often consider is the price difference between last-minute moves and early booked ones. There’s a reason most moving guides suggest planning and booking your move as early as possible, especially if your move needs to happen during a peak period.
Of course, sometimes, moving on a short timeline is unavoidable. In these situations, a moving broker can help compare several quotes at once to help find you the best possible price.
Additional Items Not Included in Estimate
A significant driver of unexpected increases in typical moving expenses includes items not included in the estimate.
According to Safe Ship’s founders, “The number one hidden cost in moving by far is additional items not originally accounted for on the estimate during the inventory-taking process. If you plan to move items not included in the inventory that the estimate was built on, it won’t be included in the estimated price.”
What does this mean for your move? Try to eliminate surprises as much as possible. Buying new furniture and having it delivered directly to your new home is more cost-effective than asking your movers to do it.
Unforeseen Fuel Charges and Tolls
Fuel charges and tolls often surprise customers as hidden costs of moving, but they shouldn’t be that much of a surprise. Moving companies will usually calculate fuel surcharges based on distance and current gas prices, adding anywhere from 5% to 15% to your total bill. Be aware though, that fees may fluctuate until moving day.
Toll charges across multiple states can accumulate quickly, especially for long-distance moves. While some companies may include them in the quote, others might add them as separate line items. Ask your movers about fuel surcharges and toll fees to avoid unexpected costs at the conclusion of your move.
Heavy Item Surcharges and Additional Labor Fees
Moving heavy items can incur significant surcharges, especially requiring specialized equipment or additional labor. For example, if your move includes a piano, you might expect to pay an additional $200 to $600. Gun safes can add $250 to $500 to your bill. Movers might assess additional fees for extra refrigerators, washing machines, and other heavy appliances.
These fees aren’t just arbitrary, however. Your movers might need extra equipment like dollies or hoisting straps, insurance coverage, or even an extra set of hands or two to safely handle those bulky items.
If you have something heavy to move, disclose it when getting quotes to avoid a surprise charge.
Packing Supplies
Packing supplies are a typical moving expense, but how much you spend on them depends on a few factors. The number of fragile items you own and the number of rooms you need to pack will fluctuate, but there are a few items that you’ll always need on hand for your move.
Must-Have Packing Supplies and Average Costs
No matter who is packing your belongings, you’ll need boxes. Lots of boxes. But you’ll also need specialty supplies like bubble wrap or packing paper to protect fragile items like dishes, glassware, or other breakables. For closets with lots of hanging clothes, it’s often advisable to buy wardrobe boxes to keep these items on hangers for easy packing and unpacking. Finally, moving blankets help protect your furniture — and your doorframes and walls — from scuffs and scrapes during your move.
The costs of these items can vary. Packing tape is usually close to $5 a roll, and bubble wrap costs anywhere from $20 to $30 per roll.
Tips for Finding Free or Discounted Packing Materials
If you’re worried about sourcing everything you need, you have options. Ask local businesses to save shipping boxes for you. You can also check out local community groups on social media like Facebook, Nextdoor, or your HOA’s message board.
Stair, Elevator, and Building Fees
If you live in a major metro area like Dallas or Las Vegas, there’s a good chance moving out of your apartment will require stairs and/or a service elevator. Some movers will apply stair and elevator fees for your moving costs. Check with your building management in advance if you need to reserve usage of the service elevator on moving day.
Moving Insurance
Many people (especially first-time movers) fail to account for the need for moving insurance as part of their relocation, but it’s an essential purchase. This coverage helps protect your belongings and can mitigate the cost of replacing them if lost or damaged.
What’s Covered in Standard Moving Insurance?
Standard moving insurance — “released value protection” — is often included in basic moving costs but it only covers $0.60 per pound per item. That means a damaged 50-pound TV worth $500 would only receive $30 in compensation. The coverage also excludes items you pack yourself and specific valuables like jewelry. These limitations are essential when calculating your moving costs.
When to Consider Additional Moving Insurance
When moving, buying additional insurance for your high-value items like antiques or electronics is a must. It typically costs between $8 and $12 per $1,000 declared value, but this “full value protection” is well worth it. Extra insurance is generally purchased for items worth over $100 per pound, irreplaceable family heirlooms, complete household moves valued over $10,000, and cross-country moves with a higher risk of damage.
Don’t Forget About Storage Fees
Sometimes your move isn’t that simple. Your belongings might need to go into storage for a few days or weeks as your new home is readied. You may need to pay for storage — either through your moving company or at a third-party storage facility — and those costs can add up over time. The average storage unit costs $185 per month, depending on how much space you need and whether you need a climate-controlled unit or something simple, like drive-up storage.
Professional Cleaning Fees
Another hidden cost of moving that people may not consider is cleaning their homes when it’s time to say goodbye. Many people find it’s much simpler to hire professional cleaning services to take care of this job than to spend extra hours scrubbing walls and mopping floors.
Cleaning Costs to Expect When Moving Out
A good, thorough cleaning is particularly important for renters. Most property management companies require apartments to be in great condition to return security deposits to their renters, which means taking the time to deep clean.
Professional cleaning service costs can vary depending on the size of your home. Some cleaning services charge an hourly rate per team member, while others might charge a flat rate per square foot. According to home services provider Angi, the normal range for professional house cleaning is between $118 and $236.
DIY vs Professional Cleaning Cost Comparison
Opting to skip professional cleaners can save you some money. The expenses are elbow grease and time. Is saving a few hundred dollars but spending even more time deep cleaning worth it? Do you want to leave cleaning supplies or unpack them if you’ve already packed them? If you’re moving on a tight timetable or have other, more pressing concerns, hire a professional.
Junk Removal for Moving
Junk removal is a major expense when moving items that aren’t being reused, sold, or donated. Many junk removal companies charge by volume, and it’s not cheap. Removing an old, broken couch or cabinet from your home can cost hundreds of dollars. Sometimes, your trash provider will provide bulk pick-up for a fee. Renting a “Bagster” for $185 will suffice in other situations.
Decluttering your home before you move can remove this expense. That’s why donating and selling household belongings is a much more compelling prospect than paying someone to haul those items off.
Parking Fees for Moving Trucks
Some cities require moving permits to park those trucks in one spot for a few hours. Failure to obtain one might mean massive parking fines. Most of the time, you can find a moving permit through your DMV/BMV. If you live in major metro areas like Austin, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Seattle, seek one out.
Tipping Your Movers
You may not have thought about it, but tipping your movers is another custom for almost all moves. For local moves, consider tipping $20 to $40 per mover. Budget this at the start to avoid the surprise of an unexpected moving cost.
Standard Tipping Practices for Moving Crews
If your move extends beyond a half-day, you might want to tip more per mover — as much as $50 for a full day of service. Long-distance moves usually warrant around 5% to 10% of your bill, split among crews at pickup and delivery. Add money for challenging conditions, handling special items, and excellent service.
Budget Planning Checklist for Moving
The best way to avoid unexpected moving costs is to create a comprehensive moving budget and checklist to avoid financial surprises. As part of your move, consider adding the following details:
- Basic moving service quote
- Insurance coverage options
- Packing materials and supplies
- Fuel surcharges and toll fees
- Heavy item surcharges
- Building fees and permits
- Professional cleaning services
Other considerations, like storage unit rental, utility deposits, and pet transportation arrangements, should factor into your budget, too
Avoid Hidden Fees When Moving by Seeking Professional Help
One of the best options to eliminate hidden fees is to work with movers who offer completely transparent pricing. One way to find those movers is to partner with a moving broker to source quotes. Moving brokers will provide itemized pricing for every aspect of your move that movers can handle, from packing and transportation to mileage and lodging fees.
Contact us today to learn how Safe Ship’s moving broker services can simplify your move.
Our commitment to service helps you find licensed cross-country movers within our carrier network at fair, competitive prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is moving so expensive?
Moving costs reflect essential services: trained labor, special equipment, fuel, insurance, and vehicle maintenance. Because of seasonal demand, distance, and location-specific regulations, moving prices can vary.
What is the most expensive part of moving?
Labor usually represents the highest moving expense, especially for long-distance relocations. Professional movers’ rates often account for expertise, fuel charges, physical demands, and time investment.
What is a reasonable moving budget?
Reasonable moving budgets vary by home size, location, and distance. Local moves can cost between $800 to $2,500 for a two-bedroom home. Long-distance moves might cost between $2,500 and $8,000. Set aside an additional 10% to 15% for unexpected expenses and costs like packing materials, insurance, and tips.
How much should you tip movers for long-distance moves?
For long-distance moves, the standard tip ranges from 5% to 10% of your total moving cost, split between pickup and delivery crews.
