What Factors Determine the Cost of a Move?

When it comes to determining the cost of a move, each moving company has its own way of calculating the expenses. If you opt for a full-service move, you'll be paying for moving supplies as well as labor to pack your entire house, load boxes, furniture and appliances into the truck, drive your items to the new location, unload everything from the truck, and unpack. If your move requires short-term storage, make sure to ask the moving company how much they charge for in-transit storage. With a professional move, you'll receive the services of a personal moving coordinator who will make sure that all parts of your move are well coordinated.

You can choose to make the move yourself; however, hiring a professional moving company like Mayflower will help you reduce much of the stress of moving and allow you to focus on your personal and professional needs throughout the process. Whatever you do, make sure you carefully consider the pros and cons of each option before deciding on a moving method. Moving is expensive without the right budget, but friends and family can spend a few hours helping you pack, load or unload. The cost of an interstate or long-distance move is determined by the weight of the shipment, the mileage between origin and destination, and labor costs.

Long-distance movements involve so many independent factors that companies estimate the price on a case-by-case basis. You can also save money by choosing a less expensive move date: When you move it can make a big difference to the total cost of your move. If the moving company asks you to sign incomplete documents on the day of the move, tell them you need to change the date and then use a different moving company. The price of a local move can vary greatly by location, but as a general rule, you'll be charged hourly for service from a local moving company.

Whether you're renting a moving truck and hiring movers with labor only or using a moving container and paying carriers to transport it to your home, you'll likely have to pay at least several hundred dollars for a DIY move. To move with a container, all you have to do is load it and the container company will take care of the rest. A short-distance move from a five-bedroom house will require considerable time to load and unload your items, hence resulting in higher costs.

Matthew Oestmann
Matthew Oestmann

Music advocate. Hardcore tv fan. Professional pop culture geek. Subtly charming music trailblazer. Proud bacon trailblazer.