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When it comes to movers, there are tons of things to think about. And if there’s one thing we know, it’s that the right mover can make your move a five-star experience without breaking the bank.
So, if you’re about to move and need to find reputable movers who can help you with your relocation, it’s time to compare moving company quotes. Below, we’ll share how it works, why you should, and what goes into a quote. Let’s get started!
How and Why to Compare Moving Quotes
Why should you compare moving company quotes? The answer is simple! It can help you save money. And let’s be honest: moving can get expensive (often thousands of dollars).
So, saving a few hundred dollars or more can go a long way and give you a chance to put that money toward other things, such as settling into your new location, getting your kids involved in extracurricular activities, decorating your new home, and much more.
The trick to comparing moving company quotes is to first look at the price and what comes with it. That will help you to get the most bang for your buck. Consider a company that offers transparent pricing and no hidden fees if you want to avoid getting overcharged.
Next, you’ll want to check out the movers’ reviews and credentials. The more positive reviews the company has, the better the chances are that your move will go well.
Also, ensure the moving company services your starting location and end destination. This is especially important with long-distance moves. Your price can vary greatly and go up fast if you have to work with two separate moving companies, so finding a company that can take you from point A to B is key.
Finally, you’ll want to assess their customer service. Are they responsive and easy to get in touch with? Do they have a user-friendly, easy-to-navigate website with an online contact form? Do they have a portal where you can manage your move? Is the company offering a moving quote without a phone number? (That’s a red flag!)
The answers to these questions can take a move from good to great and great to, well, mediocre. Customer service isn’t just important in movers. It’s essential. Great customer service is a sign that your movers will get the job done right and on the agreed-up timeline. It will also reassure you that your items will be safe during the move and that you count on your movers to be there when you need them.
What factors go into a moving quote?
Many things affect a moving company’s pricing. This includes the following:
- Day of the Week/Month: The cheapest times to move are Monday through Thursday and in the middle of the month. That’s when there’s less demand for movers, so it’s usually easier to squeeze you into the schedule and more cost-effective. If you are making a long-distance move, keep in mind that Friday is generally recommended so that the movers have a full weekend to take care of your move.
- Time of Day: The most efficient and affordable time to move is generally in the morning. It helps you get everything done before it’s too hot out and still have time to unpack at your new home at the end of the day.
- Truck Size: Depending on how much you’re moving, you may need a large or small moving truck. Bellhop offers 26-feet long trucks with 1,600 square feet of storage and smaller 16-feet trucks in select cities. The movers you choose may have different-sized trucks at their disposal, so always ask before booking a move.
- Number of Movers: Need one mover? Two? Four? Five? This depends on the size of your move. As a general rule of thumb, your move will cost more as the amount of movers goes up. So, if you hope to save money and reduce the total amount of movers, consider deep-cleaning and decluttering any unwanted items and furniture before your move so that not as many movers will be needed.
- Number of Hours: Moving rates vary based on what you’re looking for. Some movers offer hourly labor where you pay by the hour, so as you might expect, it will cost more to help load your items up for four hours than it would for one hour. Other movers charge flat fees for day rates. Talk to your preferred moving company beforehand so that you know how to budget.
- Distance: It usually costs more to move a long distance (50 miles or more) than it does to move a short distance. Both short-distance and long-distance moving company quotes can vary based on whether you need help with loading, unloading, delivery, packing help, and other services.
- Insurance: Your moving company should have some type of liability or valuation coverage in the event that your possessions get damaged during the move. You can also purchase extra insurance separately if desired.
- Storage: Not sure where you’re going to put all your items in your new house yet? That’s no problem. Most movers partner with secure storage facilities, giving you options on where to store your items temporarily (or for the long term–whatever works best for you). This can affect your moving quote.
- Moving Services: Some of the most common moving services include loading items onto a moving truck, driving a moving truck from one location to another, transporting items to storage, unloading the moving truck at the new house, and packing up your items into boxes. You might also need help organizing your garage before a move or arranging junk removal services. Either way, the more services you need, the more your move will cost.
- Packing Supplies: If you don’t have your own moving boxes, packing paper, and tape, that’s okay! However, it will affect your quote. Not all movers offer packing services, but most offer packing supplies. So, figure out what types of items you’re moving (clothing, furniture, appliances, electronics, glassware, etc.), and that can help you choose what you need.
- Type of Move: There are many types of moves, including residential and commercial moves. These include local and long-distance moving services for apartments, houses, and businesses. The average cost to move from one apartment to another in the same city is $300 to $850. Moving from one house to a different house locally can cost $500 to $1,350 at a minimum. Long-distance moves cost a minimum of $1,000 in most cases.
Other: Are you moving to a top-level apartment with lots of narrow hallways and stairs? No elevator access? This may increase the cost of your move. Also, if your couch or dresser is too large for the entrance, there might be additional fees.
How much more expensive is a long-distance move?
A long-distance move is defined as a move that exceeds 50 miles and often involves relocating from one state to another (even as far as across the country). You should plan to pay a minimum of $1,000 for your long-distance move and up to $5,000 or more if you are moving far away or have a lot of items to move.
How can you make your move cheaper?
Here are some tips if you need cheap moving quotes and want to keep costs down:
- Ask your friends for boxes. Packing supplies can quickly increase the cost of your move. So, if you have a few friends who recently went through a local or long-distance move, it’s worth asking if they have any old boxes in their garage. If no one comes to mind, you can post on Facebook, Craigslist, and other platforms. (Also, don’t feel like you have to use boxes for everything. You’d be surprised at how effective a suitcase, plastic tub, dresser, or file cabinet can be for moving!)
- Request a free moving quote from three or more companies. If you get multiple estimates for your move, it’ll be easier to create a budget and figure out which mover is best for you.
- Schedule the move at the right time of the year. Winter is usually the cheapest season to move since there’s less demand for movers due to the poor road conditions. Try to arrange your move between September and April to keep costs down.
- Try to DIY parts of the move yourself. You can save dollars by packing your items yourself and unloading your items at your new home.
- Borrow a truck, or rent a U-Haul. Having movers drive your items from one location to another naturally costs more than driving them yourself. So, if you want to keep the cost as affordable as possible, your best bet is to ask a friend for their truck or to get a U-Haul. That way, you can control the timeline and costs. (Just don’t forget to consider the cost of gas, maintenance, hotel fees, and more.)
- Declutter your home before your moving date. Donate, sell, or gift as many items as you can before your big move. This will allow you to minimize the total number of things you need to move, which can help bring your moving costs down.
Get a shared moving truck. Shared moving trucks are best for small long-distance moves. You can lower the cost by working with movers who are already heading in your target direction. They’ll add your items onto a moving truck with another family’s items, helping you save money. You generally only need to pay for the space of your items, so this can be cheaper than getting a full-service dedicated moving truck. (There are some disadvantages to keep in mind, though. For instance, shared moving trucks have multiple people’s things on board, so it’s easy for things to go missing and be delivered to the wrong house.)
How much cheaper are apartment moves?
The average new apartment size is roughly 941 square feet. Within those square feet, you can have anywhere from one to three bedrooms. In contrast, a typical single-family home is 2,261 square feet and has one to five or more bedrooms.
As you can tell, that is a huge difference in size, so apartment moves are generally cheaper than moving from one single-family home to another. The average moving rate for a studio apartment is about $300 to $600. The cost goes up as the number of bedrooms increases (up to $850 to $1,350 for four or more bedrooms).
How do you estimate moving costs?
Moving companies offer different ways to assess your moving costs. Most companies, such as Bellhop, offer online moving cost calculators where you can easily input the starting location, property type, destination, and amount you’re moving. (Note: Online moving quotes may not always include the final price.)
Other companies offer an in-home evaluation where movers come out to assess the size of your move before giving you an estimate. You can schedule an appointment to have movers go to your home, check out what you have, and provide a quote for your move. Then, you can choose which company you’d like to go with, and get your move on the road.
Schedule your move today
After getting moving company quotes from at least three places, it’s time to arrange your move. Remember, working with a mover with great customer service, competitive prices, and abundant four and five-star reviews can help your moving experience be the best it can be.
Good luck with your move, and as always, if you need reliable local and long-distance movers, Bellhop has your back. Book a move online within minutes.
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