How Much Will It Cost You To Move in 2021

Susan Sisler | 05/03/2021

If you’re wondering “How much do movers cost?”, the answer is that it depends. Some moves can be accomplished with the help of friends and family but, if you have a large home filled with furniture and belongings or are moving a great distance, you may need to hire professional movers. So, how much does a moving company charge? Read on for an overview of the factors that can affect your estimate of moving prices, plus advice for choosing a moving company and much more.

Determine Which Moving Services You Need

Having an idea of which services you think you’ll need before you start calling movers is a smart first step in your planning. It can help you to arrive at an accurate estimate of moving company prices and narrow down your choices more quickly.

Many professional movers will keep your options simple. You pack your belongings and they load them into a truck and unload them at the new location. Large, full-service moving companies, on the other hand, often have a range of programs that allow you to choose just the services you need. These may include options such as these:

  • Planning: The moving company may have a planner or coordinator who comes to your home to do a walkthrough, offer suggestions for packing, recommend the best moving dates, and give you a detailed estimate of the cost of moving.
  • Packing/unpacking: If you can’t or don’t want to take care of packing and/or unpacking yourself, there may be a separate charge for this service. Experienced, reputable moving companies will have teams who are trained in the proper way to handle and pack large, fragile, or hard-to-pack items, so it may be worth it to leave this task to them. Some companies also offer partial packing services in which they pack some things and you pack others.
  • Storage: The option to store your belongings can make any type of move easier. A moving company’s storage services may include short-term local storage for items that you haven’t made a keep/toss decision on, long-term storage for things you’re not yet ready to bring to your new location, or something in between. Movers with storage facilities may offer several options, including:
    • Climate-controlled storage, which controls humidity that can damage items such as wood furniture, artwork, documents, and books
    • Temperature-controlled storage, which can be the right choice for longer-term storage of items such as collectibles, appliances, and photos

Although local, long-distance, or international moving is not a range of choices—you already know which type of move you need based on your destination—here are a few things to consider as you gather quotes for moving company prices:

  • Local or in-state moving: Moves of fewer than 100 miles may fall into this category, which make up the majority of moves, particularly those that are within the same city. You’ll probably have more movers from which to choose, ranging from college students trying to make extra money to well-established professionals who focus solely on local moves. Having said that, although you may have more choices to consider, situations where more competition exists can work to your advantage on negotiating a price.
  • Long-distance moving: Moving across the country can be stressful! Such a move usually means that everything you own is on one truck and that truck needs to get where it’s supposed to be on time. Choosing experienced professionals you can trust is key to a successful cross-country or interstate move, and may be as important a factor as price.
  • International moving: An overseas move is likely to involve more than one mode of transportation (on land, sea, and/or via air), so your belongings may be transferred from one moving service provider to another along the way. From packing methods to customs procedures, every aspect of an international move can be much more complex than any other type, so it’s very important to research international movers and make sure you understand the entire process before hiring one.

Moving Costs—What to Consider

Even though your individual costs will be different from someone else’s with different needs, there are average moving costs for typical situations that can give you an initial idea of how much you’ll need to budget. But that’s not the whole story: You should also be aware of not-so-obvious fees or costs that may add a good bit to the bill.

According to a HomeAdvisor article on the 6 Moving Costs You Need to Know, these are some of the factors that may increase your overall cost of moving.

  • The time of year: Like many types of services, periods of high demand can mean higher prices. People with children often prefer to move when school is out for the summer, a time when the moving season is at its peak. Moving prices can be significantly higher then, even double what they would be at other times of year.
  • Access: You may not even think twice about the flights of stairs up to your condo, but movers certainly will. If you’re paying movers by the hour, expect one with access challenges to take longer; if you’re being quoted a flat cost of moving, that fee may be higher to cover the workers’ time. Also consider how far movers may have to park their truck from your door because there may be a fee based on this distance.
  • Fuel: When talking to prospective moving companies, ask about their fuel costs and how that cost is passed along to you. Even if you’re tackling a DIY move, the cost of fuel to move your belongings in a less-than-fuel-efficient vehicle across significant distances should be part of your budget.
  • Insurance: Whether it’s a DIY or professional move, belongings can be damaged or lost while in transit. According to State Farm, a homeowner’s insurance policy usually doesn’t cover property loss or damage during a move, but it’s best to check with your insurance company before your move. Also keep in mind that most auto insurance policies don’t cover the rental of a moving truck, so you’ll need to ask the rental company about that if you’re moving yourself. For a move done by a professional moving company, you should ask for details about what’s covered under the basic coverage that the company is required by law to carry and how much the company charges for additional replacement value protection and/or liability insurance.
  • Large or fragile items: All of your possessions are not equal in the eyes of pro movers; for example, if you need to have large, bulky items such as appliances moved, companies can charge hundreds of dollars just to move those. Additional charges can also apply to moving delicate items or those that are difficult to pack or require special packing materials. Have a piano? There are companies that specialize in piano moving (that’s all they do) that know how to protect the instrument and its somewhat delicate components. They also have the skill to partially disassemble the piano if it’s necessary.
  • Rigging: Do you have furniture that won’t fit through doors or hallways? If so, the moving company may need to set up a pulley to lower large items through a window. Make sure they have the equipment and experience to do this, and ask how much they will charge for the service.
  • Disassembly/reassembly: If you hire movers, be sure to find out in advance what they will charge to take apart large furniture, such as a king-size platform bed, and put it back together in your new location.
  • Delays: Things can go wrong and, when they do, a loaded truck may be delayed in getting to its destination. Some companies may charge a fee for having to send a moving crew out again the next day or store your items elsewhere until the move can take place. Delays may also lead to unexpected costs for a hotel room if you arrive at your new destination before your belongings do.
  • Disposal: A move can generate a lot of packing material; if you want the moving company to get rid of it, you may have to pay a disposal fee.

To find out more about the cost of moving and answers to other frequently asked questions, please consult our moving FAQs.

Moving FAQ

Q: How much does a moving company charge? What if I DIY?

A: While there are variations according to region, here are some average moving costs in 2021. According to Move.com, a full service move can range in price between $550-$12,000. On the DIY end of the spectrum, moving and storage containers can cost between $500 and $5,500, with moving van rentals costing anywhere between $35 and $2,800.

As a comparison between local and long distance moves, here are price comparisons/average moving costs:

  • Basic move with no additional services:
    • Local: $550-$2,000
    • Long distance: $2,000-$7,500
  • Packing service:
    • Local: $30 to $60 per labor hour
    • Long distance: $500-$4,000
  • Moving coverage:
    • Local: $0–$8 per $1,000 in value covered
    • Long distance:  $0–$8 per $1,000 in value covered

Consumer Affairs provides information about local moves, sharing average moving costs based upon the number of bedrooms, weight of belongings, and number of labor hours:

  • One-bedroom house/3,500 pounds/3 to 5 hours: $240 to $500
  • Two-bedroom house/5,000 pounds/5 to 7 hours: $400 to $700
  • Three-bedroom house/10,000 pounds/7 to 10 hours: $560 to $1,000
  • Four-bedroom house/12,000+ pounds/more than 10 hours: $800 to $2,000

For local moves, HomeAdvisor.com lists average moving costs in 2021 of $1,383, with a range between $770 and $2,068. Packing services average $1,000, although that only includes packing and any necessary materials, not fees for loading, unloading, and unpacking your belongings. Interstate moving costs, according to this site, range from $2,200 to $5,700 with belongings typically weighing 7,500 pounds. Moving items that are exceptionally large, or are heavy or delicate can come with average moving costs of $400 to $2,000.

Q: What is the best way to move?

A: There are some situations, such as an international move, in which there are few choices in moving methods. In most circumstances, though, you’ll need to decide what’s best for you based in large part on what you can afford and whether you and any helpers you can enlist are physically able to do the work on the necessary timetable. To determine your best option, these are just a few of the factors to consider:

  • How far you have to transport your belongings: If you’re moving a long distance, you’ll probably want to fit everything into one truck. For most of us, that means a large commercial truck and hiring the pros who have one.
  • How accessible your new home is: If you have to get a king-sized mattress and large sectional up three flights of stairs, you’ll need some strong helpers.
  • How difficult it will be to pack your belongings: The most reputable professional moving companies train their teams in the proper way to pack, handle, move, and unpack items of all types, shapes, and sizes. They’ll have experience, methods, packing materials, and equipment that you may need if you have bulky or fragile items.
  • How well you plan the move from start to finish: If you’ve ever unloaded a sofa from a truck and gotten it stuck in a doorway that’s too small, you’ll probably have an appreciation for the professional planners that come along with hiring a moving company. Unexpected problems can waste time and cause a lot of frustration when you’re on your own.

Q. What should I expect when moving out of state? How will moving prices be calculated?

Interstate moving costs will typically vary based on one of two methods: either on the weight of your belongings or by the square footage that they take up in the truck. If a company charges interstate moving costs by square footage, this means that more efficient packing can help to lower costs and so it may be worth using professional packing services to make that happen. Other factors involved in interstate moving prices include the mileage between your current residence and the new one; whether you’re moving during the peak season, the off-season, or somewhere in between; and whether you’re paying the moving company for any extra services. 

Q: How should I choose a moving company?

A: As Zillow suggests, spending time on research can help make sure you select a reputable mover. Here are a few things to do or consider:

  • Check that the company has the necessary licenses and is insured. Ask for proof and, if a mover won’t readily share it, take that company off your list. Note that in-state movers are regulated by that state’s Department of Transportation. Out-of-state movers must be licensed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). International movers should have approval from the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC).
  • Search online for reviews from the company’s past customers and check consumer protection sites such as the FMCSA’s ProtectYourMove.gov website.
  • Ask for a free estimate, which movers must provide according to FMCSA rules, and get it in writing.
  • Find out how (or if) the moving company vets its employees. You’ll be trusting them with everything you own—and letting them into your home with your family—so it’s absolutely essential to know that employees have had their backgrounds checked and been drug tested. Also ask what type of training employees receive.
  • If you will need to have items stored, ask the company if it owns a storage facility. Ask about storage rates, whether you can access your belongings while in storage, and whether the company offers choices such as temperate or climate-controlled units.
  • Be wary of moving companies that have an online presence or ad in the newspaper but don’t have a physical address or aren’t willing to meet with you personally. 
  • Movers are required by FMCSA regulations to provide information about your rights and responsibilities, which you can download from the FMCSA’s website.

Q. How can I avoid being the victim of a moving scam?

First, here’s the good news. In 2020 alone, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) reports, about 4.7 million people moved from one state to another. Out of that number, the BBB received approximately 13,000 complaints about their moving company. So, even when accounting for people who were dissatisfied but didn’t report that to the BBB, this suggests that the percentage of scams in comparison to the total number of moves is fairly small. Yet, nobody wants to be taken in by a scammer. So:

  • Read estimates carefully. Scammers often say that they aren’t able to provide an in-person estimate, instead sending links to an electronic document. That, in and of itself, may not be a problem but, with scammers, these documents often contain clauses that aren’t favorable to the consumer and these links often don’t work when a customer refers to them after an unsatisfactory experience and is trying to resolve a problem.
  • Remember the 110% rule. It is illegal, BBB notes, to charge more than 110% of the cost of moving listed on the estimate before belongings are delivered. This is true even when more goods are being transported than originally anticipated, with any extra fees only able to be charged after everything has been delivered and unpacked.
  • If unanticipated circumstances occur, such as a need for movers to climb more steps than previously believed, the most that movers can charge for this extra work is 15% of the total cost of the move.
  • If the cost of moving listed in the estimate is listed as “binding,” then the company cannot charge more than the agreed-upon quote despite any unanticipated circumstances that caused more work for the company. 

Q. What are some hidden costs of moving and can I avoid paying any of them?

If you’ll need to rent storage space, ConsumerAffairs.com shares how, in 2021, the average unit costs $87.89 monthly, although costs vary by size and facility. If you won’t need a unit that’s any larger than a typical home closet (5x5 foot), then the average price is $45.18; if you need to store large items, a 10x30 foot space costs, on average, $199.02 per month. Costs may be higher if you need a climate controlled unit or want a facility with good security. If you’ll need the space for a longer amount of time, you may be able to negotiate a monthly discount.

Make sure to cancel utilities, including internet and cable services, at the right time so that you aren’t paying for the new residents’ usage. Many times, you’ll need to give a 30-day cancellation notice; check how your agreement works and follow through appropriately. Also, when calculating moving costs, don’t forget the deposits that are required for the new home. If you rented the place you’re leaving, do what’s required to get the maximum return on your security deposit; otherwise, you’re leaving money on the table.

Make sure you’re clear about any additional fees charged for heavy items that you’re moving. Using our previous example of moving a piano, in 2021, average moving costs for transporting that instrument ranges between $256-$567.

Also consider what it may cost to board your animals as you pack up and move if that’s appropriate for your situation. Boarding a dog, for example, averages $30 to $50 per night, while weekly prices average $150. Your pet will need to be current on vaccinations to board, so consider those costs, as well. 

Q. What are some moving cost calculators available?

There are plenty of moving cost calculators online, including these:

You can also use the moving cost calculator provided by HomeAdvisor.com where you enter your zip code to get localized information. 

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