How Much Do Movers Usually Cost?

Budgeting your move can reduce stress.

Professional movers base their estimate on the distance traveled from your old residence to your new one, the amount of labor required at each end, the size and weight of your shipment and the time of year.

Local Mover Cost

A move is considered local if it takes place within 100 miles and stays within the same state. Labor and time determine the cost of moving locally. According to Cost Helper, local movers generally charge around $25 dollars per hour, per mover. Factors such as, stairs, weather, packing and unpacking services may lead to additional costs per hour.

Long-Distance Mover Cost

According to MovingMatrix.com, long-distance moves are over 100 miles and entail crossing state lines. Long-distance movers establish an estimate based on the size and distance of the shipment, as well as labor associated with packing, loading and unloading. Cost Helper defines a full-service move as including packing, loading, transport, unloading and if contracted, unpacking all household goods. A cross-country, full-service move for a one-bedroom apartment averages between $3,600 and $5,000 and a cross-country move of a three-bedroom house averages $9,000 to $11,600, according to Cost Helper.

Tips

Before hiring a moving company, check their performance history through the Better Business Bureau.

According to Cost Helper, summer and weekend moves can cost up to 20 percent more than other moving times for both local and long-distance moves.

References

• Cost Helper: Local Mover Cost
• Moving Matrix: Long Distance Moves
• Cost Helper: Long Distance Move

Resources

• Better Business Bureau