How to Estimate Moving Costs

Moving all your worldly possessions from Point A to Point B is often more costly than you originally think. Here's how to estimate those costs more accurately.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Phone Books
• Phone Books
• Calculators
• Cardboard Boxes
• Moving Companies
• Ink Pen
• Notebook Papers
• Calculators
• Cardboard boxes

1. Ask a representative of your chosen moving company to give you an estimate if you are using a moving company. Note what this estimate does or does not include.

2. Estimate the size of truck or trailer you will need if you are moving yourself. Make a list of any extra equipment you'll need: dollies, furniture pads, tow bars, rental cars and packing materials. Call a truck rental company and ask for prices.

3. Add in the cost of labor to help you pack and load if you don't do it yourself.

4. Include the costs of moving your family members by air, train, bus or car.

5. Remember to factor in lodging and gas costs if you will be traveling for more than a day.

6. Add in the cost of food for the trip, as well as entertainment costs if you plan to sightsee while you travel.

7. Include the cost of keeping things in temporary storage, if necessary.

8. Add in costs for temporary lodging (such as a corporate apartment) if your new home is not immediately available.

9. Add in the costs to transport pets, and delicate or special items. There may also be fees to disconnect or connect utilities, and insurance costs.

Tips & Warnings

• When you get an estimate from a moving company, find out whether it is a binding (final price) or nonbinding (other charges possible) estimate and exactly what services will be performed for that price.
• Your current or new employer may cover or help with moving costs. Ask.
• Truck rental companies estimate that you can save as much as 50 percent by renting and driving a truck yourself. Is the extra hassle worth it to you?
• If you pack everything yourself, you may save money with the movers. Ask.
• If you use inferior materials/equipment in your move, broken objects may end up costing you more than the movers would have.
• Shop around carefully before choosing movers and equipment. Be wary of fly-by-night operations.

[sxyblnd2002]

on 10/28/2009 WARNING!!!! Stay away from Budget Van Lines moving contracting service. They gave me a good quote by phone. They immediately charged my credit card BEFORE they disclosed that they do not guarantee a delivery date. When I saw this in their contract I refused to sign. A supervisor called and wanted to charge more for a guaranteed delivery date. I cancelled my order because I needed a guaranteed delivery date, and their estimate was cost prohibitive after paying extra for that date. They refused to take their charges off of my credit card, even though they did not disclose previous to my booking AND I never signed their contract. I have since done a google search and found many instances where this company did not deliver for 30 days or more and then held the customers order hostage for storage fees, due to the customer not being available when budget finally decided to deliver ...

[kjfitnessink]

on 6/2/2009 Those military families have it made since the govt pays their moving expenses. They need not worry about this.

[movingquotes]

on 3/6/2009 I was able to save about 20% on my move when I went from Orlando, FL to live closer to Mom in Texas. First thing, I did I got some moving quotes from http://www.usamovingcompanies.com. Then 3 movers came for an onsite consultation after the initial phone review of my move. In writing I had a better idea as to how much I was going to spend. Recommend that you also Google the movers name to learn if there are any red flags to avoid. Thanks for sharing.

on 11/22/2005 If you are moving because of work, save your receipts for packing; shipping; transporting yourself, your goods and your pets; and up to one month's storage. You can deduct these expenses on your tax return if you meet the time and distance qualifications.