The fresh start at the end is fantastic! But uprooting your life in the beginning and transporting everything you own in the middle sucks. Most of us dread planning, packing, loading, unloading, and unpacking, and would rather hire a full-service moving company.
Supermove noted that close to 28 million people move each year in its “Moving Statistics: The State of Moving & Storage 2025” industry report. That’s a lot of packing, heavy lifting, and back pain.
“How Much Does It Cost to Move?”
This is one of the first questions you ask when you start planning a move. Moving estimates are the answer. Hiring a mover is, or seems, expensive even though a smaller percentage of movers planned to raise their prices in 2025. Supermove’s Moving Statistics report showed that only 29% of movers had a price hike in their 2025 agenda. Even if the costs fit your budget, how moving expenses are calculated remains a mystery.
Based on Bailey’s Moving & Storage’s numbers:
- Local moves are usually the least expensive, between $2,000 and almost $4,000.
- An intrastate move is between $5,800 and $7,000.
- Interstate moves cost between $9,000 and $11,000.
We talked with one of our favorite estimators and got the 411 on moving expenses. Read on for a better understanding of what estimates are, their important components, and how a moving company calculates the costs behind your quote.
Read more about moving expenses in “DIYing Your Move? Understand Moving Costs Better Before You Start.”
A quote from one of our favorite Sales Managers, Morgan Deering, on customer needs:
“It's always loading and delivering. When will my stuff get there? Who's going to do it? And I need everything included for the cheapest price.”
How Much Should a Move Cost? Our Average Moving Company Prices to Help Hire One
If you’re moving and hiring a mover, cost often comes to mind first, then availability and customer service. It’s unfortunate that the answer to your first question is so complex.
The amount of stuff, moving distance, and weight are a few main factors of a move’s total price. Every move has unique logistics and complexities that impact its price, making it harder to confidently say how much your move should cost.
In the spirit of pricing transparency, we’re breaking down our 2025 numbers:
Interstate Move Pricing:
- Average Cost - $11,000
- Half were less than - $9,000
Intrastate Move Pricing:
- Average Cost - $7,000
- Half were less than - $5,800
Local Move Pricing:
- Average Cost - $3,800
- Half were less than - $2,200
Moving Company Prices & Estimate Basics Revealed So You Hire the Best One
Hiring a professional mover is easier, regardless of whether it’s a local, intrastate, or interstate move. Money is the main reason people don’t hire a mover, and it's a bigger pain point today. So, we’re giving you a moving company pricing “tell all” to help you understand estimates and compare them to find the best mover for you.
How much do movers cost? That’s the universal question for anyone relocating for the first or tenth time. Typically, you call a few moving companies, get quotes, and compare them to find the right one.
Before Moving Day: Questions & Decisions From 1st to What’s Next?
Let’s walk through the process before diving into the details. For first-time movers or for someone who’s moved before, seeing everything from a bird’s-eye view helps the details make more sense.
Visualize the relocation process with us – it’ll be fun!
You're Relocating, Where to Start? First Steps & Advice to Calm the Overwhelm
You’re moving – there’s so much to do. Where should you start?
Start Here – figure out these equally important things:
- Potential “Moving Day” Dates: When do you have to move?
- How Far is the Move: Distance/number of miles determines a lot about a move.
- How Much Stuff Do You Have: What do you need to pack, load & unload on moving day, or get rid of? Get real on this one – most people have way more than they think.
- Is DIY or Hiring a Moving Company an Option: Smaller amounts of stuff and shorter distances make DIY a strong option. Larger amounts to move internationally – DIY probably won’t work.
- How Will You Move: To DIY or not DIY? Ask yourself:
- Budget size
- Load size
- Number of people who will help you if you DIY
- Can you pack, load, and unload it all?
- Number of miles – local (50 miles max), intrastate (same state), interstate (out of state – in the US), or international (cross-country)
- Do you have days, weeks, or months to plan, pack, and move?
Planning an international move? Read “Frequently Asked Questions About International Moving,” for advice and cost-saving tips.”
Closer to Hiring a Moving Company – figure out these equally important things:
- Full-Size or a Pinching-Pennies Budget: Smaller budgets mean longer conversations with the estimators you talk to.
- How Much Can You Do Yourself: Packing everything you can and getting rid of things you don’t need cuts time and effort.
- It’s All About the Inventory List: Create a list of everything you plan to move. Inventory is the heart of moving costs – moving companies calculate truck and crew size or number of people to help, total weight of the inventory, hours needed to pack, load, and unload.
- Meet with at Least Three Companies: Make a better decision with cost estimates from multiple movers. Get three written quotes to compare who’s higher or lower than normal.
- Hire a Mover & Plan That Move: Nail down that to-do list so you can start packing or let professionals do it.
Moving Quotes: Why You Need at Least 3 of Them to Make a Better Decision
Comparing quotes from potential movers is the best way to hire a good moving company. Confusion or misconceptions about estimates is one of the top reasons customers are frustrated by unexpected moving day expenses.
Walk through the estimate process from the appointment to signing a binding or non-binding quote and dispel a few common myths. Understanding these details helps you hire a moving company you can trust.
That Important Moving Estimate Appointment: What They're Like & Why You Need One
Estimate Appointments can be done in-person or virtually. In-person is best for the estimator to walk through each room in your house or apartment and get a more accurate idea of all the items you plan to move.
An In-Person Moving Quote Appointment: From an Estimator’s Point-of View (EPOV)
Introduction: Shake hands with your estimator and talk about why, where, and when you’re moving.
EPOV: Initial questions:
- What type of move is it? (local, intrastate, interstate, or international)
- Is budget a factor or the only factor in hiring a moving company?
- Is this a first move, or do you know what to expect? (How much hand holding do you need? What questions can I anticipate and answer early in the appointment?)
- How much time do you have to move? (Is the move next week or next month?)
- How much stuff will we move for you? (How long is your inventory list - short and weighs less, or super long and weighs more?)
- Is this a full-service move, or specific services? (We plan everything, pack, bring the truck, drive the truck, load, and unload)
- Will we need a binding or non-binding estimate? (This depends on the move type and how much cost certainty you need)
Get a rough idea of costs with our online moving cost estimator or schedule an appointment.
Read “Estimates: In-Home vs. Virtual” for more about virtual and in-person estimates.
Mover Cost Estimate: Quote Types & Which One is Best? Binding vs Non-Binding
Quotes align customer and mover expectations for the work being performed and its cost. Binding and non-binding estimates set the mover’s level of commitment to the costs in the written document.
Main Types of Moving Estimates
Two Main Moving Company Estimate Types: TPG and GRR
Bailey’s Moving uses an estimating tool that helps calculate costs based on the information provided during the walk-through and any additional factors added before or during the move.
Total Price Guarantee (TPG):
This binding estimate price reflects the contracted inventory weight. Since pricing is based on the weight of the inventory being moved, customers who add items to the list on moving day often end up paying more for the increased weight. The moving truck is weighed on a CAT scale roughly 50 miles from the destination property.
Bailey’s Moving guarantees the inventory with a binding TPG estimate, not weight or cubic volume.
An example: A customer lists their king-sized bed as the only item from the master bedroom that’s moving. The mover uses a change order and adds an additional charge if the customer wants to load two dressers from the master bedroom on moving day.
Guaranteed Rate Reduction (GRR):
Much like TPG, the estimate is the contracted weight of your inventory. With GRR, customers can receive money back if the actual weight on moving day is less than the estimated weight. The amount reimbursed is based on a per-100-pound rate.
The 400N estimate is a third type. It's based on actual weight and miles and can make the final cost unpredictable. Customers are more comfortable with TPG and GRR, unless they have an accurate weight for everything they’re moving.
Bailey’s Moving primarily uses TPG for interstate moves. Customers can discuss the options and decide which one works best for them.
Learn more about moving estimate types in “Confused About Estimates? Easy to Understand Binding & Non-Binding Answers.”
Quotes are detailed descriptions of the job scope and costs. Moving companies typically include:
- Number of items
- Weight of the items
- Distance between the pickup and drop-off locations
- Services provided
Binding vs Non-Binding: What's the Difference? Why a Mover's Commitment Matters
Think of a quote as a tariff. The document outlines pricing, rules, and terms for services based on a specific rate. Customers like binding quotes because they eliminate or reduce final bill surprises.
Binding estimates commit the moving company to perform services for the agreed-upon costs. Any additional boxes or furniture loaded into the truck on moving day will incur additional expenses and require a change request.
Non-binding is more like a true estimate, outlining the inventory list and services, while final moving-day costs are more open-ended.
Extra expenses are added without a change request. This works best for shorter distances, like local or intrastate hourly-based moves.
Binding Estimates
Binding estimates guarantee the total move cost and are based on the weight of the inventory, services, distance, and the number of allotted crews, as outlined in writing. Binding only guarantees the pre-move written estimate. Inventory added for moving, an extra storage unit stop, or unexpected services added on moving day often incur more charges.
For more on binding estimates, read this article “Unveiling the Moving Industry: What is a Binding Estimate?”
Non-Binding Estimates
A non-binding estimate is a documented forecast of moving expenses created before moving day. It’s based on the same factors but doesn’t guarantee the cost of binding. The final cost depends on the actual weight, services performed, and distance traveled on moving day and is paid at the end of your move.
Non-binding quotes are ideal for local moves or those that take one day or less to complete.
An example: A mover will add an expense without a change request on moving day if there’s an extra couch to load into the truck.
Need more information? Read our article, “Understanding Written Estimates: What is a Non-Binding Estimate?” for another explanation.
Movers typically want payment before delivery on moving day. Some request a down payment before loading begins, while others prefer to pre-authorize a credit card. Bailey's Moving preauthorizes a credit card before loading.
Moving companies create their versions of binding and non-binding quotes. Bailey’s Moving uses two main types of estimates that Allied Van Lines established.
Why Inventory is so Important: One of our estimators said,
“If you list your king bed as the only thing going from the master bedroom and want to move the dressers and nightstands on moving day, we have to do a change order to make sure that the extra stuff is accounted for on the truck because it's not accounted for in the proposal.”
When Do You Use a Binding vs. Non-Binding Estimate?
Binding is based on the weight of the inventory, services, distance, and the number of allotted crews, and is best for a long-distance, interstate, or international move.
Non-binding works best for local and intrastate moves because costs are based on an hourly rate. Inventory and weight still matter – the inventory is double-checked on moving day to add additional items if necessary, and the mover weighs the truck on a certified scale to confirm the final end-of-day cost.
Why Get “Moving Insurance”? Pay a Little More to Save Big if Things Break
Technically, it’s not moving insurance. It’s called ‘Valuation’ and minimizes replacement expenses for items broken or lost during a move. This benefit of hiring a moving company is often overlooked but can save you hundreds or thousands in replacement costs if disaster strikes between point A and B. Ask the moving company you hire about Valuation, especially if you own expensive entertainment equipment, furniture, or tools. Spending more money to replace broken stuff after you move into a new place will crush that “fresh start” vibe.
Ask how much you can afford to replace if it’s lost or damaged during the move, then ask the estimator about how a little more cost can save hundreds or thousands of dollars if a moving mishap happens.
Released vs Full Valuation: Why Choose Full? Because Moving is Messy!
Full valuation is the most misunderstood and forgotten reason a customer can have a bad experience with their moving company. As a moving company that prides itself on customer service, we’re spreading the word about valuation’s role in a better relocation experience.
Released vs Full Valuation & Why it Matters so Much When you Relocate
Stuff breaks when you move – even when professional movers pack, load, and unload it. Anyone who’s relocated before knows the likelihood of losing a precious item or two during the process.
Release/Basic Valuation
Federal Law describes released or ‘basic valuation’ as a moving company's minimal per-pound repair or replacement rate. The moving company is only liable for a minimal amount rather than the declared value during your move. The company values your shipment at $0.60 per pound per item for repair or replacement if items are lost or broken.
Special note: The Federal Government requires movers to provide basic coverage to customers, but this policy is limited to $100 per pound for the weight of any article.
You must specifically ask for this basic option. By law, moving companies must default to full coverage and include the extra costs if a customer doesn’t request released valuation before moving day.
Let’s put $0.60 per pound in perspective. Your fancy $1,400 OLED TV weighs 50 pounds. The truck hits a pothole and breaks the TV. The moving company pays you $0.60 per pound - 50lbs multiplied by $0.60 per pound = $30
You get $30 to replace a $1,400 TV. Not good!
Full Valuation
It’s easier to think of it like “moving insurance” because it covers and reimburses you for damaged or lost items. The moving company is liable at a higher level for your ‘declared value’ and reimburses you for damaged or lost items at a higher rate.
“A stranger is driving a moving truck holding all your possessions: release valuation is playing the odds nothing expensive gets lost or broken.”
You choose the value of your shipment with full replacement coverage. The moving company will cover your belongings for that amount, subject to a deductible. That deductible can be $0, $250, or $500.
The deductible you choose fully covers your stuff, but it’s subject to your deductible and changes the cost of the protection.
One of three things will happen if something breaks or is lost:
- The item will be repaired.
- The item will be replaced with a similar item.
- A cash settlement for the item will be reached.
That same $1,400 TV is damaged. With full valuation, the moving company tries to repair it first. If it’s not repairable, try to replace it with a similarly valued item or provide a cash settlement for the value of the TV minus your deductible.
Special note: Discuss high-value items, such as artwork and antiques, before the move. Things valued at more than $100 per pound of their weight aren’t covered at their full value unless you disclose these items separately and in writing before your move.
Damaged and lost items are a reality for DIY and professional movers, and you might be fine with a few broken plates. Are you okay with replacing that fancy new TV or expensive couch? Probably not.
Learn more about valuation in “Don’t Forget Valuation: Protect Your Stuff if it Breaks on Moving Day.”
Even in Full Valuation: Why the Stuff You Packed Isn't Covered
Who Packs it is Responsible
Full Valuation does not cover damage that occurs inside a box you pack. Only visible evidence or damage on the outside of a box that they packed is covered. This rule protects movers from people hiding damaged items inside a box and blaming their moving company.
A moving company is responsible for fixing, replacing, or paying for any items that break inside a box they packed, based on the valuation policy you selected.
Damage to contents inside a box is most common when items aren’t packed properly. Read about how to pack boxes for your move and reduce the risk. Learn what movers can’t or won’t move.
Local, Interstate vs Intrastate: How Your Move Type Can Increase Costs
The distance of your move has a big impact on costs. Local moves are likely the cheapest, while international moves are the most expensive. It’s clear why longer distances equal more costs, so let’s go over the details.
Why it Costs Less When You Move Local: Shorter Distance = Decreased Expense
Local moves are short distances within the same city or state. Fewer logistics, time, and miles make this type of move the least expensive.
- Distance: Up to 50 miles
- Delivery Time: Same day
- Moving Company Costs: Hourly rate
- Crew: Loading & unloading, driver
- Typical Moving Day: Same crew is with you, loading the truck, driving to the destination, and unloading.
What is an Intrastate Move? Why it Costs a Little More
Relocating over 50 miles within the same state is an intrastate move. Intrastate can exceed 300 or 400 miles, and with greater distance comes greater cost.
- Distance: Over 50 miles (same state)
- Delivery Time: Same day or 1-2 days (depending on shipment size and/or distance from origin to destination)
- Moving Company Costs: Hourly rate or weight/mileage (longer intrastate moves are weight-based)
- Crew: Loading & unloading, driver
- Typical Moving Day: Same crew is with you, loading the truck, driving to the destination, unloading.
What is an Interstate Move? Why it Costs More
Transporting your things from state to state within the US is an interstate move.
- Distance: Out of state within the US (long-haul)
- Delivery Time: A 5-7 day delivery window
- Moving Company Costs: Interstate moving costs are calculated based on the weight and volume of your shipment and the distance it will travel.
- Crew: Long-haul driver who typically hires a crew to load, drives to your new state, and hires another crew to unload once they arrive.
- Typical Moving Day: One crew loads the truck and drives it to the new place. A different crew unloads.
For more on local, intrastate, and interstate moving, read “Three Key Differences Between Local, Intrastate, and Interstate Moving.”
What is an International Move? Why It’s so Expensive
Moving across the country is complex and requires more time, logistical coordination, and a full-service moving company’s assistance.
- Distance: Cross country
- Delivery Time: Several weeks
- Shipment Methods: Air and ocean freight, land transport, and door-to-port or port-to-port
- Customs & Prohibited Items: Food, plants, medications, and household belongings
Moving companies help you plan an international move and are familiar with the fees, import duties, and customs restrictions that can save you money.
See why Bailey’s Moving is a trusted mover for any move type.
How Much Does a Moving Company Cost? Pricing Secrets Revealed - How We Calculate Them
Room count is the most common misperception about how moving costs are calculated.
The number of rooms doesn’t matter as much as the amount of stuff in each room. A four-bedroom house with minimal stuff to move may cost less than a two-bedroom house packed with heavy items. It comes down to the inventory and how much it weighs to calculate costs.
- Inventory & Cubic feet
- Loading & unloading
- What’s in the rooms affects costs – pantry, basement, garage, and other higher-cost areas
- Breakdown from an estimator’s point of view:
- They look at these things first
- How do they write the inventory list
- Any misconceptions
Why It All Comes Down to Inventory & Cubic Feet – What is a Cubic Foot?
All items are typically measured in 1.5-cubic-foot increments – yes, even the furniture. Those cubic-foot increments equal 7 or 25 pounds, depending on item size and assumed density. It’s a bit confusing.
How it works:
The stuff that fits into a box is denser and weighs more. Furniture, of course, doesn’t fit in boxes, so movers record it on the inventory list by cubic footage and estimated weight.
- Picture a small moving box. It's 1.5 cubic feet.
- Smaller or lighter furniture weighs 7 lbs.
- Larger, heavier furniture and items that can be packed in a box weigh 25 pounds.
For example:
- A smaller, particle board office desk is 15 cubic feet in size, lighter weight, and 7 lbs.
- A larger, real wood desk with the same 15 cubic feet is a heavier 25 lbs.
- Shoes packed in a box are 1.5 cubic feet and 25 lbs.
Still confused? I was too – so, here’s how my interview with estimator Morgan Deering went.
Estimator Interview Snippets: I asked the questions for you
Me: Who sets the cubic foot standard?
Estimator: That's an Allied Standard
Me: “How can I picture a cubic foot?”
Estimator: “It's 1 foot by 1 foot, like a cubic box - 12 by 12. It's a little bit bigger than its actual dimensions. It's 12 by 18 by 12.”
Me: “Is it a little box?”
Estimator: “Yeah, a little less than a small moving box.”
Make Inventory and Cubic Feet Make More Sense
- Inventory: You create an inventory list of the belongings you’re moving.
- Divide by industry standards to calculate moving costs, including hours of work, truck and crew size, and equipment needed.
- Don’t forget to add the distance between loading and unloading locations – and storage unit stops.
- Cubic Feet & Weight:
- Convert each list item into cubic feet and weight (7 lbs. or 25 lbs.) based on size and density.
- Add everything to get the total weight.
- Times two for loading & unloading weight.
Room Count Averages: Still Curious About Number of Rooms?
Averages are based on house or apartment size for those who still want to know:
- 1 bedroom – up to 4,000 lbs.
- 2 bedroom – 4,000 – 6,000 lbs.
- 3 bedroom – 7,000 – 11,000 lbs.
- 4 bedroom - 15,000 + lbs.
Industry Standards for Loading & unloading
- One crew member can load 500 lbs. an hour.
- One crew member can unload 750 lbs. an hour.
We were surprised by the higher unloading number, too. Here’s why:
One of our estimators explained.
“It's easier to unload because you’re not stacking and arranging the items in the truck. Just taking it down and into a room is easier and faster.”
The number of crew members needed is calculated by the inventory weight. These numbers assume that there isn’t a heavier or bulkier item that requires more people to handle.
- Up to 4000 lbs.: 2 people
- 4,000 lbs. up to 7,000 lbs.: 3 people
- 7,000 lbs. up to 15,000 lbs.: 4 people
- Over 15,000 lbs. to 20,000 lbs.: 5 people max (the move is automatically scheduled as a two-day move)
Bailey’s Moving doesn’t schedule more than five people in a home to prevent people from getting in each other’s way.
Want more information on cubic feet and weight? Read “Cost of Moving Weight Cubic Feet Better Option.”
What’s in the Room Affects Costs: Why the Kitchen, Basement, & Garage Are Higher-Cost Areas
Our estimators agree that kitchens, basements, and garages are notorious for adding costs to a move. Are you surprised?
A kitchen’s weight is in:
- Pots & pans
- Dishes & glasses
- Small appliances
- A heavy mixer
- That fancy espresso machine
You use larger, taller boxes for long-handled cooking utensils, pots and pans, and things like cookie sheets.
Advice From an Estimator: Better Ways to Pack the Kitchen
People tend to use larger boxes in the kitchen, but …
- You can pack 200 lbs. into a taller box, but that’s too heavy to pick up and carry – 50 lbs. is a better box weight goal, so you can pick it up more easily.
- Heavier items in smaller boxes is a better way to pack.
- It’s better if glasses and dishes go into a specific dish pack - it's a different style box.
A finished basement can have:
- Dumbbells/Weights
- Big-screen TV
- Sectional couch for movie night
An unfinished basement:
- Big storage containers
- Vacuums
- Extra chairs
- Dining room table extenders
The Garage:
- Lawnmower
- Tools
- Storage containers
- Maybe a snowblower if it snows in that region
Breakdown from an estimator’s point of view:
A good professional moving experience starts with an estimate appointment. Your estimator and coordinator plan and execute a smoother, cost-efficient move with a more accurate picture of everything.
In-Person Estimates: The Things They Look at First
Me: “Someone schedules an estimate, and depending on whatever zip code they're in, that salesperson conducts a virtual or in-person quote appointment. What are the first questions you ask, or is there a checklist?”
Estimator: “Every salesman does it a little differently. Typically, the first thing is - what are we trying to accomplish today with the walkthrough?”
How Do Estimators Write the Inventory List?
Estimators at Bailey’s Moving use a software tool to create the inventory list, calculate the weight, and add service expenses to give customers a more accurate quote.
Your initial inventory list comes in handy during this part as you walk through each room, listing everything in the house that's moving. You want to get all the rooms, closets, storage areas, and crawl spaces.
A list of everything that isn’t moving is equally important. The “Not Moving” list helps the client and driver notice if items meant to stay are accidentally loaded into the truck.
It prevents confusion and extra costs when “not moving” items inadvertently end up on the moving truck.
Top Estimate & Moving Day Misconceptions and the Truth
Misconception: We mentioned earlier that the number of rooms doesn’t matter as most people think.
The Truth: The room count is noted, but the number doesn’t factor into the pricing.
Misconception: Cubic feet & boxes - What your stuff looks like in cubic feet
The Truth: Imagine 15 cubic feet as 15 boxes - 15 boxes stacked in a truck is a good chunk of space.
Misconception: Moving companies tend to charge you for every little thing.
The Truth: Bailey’s Moving sticks to the agreed-upon inventory list in an estimate, but it sometimes allows a couple of smaller, lighter items to be added to the truck on moving day, if they stay within 10% of the weight.
Misconception: Moving companies tend to charge you for every little thing.
The Truth: Bailey’s Moving sticks to the agreed upon inventory list in an estimate, but it sometimes does allow for a couple of smaller, lighter items added to the truck on moving day that stay within 10% of the weight.
Me: So, do you guys allow for a little fudging?
Estimator: That happens all the time if people open a closet that's packed with Christmas totes on moving day.
From Packing to Loading on Moving Day: Calculating the Costs Through Each Step
Every move is different, but the process is mostly the same: you pack what fits into boxes, load your belongings into a truck, drive everything to the new place, and unload it all. Certain factors impact every move, such as:
- Move Type/Distance: local, intrastate, interstate, & international
- Inventory: inventory weight, hours & crew size needed to move it, and oversized items = more effort
- Dwelling Type: apartments on higher floors or harder-to-access elevators vs. single-family ranch homes with no stairs
- Moving Day Complications: longer loading or unloading paths, steeper driveways, narrow roads, and additional storage unit stops
- Move Timing: Peak season & winter weather
How Much Does It Cost to Move: Packing Before Moving Day
Let’s unpack this universal cost (pun intended). Packing costs are based on industry standards.
How Many Boxes Will You Need
Industry standards give us a way to calculate the average number of boxes needed for different apartment or house room counts. Keep in mind that a bigger house with fewer items or a smaller house with more items will change how many boxes you actually need.
The number of boxes is based on the number of items.
- Two bedrooms: 60 – 70 boxes (4,000 – 6,000 lbs.)
- Three bedrooms:100 – 200 boxes (7,000 – 11,000 lbs.)
- Four bedrooms: 200 + boxes
On the Extreme Side:
- A home with over 300 items or 22,000 lbs. to move needs 160 boxes.
- A one-bedroom can have 10,000 lbs. of stuff.
- A two-bedroom with 100 boxes but no furniture
- A big house and no boxes, only specific furniture and personal stuff
We are going full transparency on moving costs through a move type/distance lens from packing to moving day. Read along with us.
Items That Fit into a Box vs. Furniture That Doesn’t Fit
1.5 cubic boxes on average weigh about 25 lbs. When you're talking about furniture, a cubic foot of furniture typically can weigh 7 lbs. per cubic foot.
How Much Does It Cost to Move: Loading on Moving Day
It’s hard to name just one reason to hate moving. Besides packing, loading on your move day is a strong reason. It’s a given that something will go wrong, adding time, stress, and money to an already tough day. Luckily, you can learn from our customers’ mishaps and keep mishaps to a minimum.
Keep these ‘Moving Day Mishaps’ in mind as you get ready for your move:
Moving Day Mishap #1 – Smaller Last-Minute Items
Do yourself a favor and double-check every room and storage space, so you find and document everything you need to move on that inventory list. Loading a couple of smaller, lighter last-minute items might not impact final costs, but several will.
Moving Day Mishap #2 – Larger Last-Minute Items
Selling unwanted items is a great way to declutter. But sometimes a sale falls through, and you’re stuck with a washer and dryer to move.
Estimator Advice:
“Let your mover know before moving day if you had planned to sell your washer & dryer but couldn’t. Moving a washer & dryer that’s not on the inventory list will likely add additional costs.”
Moving Day Mishap #3 – You’re Still Packing Items
It’s easy to underestimate how much packing you need to do to be 100% ready for moving day. Packing after the movers have arrived, especially if they help finish that task, adds time and possible expenses to your day.
Stick to a schedule that keeps you all packed or add that service to your quote, so you’re done when it’s time to load everything into the truck.
Local Moves: How Much Does It Cost to Move a House or Apartment?
A quick refresher – local moves are:
- Shorter, up to 50 miles
- Usually one day
- Smaller trucks
- Non-binding estimate
- Less complicated
- You are with the crew throughout the process.
Moving expenses can differ for single-family houses and apartments, even with comparable inventory lists and weights. Talk with your estimator or coordinator if any of these potential expenses apply to you, as they can increase hours worked, change equipment needs, require more crew members, and lead to more complex logistics.
Potential Additional Costs
- Difficult Terrain: Movers may park the truck farther away from the property if steep driveways, unpaved areas, or narrow roads are an issue. Parking down the street or farther away requires more equipment or extra steps to get the items into the new place.
- Downtown Areas: Parking restrictions and longer moving paths can increase costs with delays and fees.
- Stairs: Loading and unloading take more time, effort, and people when you live above the second or third floor. Extra stairs will increase moving costs.
“If we're walking and it's a local, they're specifically looking for an inventory and a price.”
How are Local Moving Costs Calculated?
Since local moves are under 50 miles, less complex, and can be completed in one day, costs are based on the number of hours required to complete the move. The inventory and weight are used to estimate how many hours the move should take. Miles and driving time are added to the final price.
One Day of Moving Example - 10,000 lbs. & four crew members:
- Bailey’s Moving adds 10,000 lbs. of loading to 10,000 lbs. of unloading for 20,000 total lbs.
- We divide 20,000 lbs. by the average to load and unload at 650 lbs. per hour.
- Moving day = 30.7 hours to load and unload (not including driving times or any delays)
- Four crew members = close to 7 1/2 -hour day
- Driving expenses start when the driver leaves one of Bailey’s Moving facilities and are included in the final price.
- The total distance includes miles from the origin to the destination; any storage unit stops; and trips to a certified weighing station for longer intrastate moves.
How Interstate Moving Costs Are Different: A Deep Dive into Moving Expenses
Interstate or long-distance moves are more complex and are usually booked with a one-week delivery date range. Moving costs are based on weight and distance, and your stuff is most likely sectioned off in a truck with other customers.
“If it's Interstate, it's a little more entailed. They're looking for that kind of consultative handholding approach to try and figure out what exactly they need.”
A Breakdown of Interstate Moving Costs
- Loading everything into the truck
- Transporting the shipment from the original location to the destination.
- Longer distances cost more.
- Unloading everything into the new place
- For most interstate moves, movers load the shipment, drive to the new destination, and unload it.
- A different crew will typically unload the shipment into the new place.
- Moving an automobile will add to costs.
- Long-term and short-term storage costs are common interstate moving expenses.
Moving Prices Tell All Conclusion:
Hiring a moving company makes sense if you want to make a fresh start without the pain in the beginning and middle of that journey. We revealed the industry standards and details behind moving quotes to make that part of the process less stressful, now try our online moving cost estimator or schedule a quote appointment.
