Moving is exhausting and stressful for almost everyone. First-time movers dread it for the "how do I do this" energy. People who've moved before have flashbacks, still-unpacked boxes, and emotional scars from their last move.
The Anytime Estimate article, “2025 Data: 70% of Americans Have Regrets About Moving,” captured how Americans who moved last year felt about their move. Over 80% of those movers were stressed, and 42% cried during their move.
I’m a "Tired Girl" with a lot of moves in my past – 7 total moves if you didn’t believe me. I cried while moving and was not ashamed to say it. I've learned from my costly mistakes. Working at Bailey's Moving helps too.
Life happens while you’re getting ready to move. Packing your life into boxes and moving strains tight schedules and budgets. This article gives you steps and moving checklists, information behind confident decision-making, and advice so that first-time movers and moving veterans can feel less anxiety:
- Clear Estimate/Quote Answers: What they are, how they’re calculated, types, and clear answers to big binding vs. non-binding questions.
- Surprising Moving Process Details: Valuation, moving inventory lists, and how to make a hybrid moving method work for you and your wallet.
- Moving Intrastate vs. Interstate: Calculating costs, logistics to include in your quote, and unexpected expenses.
- Honest Advice About Moving Day: Ways to reduce time and effort, and the details that help you avoid time-consuming and costly mistakes.
"With moving, the smallest mistake can be disastrous – longer hours, additional costs, and moving regrets may haunt you until your next move."
First: Clear Answers on What You Need to Know About Moving to Colorado
At least ten things will have gone wrong by the time the last box in your new place is unpacked. While you can’t control bad weather on moving day, you can control how well you plan.
Step 1 – Confirm When Your Move Needs to Happen & How Much Does a Moving Company Cost?
The goal is to prevent feeling frantic before it starts. Nail down your move-out and move-in dates to:
- Have time to get moving company estimates and find one with availability on your target dates.
- Create schedules for packing, time off, and transferring utilities.
- Map out logistics you know – origin to destination distance, storage units to pack, garage sales to have, and stuff you can pack first vs. last.
Step 2 – Decide How You Will Move & How Much Stuff You Want to Move
Check your budget and start figuring out which moving method means doing less of the hardest stuff. Make sure you have to do less packing, carrying heavy furniture and boxes, and loading the truck.
- List what you think you want to move, what you don't want, and any storage unit items.
- Call several moving companies for estimates to compare and choose the best one.
- Consider the options: 100% DIY, a full-service moving company, or hiring services such as packing, loading, and unloading.
Step 3 – Hire a Moving Company
- Make sure to tell your moving company if you need to load a storage unit before moving day. Unexpected stops add to your final cost.
- Finalize your moving estimate:
- Whether it's a binding or non-binding quote.
- The inventory list and moving company services.
- Choose Full Valuation or Released Valuation. Make sure you specify to the estimator if you want the free, minimal Released Valuation. Federal law requires that a moving company default to Full Value Protection if a customer does not request the Released Valuation.
- Confirm the origin-to-destination distance and any stops along the way.
Step 4 – And So It Begins – Getting Started on Your Move
Follow these steps if you're handling all the work or hiring a moving company for some of it.
- Go through each room and list what you’re packing or getting rid of.
- Go back through each room and check cabinets & drawers so you don’t miss anything.
- Create a written or mental packing schedule so everything is in boxes. Big items are ready to load, or in a selling or donating pile.
- Start packing one or two rooms a day, depending on your timeframe.
Better Get Moving: Truth is, You Actually Have More Stuff & Less Time
Tired Girl’s Moving Mistake #1: Underestimating how much stuff I had to pack, load, and unload. It didn’t end well.
Tired Girl’s Moving Tip: Walk around your house or apartment to get a realistic sense of how much stuff you have and want to move. Ask people for names of good moving companies and call a few for estimates.
Industry wisdom says to get at least three quotes. Estimators or sales reps look at each room, list what you’re moving, and give you an idea of the moving costs. Estimate appointments are in person or virtual.
There are questions about cost/price calculations, inventory vs. home size, quote types, and binding vs. non-binding. Sit back, relax, and read clear answers to your questions. Bailey’s Moving has heard all the questions – these are the top ones.
What is a Moving Estimate?
Also known as a quote, this written document is a great budgeting and decision-making tool. Several quotes give you a range of costs, so you can decide if you’ll move DIY, with a moving company, or a combination of both.
How Are Move Estimates Calculated?
Most movers associate the number of bedrooms with costs. Naturally, more rooms mean higher costs. That is sort of correct. The answer is nuanced.
Most moving estimates are based on inventory. You and your moving company create a moving inventory list. The mover breaks the inventory down by weight to calculate truck and crew sizes, hours to complete, and the amount of moving supplies/equipment. Your estimate includes these elements – but start with the inventory list.
Want to learn more? Read “Moving Estimates: Insider Answers on Binding vs. Non-Binding & How They are Calculated.”
How Move Estimates Are Calculated – A Deep Dive
Most moving companies, including Bailey’s Moving, use industry standards to keep pricing reasonable, accurate, and simplified.
Industry standards:
- Use cubic feet and pounds
- Typical measurement is 1.5-cubic-foot increments
- A small moving box = 1.5 cubic feet
- 1.5 cubic feet = 7 lbs. for lighter stuff and 25 lbs. for heavier stuff
- Furniture & items that don’t fit into a box are converted into cubic feet and pounds
- Smaller & lighter furniture = 7 lbs. per 1.5 cubic feet
- Bigger & heavier furniture = 25 lbs. per 1.5 cubic feet
- Items that fit into a moving box are usually denser & heavier = 25 lbs.
- A box of books = 25 lbs.
- A box of socks = 25 lbs.
These areas are notorious for packing on the “moving pounds.”
Heavy or bulky equipment and tools in:
- Garage
- Basement
- Workshops
How Much Does It Cost to Move a House?
Estimators calculate the total weight of your move with the same industry standards. Most people associate house size or number of bedrooms with moving quotes.
- 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.
The nuance:
A bigger house or apartment with more rooms likely has more stuff or inventory to move, which means higher costs. A larger home with less or lighter stuff can cost less.
Read our “How Much Does it Cost to Move a House?” article to learn more about moving costs.
Tired Girl’s Bonus Advice: Donate or sell some of the furniture, clothes, and books in your 4-bedroom house - move less stuff, reduce costs, and have less work on moving day.
What is Valuation and Why is it so Important During My Move?
We've completed more than 100,000 moves and know that confusion about what happens if something breaks during a move can lead to frustration with moving companies. That's why I mentioned choosing valuation as part of finalizing your estimate in step three.
Per Federal law, we tell you that valuation is not insurance, but it's easier to think of it as paying for protection in case something breaks.
Valuation with a mover works the same as shipping an item with UPS or FedEx and "declaring" its value, only on a larger scale. It determines how financially responsible the moving company is if something is lost or damaged. Unlike insurance, valuation is governed by federal law and applies to all moving companies.
Valuation is important to mitigate the financial impact if an item or items break on moving day. Ask yourself how much it will cost to replace your belongings if they get lost or damaged during your move.
What’s the difference between Released Valuation and Full Value Protection?
Released Valuation is free, basic protection and reimburses you a minimal amount for lost or damaged items.
- Pays $0.60 per pound per item
- A 50 lb TV = $30 reimbursement
- Minimal protection
Full Value Protection is paid and adds more cost to your estimate. It's worth it if something breaks on moving day.
- Covers repair, replacement, or cash settlement
- You choose your deductible: $0, $250, $500
- Best for protecting high-value or essential items
There are two caveats before we move on.
- Movers will not cover damage inside a box you packed yourself unless there’s clear external damage to the box. If you want full protection for boxed items, have the moving company pack those boxes for you.
- You can change your valuation option up to moving day, but you must do it before the truck is loaded.
Need Help? Clear Estimate Types & Binding vs. Non-Binding Answers
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. There are two main estimate types: total price guarantee (TPG) and guaranteed rate reduction (GRR).
Total Price Guarantee (TPG):
The binding estimate price reflects the contracted inventory weight. The weight of the inventory being moved is factored into the pricing, so customers who add items to the list on moving day increase the weight and often end up paying more. The driver weighs the truck on a CAT scale roughly 50 miles from the destination property.
Guaranteed Rate Reduction (GRR):
The estimate is the contracted weight of your inventory, like TPG. However, with GRR, customers can get money back if the actual weight on moving day is lower than the estimated weight. The reimbursement amount is based on a per-100-pound rate.
400N:
Based on actual weight and miles, the lesser-known and used 400N estimate gives the customer a refund if the weight is less than the estimate, calculated at a per-pound rate. It can make the final cost unpredictable, so customers with an accurate inventory weight might choose this option. Most customers who are unsure of their inventory weight feel more comfortable with TPG and GRR.
Bailey’s Moving mainly uses TPG for interstate and non-binding for intrastate and local moves. Discuss the options with a moving coordinator or sales representative to find the best one for you.
Moving quotes have much in common; whether an estimate is binding or non-binding sets the level of commitment for both parties.
What Are Binding vs. Non-Binding Estimates?
Estimates are written documents that:
- List the inventory of stuff you want to move
- Detail the scope of that job
- Weight of the inventory
- Packing, loading, unloading, and other services
- Crew and truck sizes, equipment needed
- Distance between the pickup and drop-off locations
- Calculate the expected costs
- Help the mover and customer control or predict final costs
Binding commits a moving company to the amount quoted in the written document, including inventory, all services provided, and additional items. A company is only bound to the written estimate. Additional items or services are added to the final cost with a change request.
Non-binding is more of a "true" estimate because the moving company and customers don't start moving day at a fixed price. The actual cost depends on the final inventory, additional services, and any added stops. Companies estimate the customer's load size before moving day and weigh the loaded trucks to confirm the actual weight and determine the final cost.
Another, less common option is a binding quote that gives the customer a refund if the weight is less than the estimate, calculated at a per-pound rate.
The nuance: We're emphasizing that estimates are pre-move calculations because end-of-moving-day charges are annoying. Think of that estimate inventory list like the last time an uninvited guest crashed an event and was turned away or paid to get in. Last-minute inventory items add to your final moving day price.
Further nuance: Additional stops will also increase your actual cost before waving goodbye to the crew. We mention this because Bailey’s Moving stops to load a storage unit for about 90% of our customers.
Packing Sucks: How to Make it a Little Easier
Tired Girl’s Moving Mistake #2: Assuming I had plenty of time, procrastinating, and packing a few boxes a day, which wasn’t enough to finish by moving day. I wasn’t even close to done!
Tired Girl’s Moving Tip: Packing is the center of it all, so get it done. Stick to a realistic schedule.
Packing and moving day's back-breaking nature is the most hated part of the process. One of our estimators told me we take 3 times as long to pack as a professional mover. Why? We're emotionally attached to what we're packing. We stop to look through photo albums or procrastinating because moving sucks. We also underestimate just about everything about packing, loading, and unloading our stuff.
"Stay calm and pack it all! Moving procrastination hurts!"
Our average local moving schedule:
- You need between 60 to 70 boxes to pack a 2-bedroom home.
- A Bailey's Moving crew member can pack seven boxes an hour, which equals 60 boxes.
- A professional mover can pack a 2-bedroom house in one 8.5-hour day.
Do yourself a favor and declutter. Sell or donate as much as possible so you have less to pack. Consider hiring a moving company to pack if you tend to procrastinate or are too busy and won’t finish before moving day.
Learn more about estimated vs. actual packing hours and procrastination in our article “Top Reasons Moving Happens in 2025: Local CO Trends & Why It’s More Stressful.”
How far you move affects the complexity and costs.
Moving Intrastate vs. Interstate? Best Ways to Move Easier & Still Save Money
Moving company prices are calculated differently for local, intrastate, and interstate moves. Logistics and planning also vary depending on the type of move. People often consider intrastate and local moves the same. While both involve moving to a new location within the same state, they differ in distance and how moving companies calculate costs.
Local:
Any move under 50 miles is generally considered a local move. On moving day, the crew will be with you (in most cases) throughout the process, including loading and unloading.
- Moving distance: 50 miles or less
- Estimate Type: Non-binding
- Moving company prices: Hourly rate
Local moves are priced by the hour. Local move rates vary depending on the size of the crew, with a two-mover and one truck industry standard. Adding an extra crew member or two will help finish faster and help pay less overall. Bailey’s Moving typically has a maximum of 5 crew members per job to avoid bottlenecks. Time starts when the truck leaves the warehouse.
Intrastate:
Relocating over 50 miles within the same state is an intrastate move. Some intrastate moves can exceed 300 or 400 miles, and with greater distance comes greater cost.
- Moving distance: 50 miles or more (long-distance)
- Estimate Type: Non-binding
- Moving company prices: Hourly rate or weight/mileage
- Longer intrastate moves are weight-based.
Interstate:
Transporting your belongings within the US from state to state is an interstate move. Moving from one state to another requires delivering your shipment from the original location to the destination. The driver typically hires a crew to load, drives to your new state, and hires another crew to unload once they arrive.
- Moving distance: Long-haul
- Estimate Type: Binding
- Moving company prices: Interstate moving costs are calculated based on the weight and volume of your shipment and the distance it will travel.
Here are two articles with more about local, intrastate, interstate, and international moves.
- How Movers Perform Intrastate, Interstate, and International Moves
- Three Key Differences Between Local, Intrastate, and Interstate Moving
Be Prepared for Moving Day: All Packed & Enough Help You'll Thank Me Later
Tired Girl’s Moving Mistake #3: Thinking I could rent a U-Haul truck and move everything with three friends and three kiddos who were too young to help much.
I realized right after closing on my new house that I needed to hire a moving company. After frantically calling a few companies, one company was available. They arrived four hours later to start moving me. Since we started moving so late, I needed extra time and spent $250 renting my house for the day.
Tired Girl’s Moving Tip: If you have five bedrooms of stuff but not that many people to help you, hire a moving company for the truck, loading, and unloading at least.
Be realistic about moving yourself. If you’re a single parent moving out of a big house, DIY moving is extra challenging – unless you have a lot of strong family and friends with huge trucks and will show up to help you for about 8-9 hours.
A Local Move Example:
A 10,000 lb. move = 20,000 lbs. to load & unload, divided by the average of 650 lbs. = 30.7 hours of work – takes 7.5 hours with four people.
Moving Checklist & Clear Steps to Help Make Better Decisions
Most moving process steps and checklists cover the basics, but a few logistics are unique to each property type and location. This checklist catches small details and helps avoid mistakes that can derail your move.
Best Advice & Details to Know for Moving into a House/Apartment Goals & Checklist
Tired Girl’s Moving Tip: "If you're selling the house, ask for a day or two's grace period to move out so you don't have to rent it, as I did."
The Goal – Move the least amount of stuff in the fastest possible time without crying:
Sell or donate anything you don’t use or like that much.
- Closets: clothes & shoes
- Basement & man cave: furniture & old TVs
- Garage: broken lawnmowers & that 5th snow shovel
- Crawlspaces: 1980s wrapping paper & that sad old Christmas tree
The Goal – Leave less cleaning for moving day when you’re exhausted:
- Before you pack: Load up on cleaning supplies.
- As you pack: Clean each room once it’s packed.
- Double-check: Make sure nothing was left in rooms, cupboards, drawers, crawlspaces, and basement storage areas.
The Goal – Minimize wasted time & effort on moving day:
- Organize & pack your “moving myself” stuff: pack computers, financial papers, jewelry, and anything you need to keep track of & load into your vehicle.
- Dismantle Stuff: If you can, dismantle beds or take the legs off that oversized couch, barely able to squeeze through the door.
- Review HOA: restrictions & rules and address if applicable.
- Clear the loading path: before the moving truck arrives, if it snows.
- Secure drawers or doors that might open during loading or unloading.
- Confirm with movers: they will arrive at the scheduled time.
The Goal – You can focus on unpacking and establishing new routines:
- Utilities & Internet: Call or go online to transfer or cancel.
- Change-of-address: Get forms or go online.
- Pack a “first night kit” with:
- Bedding
- Toiletries
- Chargers
- A couple of outfits
- Basic kitchen items (coffee, mugs, utensils)
Apartment Moving Checklist (4–6 weeks before your move-out date):
Apartment moving is different. This checklist helps you avoid wasting time and frustration on an already stressful day.
- Notify your landlord.
- Confirm and make sure the moving company complies with insurance requirements.
- Confirm and get permission if there are designated moving hours.
- Confirm & get permission to use if there is a “dedicated moving elevator” (this saves time & money on moving day).
- Obtain the necessary permission to prop a door open.
- Confirm loading areas – downtown apartment buildings often have curb parking restrictions that can add additional expenses for “long carry” over 150 feet.
Moving to Colorado Conclusion
A local, intrastate, or interstate move is stressful, but it shouldn’t make you cry. Whether you’re moving to an apartment or house, getting and comparing estimates to choose a good moving company to help with all or some of the hardest parts can ease overwhelm and exhaustion. Learn from my mistakes during the moving process steps. Proactively start the process and avoid some "oops" moments. If you skip at least one or two mistakes, this article did its job.
Let the Bailey’s Moving family move you and your family. Start here and get a free quote.
