Costs to budget for when moving Homes

Congratulations! Or best wishes! Depending on your stance when it comes to moving. With all the time and hassle involved in finding a new place, the move should be the easy part, right? We think so. There are many ways to get your stuff from point A to point B and this article shows you the costs to budget for when moving homes and it delivers some cost saving moving tips.

What’s in it for you:

1. Four ways you can come in on budget when moving homes
2. Costs to include in every home moving budget 
3. Moving expenses most homeowners overlook but shouldn’t  

Overview of home moving costs to consider

Moving all your personal belongings from one place to another is easier said than done. The good news is you can budget for professional help and time saving equipment to get moved into your new home. Before putting the sold sign in the lawn, consider these home moving costs:

a. Hiring professional movers
$25 to $60 per hour for each worker for local moves.1

b. Hiring a full-service moving company
$1,500 to $6,000 depending on distance and square footage.

c. Moving truck rental
$75 for small trucks and local moves up to $1,750 for large trucks and long-distance home moves.

d. Renting a moving container
$600 to $5,000 depending on size and distance.

How much it costs to hire a home moving company

The ideal move may consist of paying your friends in beer and pizza to load a U-Haul. But, if you have a family-sized household of life’s belongings, that’s a big ask! Which is why we break down what it takes and how much it costs to hire a moving company below:

How much professional movers cost for short distance moves

Short distance moves are 100 miles or less and are typically paid at an hourly rate of $75 to $150 for three professional movers. For a better understanding of the costs to budget for when moving homes, here’s the average cost of short distance moves when hiring professional movers:

The cost of hiring long-distance professional movers

Long distance moves are journeys beyond 100 miles. The cost to move homes long-distance using a professional moving company ranges from $2,000 to $5,000 per load. The distance covered isn’t the only thing that will affect your moving costs. Movers typically increase their fee to move large or heavy items like pool tables and gun safes, however, the additional charge is usually a pre-agreed upon flat fee (the average cost to move a pool table or gun safe is $450). So, think about the extra heavy and large items you own and be sure to discuss them and agree upon a price before selecting your professional moving company.

Doing so will result in an accurate home moving budget and ensure your professional movers have the equipment necessary to get all your belongings from point A to point B.

How much it costs to hire a full-service home moving company

Hiring full service moving companies is the pinnacle of moving homes and are therefore, not surprisingly, the most expensive. Full-service moving companies handle everything from packing, loading, driving, unloading, and unpacking at your new home. The cost to hire full-service movers can range from $3,000 to $10,000 but the experience goes beyond the norm. They also pack and unpack boxes, assemble, and reassemble furniture, and handle all clean up. If you can afford a full-service moving company, it’s the crème de la crème of moving homes, however, those who are more budget conscious are better off selecting a more economical moving option.

The cost of renting a moving truck

Renting a moving truck is an affordable way to cut your moving expenses. The standard for renting a truck is an upfront fee plus a flat fee per mile traveled.

For shorter moves, you can expect to pay around $100 to rent a moving truck plus $1 per mile driven. The cost of moving truck rentals for long-distance ranges from $800 to $3,000. Factors which affect your total cost to rent a moving truck include your truck’s size, how long you’ll need the rental, and fuel costs.

Save yourself time and money by packing with a purpose, the biggest mistake people make is over packing.

How much it costs to rent a moving container

Moving containers are weatherproof steel framed boxes that double as storage space and are dropped off on your driveway so that you can pack at your leisure. If you aren’t comfortable with movers going through your stuff, this option lets you work at your own pace and pack how you want. When your stuff is packed, you simply schedule a time with your moving container company to pick up the container, and they ship it to your new address.

Depending on the company, size, and how far you’re going, the average cost of renting a moving container is $800 to $5,000. If you’re moving locally and don’t have many items, you can find prices online starting around $300 with companies like PODS.

Protect your belongings when moving homes with insurance

Whether it’s you or a moving company transporting all your belongings, damage and losses are inevitable. To balance this risk, you should consider, and we recommend budgeting for movers’ insurance. Here are the various coverages to help protect your property:

• Release value protection coverage. This coverage is offered, often provided at no extra cost but provides minimal protection. This insures your items 60 cents per pound, per item. For example, if your three-pound coffee maker is valued at $80, you would receive only $1.80 ($0.60 cents multiplied by 3 pounds). But hey, it’s better than no home moving insurance.
• Full value protection coverage. This is the most comprehensive moving insurance and not surprisingly is the costliest coverage. With full value protection coverage, your mover is on the hook for the full replacement value of any lost or damaged item. If you make a claim, your mover has the option to repair or replace or offer you a cash settlement for the item.
• Separate liability coverage. For an added fee, some moving companies offer separate coverage through third-party insurance providers. Your mover will still be responsible for release value protection, but the added insurance policy will cover any damage or losses up to the amount of the policy your purchased.

FAQ’s - Costs to budget for when moving homes

1. What items will home moving companies not handle?
a. Movers typically won’t handle perishables, hazardous items, gasoline, oil, paint, chlorine, bleach, lighter fluid, explosives, and ammunition.

2. What’s the best way to estimate the cost of moving homes?
a. We recommend using an online moving calculator. Their accuracy will increase as you enter more details so be sure to include things like the number of movers, flights of stairs, and distance traveled. You can also request a custom quote from professional moving companies which are usually free.

3. How can I save on home moving costs?
a. Garage sales. Garage sales kill two birds with one stone, selling off extra clothes and furniture makes your move both lighter and you get a little cash to help reduce your out of pocket moving expenses.
b. Donate. Companies like Goodwill and Salvation Army live off donations. All you do is choose what to donate and how to get it there. You won’t get any compensation (though you will get a tax-write-off!), but the donated items will finally be someone else’s problem.
c. 1-800-GOT-JUNK. Companies like 1-800-GOT-JUNK deliver a personal garbage truck to your location and provide loading services for your unwanted items. However, you can expect to pay $200 to $500 for this service.

Avoid the cost of moving homes entirely

If you’re ready to move home’s, choose a moving solution that fits within your budget. Don’t want to plan, clean, or pay for moving all together? Good Vibes Homebuyers will pay for your move and can even help you find and buy your next place! Contact Phil and Will today!