One of the first and essential things to do before relocating is to, at least roughly, estimate your moving budget. If you are moving for the first time, it might be quite challenging to do it because you don’t have much information on the overall moving price. How much does moving cost? This article will help provide a clearer insight into calculating your relocation budget and the pricing you can expect from the movers.
Straight to the point: What is the average price for relocation?
When we mention the pricing, it is important to distinguish the local moves and the long distance ones. For local relocation, you can expect the pricing to go from around $300 for a small (one-bedroom) home to around $1500 for a big (four-bedroom) apartment or house. As for the long distance (cross-state) relocations, you can expect the pricing to go from around $1000 for the smallest home to about $5000 for the four-bedroom house or apartment.
How is the cost formed?
Each relocation company might have a different way to calculate the pricing, but the most common factors for determining the price are the hours spent, the weight of the belongings (in some cases), the size of the apartment or house, as well as the moving distance (especially in the long-distance relocations).
Other factors that affect the pricing
- Packing kits and supplies – it is a big difference whether you are buying the packing kits or if you got them for free, or if you are winging it with some of your old boxes and the stuff you already have at home. If there is a lot to pack and you are moving out from a big house, this can seriously change your budget.
- Relocation dates – one of the most influential factors is the time you decide or have to, move. The date is crucial, and you have to think double – the time of the year, but also the day in a week. Weekdays are more affordable than the weekends, just like summertime is always more expensive because that’s when most of the people decide to relocate. Be mindful of both of these factors.
- Pro packers – Do you want to pack on your own or to hire your relocation team to do the packing for you? Many people call the packing service ‘the lux service’ since it minimizes your worry and time spent on organizing the relocation. That is why professional packing services are charged extra and usually aren’t cheap. If hiring the pro packers is a necessity for you, make sure to compare the pricing of the different movers and choose the one that suits you the best.
- Special, fragile items – relocating regular furniture and a huge piano or some kind of special machine can’t be charged the same. Many moving companies will charge additional fees for such items.
- Moving insurance – the pricing can also depend on the level of the insurance coverage you need. In some cases, the customers need additional coverage for specialty items, which is usually charged extra. Check your own insurance policy, as well as the insurance policies of the moving company you choose – that way you will see how much it can add up to the budget.
