Hiring a moving company can be a great way to make your relocation easier and less stressful. But, it's important to understand how much you'll be paying for their services. The cost of a move depends on several factors, such as the size of the move, special items, distance, weight, ancillary services, season, and additional fees and charges. If you're hiring a national chain, keep in mind that they may subcontract to local companies for shorter moves.
The consumer is usually not charged hourly rates, but there may be additional charges for stairs, long hauls, and transportation services. To save money on your move, you can purge items you no longer need in advance and move out of season (such as winter). The total cost of a local move will depend mainly on how long it takes the moving staff to load and unload the truck - the more items you have, the more you'll pay to move them. When moving to a warehouse, moving companies will charge based on the weight of the goods and the length of time they are stored.
For interstate moves, the cost will be determined by the weight of your belongings and the distance between your old home and your new one. It's important to ask your moving company what is included in their hourly rate and what additional charges you may incur. Long-distance moves will be more expensive than local moves. The area you're in can also affect your moving experience and total cost - if you're moving locally within Los Angeles, for example, climbing two flights of stairs will take your moving crew much longer than the same move in a single-level home.
Moving companies have specific rates for each type of move that determine the final cost.
