Why Moving is Expensive: An Expert's Perspective

Moving is expensive, and it's no secret why. It requires a lot of time, labor, specialized equipment, and considerable skill. You're paying for the work of moving crews on both sides, and for all of the other costs associated with the move. According to surveys, nearly 20% of moves across the country are due to families moving from smaller houses and apartments to larger, better-equipped ones.

The other 85% are due to factors such as death and divorce, corporate transfers, retirement, and young adults starting out on their own. In most cases, sellers are charged between 4 and 7% of the sale price of the home, which can be a large amount for expensive residences. Customers who pay for their own moves tend to focus on basic expenses such as packaging, labor, and transportation, but lost wages can also be costly. According to the American Moving & Storage Association, only 20% of moves result in a claim.

It's easy to understand why people might be tempted to move themselves instead of hiring a professional moving company. But in reality, professional movers are not as expensive as they seem. Unpakt evaluated more than 500 moving companies and narrowed them down to the top 4 in the country. They spent 260 hours researching container moving and storage companies to find the best prices, customer service, and fastest deliveries so you don't have to.

Moving during peak season (spring or summer) is more expensive than other times of year due to higher demand. A YouGov survey revealed that out of 8,233 adults surveyed, 16% reported that they had moved out of their current homes during the pandemic and 9% moved to an entirely different city. This has caused an increase in prices and changes in movement patterns. We did an in-depth analysis of why moving across the country is so expensive right now, what factors are at play in the decision to move, and where people have decided to move.

Good moving workers can find an efficient solution to any “moving problem”: they can overcome all kinds of relocation obstacles and provide the necessary services to ensure a smooth and successful relocation. If you compare the moving companies on Unpakt, you'll find that most companies have very reasonable rates considering the time, effort, and skill they put into making your move smooth and hassle-free. A DIY move will cost you much more than you think: you will have to pay not only for the rented moving truck but also for packing supplies, auxiliary moving equipment, fuel, vehicle insurance, parking fees, tolls, meals and accommodation on the way. Hiring professional carriers will ensure your peace of mind: you will know that your possessions are handled by experienced professionals and that you have reliable assistance at every step of the relocation process. The cost of a move is determined by the number of belongings being moved (usually based on the number or type of rooms in your home), the distance of the move, the number of people needed for the move, and how many additional supplies or services are needed. In either case - whether you hire a professional mover or do it yourself - you will lose much more money than you would have paid to hire a moving company who would have done a safe and smooth relocation. Last but not least, if you move home on the same day you may not need a storage fee that automatically applies. The experienced approach of professional carriers saves time and space (not to mention hassle and potential problems).

Of course, there are certain times when moving becomes more expensive than others - but over the last year and a half it has been especially difficult for those looking for a reasonable price. In fairy tales families never need temporary storage or accommodation because they can always move from their old house to the new one in just one day - but in reality this isn't always possible. It's easy to understand why people might be tempted to move themselves instead of hiring a professional moving company - but it's important to remember that doing so could cost you much more than you think.