Step one of planning a move is to set a budget, which sounds simple until you realize it’s almost impossible to make an accurate one when you don’t know how much movers are going to charge.
So, how are moving costs calculated? There’s the obvious, like how much stuff you have and how far you’re going, but there are plenty of other factors that go into calculating the final price. For instance, special circumstances — like moving into a 3rd-floor walk-up or transporting a baby grand piano — often mean extra fees.
Given everything that goes into calculating moving costs, it’s easy to see that getting accurate quotes can be a challenge, even if you have all day to call around for estimates (you could, of course, compare moving quotes instantly on HireAHelper.com instead). To help you figure out how much you should budget for your upcoming move, this guide will walk you through how movers calculate moving costs, hidden fees to look out for, and tips for saving on your final bill.
Melanie Morris is an editor and writer at HireAHelper, where she uses observational skills honed from over 7 years of experience (and too much detective fiction) to demystify moving and make sure typos remain at a minimum.
Moving from the southwest up and down the west coast and back again has also given her plenty of firsthand moving experience. Now, she makes sure that even if you're just moving down the block, you have the accurate tips and know-how to make your relocation a breeze.
So, how are moving costs calculated by movers? There are six key factors that companies use to calculate moving costs. Here’s how they break down:
You have two options when hiring movers: full-service and labor only. They both involve movers helping you with your stuff, but they differ in a few key ways:
The distance of your move also impacts your moving costs. Moving distances are generally broken down into either local (typically up to 50 miles) or long-distance (greater than 50 miles).
To give you an idea of how much distance matters when calculating moving costs, consider this: A local move with full-service movers from a 2- or 3-bedroom house costs an average of about $1,370, while moving long-distance with full-service movers can cost between $5,000 and $11,000.
So how do movers charge so much for a long-distance move? This is due to all of the expenses that come with hauling your stuff over vast distances, including:
Movers will usually charge mileage fees to account for vehicle wear and tear. Interstate movers are also required to maintain certain standards when it comes to licensing, insurance, and estimates. As a result, they may charge more for long-distance moves to help cover these additional expenses.
Unless you’re a very avid collector, the size of your current home is typically the best indicator of how much stuff you’ll need to move.
If movers don’t conduct an in-home survey of your belongings, they will at least ask how big your home is and whether it is lightly, moderately, or heavily furnished. This helps them determine the truck size, number of movers, and how many trips might be required to complete your move.
Ultimately, it’s the weight and/or volume of your belongings that factor into your price. For long-distance moves, weight is the key factor because interstate movers are required to base their charges on the shipment’s actual weight. After all, the heavier the load, the higher the fuel costs —and the more wear and tear to the truck, making it the fairest pricing standard to use.
When it comes to local moves, the volume (which determines how much time it takes to move your belongings) tends to matter more, since crews usually charge by the hour.
Movers will start by estimating the weight of your belongings based on a detailed inventory and the average weights of standard household items. However, the movers determine the official weight by weighing the truck before and after loading and subtracting the difference.
Depending on your contract, your bill may or may not change once the final weight is known —so make sure to ask your mover what kind of estimate they’re providing.
If your movers use volume-based pricing, they will charge you for the number of cubic feet your belongings occupy on the truck. This will likely be estimated in advance based on the size of your home and your inventory, and will be confirmed once everything is loaded and secured.
“Summer is the most popular and thus the most expensive time to move. If you have the flexibility to schedule your move sometime between October and February, it’ll cost less.”
While volume simply refers to the amount of stuff you have, keep in mind that it can also affect hourly pricing — the more you have to move, the longer it takes to load and unload.
This type of pricing is more common for local or intrastate moves, and you’re much more likely to see this type of pricing used by small, unregulated, or less reputable moving companies. Buyer beware —volume-based pricing can sometimes be used to pad bills.
Packing isn’t usually included in a full-service move, but it’s often available at an additional cost. If you decide to hire movers for packing, keep the following in mind:
And while most full-service moving companies will bring dollies, ratchets, moving blankets, and other supplies for loading and securing your belongings, labor-only movers may not. If that’s the case, you may need to pay extra for certain items or acquire them yourself before the movers arrive.
The basic full-service moving package includes the truck, loading, driving, and unloading. Labor-only movers are generally hired just to unload or load. However, if you want further assistance, movers offer additional services that can make your move a lot easier.
Some furniture is too large, awkward, or heavy to move in one piece and will need to be disassembled before being moved. Movers are experts at disassembling a myriad of furniture items, from California king beds to sectional couches and even wall-mounted TVs. The furniture is then packed up securely, transported to your new home, and reassembled.
Downsizing to a smaller home or a delayed closing date for your new home are just two of the reasons you might need storage during a move. Many moving companies offer storage options as an add-on. Or if you rent a storage unit separately, you can have movers load your rental truck and then unload it into storage, in which case you would pay an hourly rate for moving labor.
Movers charge more to move specialty items that are particularly large, valuable, or heavy. Some examples include pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, high-value artwork, and antiques. Keep in mind that moving these items safely requires special training and knowledge, so make sure to hire someone who has a proven track record with strong customer reviews.
In addition to the points mentioned above, there are some often-overlooked fees and extra costs that could cause your moving bill to climb higher than expected. If any of the following scenarios apply to your move, be sure to discuss them with your mover so that any applicable fees can be added to your estimate. Ask if there are any other circumstances that would cause the price to increase, as well.
If the distance between the entrance of your home and the truck is greater than normal (e.g., farther than 75 or 100 feet), you may be charged a long-carry fee.
If you’re moving in or out of a walk-up apartment, the elevator is out of service during your move, or the elevator adds a lot of time and effort to the move, it could cost you more.
If the truck can’t access your property and the movers have to transport your belongings between the truck and your home using a second, smaller vehicle, you’ll be charged what’s called a shuttle service fee.
Moving companies impose a fuel surcharge to cover the ever-changing cost of fuel. The amount is based on various factors, including the average cost of diesel, the truck’s fuel efficiency, and the move distance.
If your move will involve any extra stops, an additional charge will likely apply —or you’ll be charged for the extra time. Most moves simply go from point A to point B, but additional stops may be necessary if you need to pick things up from a storage unit or another property.
Moving companies expect you to receive your delivery during the agreed-upon window. If you’re unable or unwilling to be there and it causes a delay in delivery, the company will charge a storage fee for holding your shipment overnight.
You could be charged a fee for cancelling or rescheduling your move too close to the agreed-upon moving date. Be sure to understand the company’s cancellation policies before signing an agreement.
Movers use the previously mentioned factors to figure out the scope of your move. From there, they can determine what supplies and labor will be needed to complete it, and will charge accordingly. Here’s how they calculate it:
We’re not just talking about cardboard boxes and tape —tools such as furniture sliders, moving straps, moving blankets, ratchets, and dollies are often necessary to ensure the safe loading and transport of your belongings.
The moving company will calculate how many movers you’ll need based on the size of your home. A studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom apartment can be handled by two movers in about 4 to 5 hours. Larger homes may require three movers and up to 6+ hours of move time.
Keep in mind that moving companies account for local hourly rates when quoting moving labor, and these rates vary from city to city.
Not all moving estimates are created equal. Here are the three types of estimates you’ll run into and what you should know about each one.
A non-binding estimate is an educated guesstimate of moving costs based on the information the movers have, but it’s not a guarantee of the final price. Movers will finalize the price after loading the truck, weighing it, and applying any additional services and fees. While it’s possible that your final bill will be less than the non-binding estimate, it’s not likely, and you should expect to pay more.
“You can avoid price-gouging by getting at least three estimates to compare local rates and ensure you’re being offered competitive pricing.”
Non-binding estimates are often used when the movers are unable to determine the exact cost of the move, such as long-distance or complex moves. If movers offer you a non-binding estimate, ask about the scenarios that would cause the cost to go up or down. This will help you get a better idea of what to expect. And don’t worry — movers can’t require you to pay more than 110% of the estimate at delivery.
Red flag: Look out for scammers who offer low-ball, non-binding estimates to attract customers. They’ll often jack up the price after they have your belongings.
A binding estimate offers customers a flat rate for moving based on the total estimated weight of all the items being moved. Some movers may accept a detailed inventory as the basis for the estimate, while others will do an evaluation in your home or over a video call.
Binding estimates are great because the mover can’t charge you more than the estimate, making it easy to budget for your move. However, if you add additional services or items to your move after establishing a binding estimate, the mover isn’t obligated to handle your move at the original agreed-upon rate.
In cases like these, you and your mover may agree to stick with the original binding estimate, but more often than not, they’ll create a new one or convert the binding estimate into a non-binding estimate to cover the added services.
Unlike a standard binding estimate, which locks you into the quoted price even if the move costs less, a binding not-to-exceed estimate lets you pay the lower of the estimate or the actual cost.
Movers will perform a thorough assessment of household items and create a detailed inventory to work out the weight of your load and how much to charge. If the actual weight of your shipment ends up being lower than expected, you’ll pay less. If it ends up being higher (e.g., as the result of an incorrect assessment), you still won’t pay more than your estimate. This type of estimate is less common, but it’s a great option if you can get it.
The type of move you choose will have the largest impact on moving costs. The general rule is this: The moving options that require the most time and effort from you are the cheapest, and the ones that require the least are most expensive.
Here are some comparisons of local and long-distance moving costs for different types of moves:
| DIY Moving (Moving Truck) | Labor-Only Moving Services* | Full-Service Movers | |
| Loading & Unloading | N/A | $420.77 | Included |
| Moving Truck | $138** | N/A | Included |
| Grand Total | $138 | $451.87 | $1,167.76 |
*This is the actual average that HireAHelper customers paid for labor-only moves in 2024 and takes into account moves that have both loading and unloading labor as well as moves that are only one or the other.
**This is the average for a move under 50 miles, but it could vary quite a bit based on the details of your move.
| DIY Moving (Moving Truck) | DIY Moving (with Labor) | Full-Service Moving | |
| Loading & Unloading | N/A | $421 | Included |
| Moving Truck | $690– $4,514 | $690– $4,514 | Included |
| Gas | $148– $896 | $148– $896 | Included |
| Grand Total | $838 – $5,410 | $1,259 – $5,862 | $5,000 – $11,000 |
There are several things you can do to ensure that the moving quotes you get are accurate. Here are some of our favorite tips:
HireAHelper’s moving marketplace is made up of over 1,700 vetted movers nationwide. With over one million moves completed, HireAHelper offers upfront pricing so you can compare movers in your area instantly and without getting unsolicited calls from lead generation sites.
Before getting a quote, have the movers visit your home for an in-person assessment of your belongings, or take them on a video-chat tour to show them everything that needs to be moved. This will help them put together an accurate quote based on your personal moving needs.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget about the attic, shed, and other hidden storage spaces!
Many companies offer an online moving cost calculator, which can help you get a ballpark figure of your moving costs. Just be sure to pair this strategy with at least one of the others to get a more accurate picture of what it will really cost you to move.
If you haven’t moved in a few years, increased moving costs may come as a bit of a shock. You can avoid price-gouging by getting at least three estimates to compare local rates and ensure you’re being offered competitive pricing. The HireAHelper marketplace is great for this, since it allows you to compare multiple quotes for different moving dates quickly and easily.
While some things may be out of your control, there are things you can do to minimize your overall moving costs.
Summer is the most popular and thus the most expensive time to move. If you have the flexibility to schedule your move sometime between October and February, it’ll cost less. Also, mid-week and mid-month moves tend to be cheaper than those that occur over the weekend.
The less stuff you have to move, the less it’ll cost you. Start decluttering weeks or months before your move to reduce the weight and volume of your shipment. You could also hold a garage sale or sell items on online marketplaces before your move to put some money back in your pocket.
You can save money on your move — while still getting the loading/unloading help you need — by opting for a DIY move with a rental truck and labor-only movers.
Moving supplies can add up quickly, so finding free alternatives is a great way to save on your moving costs. Ask friends and family for used boxes, repurpose towels and linens as cushioning for fragile items, or even check Facebook Marketplace and local Buy Nothing groups for free supplies or tools. Just make sure the boxes are sturdy and undamaged so they do their job of protecting your stuff.
Hiring movers to help you pack may seem more like a money drain than a way to save, but they’re professionals at packing things efficiently and securely. The result? With fewer boxes, you may not need to rent such a big moving truck, and your things will be less likely to get damaged during your move.
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