Factors That Influence Moving Costs and How to Control Them

Determining the moving cost is important as it will help you set the moving budget. It will also assist you in evaluating the finances and whether you can manage them while managing costs for rent, tuition fees, medical expenses, and the cost of settling in the new house. If you know the moving cost, you can decide what type of move you will have. However, there are some tips to lower the moving costs. This article will explore the factors affecting the moving cost and how you can control the moving cost.

According to a report by Forbes, the average cost to hire movers and move a 3BHK locally is around $2,100, and for long-distance it is around $5,500. However, this cost may vary depending on several factors.

Key Factors that influence moving costs

The moving cost of a long-distance move depends on several factors and if there is a slight variation in these factors, the moving cost will vary.

• Moving Distance- Moving across the states is complicated and several parameters can affect the moving process. When you plan a long-distance move, it results in more gas consumption, tolls, and overnight stays will be there. Staying at the hotel while moving is an additional expense. Moving cost is calculated by considering the distance between the current location and the destination address. It will also include the rent of a shuttle if required during the move. The longer the distance, the higher the fuel consumption and increased time for traveling. This means you will need to travel via road or air which adds extra cost to your moving budget.
• Weight and Volume Belongings- Property size is a usual parameter that a moving company asks while they prepare your moving quote. The property size and the number of belongings will help them determine the weight and volume of the belongings. This as a result decides the size of the truck, moving and packing supplies requirement and number of moving crew required to handle the job. The size of the moving truck can affect the cost of your move. Movers usually prepare an inventory to simplify the weight and volume calculation and keep track of the belongings. So, while providing the list of your items avoid mistakes.
• Moving Services Required- Each move is different, and so does the requirement for moving services. Some people prefer to pack themselves and only hire professional help for loading, unloading, and transportation. Some people believe in safe and secure moving and hire professionals to handle the full move, where they will take charge of packing, loading, transportation, and unloading. This type of move is called full-service moving they can be expensive compared to partial or DIY moves. Other than the mentioned services, people need help disassembling and reassembling appliances and furniture. These are additional moving services. Some other services include vehicle shipping, junk removal, and specialized item moving (piano, arts, vintage items, etc.).
• Moving Date and Moving Day- The date and day of your move are major factors that can reduce your moving cost to a huge difference. Movers are easily available during the weekdays and in the middle of the month, so their moving rates are lower compared to weekend moves and moves during the first and last week of the month. There are two major seasons for moving- peak season (May to August) and off-season (September to April). During peak season, moving rates shoot the market and it is very difficult to find a good moving company. The reasons for such high demand for movers during the peak season include no schools, nice weather, and housing market rates. So, if you want an affordable moving cost, plan an off-season move.
• Access and Accessibility- The access and accessibility of the current location and destination can affect the cost of your move. If your house or apartment is located in the interiors where a moving truck cannot reach, it means you need a cart or shuttle to carry the items. Another factor is the presence or absence of an elevator in the building you are moving from and moving to. If there is no elevator, then special moving equipment and tools will be needed. And there will be more manual labor which increases the moving rates. If your destination is on a straight highway, then the transition will be easy, and if it is somewhere inside the moving distance will increase.

Tips to Control Moving Costs?

As we learned in the previous section, numerous parameters affect the moving costs. But there are certain ways you can manage these costs. There are some tips shared by the moving industry experts to control the moving costs-

Plan ahead and get multiple moving quotes- Planning the move at the right time is crucial to have a low-cost or in-budget moving. Most people get the decision of their relocation at least 2 months before their moving date. And this is the right time to start planning the move. It is recommended to start planning the move well to avoid last-minute moving costs. If you wait until the last week, you might end up paying double moving rates and there are chances you cannot hire the mover of your choice. So, after getting the moving date, get a moving planner and moving checklist and start planning your move.

Try to get 3-5 moving quotes from different movers to compare. This will help you compare the moving rates from multiple movers and you can explore options for the moving services that you need during the move. Each moving company is different and they offer a variety of moving services. Refer to this article to find the right moving company for your long-distance move.

Declutter and downsize- The best to reduce the moving cost is by reducing the size of your shipment. The smaller the number of items, the smaller the truck and number of moving crew. So, packing your house is to declutter the items, and follow the 6 months rule. According to this, get rid of the items that you have not used in the last 6 months and that you might not need in the future. There are different ways to declutter- sell, donate, and recycle. Separate the items according to these categories and proceed with your move. You can schedule the donation pickup from your doorstep as several organizations offer such services. For selling, you can use online platforms to sell the items or organize a garage sale. There are recycling points in each city where you can dump the items you plan to recycle.

Pick the right moving date- Choosing the right date and day for your move can widely vary the cost of your move. For a budget-friendly move, pick a weekday in the middle of the month. The best months are from October to April as this is the off-season and movers are easily available. The moving rates are lower and there are offers available. Also, during the holidays, most moving companies promote various offers and you can ask them to apply them to the moving estimates.

Opt for DIY or partial DIY move- Full-service moving is the best way to move, if you want to enjoy the move and focus on other relocation tasks. But this can be expensive as the moving company will handle everything from packing to loading to transportation. So, if you want to lower the cost of your move, you can opt for partial DIY or DIY moving. In such a move, you will pack your belongings, and professionals will carry and transport the items. Or you can only rent a truck to transport the belongings and pack and lift the items yourself. You can get help from your friends or family to execute such moves. This way you will be paying less, but stressing more.

Read the moving contract carefully- Once you finalize the mover, and they provide you with the contract, read it carefully. Keep a keen eye on the details and do not miss any hidden charges. If you find that there will be some additional costs that will add to your moving estimate on the moving day, connect with the mover and ask them in detail. Request a binding estimate for your move as this will eliminate the risk of last-minute additional charges. Also, negotiating the moving rates is one of the best ways to reduce moving costs.

Different hacks to reduce moving expenses

Several other hacks can reduce moving costs by altering the hidden expenses. Some expenses are not visible and sometimes people are not aware of these expenses. So, learn about these hacks and reduce the moving costs-

Collect Free Packing Supplies- Most moving companies bring packing supplies and their cost is included in the moving estimate. Quality packing supplies are essential to ensure the safety of the items during transit. But, instead of buying all the packing supplies you can collect them for free. Moving boxes are available for free at different locations like grocery stores, liquor stores, and more. You can use old linen, blankets, rugs, carpets, and towels for wrapping furniture and other items to protect them from scratches. Old socks and newspapers can be used in place of bubble wrap to fill the gaps in the moving boxes. Large garbage bags can be used for packing clothes in hangers and it will avoid wrinkling.

Take advantage of tax reductions- Earlier, the US tax system was more lenient towards individuals who were relocating for work. But from 2018 through 2025, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) has effectively removed the moving expense deduction for the majority of Americans. As a result, the cost associated with job relocation no longer reduces taxable income.

Consider reimbursements- Before you relocate, connect with the employer and discuss their relocation reimbursement policy. Several companies offer reimbursement for the expenses incurred during the move.

Use a moving planner and checklists- A well-planned and well-organized move means fewer chances of mishappenings. With an efficient moving planner and detailed moving checklist, you can avoid several expenses and last-minute moving costs.

Conclusion
The first step of planning a move is determining the moving costs. Moving is expensive but with proper planning and management, additional expenses can be reduced. In this article, we have explored different factors that can affect the cost of moving and several ways to control them. With a professional moving company at Van Lines Move, you can experience an easy and affordable move. Get the best rates on your move with Van Lines Move online for free within a few seconds.

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