When you’re about to move, you might think to yourself “How do long distance movers calculate moving costs?” That said, if you’re asking yourself how a long-distance moving company determines how much their moving service will charge you, you’ve come to the right place.We are going to talk a little more about how to understand moving costs, because it’s crucial to know exactly what you’re paying for when you hire long distance movers. You always want to make sure that you’re getting an accurate cost estimation when you’re about to move, so we are going to give you some information that can help you make sure you understand your estimate.
Factors that Will Influence Your Moving Costs
The Distance You’re Traveling
The longer of a distance you’re moving, the more it will cost for you to move. When movers have to take your items farther, they have to burn more gas, so the higher the mileage of your trip is, the more you’ll have to pay for long-distance movers.
How Much Your Items Weigh
Again, the more your items weigh, the more you are going to have to pay. It takes more labor to move heavier objects, so it only makes sense that your movers will charge you more if you have a lot of heavy objects
The Type of Items You’re Moving
If there are any special items that you need moved, you should expect that your moving costs will be more expensive. Items like antiques, pianos, large electronics, and other items are typically more expensive to move, because there is a larger risk associated with moving them.
What Services You Need
The more services you need from your long distance moving company, the more expensive it will be to hire them. In addition to transporting the items, you might need your movers to pack, unpack, disassemble, reassemble, or perform other tasks for you. The more things you need your movers to do, the more you’ll have to pay.
The Time of Year
At peak moving season, you might have to pay more to hire a mover. Typically, most people move between the months of May until September. The summertime is when it’s easier to get a break from work and when most schools are out of session, so more people want to move during the summer season. If you want a cheaper rate, it’s usually better to move between October and April.
Additional Fees and Charges
Accessorial Charges
Accessorial charges refer to shuttle fees, long carry fees, and any other additional charges.
Storage Fees
When you need your movers to store your items, and you can’t move in right away, you will likely have to pay more fees.
Insurance and Valuation Coverage
If you have to get insurance on your items, it will be more expensive to move.
How to Get an Accurate Quote
Compare Quotes
Always compare online and in-person quotes so that you get the fairest price possible.
Give Movers All the Details
If you don’t tell your movers exactly what you’re moving, you won’t get an accurate quote.
Ask Questions
Ask your mover if there are any reasons why your move could get more expensive. That way, you won’t be caught off guard when it comes time to pay.
Tips for Reducing the Cost of Moving
Declutter
Don’t take all your clutter with you when you move. Instead, get rid of everything you don’t need before you make the move.
Pack Yourself
Instead of relying on your movers to pack for you—which adds up—pack yourself.
Have Flexibility
Be flexible with your move dates, because if you are, you can move on the cheapest day available to you.
Ready to Move? Choose Freedom Moving and Storage
To recap, when you’re moving, always think about how much you have to move, how valuable your items are, and how many services you’re asking your movers to perform. When you take the time to pack yourself and declutter before moving, you can pay less for your long-distance move. Finally, remember to get multiple quotes!
If you’re ready to move to your new home, and you want to hire the best long-distance movers around, be sure to check out Freedom Moving and Storage. We can provide you with a detailed and accurate moving quote that is personalized to your own move. We encourage you to reach out to us online or by phone to get your quote!
