What Does It Cost to Hire a Mover?

By Scott Boone

Image courtesy of flickr

Having made more than 4,000 moves, I am all too conscious of the fact that the first thing a business or homeowner is going to ask me is what it costs to hire us.  My standard answer is, “That depends.”  Just like a person who walks into an auto showroom and asks a salesperson what a car costs, the asking price depends on the make, the model and the options.  Like it or not, the moving industry works much the same way.  In order to help you make sense of the costs and options involved, I will take you for a quick tour of the world of moving.

      1.      How Far? - Is your move going to be across town, across the state or across the country? Just as time is money, so too are miles in the moving business.   Not to mention the fact that if a move is more than 500 miles, the crew will need to be housed and fed in order to complete the move.

      2.      How Big? – Are we talking a few items, 1 or 2 rooms or a McMansion?  The bigger the load, the bigger the truck (or trucks).  This adds up into more time to load and unload.  It also adds up to additional manpower needed to get the job done in a timely manner.

Image courtesy of Wikimedia

      3.      Where To? – Aside from the distance, are there any special considerations to either your current abode or your new home or office?  Is the truck going to have to be parked an inordinate distance from your present or new home or office? Are you moving into a hi-rise? Hi-rise buildings require special handling and scheduling.  If your home is 2 or more stories, this requires carrying furniture up and down stairs.  All this needs to be accounted for up front so any surcharges can be levied.  The last thing you want is for your movers to arrive at your location only to tell you that you have to pay more because you didn’t tell them they would be required to negotiate 3 flights of winding stairs.

      4.      How Soon? – If you are in a hurry or are going to move during a mover’s high season (June-September) you can expect to pay more than if you plan the move months in advance and off season. 

      5.      Who Packs? – Do you want the movers to pack your belongings, or do you intend to do so yourself.  Either way, you should consult with your movers, since they will be responsible for getting your possessions from Point A to Point B in one piece.  Therefore, if you are going to pack your breakables, you need to make sure that they are properly padded and insured.

      6.      Optional Extras? – This part seems to throw most consumers for a loop, because they assume that a move is a move.  Not necessarily.  Do any of your furnishings need to be disassembled and reassembled?  Expect to pay extra for that.  Are any of your items inordinately large?  There will be a surcharge for that, or you may have to find another mover to haul that hot tub, bronze statue, piano or pool table.  Are your belongings going to be stored?  Whether you ask for this service or not, many long distance moving companies routinely store your goods in warehouses, then load them onto another truck for delivery.  This could result in some of your belongings becoming “Lost in Transit.”

Image courtesy of Pixabay

      7.      By the Hour or by the Pound? – Movers charge either by the hour or by the pound.  If by the hour, you want to make sure that the crew is experienced and motivated.  If the mover hires day laborers, you will usually get neither, not to mention the chances of something going missing or being broken is much greater.  Always ask any potential movers about the composition and experience of their crew.  Insist on working with haulers who hire employees as opposed to independent contractors. 

If a potential mover tells you they charge by the pound, be careful you aren’t given a quote based on “estimated weight.”  If that happens, you could find yourself paying way more for the move than you had planned once the mover determines the “actual weight” of your load. 

      8.      How Low Can They Go? – Another thing you need to beware of are lowball prices that seem too good to be true.  If you get three quotes and one is way lower than the other two, the first thing you need to ask yourself is why that is?  Is the mover just trying to be competitive, or is there something they neglected to include in the contract?  Remember, a moving agreement is only as good as the paper upon which it is printed.  If you need a crew of four to get the job done, make sure that is what the moving company is going to provide or the hourly charges can add up fast.  If there is no liability insurance covering your goods and something expensive gets broken, expect to get paid 60 cents per pound, as opposed to the replacement value of your goods.  Even worse, some underhanded movers will lowball the price, only to demand additional fees on the spot.  Fail to pay up and they will either dump your belongings on the curb or drive off with them.

      9.      How Sure? – How sure are you that the movers will show up at all?  If you are asked to pay a deposit in advance in cash or via check, run, do not walk to the nearest exit.  Over the years I have heard horror stories from consumers who have paid in advance only to have the truck fail to show.  I have also heard of moving companies who are late, inconsiderate, or sloppy in their work ethic.  Legitimate movers accept credit cards.  They also don’t require a big up-front deposit and they are responsible to their clients.  The hauling agreement should protect you as much as it does the mover.  It should contain penalties for tardiness and specify what you will get paid if anything is lost, damaged or destroyed.  Last but not least, you should ask for and be given a number of references that you can call, along with the contact name and cell number of the crew chief assigned to supervise your move.

Just as there is a big difference in price between a Chevrolet Sonic and a BMW 7-Series, you need to find out what you are getting for your money when you hire a moving company.  If not, be prepared to pay way more than you had envisioned.

With over 4,000 moves, Scott's Discount Movers has handled moves of all sizes, including local and cross country. If you are looking to move your home or office, you can depend on Scott's Discount Movers to provide a stress-free relocation.