The national average cost of a local move is about $1,680 with a price range from $480 to $2,880.
The national average cost of a long-distance move ranges from $2,363 – $4,930 (1-bedroom) to about $4,208 – $6,885 (4-bedroom) for a distance of 1,000 miles.
Highlights
Let’s face it: the estimated cost to hire movers will help you make all the right decisions. In reality, it should effectively solve the ever-present Movers or DIY dilemma.
The average moving cost when moving locally is around $80 per hour per mover. Hiring 2 men and a truck should cost you roughly $160 per hour.
The average price to move a 2-bedroom home over a distance of 1,000 miles is $2,567 – $5,801.
The cost of hiring professional movers will depend on many factors, including the move distance, the weight of items for moving, and the extra services you request from the pros.
Later in the article, you’ll find much more detailed information about the general cost of hiring movers, but for now, take a look at this quick overview of what you’re expected to pay when you hire professional movers to help you pack and move your household items to a new home.
Here are the average costs to hire movers in 2024:
Studio
1-bedroom
2-bedroom
3-bedroom
4-bedroom
Local movers
$480
$640
$1,440
$2,240
$2,880
Long distance movers (1,000 mi)
$1,500 – $3,200
$2,363 – $4,930
$2,567 – $5,801
$3,570 – $6,163
$4,208 – $6,885
Please keep in mind that the abovementioned movers’ costs are pretty rough estimates and the actual price of your move can vary greatly depending on a number of critical factors such as the size of the move, specialty items, move distance, shipment weight, accessorial services, moving season, extra fees and charges, etc.
Ultimately, the only way to learn how much your move will cost with a high degree of accuracy is torequest a free moving quote from the best movers in your area.
How Much do Movers Cost?
Save up to 40% on your upcoming move and get a quote from reputable moving experts.
How much does it cost to hire movers per hour? Local movers
Keep in mind that local movers charge by the hour.
The average moving cost when moving locally is around $80 per hour per local mover.
Therefore, hiring 2 men and a truck will cost you approximately $160 per hour.
How much does it cost to hire movers locally?
Of course, the size of your home does matter when calculating the cost of local moving. Taking into account the average charge of around $80 per hour per mover, here are the approximate costs when hiring local movers:
Home Size
Movers
Hours
Average Local Movers Cost
Studio
2
3
$480
1-bedroom
2
4
$640
2-bedroom
3
6
$1,440
3-bedroom
4
7
$2,240
4-bedroom
4
9
$2,880
Studio apartment: $480/ 3 hours. Moving out of a studio apartment with the help of 2 local movers will cost you around $480 if the entire loading, transportation, and unloading operations are completed within 3 hours.
1-bedroom: $640/ 4 hours. Moving locally from a 1-bedroom apartment should cost around $640 if 2 movers complete the move in approximately 4 hours.
2-bedroom: $1,440/ 6 hours. Moving out of a 2-bedroom apartment or house (approximately 1,000 square feet) should cost you approximately $1,440 if 3 local movers complete the local relocation job in 6 hours.
3-bedroom: $2,240/ 7 hours. If you’re moving out of a 3-bedroom apartment or house (roughly 2,000 square feet), expect to pay around $2,240 for a local moving crew of 4 members who manage to finish the local move in about 7 hours.
4-bedroom: $2,880/ 9 hours. When moving out of a 4-bedroom home, you should expect to pay approximately $2,880 for a team of 4 local movers working on your move for 9 hours.
Depending on where you live – state and metro area – moving rates and overall local moving costs will vary.
Every single dollar counts regardless of whether you’re moving locally or across the country.
You will be charged an hourly rate for the time movers spent working on your move.
This hourly rate applies regardless of whether the movers are wrapping, loading, or driving from point A to point B.
If your home is larger than the above examples, then the moving price can go up significantly.
And yet, your best option to get a better idea of how much local movers cost is to use the local cost calculation tool we offer so that you can set your moving budget accordingly.
Speaking of your moving budget, let’s not forget the additional local moving costs which you should be ready to cover:
Additional mover. In most cases, be ready to pay an extra $80 for each additional professional helper you hire.
Packing services. Most local moving companies will gladly offer you the extra service of packing and unpacking your household items. If you decide to take advantage of that offer, expect to be charged around $80 per hour for the additional service. In the majority of cases, you won’t need to pay extra for the packing materials as they are usually pre-included in the price.
Packing materials. You may also be charged for packing supplies. Make sure you keep this in mind when you ask your mover to estimate your moving costs. You can use our local moving cost calculator form at the top of the page to calculate the cost of the entire move. On average, the cost of packing materials will be between $100 and $450 depending on the size of your home and the number of your household items.
Travel fee. Travel fees may also apply depending on the pickup location. In many cases, this fee could be negotiated between the moving company and the client depending on the travel distance to the customer’s moving location. Usually, a travel fee amounts to 1 hour of moving labor – that is, roughly $80.
Tippingmovers. If you’re happy with the way your local movers handled your move, you may as well reward their efforts by offering them appropriate tips. Tipping movers is always appreciated and is a good way of saying, Great job, guys!!!
How much does it cost to hire movers across states? Long-distance movers
Most cross-country moving companies will charge you based on the weight of your shipment, the distance to your new home, and any additional services and various fees as well.
It’s important to know that long-distance moves are calculated on a case-by-case basis because the moving price depends on too many factors.
Now, take a look at these approximate moving costs to get an idea about the cost of your cross-country move.
How much does it cost to hire movers for 250 miles?
Here are the average moving costs when hiring professional movers to transport your household items over a distance of approximately 250 miles:
Home Size
Move Distance
Moving Price Range
1-bedroom
250 miles
$1,210 – $3,013
2-bedroom
250 miles
$1,556 – $4,225
3-bedroom
250 miles
$1,880 – $4,505
4-bedroom
250 miles
$2,100 – $5,066
How much does it cost to hire movers for 500 miles?
Here are the average moving costs when hiring a moving company to transport your belongings over a distance of roughly 500 miles across the country:
Home Size
Move Distance
Moving Price Range
1-bedroom
500 miles
$1,598 – $3,213
2-bedroom
500 miles
$2,083 – $4,352
3-bedroom
500 miles
$3,250 – $5,375
4-bedroom
500 miles
$3,788 – $6,783
How much does it cost to hire movers for 1,000 miles?
Here are the average moving costs when hiring long-distance movers to move your stuff over a distance of roughly 1,000 miles across the country:
Home Size
Move Distance
Moving Price Range
1-bedroom
1,000 miles
$2,363 – $4,930
2-bedroom
1,000 miles
$2,567 – $5,801
3-bedroom
1,000 miles
$3,570 – $6,163
4-bedroom
1,000 miles
$4,208 – $6,885
How much does it cost to hire movers for 2,000 miles?
Here are the average moving costs of hiring movers to transport your things over a distance of approximately 2,000 miles across the entire country:
Home Size
Move Distance
Moving Price Range
1-bedroom
2,000 miles
$2,576 – $4,998
2-bedroom
2,000 miles
$3,460 – $6,146
3-bedroom
2,000 miles
$4,693 – $7,523
4-bedroom
2,000 miles
$6,481 – $10,625
To learn your moving cost beforehand, you need to request an in-house estimate – a company representative will visit your home, assess the move-related situation carefully, and then give you an accurate moving estimate.
For accurate price estimation, reputable long-distance moving companies will do an in-house inspection to calculate the costs.
There’s no better way to have your long-distance moving costs estimated than to contact a few top-rated cross-country movers and ask them for on-site estimates.
Having a binding estimate will guarantee to some extent that the final long-distance moving cost will not exceed the estimated amount.
Rule out any moving company that will not give you a visual estimate, and insist on binding or not-to-exceed estimates.
CAUTION: Should you happen to receive a price estimate that is way lower than the rest, proceed with caution as that could be a sign of moving fraud. Read the Moving Fraud Prevention Guide to stay out of trouble.
Remember that all these example prices are only approximated values. To learn how much you will have to pay for the professional moving services you hire, your best bet is to request on-site surveys from reputable movers, followed by the issuance of accurate price estimates.
What’s the cost of movers in the biggest U.S. cities?
How much do moving companies cost in the biggest cities in the country?
Let’s summarize the above-mentioned average moving costs according to the size of your house or apartment so that you get a clearer picture of how much movers cost in your case.
How much does it cost to hire movers for a 1-bedroom apartment?
Local movers charge around $80 per hour per mover. It should take 2 movers roughly 4 hours to move a 1-bedroom apartment locally, so local movers should charge about $640 for labor only.
When moving across the country, the moving price will depend primarily on the distance between the two homes.
Home Size
Move Distance
Moving Price Range
1-bedroom
250 miles
$1,210 – $3,013
1-bedroom
500 miles
$1,598 – $3,213
1-bedroom
1,000 miles
$2,363 – $4,930
1-bedroom
2,000 miles
$2,576 – $4,998
The household items in 1-bedroom apartments weigh approximately 2,200 lbs. to 3,200 lbs., but the things you decide to move out from your 1-bedroom apartment may weigh much less or much more than the specified average weight.
To save big money from the upcoming transportation costs, you must inventory your entire home and reduce the number of your possessions only to the absolute minimum.
Declutter! Every additional item you choose to take with you will cost you extra money.
How much does it cost to hire movers for a 2-bedroom home?
Local movers charge around $80 per hour per mover. It should take 3 movers roughly 6 hours to move a 2-bedroom home locally, so local movers should charge about $1,440 for labor only.
When moving to another state, the moving price will depend mainly on the distance between Point A and Point B.
Home Size
Move Distance
Moving Price Range
2-bedroom
250 miles
$1,556 – $4,225
2-bedroom
500 miles
$2,083 – $4,352
2-bedroom
1,000 miles
$2,567 – $5,801
2-bedroom
2,000 miles
$3,460 – $6,146
The household items in 2-bedroom apartments weigh somewhere between 5,000 lbs. and 6,000 lbs., but a single specialty item may tilt the scales one way or another – for example, having to move a piano.
To avoid finding yourself with too little time to react accordingly, you must start packing up your home as early as possible. Start with the rooms that are the hardest ones to sort out and pack (storage areas, kitchen), and then work your way towards the easiest rooms to pack (bathroom, bedroom).
How much does it cost to hire movers for a 3-bedroom house?
Local movers charge around $80 per hour per mover. It should take 4 movers roughly 7 hours to move a 3-bedroom house locally, so local movers should charge about $2,240 for labor only.
When moving cross country, the moving cost will depend primarily on the distance between the current home and the new place.
Home Size
Move Distance
Moving Price Range
3-bedroom
250 miles
$1,880 – $4,505
3-bedroom
500 miles
$3,250 – $5,375
3-bedroom
1,000 miles
$3,570 – $6,163
3-bedroom
2,000 miles
$4,693 – $7,523
Please note that your belongings may weigh more or less than the above estimates. It’s a good idea to ask the moving company to be present when the moving truck is being weighed on a certified scale. Household goods in 3-bedroom houses can easily amount to up to 9,000 pounds in weight.
As mentioned above, save money by purging your home of any items that you no longer want and will not need in the foreseeable future. If you haven’t used an item in more than a year, then get rid of it right then and there.
Get your free moving quote now if you still can’t find the answer to your question How much does a moving company cost?
It’s really hard to calculate the exact relocation cost when you hire a professional moving company for your local or interstate move. And yet, it’s very useful to have a good idea of how your moving budget will be affected by this life-changing event.
Here are the most important additional costs you may incur when you hire a professional mover:
1. Packing
Packing on your own can save you a good amount of money. However, specialty items can easily prove too much for you.
How much does it cost to hire movers to pack for you?
Local movers charge about $80 per hour for the extra service of packing up your home.
For long-distance moves, full-service movers and packers will quote you a fixed price depending on the size of your home, and the number and nature of the items you want to move.
What I would recommend based on my experience is that you should pack whatever you can by yourself or ask a bunch of good friends to help you pack up your stuff. This tactic will help you save money simply because you wouldn’t have to pay professional packers to do something that you can manage on your own.
To save even more money, I’ve found out that using free moving boxes and, whenever possible, taking advantage of alternative packing materials to wrapping paper and bubble wrap, is a great way to keep moving expenses to a minimum.
That’s right – packing on your own will let you lower the moving costs but make sure you assess the situation properly because specialty items or extra fragile or expensive possessions should still be left for experienced professional packers.
Movers are known to charge their customers for a variety of special circumstances that may be presented in a move. For example, if you have too many heavy or bulky items for moving, your moving company can charge you extra for their laborious handling.
Also, you are expected to pay a long carry fee if the distance between your front door and the moving truck is greater, or even an elevator fee if your hired laborers are forced to go up and down many flights of stairs due to the lack of an elevator (or a non-operational one).
Want to have an extra pick-up along the route to your new home? It’s called an extra stop charge.
Need to have your items placed in storage before they are delivered to your new place? Here’s a storage fee for your delayed delivery.
Depending on your specific requirements and needs, be mentally and financially ready to pay extra for each additional service you request from your movers.
Research well your insurance options when getting ready to move out of your home.
You will receive basic protection for your household goods the minute you sign your moving contract. The good news is that you don’t have to pay for the so-called Basic Limited Liability Protection. The bad news is that its coverage of 60 cents per pound per article is, in most cases, simply unacceptable.
I have personally opted for Full Value Protection on several house-moving occasions and I know I’ve made the right choice because anything can happen during a residential move.
So, if you happen to be moving valuable possessions, you just have to get proper moving insurance, either through your moving company or directly from a third-party insurance company.
Fancy cutting down your moving costs the way you like it?
As you already know, the price to hire movers will depend on several major factors.
The thing is that the better you understand the principal factors that influence the moving cost, the more control you will have over the price of moving.
In other words, you’ll be able to cut your moving costs and expenses.
Size of your move. The more things you wish to move to the new home, the more money you’ll pay for their transportation. Moving out of a studio is very different from moving out of a 3-bedroom apartment in terms of the sheer number of household items. Save money by moving only the things you really love and will need in the future.
Special items. Your choice to move any specialty items between will increase the moving cost, sometimes by a lot. If you wish to move a piano to the new home, you’re going to have to hire the services of experienced piano movers. Hire specialty movers when you’re also moving antique furniture, a pool table, a hot tub, a heavy safe, a grandfather clock, and so on.
Move distance. The greater the distance between the two locations, the costlier your move will be.
Extra services. Each add-on service that you request from your moving company will cost you extra money. As you can guess, packing is the most frequent additional moving service and the good news is that you can and should pack most of your things by yourself to save money when moving.
Packing supplies. If you choose to pack up your things by yourself, then you should know that the cost of the necessary packing materials can inflate substantially the final moving cost. Get free moving boxes to reduce packing costs.
Move date. The date of your move can influence the cost to hire a moving company. How? In general, moving during the peak moving season (May – September) is more expensive than moving during the off-peak season when fewer people want to move house due to winter.
Insurance. When moving valuable items, do consider purchasing adequate coverage for your prized possessions. Speak with your moving company about your viable insurance options.
Extra fees and charges. Discuss with your movers what extra fees you’re likely to get charged when you hire their services. All of those extra charges must be included in the cost estimate you receive.
Now you know that the only way to learn how much moving companies cost is to request accurate cost estimates from them.
Here are brief answers to the most frequently asked questions about moving company costs:
How do movers calculate the moving cost?
If you are doing an interstate move, the moving cost will be determined by the weight of your personal items and the distance between your old home and your new one.
If you are doing a local move, your moving cost will be calculated on an hourly basis (per hour per mover).
There are many other factors that affect the price of your move, so for more information, read our article How to Estimate Moving Costs
What types of estimates do movers offer?
There are two main types of moving estimates – binding and non-binding.
The non-binding estimate can give you more like a general idea of what you should expect to pay for your relocation, and it is free of charge.
The binding estimate may not be free of charge and it is a written agreement that provides you with the total price of your move based on the weight of your items.
If you want to find more information on the types of moving estimates, read our article Types of Moving Estimates
How do you find cheap movers?
If you want to find a cheap mover, you should start searching for one as early as you can so that you can compare price estimates from many different moving companies.
If there are prices that are too good to be true, you have to be really careful because it might be a sign of moving fraud.
Before choosing your moving company, make sure you read enough customer reviews so that you can have a clear idea of the quality of the moving services.
If you are wondering whether you can negotiate with moving companies, well the answer is YES.
To do that, you should first find out what is the average price for a similar move like yours. Reading customer reviews is a good way to get a clear idea of the moving costs.
Also, compare rates and other moving services from different movers. When you have all of this information, you can use it as leverage when you are discussing the price of your relocation.
To get the best deal on movers, you should get as many price estimates as you can so that you can compare them carefully and pick the best one. Make sure such price quotes are given to you after in-house surveys from reputable moving companies.
Also, read genuine customer reviews so that you will know which local or interstate movers offer quality moving services. The best moving companies in the country know that online reputation is very important, so they do their best to leave happy customers.
If you need to have a vehicle shipped to another part of the country, then you’ll also have to factor in the car shipping costs into your moving budget.
How much does car shipping cost?
The cost to ship a car is between $1,000-$2,500 it also depends on a number of factors such as the distance from Point A to Point B, vehicle size, condition of the vehicle, type of transport (open or enclosed), time of year, location, extra services, price of fuel, and of course – the auto shipper you choose.
It’s important to note that your decision to move any specialty items such as a piano, a heavy safe, a grandfather clock, a hot tub, a pool table, etc. will inevitably increase the moving cost.
If you do own a piano and you want it moved safely to the new home, then your best bet is to trust professional piano movers who know exactly what it takes to guarantee the safety of your precious musical instrument.
Bear in mind that the average cost to move a piano is roughly $200-$400 when moving locally and $1,500-$3,000 when moving long distance. Of course, the piano moving cost will depend on many critical factors such as the distance, the type of piano, any extra moving services, and the piano movers you choose to work with.
Keep in mind that for the different states, the average rates usually differ significantly. IMO everyone should do its research, call some local companies and ask for an estimation (a binding one). Comparing professional companies is always a must do before signing anything. Thanks
Another great article. Thank you for that. I was able to approximate my move pretty close by following your guide. When I contacted the companies I found, they gave me something very similar to what I expected. Thank you.
I was a mover for a long time. I gave people their money's worth. Are there guys who move fast without taking a lot of breaks? I was fast and safe, it is a skill! I salute you guys who still do it.
You must be a professional “white color”, never did any physical work. You would not understand. Professionals are the worst to work for with their “better then thow attitude”‘
Hey Thomas,
Thanks for your feedback. I’ve done some edits to the article based on your comment. Please note that what she meant by “charge based on both” is the additional charges that apply for bulky items.
Regarding the moving scams, it is such a large issue to cover that we’ve created another article on that.
Thanks for being an active member and a contributor.
One thing I see no one mentioned. That is, get yourself a uhaul van and find some one you know who has moving experience, like having done so for a living if possible. that way instead of getting fleeced while you wait, you may pay about 20.00 per hour and even figuring in all other expenses it is still far cheaper than hiring a moving company. I realize that this is not always possible, but when it is the savings are huge!
I’m looking for help and I liked what you had to say. I was planning on renting a uhul. But I don’t have any help to lift a fill the truck and sent up at arrived location. Part of it is I’m emptying out a storage unit so a couple of things are in the back of it. Then I’m selling what is left. It’s is a 10 x 20 unit.the unit is in Downers Grove and the furniture is going to come downtown Chicago. Any suggestions ?
Contact a local moving company. They should be able to provide you with labor only.
I have been in the moving industry for over 23 yrs, and nothing will ever take the place of one doing his/her homework.
Rule out anyone who will not give you a visual estimate, and insist on a binding or not to exceed estimate.
Remember you stand a greater chance of incurring hidden costs when you accept a mover charging by cubic feet. The justification is simple. The customer has no idea what cubic feet look like in a moving van. A good driver will load floor to ceiling front to back of load. A driver who is trying to pad the load will load floor to ceiling front and back for a few feet, and then leave holes, which the customer cannot see by visual observation, but the customer is charged.
Weight based estimates are just that… Weight.
I agree with Thomas. We both come from the same van line family, so our views are based on experience.
Im not a professional mover but have moved, like most of us, many times, and usually on my own with favors from friends. I recently loaded two twenty eight foot trailers for a client and will say there is an art to loading floor to ceiling. Often, one has to remove already placed items and replace to maximize space. $25 per hour for decent packers and loaders is a bargain.
Maybe you can answer this. We are moving cross country. We have a good size gun collection. approx. 10 handguns, 5 longing and ammo. We don’t want to move our safe (can’t imagine the cost of that). We are hesitant about driving cross country with them. Will movers handle that? How safe would that be.
if you are moving, the most important thing you can do is downsize first! Have a garage sale, rent a dumpster, give away all your junk. I’ve been moving people for 10 years and encounter the hoarders more and more.
Living in a very transient city, I would consider myself a very mobile person – I would change addresses every two years, when my rental lease is up. Hence, the ideas listed in here of how much it costs to hire movers are great and helpful to me. Apart from that, I also took into consideration renting storage space for bulky items that I don’t need immediately while in the course of moving. But in order not to overspend on storage rental, I had to clear items that I don’t need and eventually got rid of the storage space.
There are a lot of way to really and drastically reduce costs of a move, especially doing local moves. Being prepared is the number one way. There have been so many times we have arrived for a move only to find that the customers are not ready for us. Buying and packing the boxes yourself will save you a ton of money. And these are just a couple of ways to save money.
How did that go Abdul? I plan on doing the same thing and providing the truck. I’m trying to figure out what to pay them. 4-beds (will be broken down), a dresser, washer, dryer..etc. Family of 5. Just the heavy stuff. Did you go movers or hire some hands? Its a local move. Thanks.
I plan within the next year moving long distance (household & auto)from Illinois to Arizona 1738.40 miles away and will be needing a reliable moving co. after reading these blogs & comments I’m already freaking out what it’s going to cost like a arm & leg then worry about getting scammed & finding a trust worthy long distance co. Can anyone recommend someone that you’ve dealt with. This will be a first for me?
I'll be moving from Bronx, New York to Troy, New York, about 145 miles distance. Is that Domestic, and not Long Distance? I definitely would like to get a "binding estimate."
Moving can be a difficult, and sometimes a sad process. Actually getting all your stuff from one place to another should be the last of your worries. I like to meet with someone from the moving company, and discuss the logistics beforehand, so that everyone is on the same page.
Great information on moving. I am going to be moving in the next 30 days and hope to get everything ready to go so it can be done quickly and efficiently. I moved last year and did not anticipate how much it really costs so thanks for the “refresher” on how to estimate my budget.
I can tell you approximately. Good Moving companies calculate within amount of cubic feets, approximately 1,5 dollar per cubic feet + $ 2.50 per mile. Usual 1 bedroom apartment has 500 cubic feets in general, so it costs about $1200. That’s how Expo Movers charged me
Get a quote and add at least $2000 more that will be charged when they pickup and deliver. Because one you are committed and have to more they know you have no choice.
Based on the info you provided, it will cost me only $1200 for my studio apartment to go from Washington DC to Miami FL, loading, transport, and unloading? Sign me up!
This guide is solid as a general guide, but there should definitely be a caveat added for certain states.
I can only speak for Illinois, as that is where I work in the moving industry, but customers referring to this article and others (and some of the comments) are often the bane of my existence when giving estimates. I know there are other states which are equally restrictive.
1 – Binding or not to exceed estimates are literally not legal for movers to give in Illinois for local or intrastate moves (more on those in a bit). This doesn’t apply to USDOT-regulated moves that cross state lines, or “rate exempt” moves (more on those later).
2 – Due to the way liability is handled for licensed motor carriers in Illinois, most movers won’t offer labor only, at least for loading. Once movers pack a truck, they can in many cases be held liable for the safety of the contents – if a licensed mover packs a truck that the customer is driving, and the customer hits a pothole with it and something breaks, the movers could in some instances be left paying for the damage. Some movers will take the risk, many will not.
3 – Movers are required to register their hourly rates and billing minimums with the State for local moves. Local moves are always billied hourly, typically with portal-to-portal travel hourly as well, although some movers will use origin and destination charges. Theoretically for unregulated moves (more on those next), which would be moves <10mi, they could bill differently, but in the case of a State audit, movers need to prove, for every instance, that the move was technically unregulated – for that reason, movers will usually follow their registered rates even for "unregulated" moves.
4 – There are three primary types of moves in Illinois (at least for residential; business moves always fall into the "unregulated" category). Moves taking place entirely within Illinois will always follow one of the following three types listed below. There are no cubic feet charges allowed at all. Movers cannot charge by weight for local moves. Movers cannot charge hourly for intrastate moves. Estimates are either hourly, or weight and mileage. There may be some additional fees assessed for specialty items, and movers are able to charge for additional services or supplies but these MUST be registered with the State of Illinois in their tariff. Again, these do not apply for moves crossing state lines.
1 – Unregulated or Rate Exempt. Any move of under 10 miles as the crow flies between the move's farthest points. Movers are exempt from following their posted tariff for these moves, although there is certain risk, and most will stick to their posted rates.
2 – Local. Any move that is not covered above, and 35mi between the farthest points, and with one or both ends lying outside of Cook or the Chicago collar counties. These are priced by weight and mileage, with additional fees required for specialty items, flights of stairs, assembly/disassembly labor, elevators, long walks, and other factors. The State mandates minimum weight charges for specific distances, although movers choose the $ per 100lb per mile charge from a selection of schedules.
Other movers may face other requirements based on their specific license. Mover’s licenses in Illinois are subject to public hearings, and restrictions are often placed upon them based on both public and industry feedback – thus, some movers may not even be able to operate in certain parts of the state, meaning that while the origin may be within their range, sometimes the destination is not.
It is also not only illegal to operate as an unlicensed mover in Illinois, it is illegal for any person to hire an unlicensed mover – always check the license of any mover you are looking to hire on the ICC website.
Movers in Illinois are required, by law, to offer enhanced coverage options – they aren’t trying to charge “protection” money for your items or scam you, they are literally required to offer, and are required to have the customer’s signature in order to opt out. The base rate of coverage in Illinois that all movers are required to offer built into their hourly rates is 30 cents per pound per article. No movers are able or allowed to offer any more or less coverage in their basic rates – any other coverage must be broken out as a separate charge.
Yes, it’s arcane and confusing. Some of the rules are clearly for consumer protection, some are probably a result of established movers with lots of clout throwing their weight around to favor themselves.
All of this is available right from the Illinois Commerce Commission – it’s a lot to sift through, and most people don’t have time to do that, but if you are going to try to negotiate moving prices or secure binding estimates in Illinois, you should know that in most cases, movers cannot accommodate you without breaking the law.
Thank you for the info. I am moving from one floor to another in the same building. I wanted to save my families backs by hiring hands to move the heavy stuff down the hall and up the elevator. Don’t need a truck, boxes or anyone to move the small stuff. No appliances, just a very few pieces. Never was a hoarder except for books but even I can move those on my walker, lol.
We just had a three bedroom home moved from Florida port Charlotte to Port Huron Michigan 16,000 dollars for 2,700 cubic feet i would like to know how much space this takes up these people are crooks an my fieance got riped it took a little over twenty feet of their trailer
How do you calculate the extra charges? Is it based on some pre-defined variables or do you adjust your prices on the final quotation and tasks needed?
Good guide, but moving labor prices are way off. Most moving companies charge at a minimum $35/hr unless you’re hiring some kids off craigslist or off the block. Most franchise companies like two men and college hunks charge $60/hr, more in high traffic areas, and don’t get me started on minimums, and BS travel fees + booking fees… No joke, some companies start the clock before they leave the office, others charge a travel fee when they are in the city they operate in!
One other tip I would add is to separately pack your items that you would need the day of the move. This may include your kid’s favorite toys, your sleepwear, toiletries, snacks and other essentials you’ll need during and shortly after your move. No one wants to end the busy day of moving by sorting through boxes and boxes of things to just find your toothbrush or pillow for the night.
I appreciate the reminder that there are many important things to consider, remember, and keep in mind when moving house but nothing can possibly compare to knowing (in advance!) how much moving companies charge in various move-related scenarios. My plan is to rent personal storage to keep some of my valuables since my apartment can no longer accommodate all my artwork and vase collections. I will surely do your tips to have peace of mind that unauthorized people won’t access them.
Planning to hire packers and movers for your shifting and not sure how much it costs to hire a professional movers and packers company for your shifting? Well, shifting and relocation charges vary on several factors. So it is obvious, the overall cost and charges of relocation will depend on your specific requirements.
Thanks for sharing this detailed post. Very Informative. Will be waiting for your next blog^ ^ .The national average cost of moving is about $1,400 with a range from $800 to $2,500. Note, however, that this price range is for a 2-person moving team completing a local move of less than 100 miles. For long-distance moves, the average cost of movers jumps to between $2,200 and $5,700.
Thank you for explaining about how you can save some money by packing everything yourself. I’ve been wondering how we can save money when hiring movers to help us. We’ll be sure to ask them about this and other ways as well that we can get the best price for the service.
Oh, hi. I need to applaud you for reminding us that many local moving companies would charge us on an hourly basis. Such useful information would surely help my sister-in-law when she makes further arrangements later on. If you must know, her neighbor is going to reside in Florida starting next month, so she’s been trying to assist him with the relocation process.
I appreciate the reminder that there are many crucial factors to take into account, keep in mind, and keep in mind while moving house, but nothing compares to knowing (in advance!) how much moving firms charge in certain move-related circumstances. I want to store some of my treasures in personal storage because my flat can no longer hold all of my collections of vases and artwork. To ensure that no unauthorized individuals may access them, I will follow your advice.
Thank you for explaining that the price for the move depends on the distance. My brother is moving from the east coast to Colorado and has been thinking about hiring movers. I’ll be sure to share this with him so he can maybe understand the pricing more for his quotes.
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Good article. I’m working on starting a moving company in Arizona so this is very useful information. Thanks
Keep in mind that for the different states, the average rates usually differ significantly. IMO everyone should do its research, call some local companies and ask for an estimation (a binding one). Comparing professional companies is always a must do before signing anything. Thanks
Another great article. Thank you for that. I was able to approximate my move pretty close by following your guide. When I contacted the companies I found, they gave me something very similar to what I expected. Thank you.
I was a mover for a long time. I gave people their money's worth. Are there guys who move fast without taking a lot of breaks? I was fast and safe, it is a skill! I salute you guys who still do it.
Did you guys use those straps I see on the infomercials……. because that is a great idea!
You must be a professional “white color”, never did any physical work. You would not understand. Professionals are the worst to work for with their “better then thow attitude”‘
Hey Thomas,
Thanks for your feedback. I’ve done some edits to the article based on your comment. Please note that what she meant by “charge based on both” is the additional charges that apply for bulky items.
Regarding the moving scams, it is such a large issue to cover that we’ve created another article on that.
Thanks for being an active member and a contributor.
One thing I see no one mentioned. That is, get yourself a uhaul van and find some one you know who has moving experience, like having done so for a living if possible. that way instead of getting fleeced while you wait, you may pay about 20.00 per hour and even figuring in all other expenses it is still far cheaper than hiring a moving company. I realize that this is not always possible, but when it is the savings are huge!
I’m looking for help and I liked what you had to say. I was planning on renting a uhul. But I don’t have any help to lift a fill the truck and sent up at arrived location. Part of it is I’m emptying out a storage unit so a couple of things are in the back of it. Then I’m selling what is left. It’s is a 10 x 20 unit.the unit is in Downers Grove and the furniture is going to come downtown Chicago. Any suggestions ?
Contact a local moving company. They should be able to provide you with labor only.
I have been in the moving industry for over 23 yrs, and nothing will ever take the place of one doing his/her homework.
Rule out anyone who will not give you a visual estimate, and insist on a binding or not to exceed estimate.
Remember you stand a greater chance of incurring hidden costs when you accept a mover charging by cubic feet. The justification is simple. The customer has no idea what cubic feet look like in a moving van. A good driver will load floor to ceiling front to back of load. A driver who is trying to pad the load will load floor to ceiling front and back for a few feet, and then leave holes, which the customer cannot see by visual observation, but the customer is charged.
Weight based estimates are just that… Weight.
I agree with Thomas. We both come from the same van line family, so our views are based on experience.
Im not a professional mover but have moved, like most of us, many times, and usually on my own with favors from friends. I recently loaded two twenty eight foot trailers for a client and will say there is an art to loading floor to ceiling. Often, one has to remove already placed items and replace to maximize space. $25 per hour for decent packers and loaders is a bargain.
Maybe you can answer this. We are moving cross country. We have a good size gun collection. approx. 10 handguns, 5 longing and ammo. We don’t want to move our safe (can’t imagine the cost of that). We are hesitant about driving cross country with them. Will movers handle that? How safe would that be.
if you are moving, the most important thing you can do is downsize first! Have a garage sale, rent a dumpster, give away all your junk. I’ve been moving people for 10 years and encounter the hoarders more and more.
Living in a very transient city, I would consider myself a very mobile person – I would change addresses every two years, when my rental lease is up. Hence, the ideas listed in here of how much it costs to hire movers are great and helpful to me. Apart from that, I also took into consideration renting storage space for bulky items that I don’t need immediately while in the course of moving. But in order not to overspend on storage rental, I had to clear items that I don’t need and eventually got rid of the storage space.
There are a lot of way to really and drastically reduce costs of a move, especially doing local moves. Being prepared is the number one way. There have been so many times we have arrived for a move only to find that the customers are not ready for us. Buying and packing the boxes yourself will save you a ton of money. And these are just a couple of ways to save money.
He might not have hit all exact details but in general I thought it was a good article.
Get movers to move heavy stuff and move small boxes yourself. That is what I am doing coming up this May 2014 🙂
How did that go Abdul? I plan on doing the same thing and providing the truck. I’m trying to figure out what to pay them. 4-beds (will be broken down), a dresser, washer, dryer..etc. Family of 5. Just the heavy stuff. Did you go movers or hire some hands? Its a local move. Thanks.
I plan within the next year moving long distance (household & auto)from Illinois to Arizona 1738.40 miles away and will be needing a reliable moving co. after reading these blogs & comments I’m already freaking out what it’s going to cost like a arm & leg then worry about getting scammed & finding a trust worthy long distance co. Can anyone recommend someone that you’ve dealt with. This will be a first for me?
Thanks,
Diane
I’m leaving to Texas from Illinois next year.
🙂
I'll be moving from Bronx, New York to Troy, New York, about 145 miles distance. Is that Domestic, and not Long Distance? I definitely would like to get a "binding estimate."
Moving can be a difficult, and sometimes a sad process. Actually getting all your stuff from one place to another should be the last of your worries. I like to meet with someone from the moving company, and discuss the logistics beforehand, so that everyone is on the same page.
Thanks for sharing, very useful informations for moving costs.
Great information on moving. I am going to be moving in the next 30 days and hope to get everything ready to go so it can be done quickly and efficiently. I moved last year and did not anticipate how much it really costs so thanks for the “refresher” on how to estimate my budget.
I can tell you approximately. Good Moving companies calculate within amount of cubic feets, approximately 1,5 dollar per cubic feet + $ 2.50 per mile. Usual 1 bedroom apartment has 500 cubic feets in general, so it costs about $1200. That’s how Expo Movers charged me
Get a quote and add at least $2000 more that will be charged when they pickup and deliver. Because one you are committed and have to more they know you have no choice.
How much would it cost to have a piano like the one pictured to be moved from Mahwah, NJ, to Vero Beach, FL.??
Brenda Dexter
Mahwah, NJ
Based on the info you provided, it will cost me only $1200 for my studio apartment to go from Washington DC to Miami FL, loading, transport, and unloading? Sign me up!
This guide is solid as a general guide, but there should definitely be a caveat added for certain states.
I can only speak for Illinois, as that is where I work in the moving industry, but customers referring to this article and others (and some of the comments) are often the bane of my existence when giving estimates. I know there are other states which are equally restrictive.
1 – Binding or not to exceed estimates are literally not legal for movers to give in Illinois for local or intrastate moves (more on those in a bit). This doesn’t apply to USDOT-regulated moves that cross state lines, or “rate exempt” moves (more on those later).
2 – Due to the way liability is handled for licensed motor carriers in Illinois, most movers won’t offer labor only, at least for loading. Once movers pack a truck, they can in many cases be held liable for the safety of the contents – if a licensed mover packs a truck that the customer is driving, and the customer hits a pothole with it and something breaks, the movers could in some instances be left paying for the damage. Some movers will take the risk, many will not.
3 – Movers are required to register their hourly rates and billing minimums with the State for local moves. Local moves are always billied hourly, typically with portal-to-portal travel hourly as well, although some movers will use origin and destination charges. Theoretically for unregulated moves (more on those next), which would be moves <10mi, they could bill differently, but in the case of a State audit, movers need to prove, for every instance, that the move was technically unregulated – for that reason, movers will usually follow their registered rates even for "unregulated" moves.
4 – There are three primary types of moves in Illinois (at least for residential; business moves always fall into the "unregulated" category). Moves taking place entirely within Illinois will always follow one of the following three types listed below. There are no cubic feet charges allowed at all. Movers cannot charge by weight for local moves. Movers cannot charge hourly for intrastate moves. Estimates are either hourly, or weight and mileage. There may be some additional fees assessed for specialty items, and movers are able to charge for additional services or supplies but these MUST be registered with the State of Illinois in their tariff. Again, these do not apply for moves crossing state lines.
1 – Unregulated or Rate Exempt. Any move of under 10 miles as the crow flies between the move's farthest points. Movers are exempt from following their posted tariff for these moves, although there is certain risk, and most will stick to their posted rates.
2 – Local. Any move that is not covered above, and 35mi between the farthest points, and with one or both ends lying outside of Cook or the Chicago collar counties. These are priced by weight and mileage, with additional fees required for specialty items, flights of stairs, assembly/disassembly labor, elevators, long walks, and other factors. The State mandates minimum weight charges for specific distances, although movers choose the $ per 100lb per mile charge from a selection of schedules.
Other movers may face other requirements based on their specific license. Mover’s licenses in Illinois are subject to public hearings, and restrictions are often placed upon them based on both public and industry feedback – thus, some movers may not even be able to operate in certain parts of the state, meaning that while the origin may be within their range, sometimes the destination is not.
It is also not only illegal to operate as an unlicensed mover in Illinois, it is illegal for any person to hire an unlicensed mover – always check the license of any mover you are looking to hire on the ICC website.
Movers in Illinois are required, by law, to offer enhanced coverage options – they aren’t trying to charge “protection” money for your items or scam you, they are literally required to offer, and are required to have the customer’s signature in order to opt out. The base rate of coverage in Illinois that all movers are required to offer built into their hourly rates is 30 cents per pound per article. No movers are able or allowed to offer any more or less coverage in their basic rates – any other coverage must be broken out as a separate charge.
Yes, it’s arcane and confusing. Some of the rules are clearly for consumer protection, some are probably a result of established movers with lots of clout throwing their weight around to favor themselves.
All of this is available right from the Illinois Commerce Commission – it’s a lot to sift through, and most people don’t have time to do that, but if you are going to try to negotiate moving prices or secure binding estimates in Illinois, you should know that in most cases, movers cannot accommodate you without breaking the law.
have 3 room plus a bathroom,1bedroom ,living room,dining area,and half bathroom.,and half kitchen..
Thank you for the info. I am moving from one floor to another in the same building. I wanted to save my families backs by hiring hands to move the heavy stuff down the hall and up the elevator. Don’t need a truck, boxes or anyone to move the small stuff. No appliances, just a very few pieces. Never was a hoarder except for books but even I can move those on my walker, lol.
We just had a three bedroom home moved from Florida port Charlotte to Port Huron Michigan 16,000 dollars for 2,700 cubic feet i would like to know how much space this takes up these people are crooks an my fieance got riped it took a little over twenty feet of their trailer
Informative blog! Happy to read it! Please keep sharing. Thank you very much!
How do you calculate the extra charges? Is it based on some pre-defined variables or do you adjust your prices on the final quotation and tasks needed?
Thank you very much for sharing this nice post.
Any suggestion on these movers nyc? Thank you in advance.
Good guide, but moving labor prices are way off. Most moving companies charge at a minimum $35/hr unless you’re hiring some kids off craigslist or off the block. Most franchise companies like two men and college hunks charge $60/hr, more in high traffic areas, and don’t get me started on minimums, and BS travel fees + booking fees… No joke, some companies start the clock before they leave the office, others charge a travel fee when they are in the city they operate in!
One other tip I would add is to separately pack your items that you would need the day of the move. This may include your kid’s favorite toys, your sleepwear, toiletries, snacks and other essentials you’ll need during and shortly after your move. No one wants to end the busy day of moving by sorting through boxes and boxes of things to just find your toothbrush or pillow for the night.
Moving is such a stressful time. I am not looking forward to my next move. Thanks for all the insight to make it less painful.
I appreciate the reminder that there are many important things to consider, remember, and keep in mind when moving house but nothing can possibly compare to knowing (in advance!) how much moving companies charge in various move-related scenarios. My plan is to rent personal storage to keep some of my valuables since my apartment can no longer accommodate all my artwork and vase collections. I will surely do your tips to have peace of mind that unauthorized people won’t access them.
Great content!
Planning to hire packers and movers for your shifting and not sure how much it costs to hire a professional movers and packers company for your shifting? Well, shifting and relocation charges vary on several factors. So it is obvious, the overall cost and charges of relocation will depend on your specific requirements.
Thanks for sharing this detailed post. Very Informative. Will be waiting for your next blog^ ^ .The national average cost of moving is about $1,400 with a range from $800 to $2,500. Note, however, that this price range is for a 2-person moving team completing a local move of less than 100 miles. For long-distance moves, the average cost of movers jumps to between $2,200 and $5,700.
Thank you for explaining about how you can save some money by packing everything yourself. I’ve been wondering how we can save money when hiring movers to help us. We’ll be sure to ask them about this and other ways as well that we can get the best price for the service.
Oh, hi. I need to applaud you for reminding us that many local moving companies would charge us on an hourly basis. Such useful information would surely help my sister-in-law when she makes further arrangements later on. If you must know, her neighbor is going to reside in Florida starting next month, so she’s been trying to assist him with the relocation process.
I appreciate the reminder that there are many crucial factors to take into account, keep in mind, and keep in mind while moving house, but nothing compares to knowing (in advance!) how much moving firms charge in certain move-related circumstances. I want to store some of my treasures in personal storage because my flat can no longer hold all of my collections of vases and artwork. To ensure that no unauthorized individuals may access them, I will follow your advice.
Thank you for explaining that the price for the move depends on the distance. My brother is moving from the east coast to Colorado and has been thinking about hiring movers. I’ll be sure to share this with him so he can maybe understand the pricing more for his quotes.