Factors That Affect Your Residential Moving Cost
There are a lot of factors that can affect the cost of residential moving. For example, some movers charge extra for stairs or elevator fees and others have additional fuel charges for long-distance moves. Generally, standard local moves are the least expensive. However, they can be more expensive if you have large or delicate items that require special handling.
The Size of Your Home
The size of your home is one of the most significant factors in determining how much it will cost to move. The bigger your home, the more stuff you have, and the heavier your items are, the more it will cost to move them. In addition, it takes more time to move to a larger house than it does to move a smaller home. Rhode Island Moving Companies often charge by the hour, so the more time it takes to move your belongings, the more it will cost.
When calculating the square footage of your home, don’t rely on the documented dimensions given by your real estate agent or the home inspection report. It is important to walk through the home and measure its interior space yourself to get a more accurate measurement of its square footage. Then, you can calculate your home’s total square footage by adding up each room’s square footage.
Another factor to consider is the number of bedrooms in your home. This will give you a good idea of how many boxes and pieces of furniture you’ll have to move. You can then use this information to estimate the cost of your move, although most moving companies will provide a more precise quote based on a more thorough inventory of your belongings.
Lastly, keep in mind that the distance of your move will also impact the cost. Local moves tend to be the least expensive, while long-distance and international moves are the most expensive. In addition to the actual labor costs, there are additional expenses like gas and mileage charges, packing materials, and storage fees if necessary.
If you’re moving a long distance, it’s also worth considering options like a portable storage container from one of the top moving container companies. These containers can be dropped off at your home for you to pack, and then picked up and transported to your new destination or stored until your new home is ready. This can be a more cost-effective option than hiring movers, especially for a cross-country move.
The Distance You’re Moving
Clearly, the distance that needs to be covered for your move is going to have a major impact on the final cost. Moving companies typically charge by the hour, so if your move is a few miles down the road, you can expect to pay less than if you were moving across town or even across the country.
If you’re unsure of the exact cost for your move, your local moving company can give you an estimate once they complete a walk-through at your home and see how much space you have to work with. When it comes to long-distance moves, however, the costs can quickly add up and get quite expensive. This is due to the fact that there are additional fees for things like gas, tolls and lodging if you are traveling to and from your new destination.
In addition to the actual moving costs, you should also consider the amount of time you’ll need to pack up your belongings and how much space you will have in storage at your old and new homes. If you plan to do most of the packing yourself, it will save you some money on movers and also allow you to make sure all your items are packed properly to prevent damage in transit. If you’re planning to hire a professional packer, you’ll need to budget for packing materials as well. Unless you’re able to scrounge up free boxes, you’ll need to purchase your own cardboard and plastic boxes for the move.
The day of your move will also affect the cost, as weekends and moving during peak season tend to be more expensive than weekdays or mid-month moves. To keep your moving costs as low as possible, try to schedule your move for a weekday during the off-season.
The Services You Need
If your move requires any add-on services like disassembling and reassembling furniture, custom crating, additional stops, storage or other specialty items, these will increase the cost of the move. These costs will also be higher if you have many heavy items that need to be moved, as well as any stairs that the movers will have to go up or down during the move.
If you have a home or apartment that’s in a difficult location to access with large moving trucks (such as narrow roads or bridges), the movers will have to charge extra for this service. This is because the truck will have to make multiple trips back and forth with smaller vehicles, which takes up more time.
Another way that accessibility can affect the moving cost is if you have to take your belongings through a window with a rope-and-pulley rigging system, which is very expensive. This service requires a lot of specialized equipment and expertise, so it will add up quickly.
Finally, if your belongings need to be picked up from a different location than your new home (such as a storage facility, parents’ house or temporary lodging), the movers will have to charge an extra fee for this. This service can be very helpful in situations where a closing date on your home is delayed and you need to store the items somewhere until the new house is ready to be occupied.
You’ll also have to pay extra if you need your appliances disconnected and reconnected at the other end, which is a special service offered by some movers. This can be very helpful if you’re moving from an apartment to a home with electric appliances that aren’t pre-connected or you’re downsizing from a five-bedroom home into a two-bedroom apartment.
The Time of Year You’re Moving
The time of year you are moving can affect your residential moving cost. Generally, peak moving season is from Memorial Day to Labor Day, when weather conditions are ideal for movers and there is higher demand. Because of this, you can expect to pay more for a move during these times.
Fall and spring are also popular moving times because the weather is usually pleasant and it’s not too hot or cold yet. However, moving in the fall can be tricky for families because it’s right in the middle of the school year and may disrupt their kids’ schedules. Similarly, spring is challenging for families because it’s just as school is starting up again and the weather can be unpredictable.
If you’re flexible on your move date, the best time to save money is in winter. Moving companies are typically less busy in the winter, so they can offer lower prices to keep customers happy. Plus, winter moves are a lot safer because of the lower chance of bad weather conditions like heavy rains and snowy roads that can make it difficult to drive or load and unload a truck.
For more flexibility in your move dates, consider moving mid-week or mid-month. Moving companies are slower on weekends, and they have more availability in the middle of the month. This can help you save on your residential moving costs.
If you have a tight budget, try to avoid moving on or around holidays. Most moving services will charge a premium for moves on or around major holidays, which can add up quickly. However, if your work schedule or family commitments prevent you from moving at other times of the year, moving on or around holidays could be worth it to you in order to get into your new home before the holidays arrive. Be sure to factor in the cost of any additional travel expenses you’ll need if you’re planning on moving on or around a holiday.