How Much Do House Moving Companies Cost?

House moving companies provide moving services to individuals worldwide. Whether you’re moving locally, across state lines or to another country, professional movers can help you make a smooth transition to your new destination. It does come at a price though, and additional services can run up your final bill if you’re not careful. Each company is different and uses varying methods to determine costs. Here’s how to figure out how much many house moving companies cost:

Shipping Weight

House moving companies will take an inventory of your possessions to determine the size and weight of the items. They do this using a Table of Measurements sheet that lists each item, the weight, cubic feet and quantity. The sheet is broken up into each room in your house and the outdoors, beginning with the living room and ending with the porch and yard. There’s usually a separate space to itemize appliances and miscellaneous items. Once the items and quantities are inventoried, the company will determine the total shipping weight for the move. Here are some common shipping weights based on the number of bedrooms in your house:

• One to two bedrooms: 3,000 to 4,500 pounds
• Two to three bedrooms: 5,000 to 8,000 pounds
• Three to four bedrooms: 8,000 to 12,000 pounds

Once they calculate your shipping weight, they’ll determine your cost based on the weight of your items or the volume, and the distance to your new destination. The more personal property you have to transport, the higher your moving costs.

Packing and Unpacking Services

House moving companies offer many services in addition to transportation, including packing and unpacking services. If you want the movers to pack your things or unpack them on arrival, you’ll be charged extra fees based on hourly labor rates. Two or three movers will show up to your home with the moving supplies and boxes needed to pack everything for the move. The cost depends on the hourly rate ($15 to $45 per hour) that the moving company charges and the costs of the moving supplies. You can choose both packing and unpacking services, or either one depending on the help you have (or don’t have) on either end of the move. Your budget will also dictate whether or not you can afford this extra service.

Insurance

To ensure that you recover financially from any loss or theft of your items, you’ll need insurance. You can buy insurance from the moving company you hire, for an additional fee. By law, house moving companies have to carry liability insurance up to a certain amount. However, you may want to purchase additional insurance from them to make sure you recover the full market value of your belongings. The costs of insurance varies and depends on your coverage amount and location.

Before you hire anyone, be sure to get written estimates from three or more house moving companies. Binding estimates would be the best, although it’s hard to find many companies these days that are willing to give one. However, a non-binding written estimate is much better than a verbal, off the cuff estimate that’s often much lower than the actual cost.