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https://www.forbes.com/advisor/home-improvement/packing-for-long-distance-move/Moving can be pricey depending on factors like how far you’re moving, how much you need to move and even what time of year you’re moving.
Forbes Advisor evaluated 70 national and international moving companies and ranked the best of them by considering elements like upfront pricing and low rates, cancellation policy and deposits, customer happiness, what’s included in the move, packing options and moving packages available. Ultimately, we found five moving companies that worked for a broader moving budget while not compromising on quality.
The best cheap moving companies excel in upfront pricing and low rates, as well as what’s included in the quote, which make up 40% of our weighting.
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| Company | Forbes Advisor Rating | Rates and Pricing | Customer Happiness | Inclusive Package | LEARN MORE | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Van Lines |  | 4.1 |  | Very good | Excellent | Very good | Get Free Estimates | https://www.forbes.com/advisor/l/moving-home/ | |
| All My Sons Moving and Storage |  | 4.1 | | Very good | Excellent | Very good | Get Free Estimates | https://www.forbes.com/advisor/l/moving-home/ | |
| Atlas Van Lines |  | 4.1 | | Excellent | Very good | Very good | Get Free Estimates | https://www.forbes.com/advisor/l/moving-home/ | |
| U-Pack |  | 3.8 |  | Excellent | Good | Very good | Get Free Estimates | https://www.forbes.com/advisor/l/moving-home/ | |
| American Van Lines |  | 3.8 | | Very good | Good | Good | Get Free Estimates | https://www.forbes.com/advisor/l/moving-home/ |
The total cost of your move will depend on a variety of factors, including how much stuff you have, how far you have to move it, when you’re moving, what your moving company will include and more. Allowing yourself ample time to prepare for your move and calculate costs could help you save money in the long run.
The amount of furniture you have will greatly affect the price of your move. Not only will the move take longer if you have more belongings, but shipment will also be heavier and costlier.
Local moves can typically be made at a low cost, but if you’re moving across the country, travel fees such as gas, lodging and food need to be accounted for in your estimate as well as extended labor fees of your movers.
Considering time of year is crucial, as prices don’t stay the same year-round. March, April and early May are known to be low-cost months because fewer people move then, but late May to September (all of summer, essentially) is a popular time to move, which makes it less suitable for low-budget moves.
Winter can also be a surprisingly expensive time to move depending on where you’re headed. For example, moving to Colorado mid-winter means risking poor weather conditions, and as a result, costs can be higher.
If you require storage, some moving companies may offer services for free (at least for a short amount of time). But if you’re going with a moving company that doesn’t, make sure to factor storage costs into your total estimate. Your costs will only increase with more belongings you need to store.
Also consider the cost of storage if you’re moving cross-country and expect you’ll need to hold your things in a new storage location. Make plans ahead of time so you’re not left scrambling.
Some moving companies offer moving supplies for a discounted price or even free. But if not, you’re on your own to budget for boxes, tape, bubble wrap and more.
With every long-distance move (and even local moves), getting liability insurance coverage is a must—in fact, basic liability coverage is required by federal law. You could opt for full coverage protection, which may be a better choice if you have expensive items and furniture.
Either way, you’ll want to choose some level of protection for your items. You never know what could break or become damaged in the move (or lost!). The moving company you choose will typically have a few insurance options—it’s up to you to find a company with the best option for you.
While adding on packing services can certainly make your move less stressful and time-consuming, don’t underestimate the steep addition to the total cost. While some moving companies include packing services for free in their services, many don’t.
Tip: If you purchase full-protection insurance coverage from your moving company, you likely do not need to purchase additional coverage from a third party.
Typically, you can expect to pay between $50 and $80 per hour for a professional moving company. This rate can change based on whether your movers are packing your things for you, whether they have to load and unload up and down stairs and how far they’re traveling.
The cost of hiring a moving company will vary greatly depending on the size of your house or business, where you’re moving from and to and whether you want to use a traditional moving company or a moving container/pod. The cost of a local move is typically between $300 and $1,500, or $1,200 on average.
Long-distance movers can cost between $2,500 and $5,000 depending on how far you’re traveling and how much stuff you have. You can expect to pay more for a long-distance move than a local move, though some interstate moves can cost more just because you’re crossing state lines. Ensure that you can get a free estimate from each company you’re considering to get a better understanding of the average cost of your move.
If you’re moving locally, it’s likely easier to keep your existing furniture. Many moving companies charge by mileage, which means the shorter your move, the cheaper it’ll likely be.
Weight and space are what cost the most money for a move, so depending on the amount of furniture you have and how far you’re going, you can do some research to determine how much you can expect to pay if you move your furniture versus how much you may be able to get by selling it.
How much you should tip greatly depends on how many people are working on your move (loading and unloading) as well as how many hours or days your move will take.
A good rule of thumb is to plan to tip $4 to $5 per person for each hour of work. To put this into perspective, $20 per person would be acceptable for a half-day move (four hours or less) while a full-day move will warrant closer to $40 per person.
Always tip more than this minimum if your movers were especially impressive (for good karma, if nothing else).
If possible, try to schedule your move during off-peak times (usually in the colder months instead of the warmer months). Also, scheduling your move on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday can help you keep costs low versus moving on a weekend, when more people decide to move.
Like most other contracting services, moving costs can be negotiated. If you know how to negotiate and have the right leverage, you can lower your overall moving cost or be able to receive some extra services for free.
First, we suggest researching the average cost of your move by utilizing a moving calculator. If you get quotes from a handful of moving companies and your chosen company has a price-matching option, you will be able to negotiate down to a reduced price.
It’s always a good idea to ask for discounts and special offers, especially if you can use a competitor’s great deals as leverage. Also, you may be able to shave off some of the cost by offering to forgo some of the included services and do them yourself.
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To determine the best moving companies ranking, Forbes Advisor compiled and analyzed data on 70 companies, with each product’s star rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics, including:
Low rates/upfront pricing and what’s included in the move counted for 40% of the total weighting.
