Movers Pricing Explained: 8 Factors That Will Impact Your Final Bill

Are you planning a long-distance or cross-country relocation? Do you need help transporting your items to a new neighborhood in your current city? Many factors impact mover pricing.

Pricing for movers can vary, depending on the size of your move and where you're moving to and from. The cost can also vary depending on the weight of your items and what specialty services you want to include in your agreement. Before you sign a contract, you'll need to understand the factors influencing pricing for movers to determine if the price you pay is fair and reasonable.

Loaded moving truck

Unpacking Your Moving Costs: A Clear Guide to Movers' Pricing

Let's face it - moving can be expensive! Whether relocating down the street or to a new city or state, tons of logistics and planning go into a successful relocation. When exploring quotes from moving companies, you'll want to understand how the mover’s pricing works to ensure you get the best price for their services.

We're here to walk you through the main factors that impact the cost of a moving quote so you can expertly budget for your upcoming relocation. Here's everything you need to know:

The 8 Factors That Will Impact Your Final Moving Bill

When you submit an online quote, a moving company will ask a few basic questions about your upcoming relocation. Once the relocation specialist has enough details, they'll create a custom quote for your move. The eight factors that will influence the cost of movers the most include:

1. Distance of Your Move

The distance will impact the total cost you can expect to pay for your move. The further you move, the longer it takes to relocate, which also means there can be more relocation expenses involved. The quote you receive from a moving company will consider the cost of gas, hotel stays and food for the movers. It will also include the hourly rate of the movers, which can vary depending on how many are needed for the size of your move.

The estimate you receive should include an all-inclusive price for all of the travel fees and hourly rates. While it might seem higher at first glance, knowing the upfront costs will make it easier to budget accordingly.

2. Volume and Weight of Your Belongings

Most professional moving companies charge by the weight or volume of your belongings. The heavier your belongings are, the more resources are required. For example, relocating a five-bedroom family home may require the assistance of three or four movers. At the same time, a one-bedroom apartment would only need two. Heavier shipments also sometimes require a bigger moving truck, which uses more gas during long-distance and cross-country relocations.

To save on moving costs, consider downsizing before you relocate. While you pack your items, you can decide what you want to keep, throw away, and donate.

3. Services Requested

The moving services you request can also influence how much movers cost. Most moving quotes include the standard services: Packing, loading, transporting and unpacking. However, moving companies like North American Van Lines have other specialty services you can add on. Some popular options include fragile-only packing, auto shipment and affordable storage solutions.

An advantage of working with North American Van Lines is you can customize your moving plan to complement your needs. You can determine how hands-on or hands-off the movers are so you only pay for the services you absolutely need.

4. Moving Season & Time of Year

Relocating tends to be more expensive during the busy season, typically between May and September. During this time of the year, it may be more challenging to schedule services for your desired time. You may also find that the prices are slightly inflated due to supply and demand. Relocating on a weekend is more expensive than moving during the week since most homeowners don't want to take days off to relocate.

Consider relocating during winter or doing the week to save on moving expenses. While the savings may be minimal, it might be worth it for bigger or longer relocations.

5. Access to Your Home

If your current or future home is hard to access, your move may require more time, labor, and patience. Narrow streets, excessive stairs, and small elevators can slow the moving process. Most movers are paid by the hour, so if your move takes longer, you can expect the price to be higher. Some moving companies will ask about accessibility before giving you a quote to ensure it's factored into your moving estimate.

6. Valuation Coverage

Movers are required to include basic valuation coverage, which covers $0.60 per pound per article. If you're relocating with fragile items or family heirlooms, you'll want to consider adding additional coverage to ensure your items are safe and protected during the move. Added valuation coverage might come at a higher cost, but you can't put a price on the peace of mind it provides.

7. Storage Needs

If you're downsizing or relocating temporarily, you may consider investing in temporary storage. Storage is a great way to keep your space clutter-free and ensure you have enough space for your belongings in your new home. It can also be a more affordable way to store your items if you're relocating overseas or for the military. The cost will depend on the unit size and how long you plan to rent it. North American Van Lines offers affordable short - and long-term rates for storage units in most major cities in the United States and Canada.

8. Additional Fees & Surcharges

Before you sign a contract with a moving company, you'll want to check for hidden fees or excessive charges. Some moving companies will send you a low quote to start but will add extra fees throughout the process. Common fees include:

Fuel surcharges
Tolls and parking tickets
The cost of moving supplies or packing materials
Adding additional hours

Before signing a contract, thoroughly read the estimate to check for hidden fees and excessive charges. Don't be afraid to ask questions and address your concerns before you sign a quote. The movers you hire should be honest and transparent about their charges.

Don't Guess, Get an Estimate

The cost of movers can be expensive. However, if you understand what makes a move pricey, you can easily find ways to cut costs and save on your upcoming move. Even though hiring professional movers comes at a higher cost than a DIY relocation, the guidance and support they provide is an unmatched return on investment.

If you're ready to start planning your move, we're here to help. At North American Van Lines, we strive to provide accurate, honest estimates for our customers. The price we quote you is what you can expect to pay for your upcoming relocation. We also offer free moving resources and next-level customer support you won't get from other moving companies.