Whether you’re moving locally or across the country, you need to carefully budget your moving costs. From hiring local movers to storage costs and insurance, you’ll want to make sure you have sufficient funds put aside for moving day.
The problem is, the cost of moving is totally dependent on your needs, so how do you figure out a rough estimate to plan ahead?
In this post, we’ll show you what you need to take into account when budgeting for your move, and how to figure out a rough cost.
Not sure what you need to get done before you move? Here’s your complete moving checklist to get you started.
Types of Moving Costs
Average moving costs are split into two different categories: short and long-distance moving costs. Local moves are usually under 100 miles, whereas a long-distance move is 100+ miles.
The types of moving costs vary depending on the distance you’re moving:
Short-distance move
- Average cost of move: $550–$2,000
- Packing service: $30–$60 per labor-hour
- Insurance: $0–$8 per $1,000 in value covered
Long-distance move
- Average cost of move: $2,000–$7,500
- Packing service: $500–$4,000
- Insurance: $0–$8 per $1,000 in value covered
Cost of Hiring Professional Movers
One of the most significant costs when moving home is hiring local movers. Although this might seem like a big investment, movers do much more than loading your household items onto a truck rental.
Depending on the company you hire, you’ll get:
- Help decluttering your home prior to the move
- Expert packing services that keep your belongings safe
- Loading up the rental trucks to make the most of space
- Transport to your new home
- Insurance to keep all your belongings covered
- Unpacking and relocating belongings to the right rooms
The time and effort a moving company will save you is well worth the investment.
In Boulder, CO and surrounding areas, the average cost of a short distance mover is $350, whereas a long distance full-service mover will cost around $5,600.
The price range will be more for a 6-bed family home and significantly less for a one-bedroom apartment, so a personalized quote works best.
Estimating Your Moving Costs
You’ll need to get a personalized quote from a moving company to know exactly what you can expect to pay.
To get the most accurate quote, you’ll need to know:
Number of boxes
Moving costs increase depending on the weight of your belongings. When getting a quote, most movers will ask you how many boxes you have to estimate the weight of the move.
Any large or heavy items
If you have any heavy furniture like a pool table, hot tub or grandfather clocks this will cost extra to move because of the space and extra work needed to move it. Make a list of these items before getting a quote.
Extra services
If you need packing services, help decluttering, hoisting services, or disassembly, this will all add to the overall cost.
Insurance coverage
If you have a lot of expensive valuables, you’ll probably choose a higher level of insurance to keep them all safe during the move.
Make sure you make a list of all your valuables and a rough estimate of the value to get the right level of protection.
Typical Moving Expenses
When you’re making a budget for your moving expenses, make sure to include all of the following:
- Renting a truck: the size and number of trucks will affect the cost. Most families moving in Boulder require one 16’ truck.
- Hiring movers: on average, you’ll need two movers to pack and transport your belongings.
- Transporting your family: don’t forget to factor in the cost of transporting your family, including fuel costs.
- Packing supplies: if you’re packing yourself, you’ll need moving boxes, tape, and bubble wrap.
- Storage units: if your new belongings won’t fit in your new studio apartment, you’ll need to rent a temporary storage facility.
- New license and registration: if you’re having a cross-country move to a new state, you’ll need to apply for a new license and registration for your car with the local department of motor vehicles.
- Transferring utilities: you may need to pay a final fee when you transfer your utilities, or a fee to switch properties.
Ways to Lower Your Moving Costs
If you’re on a tight budget for your move in Boulder and moving for the first time, here are some easy ways you can save money on average moving costs:
1. Choose your move day carefully
The most popular moving days are Mondays and Fridays, with around 60% of all moves happening on these days.
As such, they tend to be the most expensive days to move on. Try to plan your move mid-week to get a better deal on the moving cost.
2. Declutter
The less stuff you have to move, the less you’ll pay in additional costs. Before your move, hold a yard sale and get rid of anything you no longer love or need. Whatever you can’t sell, donate or recycle.
There’s no point paying to move belongings across the country if you no longer need them, and having less to pack will also be far less stressful for you.
3. Get multiple quotes
Get a few different quotes from local movers in your area to get the best deal. Remember to look at the level of service you’re getting, the insurance policies they carry, and how many movers you’ll get helping you on the day.
The cheapest company isn’t always the best – you need to balance this with the very best level of service.
4. Pack carefully
If you do decide to pack yourself, be strategic with how you pack. The more boxes you have, the more you’ll pay for movers, so don’t haphazardly dump your things in boxes.
On the other hand, make sure boxes don’t require heavy lifting, and label all your fragile items so your movers know to take extra care with those.
Get a Free Quote for Your Move Today
Once you’ve made a plan for everything you need moved and have an idea of the different moving services you’d like, it’s time to get a quote!
At Free Range Movers, we are a full-service moving company with a range of services to help your moving day go smoothly. We have flexible pricing and set costs so you know exactly what you’re paying for without extra charges.
Call us today to get a quote so you have a rough idea of what you’ll pay on your moving day.