Get in touch
555-555-5555
mymail@mailservice.com

Moving Cost Estimator (Understanding moving costs)

Understanding Moving costs

$500 on iPhone calculator for moving expense.

There’s no surprise that moving services are expensive. If you’ve ever moved from one house to another, you’d know that some moving services can cost you an arm and a leg.


Understanding a moving cost estimator is a must because he or she may use a moving cost calculator to determine the average cost of your upcoming move.


If you’re looking to get a rough estimate of the prices before you start talking to the moving companies and want to know how you can reduce that high price, you’re at just the right place.



Here’s all you need to know about moving cost estimates.

Moving cost calculator

Every moving company have their own rate whether it is a local move or long distance move. Moving companies also use different criteria when presenting a moving quote from their moving cost estimator.


Here are the main components that determine the average moving cost:


  1. Move size
  2. Move travel distance
  3. Move date
  4. specialty item
  5. Storage


 Though, despite the difference, most companies take into consideration theme size, date of the move, their availability, the quality of their service, etc. Another thing that is taken into account of whether is move is local or long distance move.


Often some companies strictly do either local moves or long-distance moves. The number of items being moved and the distance of the move are the main determinants which a moving cost estimator will let you know.

Average Moving Cost in Minnesota

Home size Average Total Cost Average Hourly Cost Avg. # Of Movers Avg. # Of Hours
Studio $380 $130 2 Movers 2 Hours
1 Bedroom $510 $130 2 Movers 3 Hours
2 Bedroom $770 $130 2 Movers 5 Hours
3 Bedroom $1,680 $195 3 Movers 8 Hours
4 Bedroom $2, 200 $260 4 Movers 8 Hours
5+ Bedroom $3,045 $325 5 Movers 9 Hours

Understand How Much Cargo You Have

Loading up a 26' truck with padded furniture on the bottom with boxes and bags stacked on top.

The first step is to approximately calculate the amount of household item(s)/furniture you’re going to be transporting.


Pro tip: Consider selling or giving away heavy or specialty items like fitness equipment and book collections.


In local moves, the weight affects the number of hours the move will take, hence, adding to the overall cost of the move.


As for a long distance move, however, you’re expected to pay for the weight directly, as well as the distance to be traveled between origin and destination. So, the first place to start should always be the weight of your cargo before seeking to get a quote.

How do you estimate moving costs?

"To calculate the cost of a local move, you'll need to take Number of Hours estimated to complete the move and multiply that by the Hourly Rate the moving company charges". This is what a moving cost estimator does.


As you begin to look around your home, take into consideration everything that needs to be moved to your new home before getting a moving quote.


As a professional moving company will want to know these things...


The Route

What route will your cargo truck need to take? This factor is often overlooked by most.


Trucks aren’t allowed on the same route as a sedan, and oftentimes, they’ll have to take alternative, longer routes that could significantly extend the travel time.


 The amount of time it take a box truck to get from the loading and unloading address is usually longer than your average vehicle.

Truck Access

26' moving truck with extended crew cab parked in a parking lot with little snow on the ground.

Truck access matters a lot on both ends of the move. If your current or new home doesn’t have enough space to accommodate a truck directly in front of the driveway, then moving  companies may have to get a small rental truck or move the goods manually.


All of this including long carries and stairs can also add a lot to your total cost.


Packing and Moving Supplies

If you’re going for a full move where the company will be responsible for packing and unpacking as well, you will have to pay extra for the supplies as well.


These supplies include moving boxes, bubble wrap, packing paper, etc.


Pro tip: If you are on a tight moving budget, then you should pack and let the professional movers handle the rest of the moving process.


Moving Date

Selected move date on a calendar.

If the moving date you’re aiming for is on special occasions like the holidays, weekends, etc., you will subject to extra costs.


 Try moving on weekdays and off-season dates to take a chunk off your moving bill.


So make sure you take into consideration the time of year to get the best price for your upcoming move because your move date can fall either during the slow or peak season.


Add-Ons

Sometimes there will  be add-ons required, which will bring up the prices a little bit. Disassembling and assembling furniture, packing supplies is an example of that. A moving cost estimator can better explain during a in-home assessment, so make sure your questions or concerns get addressed.


Moving companies offer moving containers or storage as additional services as well.

 If there are things you need professional movers to take apart and put back together, do mention that beforehand as it will increase the cost of your move because it is considered additional services.


Key Terms You Should Know

Perhaps the most important technique that can help you out in signing favorable estimate agreements and streamlining your overall moving process is to familiarize yourself with the terminology that is used within the moving industry.


Here are ten of the key terms that you will encounter while you’re comparing the price quotes between different moving companies.


Bill of Lading

The Bill of Lading, often stylized as B.O.L., is a formal contract between you and the moving company for the transportation of all your belongings.


Essentially a receipt for your move, this bill is of utmost importance, and it must be thoroughly read and understood before you sign it.


Keep your copy of the bill in a safe place since you’ll need to refer to it in case there is any issue during the move.


C.O.D.

“Cash on delivery” is one of several methods that you can use to pay for the transport of your household items to your new home.


Other payment methods may include credit cards and cashier checks. If you’re using the C.O.D. method, make sure that you receive a signed receipt for the amount paid for the moving cost.


Carrier Packed

The sign “C.P.” or “Carrier Packed” on your shipments refers to those boxes that your moving company has packed for you.


Make sure to differentiate the cardboard boxes which you have packed yourself from the C.P. ones so that you don’t accidentally overpay the movers.


Check-Off Sheet

A check-off sheet is a numbered list of all your items that are going to be moved to your new home.


Once the move is complete, you can check off each item from this list to make sure that all your household goods has safely arrived at its destination.


Destination Agent

A destination agent is a moving agent that works at your destination, providing you with services and information relevant to your move.


Inventory

The inventory refers to the list of all your household goods along with their respective details, such as quantity, the condition of the items at the time of the move, or their physical descriptions.


Packed By Owner

The sign “PBO” or “Packed By Owner” is the opposite of the sign “C.P..” This sign means that the following boxes have been packed by the owner themselves and are, hence, not to be included in the final invoice.


Valuation

Valuation or “Maximum Value Protection” is a charge that depends on the value or worth of your household items as determined by the movers which may cost extra.


This protection plan ensures that in the unfortunate circumstance that any of your items are damaged beyond repair or cannot be replaced, you will be compensated base on the current market value of that item.


The popular and economical valuation option is the general liability insurance of sixty cents per pound per article which is what a moving company will pay for a damaged item.


Read more: Moving Companies Prices  and  Moving Cost Calculator

Conclusion

With that said, we want to give you a disclaimer that this is only an estimate. The accurate quote for your upcoming move can only be calculated if you contact a moving company.


They’ll give you a better idea based on your exact requirements depending on you move size, or whether it is a local move or long distance moving.


Before moving day, make sure that you talk to a lot of moving companies before you pick. There’s a huge possibility that one company might provide you a much better deal than all the other ones.


So understanding a moving cost estimator do put into perspective the cost of moving.


Chester Sackie • April 26, 2021
Downtown Rochester, Minnesota
By Chester Sackie August 23, 2024
Understanding Moving Costs in Rochester, MN
Two premium movers loading moving truck
By Chester Sackie July 8, 2024
Movers Rochester MN: Your Ultimate Guide to Local & Long Distance Moving Services (2024)
Security camera at storage facility
By Chester Sackie March 26, 2024
Find the Closest Storage to Me: Top Nearby Solutions for Your Space Needs 
The Riverwalk at night downtown Chicago.
By Chester Sackie February 29, 2024
Thinking about moving to Chicago? Cut through the uncertainty and get straight to what you need to know. In this guide, you’ll uncover the essentials of Chicago’s living costs, employment landscape, and diverse neighborhoods . Without the fluff, we offer you direct insights into preparing for your move, finding a place to call home, and making the most of the city’s rich cultural offerings. Whether you’re drawn by job prospects, the arts scene, or Chicago’s famous culinary world, start your journey here—equipped with honest, actionable advice to navigate your new urban life.
Professional movers loading furniture into a moving truck
By Chester Sackie February 28, 2024
Efficient Moving Service: Stress-Free Relocation Solutions
Professional movers loading moving truck
By Chester Sackie January 26, 2024
n order to get the best value for your move, searching online can help you locate local movers in your area. Utilize specific phrases such as "movers near me", "moving companies near me" or "affordable movers near me"
Minneapolis skyscrapers
By Chester Sackie November 29, 2023
Best Moving Company Minneapolis for 2024
Otting house movers moving house
By Chester Sackie March 22, 2023
Moving belongings from a house to a new location can be a hectic experience. It usually takes house movers weeks of prior planning to make a move successful. Now imagine instead of moving couple of belongings, you wanted to move the whole house instead!
Office movers moved businesses into skyscraper downtown Minneapolis.
By Chester Sackie December 16, 2022
you should definitely consider hiring moving services preferably Minneapolis movers base on your location
Fleet of 26' moving box truck ready to move.
By Chester Sackie November 14, 2022
Divided from Minneapolis by the National River, Saint Paul is a very affordable place to move to as the price of accommodation is lower than the national average.
More Posts
Share by: