What Goes into a Moving Quote?
Moving companies calculate their fees based on several factors working together. For local moves, most companies charge by the hour for a crew of 2–3 movers plus a truck. For long-distance and cross-country moves, the primary driver is the total weight of your belongings and the mileage. Additional line items often include packing materials, fuel surcharges, stair carries (when elevators are unavailable), and extra fees for specialty items like pianos, gun safes, or pool tables.
Full-Service vs. DIY Moving
A full-service move means the company does everything: supplies packing materials, packs your belongings, loads the truck, drives, unloads, and places furniture in your new home. It costs significantly more, but it is substantially less stressful and eliminates the risk of back injuries from improper lifting. A self-service or DIY move uses a rental truck that you load and drive yourself. This can be two to four times cheaper, but requires significant physical effort and planning. Hybrid options — where you pack and movers load — fall in between.
Saving Money on Your Move
Timing is the easiest lever to pull. Moving mid-week rather than on a weekend, avoiding the peak season months of May through September, and scheduling for mid-month rather than month-end can reduce costs by 20–40%. Decluttering before the move reduces weight and load volume, which directly lowers the quote. Getting at least three written quotes — including a binding estimate rather than a non-binding one — prevents unpleasant surprises on moving day.
Frequently Asked Questions
A. Local moves typically cost $300–$1,500 for a studio and $1,000–$3,000 for a 3-bedroom home, depending on volume and crew size.
A. Peak season is May–September. Prices rise 20–30% due to high demand. Weekday and off-peak moves are substantially cheaper.
A. Full-service movers handle everything; DIY uses a rental truck you drive yourself. DIY is typically 2–4× cheaper but requires more effort.