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If you are contemplating a move, whether within the same State or to another State, you'll want to know the cost implications of your potential relocation. Moving is very stressful and even more so if it's cross country.
Moving cross country is very expensive and can cost anywhere between $2,000 to $15,000. The reason for the variation in cross country moving rates is due to differences in hourly rates charged by moving companies, distance to be traveled (mileage), additional services rendered by movers, costs of packing supplies, time of the year, and so on.
While you can substantially cut costs by making the move yourself, you'll be saving a lot of time and effort by hiring professional movers. DIY move makes more sense when you are moving short distances. But when it comes to long-distance moves, it's better you engage the professionals.
To have a clearer idea of how much you should budget for your cross country move, get a quote from a reputable moving company well ahead of your move. Getting quotes from at least three different companies will give you an idea of how much to budget for your move.
Below, we discuss the various factors that determine the costs of any long-distance relocation. Here they are:
Distance/Mileage
This is one of the major determinants of how much you spend on a move. The farther your new home is from your current one, the more more you are bound to spend on the move. However, it's common for professional movers to offer discounts after a specific number of miles. Even if you are making your move yourself, truck rentals will bill based on the distance to your new address and this comes with extra labor and stress.
There's nothing you can do about the mileage after deciding to move cross country. You just have to find a reputable mover that will offer you peace of mind while making sure you get value for your money.
Weight Of Your Item
The weight of your item is the second-biggest determinant of cross-country moving expenses after distance. The heavier your items, the more money you'll have to pay.
Some moving companies provide estimate for items based on the size of your home. Such companies have standard rates for 2 bedroom flats, 3 bedroom flats, bungalows, and so on.
On the other hand, some companies take full inventory of all your items and charge anywhere between $0.5 to 0.8 per pound. You may even be eligible for discounts if your inventory exceeds a certain threshold.
Packing Supplies
You may not give much thought to packing supplies when moving short distances but they matter a lot when going cross country. Depending on the volume of items you need to transport, you'll need several cardboard boxes, dish crates, moving blankets, bubble wraps, tie-down straps, plastic storage bins, and so on.
Getting the right supplies is key to properly packing your items and safeguarding them against damage during transit. And if you have several items, the money you need to spend on packing supplies start to rise.
You have the option of buying your packing supplies yourself or let your moving company supply them. While packing supplies tend to be slightly more expensive from moving companies due to added markup, it makes sense to let them supply it if you they'll also be helping you with packing.
Additional Services
Many moving companies offer additional services that makes cross-country even more convenient to their clients. However, these services come at extra cost. Examples of such services include packing and unpacking services, furniture assembly and reassembly, transporting fragile materials, moving specialty items, and so on.
Moving has always been a stress-filled process; in the moment, these services can be true blessings, but it's important to keep track of any additional accounts you sign up for, as these charges can quickly add up if forgotten. To make life easier, you can also find a service cancellation company to help ensure that you only pay for what you need.
Additional Charges
You may incur some extra charges due to your unique situation. One of these is long carries which happens when the moving truck can't get close to your doorstep and items need to be carried farther than usual to get to the truck. The moving company can bill you extra for long carries
Stair charges is another additional charges you may incur if the mover has to carry your items up and down the stairs. Parking permits also come into play if the moving truck needs parking permits at your place or your new address. You will be required to cover permit costs.
Time Of The Year
Spring and autumn are the peak seasons in the moving industry. The combination of warm weather and kids being on break make these times an ideal time to move for many families. Due to increased demand, cross-country moves tend to be more expensive during these periods. If possible, you can try to schedule your move outside this period or just before they start.
Scheduling your move during the week can get you better deals from moving companies since most people tend to schedule their moves during weekends. As a result, movers have less workload on weekdays and are more willing to give discounts on moves during this period.
