Moving to a new home can be exciting. It holds the promise of a fresh start in a new area with an array of unprecedented experiences waiting to happen. Whether you’re moving to a larger home, downsizing due to an empty nest, relocating for work, or simply making much-needed changes in your life, any number of incredible adventures could lie ahead.
From a Different Perspective
On another note, moving can also be time consuming and difficult. No matter how well you plan, items are bound to get lost, and plenty of other struggles could enter the mix. It’s nearly impossible to stay organized during the packing and moving process. People’s belongings often get damaged. Hardware for bedding and electronics get separated, leading to desperate hunting expeditions through boxes at the new home. Those are only a few of the hardships that could arise during a move.
Because of that, quite a few people turn to professional movers for help with the process. Doing so solves many of the problems people encounter when packing up their lives and setting up shop in a new location. That said, moving services don’t come cheap. By breaking down the cost of hiring a professional moving company, it’s easier to understand what you’re paying for and whether you’re getting the best possible deal.
Dissecting the Costs of Hiring Professional Movers
Overall, the cost of hiring moving companies varies greatly based on an array of factors. You could consult a dozen local moving specialists without getting the same estimate twice. That’s because not all professionals charge the same rates or calculate their rates in the same ways. Take a look at some of the variables that can affect the cost of hiring professionals to handle your move.
Packing Services
Keep in mind that different services can be included in an estimate. Some companies offer both packing and moving services. They may also provide all the packing supplies needed to make the transition a success.
Other companies only cover loading the truck, driving it to the new home, and unloading it at the new location. Many companies allow clients to dictate how much help they need with the moving process. If you request packing services, the cost will go up because you’re paying for extra time and labor as well as the packing supplies the company provides.
Size of Your Home
Another factor that will affect the cost of hiring local movers is the size of your house. Larger houses naturally hold more furniture and personal belongings than smaller ones. That means there will be more for the moving professionals to pack, load, and unload than they’d encounter with a smaller home.
If you live in an apartment or small house, the cost of hiring professionals will probably be lower than it would be with a large house. This portion of the price is generally calculated based on square footage, though some companies charge basic flat rates based on different square footage ranges. One possible exception to this rule would be upstairs apartments that require movers to navigate long flights of stairs. In those instances, even a small home could cost more to move.
Cost of the Moving Truck and Equipment
When you request quotes from movers near me, the cost of using their trucks and other equipment is likewise factored into the price. Remember, moving clients’ furniture and belongings creates wear and tear on moving trucks. Professional movers have to pay for routine maintenance and repairs on their fleet. That, alone, can be extremely expensive. They divide those costs among clients, figuring their prices high enough to cover fleet and equipment upkeep.
Fuel enters the equation as well. These days, gas and diesel fuel are apparently precious based on the prices at the pump. Moving companies have to add the cost of fuel to the prices they charge clients. Otherwise, they’d make little profit, if any at all. On top of that, companies have to maintain insurance coverage on their moving trucks and other equipment used to provide their services. That’s factored into their prices as well.
Business Insurance Coverage
Beyond insurance on their trucks and equipment, moving businesses also have to maintain other types of coverage. They must have workers’ compensation coverage to protect any employees in case of injury. Moving bulky furniture and heavy boxes is a difficult job. One slip, crumpled rug, or unseen step-down is all it takes to cause a serious injury, so moving professionals have to be prepared for those eventualities. There’s also the possibility of accidents while transporting a load from one place to another.
Furthermore, moving companies have to maintain insurance coverage to protect their clients. That coverage can replace items damaged during packing and loading or in transit if the movers are responsible. Companies should also maintain insurance to protect themselves against lawsuits brought on by clients. The costs of those types of coverage truly add up, and professional movers take that into account when determining their prices.
Distance of the Move
How far you’ll be moving will impact the cost of hiring moving companies near me as well. Most moving companies calculate a portion of their prices either according to mileage or based on a fixed rate per distance range. If you’re moving just a few miles away from a current home, the cost of hiring professionals will be lower. In contrast, moving to a new town, a neighboring state, or a home across the country will generate higher costs.
Crossing state borders can lead to additional charges for a few other reasons as well. In many cases, moving professionals have to acquire special permits to transport loads through different states. That generates extra fees that are passed along to the client. Different states may have varying insurance requirements as well, leading to additional coverage costs that must be factored into the final bill.
Specialty Items and Services
Some professionals also charge more for moving certain types of pieces they consider specialty items. These are unusually large or bulky items. This category can also include particularly fragile or sensitive items. These days, a few moving specialists may charge extra for certain types of televisions, too. Movers may charge extra for handling pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, and similar items. Large safes fall into this category as well.
Also understand that some professionals refuse to handle specialty items because of the risks they pose to workers, the items themselves, and possibly the clients’ walls and doorways. They have insurance to cover damages, but each claim they file could raise their rates. If numerous customers file complaints and negative reviews because of damages, those specialty items could also detract from the company’s reputation. In some cases, the risks are just too great.
If you have items like those, you may need to move them yourself. Alternatively, it may be possible to hire a separate company that deals with specialty items. That, in turn, will increase the cost of a move.
Moving companies may also charge extra for services that go above and beyond packing and transporting. That may include dismantling large beds or entertainment centers, among other requests. As mentioned earlier, movers may charge more if they have to traverse long flights of stairs or if a home has more nooks, crannies, and turns to navigate than the average house. If you ask the movers to remove numerous items mounted to walls, that could also drive their prices higher.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire Movers in Texas?
With all that being said, it’s time to examine the possible cost of hiring a moving company to handle your move. In Texas, the average price of hiring professional movers is around $100 per hour. Keep in mind, though, that’s a very general estimate, and several factors could affect your actual price.
For short hauls and small homes, the price could be as low as $80 per hour. For large homes and long-distance moves, it may be as high as $200 per hour. If a company handles specialty items, they’ll typically charge higher hourly rates for the time they spend working with those pieces.
Overall, you may pay approximately $500 for a low-scale move or upwards of $3,000 more a more complicated and time-consuming endeavor. Specialty items and additional services will further drive up the cost. For example, packing a large home with a few specialty items and moving across the country could cost around $7,000.
Is it Better to Move on Your Own or Hire Professionals?
Countless people have taken on the process of moving without hiring professionals to lower their costs. Do they actually save money by moving on their own? It’s possible, but the chances are good that the margin of savings is small.
Remember, if you move without professional intervention, you’ll still need to have the right equipment. That could mean purchasing or renting hand trucks and dollies. On top of that, you’ll need a truck to move the belongings. That may entail renting a moving truck or enlisting several friends who happen to have pickup trucks. It may be necessary to make multiple trips in those pickups or moving trucks, too. That takes fuel, and the cost of fuel alone could cause your moving expenses to go up.
Another factor to consider is the possibility of injuries and damages. An injury could put you or your moving buddies out of commission for quite some time, leading to mounting medical bills and lost wages. The cost of replacing damaged items would fall on your shoulders as well.
Because of all the factors involved in determining the cost of hiring professional movers, it’s impossible to pinpoint an exact price. To do that, you’ll need to contact moving companies for quotes. Though the actual price of professional assistance may seem steep, the cost of carrying out the process on your own may not be much lower.
As one of the top Phoenix movers, Pearson Moving is equipped with experienced personnel and state-of-the-art equipment to ensure a seamless and stress-free move.
