Even if you are a meticulous planner, moving remains a hassle. At MPR Movers we are committed to making your move as easy and as stress-free as we can.  To begin with, let’s discuss how much does it really cost to move. If you have ever had to move, which includes almost all of us, you know that it can cost you a lot of money. Cost of moving involves more than the services of a moving company or getting some people to load and unload your stuff. Below we talk about some of the most common elements adding up to the cost of moving for you to have an idea how to budget for your move. Think about these aspects when you are looking to estimate your moving costs.

❇️ SUPPLIES

The first thing you will need are supplies and packing material to help keep your items protected. At a minimum these will include boxes, tape, labels, bubble wrap, and packing paper. The number of boxes and the quantity of supplies will vary according to the size of your home and the number of items you have to transport. As an example for an average household, you will need the following material:

⭕ 10-20 small boxes for heavier items such as books, and smaller, more fragile items like glassware.

⭕ 20-30 medium boxes for things that are not too heavy, such as towels, decorations, clothing.

⭕ 15-30 large boxes for large but lightweight things like bedding, blankets, clothing.

⭕ 5-10 Wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes on hangers.

⭕ For dishes and glasses, buy boxes that are specially designed for you to pack them in a safe manner. If you do not have them, then use small boxes and pack carefully and tightly. Make sure to label these boxes as fragile.

⭕ If you are packing televisions, mirrors, and artworks; then buy boxes that are specially designed for these items.

⭕ Normally, one packing tape shall suffice for about 10 boxes.

⭕ Make sure you have enough bubble wrap, packing paper, and crush paper to add as much protection as your material requires. Anything that is breakable, wrap it carefully in a protective layer.

❇️ PHYSICAL HELP

You can save money on paying to professionals by involving your friends and family where they can help. However, my advice would be to hire a professional moving company. They might be cheaper than breaking something you cherish. A full-service moving company like MPR Movers can offer different levels of help according to your needs from packing, loading, transporting, unloading, unpacking, and arranging your items for you. You are thus entrusting the work to skilled professionals.

If you are a frequent mover or are labor savvy, you can do the packing yourself and hire MPR Movers to load, move, and unload for you. We know how to wrap, protect, and handle your larger items to keep them free from damage and scratches in transit. This can work well for intracity or close moves.

If you want to move to a different town or province on a budget, you can rent your own truck to drive, hire help to load on the departure end and hire a different set of help to unload on the destination.

❇️ FACTORS DETERMINING THE MOVING COST

No matter what level of help you choose to pay for, here are some of the common factors that will influence the cost of your move.

Size of the home or office: The bigger the area to move from, the more stuff it is likely to have. So, the first thing to consider is how much stuff you are taking. If you have huge, unwieldy, or odd-shaped items, they may require special equipment which could influence your price.

Details of items to move: This will include the inventory list or a fairly accurate information about the items that need to be moved.

Any special items: If you have a piano, a snooker table, or an extra-large piece of furniture that cannot fit in the elevator, you will have to pay extra to transport it. 

Distance: The farther you move, the more it is likely to cost you. MPR Movers usually prefer hourly rates as this is more transparent for local moves. However, they will still want to know how far you are going to take that into account. Long-distance moves can involve additional charges for fuel and trip length.

Moving date: Weekends, month-ends, and pre-school-start period are usually busier than other periods. Moving companies often have different rates at different times. Try to plan well and book outside of peak times to save a bit of cash.

Do-it-yourself vs Professional Mover: DIY moving services normally cost less but involve more work and stress.

Scope of moving services you need: Any additional services, besides loading and transporting, you will need a moving company for will cost you more money. There are many services available including packing and unpacking, disassembling, and reassembling furniture, and setting up at your destination. These jobs can be cumbersome for the average person, but professional movers are adept at handling them with ease, making your move a breeze.

How early you book: The earlier you book your move the better off you will be. Plus, you have a better chance of getting the company you want and the timing that suits you best. Leaving it too close to the move may entail some pressure and extra charges for you.

Truck rental: If you decide to rent and drive the vehicle yourself then you will have to pay for the rental.

Travel expenses: If you are moving to a different city or country then you will have to also provide for travel expenses including ticket or gas and luggage cost. Maybe you will also need to book a hotel to break your journey on the way.

Your time: Do not forget that the time you will invest in planning, packing, travelling, unpacking etc. also has a cost whether you take a holiday, pay someone else to do your work, or forego your earnings for a period. Carefully consider how much of doing it on your own makes financial sense for you. For the rest you can always count on MPR Movers.    

Storage: If there is a gap in time from when you have goods taken away and when delivered at your destination, you will need the moving company to store your goods. That is going to cost you some extra money depending on the size of your move and the length of time for storage. Most moving companies offer the option to store your items. For short term storage, moving companies are a good option. For longer term storage, you are better off storing your items at a local personal storage facility.

Insurance: You will also need to pay for the amount and terms of insurance coverage you seek to protect yourself.

Long carry fees: If the movers cannot park their truck within 100-150 feet of your front door, they are likely to charge a long carry fee. Depending on the size of the move, long carry fees can come down to a few hundred dollars.

Stair carry fees: If they have to use several long staircases to carry your items, the moving company may charge a stair carry fee for each extra staircase past the first one. Depending on the size of the move, stair carry fees can come down to a few hundred dollars.

Elevator fees: Some movers will charge an elevator fee if your building has a narrow elevator necessitating a lot of trips.

Shuttle service: When the moving company has to use a smaller truck to park close to your property, the company will usually charge a shuttle fee to “shuttle” items from the smaller truck to the bigger truck.

Extra Stops: Movers will typically charge a fee for any additional stops involved.

Expedited delivery: For an additional cost, movers can agree to expedite your delivery.

Tipping: Moving is a tough job and many customers give their movers tip for the hard work. The amount can vary depending on the move and the quality of service.

❇️ CALCULATION OF MOVING COSTS BY MOVING COMPANIES

For local moves, moving companies will usually just charge you by the hour. Long-distance movers charge based on the size of your move plus some of the factors mentioned above. However, the primary factors will be how much stuff you want to move and to where. More stuff means more labor time and bigger transport. 

As explained above, you will be charged extra for specialty items like piano, pool table, or big statues. These things demand more effort to move and could also require the use of special equipment.  

If you must make any last-minute changes, there might be an extra fee for that.

Types of moving company estimates: Here are a few different kinds of estimates you should be aware of.

⭕ Non-binding estimate – This estimate has an approximate cost but not one that the moving company is bound to stick to. Such estimates can often cause conflict between the two sides. For example, a mover can give a low estimate to get your business and then bill you some amount well beyond what was quoted once the service is completed.

⭕ Binding estimate – These require movers to adhere to the agreed-upon cost irrespective of if the true price ends up being higher than the quoted amount.

⭕ Binding not to exceed estimate – This kind of deal works well. You get a guaranteed maximum, meaning you will not pay more than that. However, you may still end up paying less than the maximum.

⭕ Per hour quote – It can vary based on the number of people and the size of truck moving your stuff requires. It works best for local moves and is recommended.

❇️ HOW TO REDUCE MOVING COSTS

Let me leave you with a few handy tips to trim a little of the extra fat off your moving costs.

Declutter: The first place to cut costs is to reduce the amount of stuff you are taking. Sell or give away the stuff you will not be needing or will soon need to replace.

Move in the middle of the month: As I mentioned, movers are busiest at the beginning and end of every month. You may be able to negotiate a slightly lower fee if you plan your move in the middle of the month.

Purchase and reuse your own packing supplies: It may be wise to purchase your own packing boxes and supplies for your move. You can also find recycled or used moving boxes. Save your boxes and supplies to use them for your next move.

Get Insurance: Getting a suitable insurance coverage can often save you a heartburn later. If your items become damaged or lost during the move, it can be quite costly to replace or repair them. Although insurance costs you a bit extra up front, the benefit is worth it. By insuring your items, you can make sure that you are not exposed to loss for anything damaged or lost.

Look for tax deductibles: Moving for a work- or disaster-related reason may allow you to deduct some of your moving expenses from your taxes. Ask your advisor to see if your reasons for moving can qualify for a tax deduction.

Understand the estimate: Bear in mind that every moving company calculates costs slightly differently. Do not be afraid to ask questions to fully understand your quote or invoice.