The Average Cost of Moving in 2016

You’re all ready for the new adventure that awaits, but… you have to move.  If only there was a magic wand for packing, moving, and unpacking everything you own. But since there’s not, it’s important to make sure you’re budgeting your move accurately.

The first thing you have to do is figure out how much it’s going to cost to move in 2016.  Estimating the costs of packing up and shipping out can be complicated. Don’t just open your wallet and hand over a huge wad of cash and hope for the best.

According to the American Moving & Storage Association, the average cost of an intrastate move is $1,170 and the average cost of a move between states is $5,630.  That’s based on a load size of 7,100 pounds.

Getting a quote based on the following parameters will help you compare moving companies easily.  Those factors include where you’re moving from, where you’re moving to, the move size (how many bedrooms and how many total rooms), and when you want to move.

Now that you’ve gotten several quotes, it’s time to ask even more questions so that you don’t plan on one cost and get a bill for a very different (and much higher) end cost.  You don’t need any surprises before uprooting your life.  Here are a few questions you might want to ask to get a better picture of what moving will cost.

• Does the moving company provide all packing materials or is that an extra charge?
• If the company charges hourly, how many hours did they estimate for your move and if they go over that, how much is their hourly rate?
• How many people will be moving your things?

By doing your homework, you’ll be prepared for the day when they show up to pack your treasures.  Beyond thee questions, it’s also a good idea to be prepared for the unplanned parts of your move that you didn’t think about until they are knocking on your door…rather loudly.

Keep in mind as you estimate the cost of moving in 2016, if you’re delayed because your new house closing is postponed, then you’ll need to put your belongings in storage.  The cost of a self-storage unit can vary widely, depending on location and if it’s a climate controlled unit. You should plan on $95-$155 for a 10’ x 20’ unit.

Also, if you decided to purge a lot of what you owned so you could move less, remember that you’re going to have to buy those new items when you start unpacking. Otherwise, you’re going to be left without that trusty toaster or those cleaning supplies.

Now, it’s time to hire the movers.

You might think you can move on your own if you collect enough free boxes and tape, but hiring a reputable company to move your belongings will ultimately save you time, money, and a large piece of your sanity.

Make sure you hire movers that are insured, ethical, and transparent with their costs so you have peace of mind, knowing everything you love will get to your new house safely and quickly.

Now all you have to do is unpack!