How Do Long Distance Movers Calculate Costs

Moving over long distances is one of the most complicated types of relocation. It includes much more planning, preparation, and research than a local move. It’s usually more expensive as well. Such relocations typically require a bigger budget for a variety of reasons. If you are thinking about moving across the nation, you have probably wondered how do long distance movers calculate costs. Our experts at Best Long Distance Movers are here to answer exactly that. In this article, we will go over what you are actually paying for when you hire long-distance movers. When every penny counts, knowing exactly where your money goes is very important.

The basics of long-distance moving

Before we can delve into how movers calculate the cost of a long-distance move, we are going to establish some basic facts about such relocations. So, how many miles is considered a long-distance move? A lot of people are not sure about the exact definition. Especially if they have never moved before. Most moving companies define it as a relocation that spans 400 miles or more. Local moving includes any relocation below that. However, some companies class every move above 100 miles as long-distance. It all depends on the individual business. You should always check which definition your movers use beforehand.

Additionally, it is good to know general moving terminology:

• A local move is usually one that covers less than 400 miles
• Intrastate moves happen in one state. They are usually local, as the distance covered falls below 400 miles.
• Interstate/cross-state moving is defined by transporting items to another state. It is usually long-distance, but the distance covered can sometimes be much less than 400 miles.
• Long-distance moves typically cover 400 miles or more.

Long distance movers calculate costs by weight

While local movers charge you by the hour, long-distance moving companies base their price on the load. In other words, it depends on the amount of stuff you have. It is one of the main factors that decides the price. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment is different from moving a three-bedroom home. Obviously, in the first situation, you will have fewer belongings to transport. You do not have to set aside large amounts of money to cover moving fees. On the other hand, if you have dozens of boxes, large furniture, etc prepare to spend a bit more. As the weight goes up, the price does too. If you are worried about costs, you can weigh your items beforehand to get a rough idea of how much you will be charged. Price per pound varies anywhere from $.50 to $4.

How you can minimize the cost of your long-distance move

If you find that you were given a price estimate that is too high, there are ways to save money. The most obvious one is to declutter some of your belongings. Most people have a lot of useless knick-knacks laying around their homes. Instead of bringing them with you, try donating them or giving them away to friends and family. The second option is to forgo transporting the heaviest pieces of furniture and appliances. Sometimes it can be cheaper to buy new items instead of transporting them over hundreds of miles. The last thing you can do is look into storage services. Long-term storage is usually pretty cheap and a good choice for everyone who likes to hold onto things. So if you really can’t let go of grandma’s dinner plate set or those dozens of books you swear you will read one day, look into storage facilities near you.

Long distance movers estimate costs based on the number of employees needed

This next point ties into the first one – the more items you have the more manpower you need. Your moving team has to load your items onto the truck, which is not easy. If you have dozens of heavy boxes, it can take a while. Usually, a small apartment move requires two or three movers, but if you are transporting a larger volume of items, more staff is needed. Furthermore, if your items are heavy more staff will be required as well. Additionally, the type of move you select is also an important factor. For example, if you choose packing services along with loading and transport, you will have to hire more workers. While the price goes up with each service you choose, professional movers will be able to perform the tasks more efficiently. Sometimes the amount of time saved is much more beneficial than saving a few extra dollars.

Special items and heavy furniture affect the cost of your long distance move

It should come as no surprise that moving specialty items drives up the price of your move. Relocation experts have to take these belongings into account when they calculate the cost of a long-distance move. This is because proper handling and care include more materials, manpower, and knowledge. One example would be transporting a piano. Moving something as heavy as a piano is difficult, even during local relocations. Getting it from one state to the next becomes a tricky situation. Your movers have to first get it out of your home, safely package it, seal it and prepare for loading. Once loaded onto the truck it needs to be properly secured so it doesn’t get damaged during the long drive. Of course, it needs to be unloaded and unpacked at the destination. It is quite a lot of extra work, so you should expect an additional fee.

In conclusion, many factors determine the price of your long-distance move. Cross-country moving is a complicated, difficult, and time-consuming process. Therefore, calculating the price is not so straightforward. The exact way how do long distance movers calculate costs will depend on the individual company, distance, weight, and more. Special services, packing and such can also increase the price. You can try doing things yourself if you want to save some cash, but professional movers can do the job a lot quicker than newbies. If you need any additional advice, feel free to contact us.