Let’s talk real talk. Why is moving all my crap from A to B costing me thousands of dollars? This article will discuss ways to save and give you insights on why the market is the way it is.
You know when you go to book a hairdresser for a wedding and you feel like the price is 10x the normal rate for a haircut, or a manicure that suddenly is only the deluxe deluxe version as it’s white for the wedding? The same goes with moving companies. When you are desperate and they know it, they can jack up the price and you won’t be able to do anything about it.
The main factor playing into the price
1. It’s a lot of damn labor
Think about the number of men needed to move your things safely from point A to point B. You need strong and well paid men in order for this to occur.
The risks involved with being a laborer at a moving company are high and therefore they are well compensated as they should be. Spending an entire day from the early morning until the late night hours lifting other people’s heavy items and not well packed cartons is hard work. This is why the end price of a moving quote can be quite pricey.
Also consider the fact that your moving company is paying insurance premiums for every single laborer they hire, expect to be paying a proportionate amount for this too.
2. Logistics don’t come cheap
When it comes to planning out a move, there is a lot to think about. From the size of the truck or container needed, to the relevant number of workers needed to do the job efficiently without waste, to the amount of packing materials needed.
These are all things that you need a proper manager who lives and breathes logistics to plan out for you which in turn ends up saving you money. This guy deserves a salary too which is included in your final price for the move.
3. Transport isn’t free
Gas and upkeep costs for moving trucks are very significant, especially when it comes to long-distance moves. The prices of fuel are always changing so this is a factor pretty out of your realm of control.
As well, the maintenance and depreciation of their moving vehicles contribute to the cost as they factor this into your final binding quote. Transporting a household’s belongings often requires bigger trucks than you would think as some things cannot be stacked so take this into account.
4. Extra add ons add up quickly
Sometimes you will end up needing extra services like disassembling and reassembling big furniture pieces, or to move special fragile and large items like pianos or artwork. These can incur extra add on fees so make sure to let your mover know ahead of time to avoid unknown fees.
As well, if you have the need for a time period between moving from the old house to the new, temporary storage can add significant costs to your move. Sometimes it ends up cheaper to find your own storage options or pay extra to move in early.
5. Seasonal demands brings higher rates
Moving costs can vary a lot based on the time of year you choose to move. Summer months are typically more expensive due to higher demand. Weekends and the first and last few days of the month can also see higher prices as many people prefer this time.
Try and keep your move date mid week and flexible to save hundreds of dollars.
6. The classic unforeseen delay
Just know and take into account that delays can happen due to sudden bad weather, awful traffic, or annoying logistical challenges. These can lead to additional costs and money coming out of your packet due to extra extra labor hours needed with the movers, extra truck rental time, additional hotel nights if you are moving long distance, or simply delayed delivery fees.
7. Packing materials add up quick
Don’t forget to factor in the costs for the moving materials even before the movers show up to your door. High-quality cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, furniture pads, wrapping paper, and packing tape can be expensive, especially if you have a lot of fragile items and many people packing.
8. Insurance costs
Don’t forget that by law your mover must offer some sort of basic coverage for your items. Usually the basic policy comes with very high premiums and isn’t great, but this should be factored in as well. If you plan to take a higher and better policy don’t forget to calculate the costs for this as well.
Wrapping up your pocketbook
As you can see, many factors end up making up the final price you see in your binding quote. When trying to figure your finances it is important to take into account all the extras such as packing materials, extra bulky items that require special services, and all the other factors mentioned above. Don’t fall prey to quotes that don’t include absolutely everything.
As MovingAPT we created our company to save you money. When you fall prey to half assed quotes with many hidden fees you end up paying way more in the end. Try out our mover’s marketplace to see many binding quotes without having to enter your same info multiple times.
This way when you book with us, you know that you have everything clear and fully included. You know you have our guarantee to work only with the best saving you later headaches and many many dollars at the end of the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I best pack up my whole house before my move?
Plan ahead, ensure to have made a proper checklist of your items and enough packing materials on hand. Proper planning saves the stress of packing up at the last minute and having items get lost.
Don’t think it’s possible to pack up an entire home in one day unless you are a professional moving service. Ask for helping hands and take on the tasks in smaller doses.
What is the best way to find a reliable mover for my Kansas move?
Moving APT has a reliable list of trusted movers we work with in the Kansas area and across the global US that work both locally and across state borders. Don’t fret about reading reviews and doing in-home visits for quotes, Moving APT allows you to book your mover simply and all online. Going with a service you trust will give you the piece of mind you will need for that move
How can I know if a mover I chose is a scammer or cheater?
Firstly like everything in life, go with your guy feeling. If any company you are considering asked you to pay the entire amount up front or pay a huge down payment, this is a really bad sign of a scammer. You shouldn’t pay more than 10% to a mover that has yet to do the job.
While down payments are common, a huge amount of funds should not be spent on this. As well you should check your mover has a DOT registration number and no recent bad accident records or claims. Moving APT helps you avoid this mess.
What is an alternative and environmentally friendly alternative to cartons?
Plastic Bins! Strong plastic bins or containers are a viable and reusable option for packing belongings. They offer protection against water and rain and can be stacked easily. These are a great option for items for the garage and they can remain packed in them for years to come.
When would using a packing service be helpful?
Professional packers will work at lightspeed to get all your items packed up safely in record speed. While you might get stuck sorting through old nostalgia, they will have your entire home packed up and bubble wrapped in no time. If you can afford this service and don’t mind giving the control over to someone else, go with the packing service option.
