At some point in your move planning process, you’ll no doubt wonder about the cost of hiring a professional moving company like Mayflower versus going the DIY route.
Hiring a professional, trustworthy moving company can be more expensive than renting a moving truck or using your own vehicle. That said, there are plenty of benefits to leaving your move to the pros, starting with the fact you’ll have more time for family and work-related activities, and less physical and emotional strain.
At the end of the day, you don’t want surprises – financial or otherwise – when it comes to your long-distance move. A reputable mover like Mayflower will walk you through not just the cost, but also things like packing services and moving services based on the size of your move. Then, they’ll provide an estimate based on your specific needs and budget. That way, you’ll know what to expect.
Looking to hire a professional mover? Mayflower has nearly 100 years of experience helping families move across the country. In this article, we will break down the cost of hiring professional movers versus doing it yourself to help guide your decision-making. Even if you decide to move yourself, read on: There’s plenty of useful information included for you, too.
Moving Yourself vs. Hiring a Moving Company
Are you up to the challenge of a DIY move? Or would you prefer to leave the heavy lifting to the pros? When weighing your options, think about your preferred moving style, how much time you have and whether you can handle the stress and strain. Let’s look at the pros and cons.
Moving Yourself
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Saves money | Planning a move is time-consuming, takes away from daily life. Dollies, furniture blankets and other packing materials can wind up costing a lot more than you expected. |
| Flexible timeline | Coordinating a move is stressful. |
| Friends and family can pitch in | Strenuous physical labor; risk of injury. Friends and family might help but don’t really want to; you’ll “owe them one.” Nobody to help unload/unpack. |
Hiring a Professional Mover
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Relieves the stress of planning a move | Costs more |
| Saves time; lets you focus on your new home, enrolling kids in new school, etc. | Needs to align with move crew’s schedule |
| Added services help make your move easier | Control over moving plans is shared with movers |
| Movers can handle tasks like packing, loading and unloading |
How Are Moving Costs Calculated?
Several factors determine the cost of a move, from the distance between origin and destination to the weight and size of your move, your move-in date, whether you need to move specialty items, and whether you request any specific services. Here’s what an estimate from a reputable mover like Mayflower should consider.
- It starts with determining whether you’re planning a local move, an intrastate move within state lines or a long-distance move to another state.
- Knowing the size of your move helps movers determine the size of the truck, the space needed and the number of professional movers needed to help your move go as smoothly as possible. Fun fact: The size of your move is often based on the number of bedrooms in your home.
- The date of your move also affects your moving cost estimate. For example, during Peak Season from May to Mid-September, movers are in high demand, costs generally run higher and scheduling your move needs to happen further in advance. Whether you plan to move in the summer or the winter, check out our guide to help decide
- Another factor when calculating moving prices is if you plan on moving high-value specialty items, such as a piano or fine art. These items need extra care and will cost more to transport.
There may also be additional costs, such as moving protection, and added moving services — like packing or unpacking — that factor into your estimate. Movers may charge extra if you have a lot of stairs and if they’ll be handling bulky items, too.
Organize to Save Time, Money and Stress
The most effective way to figure out what you’ll need from a moving company is to make a list of the types of services— such as appliance installation or storage options — that you think you’ll need. From there, compare your moving budget against the cost of these services and scale them down as needed. Keep the list handy when comparing moving companies so your estimate request is consistent across the board.
When reputable moving companies like Mayflower calculate your moving costs, you’ll initially get an estimate based on the moving packages you choose and the current information they have about your move. And should things change, the estimate can be revised.
Once you get final estimates from the moving companies you’re considering, you can compare and decide which one best matches your budget and individual moving needs. Want to get started? Mayflower can provide an estimate for your move to get the ball rolling.
Moving for your job or military relocation? Your employer may cover some or all your moving costs. It’s best to check with your supervisor.
Estimating Your Moving Costs
Thinking about moving yourself? The rate for the rental vehicle will be a major component of your moving costs. Obviously, you’ll need a truck capable of handling the size of the move, and don’t forget to factor in the cost of gas throughout the move. Also keep in mind that most truck rental companies expect you to return the truck with a full tank of gas.
If you’ve decided to hire professionals like Mayflower to help you move, the same size considerations are needed. The big difference is that you’ll benefit from an in-person or virtual survey which helps the estimator determine the size of the shipment. Distance matters a lot, too— as do the time of the week and month. Also think about whether you’ll need extra services, like packing and unpacking, and whether it might make financial sense to handle some of these tasks yourself.
After reviewing your estimate, you’ll be able to work with the movers to make adjustments based on your needs and budget. To learn more what goes into an estimate, check out our article.
Whatever Your Moving Needs, Mayflower Is Here to Help.
At Mayflower, we’ve been moving American families since 1927 and provide full-service moves from over 400 locations nationwide. If you’re still researching and comparing your options, keep our checklists on how to hire movers and avoid moving scams on hand when reaching out to moving companies.
When you’re ready to make a move, our blog offers a wealth of ideas to streamline your move and help you settle in. And our digital magazine, Welcome HOME, can help simplify and streamline your move.
Get a quote today.
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