Calculating Moving Costs

Planning a move can feel like a lot of work, especially when it comes to budgeting. While you can’t avoid paying for a move, you can take a bit of stress out of the equation by being prepared. As a trusted local moving company in Orange County, Alex Moving & Storage is here to talk about the costs that go into a relocation.

We’ll talk about local and long-distance moves, estimates, and any other additional services included in the process. Let’s dive in!

Pricing a Local Move

Local moves are pretty simple and straightforward and also doesn’t involve shipping or long-distance transportation. For this reason, they are prices based on the amount of time it takes to get all your items from the old house into your new home as well as any associated transportation and labor costs.

Moving companies typically have an hourly rate, which is what you can expect to pay to have movers assist with your relocation. The number of movers needed and the time it takes to complete the job are used to calculate the total labor cost. Moreover, most moving companies will charge a fee for fuel expenses.

Pricing a Long-Distance Move

Since long-distance moves involve more moving and intricacies, they are usually priced out a bit differently. These types of moves are priced based on the weight of the items you are shipping. This is calculated through a computerized inventory of all your belongings.

The total weight and the carrier’s tariff rate will factor into the overall cost of the move. Typically, a professional estimator will handle this process, so you don’t have to worry about doing any calculations on your own.

Pricing for Additional Services

As if paying for the move itself wasn’t enough, you can also expect to pay extra for services like packing since they require extra manual labor. Many companies offer both partial and full-service moving options, so you can ultimately choose if you want to pack everything yourself or have professionals do it for you. 

Utilizing storage services will also cost more since you’ll be taking up warehouse space. Furthermore, you’ll end up paying extra if you want the moving company to supply disposable packing supplies like: 

  • Boxes & Containers
  • Stretch Wrapping
  • Packing Peanuts
  • Tape

…and more!

Why You Need an In-Home Estimate

No matter how far you’re moving, you’ll want to have your moving company come and inspect your items and learn about your move. That way, they can provide an accurate moving estimate and help you with the planning.

Your movers will also need to assess if a move will require any special circumstances like limited truck access or extra time needed to navigate stairwells/elevators in buildings. All of these things will factor into the overall cost of your move,

Binding vs. Non-Binding Estimates

For every move, you should get a binding cost estimate in writing, so you can properly budget for the move and have peace of mind that this will most likely be the price you pay. Mostly, it helps protect you from extra charges that can pop up due to unexpected issues that the moving company may experience during the move.

If you move forward with a non-binding estimate, a moving company can increase the price during the move to cover unanticipated expenses, which ultimately will make your move more expensive without your say. While this is subject to legal limits, it can still be problematic for you.

Get in Touch with Our Local Orange County Movers to Learn More

If you’re ready to dive into the preparations for your own move, you’re in the right place. Our residential movers in Orange County at Alex Moving & Storage has over 30 years of comprehensive moving experience under our belt, and we’re excited for the opportunity to help you, too! With our team on your side, you can enjoy professional care, including:

  • Residential Moves
  • Commercial Moves
  • Specialized Moves
  • Local Moves
  • Long-Distance Moves
  • International Moves
  • Short- and Long-Term Storage

Get in touch with our Orange County long-distance movers to learn more about our services or fill out our online form to schedule a free in-home moving estimate today.