Aside from the monstrous task of quite literally packing up everything you own, finding a reliable mover is likely at the top of your priority list when planning a move. Calling up movers can be a time-consuming process, but it’s ultimately worth it in order to find a moving company that meets your needs , and most importantly, your budget.
The cost of moving a house will never be cheap, which is why it’s so important to gather multiple moving quotes. Just like you’d shop around for mortgage or insurance rates, comparing pricing details from several movers could save you hundreds (or possibly even thousands) of dollars in the long run. Professional movers will either charge you by the hour or at a one-time, flat fee.
Both types of quotes have their ups and downs. As for which type of estimate is better, it really comes down to the size of your home and how far you’re moving.
What to know about hourly moving estimates
Like the word “hourly” implies, getting an hourly moving estimate means you’ll be charged by the hour for the actual moving labor. This is an extremely common pricing method for local moves, or even just short, labor-only jobs where you might just need a couple of movers to unload a moving pod or rental truck. Long-distance moves are almost always charged at a flat rate, mainly due to the unpredictable timeline of moving all your belongings on an interstate for hours on end.
During the quote process , you’ll be asked about the size of your home and the zip codes you’re traveling to and from. From there, the moving company will estimate how many movers will be needed for the job and the total number of hours they think it will take to complete the entire process. Keep in mind that there are typically separate fees for travel mileage and fuel, but most everything else (stairs, shrink wrap, long carries, etc.) is all included in the hourly labor rate. Time is really your only enemy here.
Another thing to keep in mind when budgeting for hourly rates is that most moving companies have an “hour minimum” charge, meaning you’ll be charged for a certain number of hours regardless of how long the move takes. The majority of the movers we’ve called will either have a two or three-hour minimum, but we’ve also seen plenty of cases where it was more (or even less) than that.
After the specified minimum hour mark has passed, movers will usually start charging the rest of the move at a prorated rate. Lots of movers like to charge customers in 15-minute increments, but we’ve spoken with plenty of movers who will prorate down to the minute. This ensures you’re only paying for the amount of time the move actually takes, instead of being charged for a full hour's worth of labor even though the movers only needed 20 minutes during the last hour of the move.
When is it better to pay for moving services by the hour?
Hourly estimates are ideal for those who can check off these four boxes:
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You’re moving locally within your city or county
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You live in a smaller home (three bedrooms or fewer)
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You don’t have many heavy, bulky or specialty items
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You don’t plan to hire packing services
Your mover will estimate the number of hours they think your move will take based on the size of your home and the distance you’re traveling. The best thing going for hourly estimates is that you only pay for the amount of time the move takes. If the move is finished earlier than expected, congrats, you just saved some money.
Getting hourly estimates is much easier, too, as some movers only require an in-person inspection or an inventory of your belongings when trying to obtain a flat rate quote. In our experience, we’ve been able to get hourly estimates relatively easily over the phone within three to five minutes, sometimes less.
What to know about flat rate moving estimates
A flat rate moving estimate is an all-encompassing quote that tells you exactly what you’ll be paying for. What you see is what you owe. These quotes cover everything. Things like labor, the truck, fuel, packing materials, stairs and pretty much anything you can think of. (Yes, movers can and will charge extra for stairs .)
Flat rate estimates are much easier to budget for and are typically used for long-distance moves and customers with larger homes. After all, you shouldn’t have to pay for the extra time the truck is stuck in traffic, or whenever the movers need to pull over and take a break or get some sleep.
Flat rates are also the preferred method when dealing with moves that are more complex. If, for example, your home has several staircases, a hot tub, a pool table or any type of heavy exercise equipment, it’s much easier to itemize those fees in a flat quote than it would be to just play it by ear and take the hourly approach. Plus, these heavy and specialty items take extra time and care to move, which could start to rack up an hourly bill.
When is it better to get a flat rate estimate for moving services?
Flat rate estimates are best for those with these five circumstances:
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You’re moving long-distance
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You live in a larger home (four bedrooms or more)
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You have several heavy, bulky or specialty items
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You have lots of stairs at your property
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You need assistance with packing
The biggest advantage of getting a flat rate estimate is that you know exactly how much your move is going to cost. And if it’s a binding estimate , then that price is set in stone, regardless of any extra time or labor that ends up being necessary on the day of the job. Essentially, you shouldn’t be seeing any surprise fees on moving day.
However, the process of actually getting a flat rate estimate can be very time-consuming. Most movers will want to visit your home in person to perform an on-site evaluation of your property and inventory, taking note of any narrow hallways, odd doorframes, stairs and bulky furniture that could pose a challenge. This gives the movers a more complete picture of exactly what they can expect to see on moving day and charge you accordingly.
Protect yourself from moving scams
There are a lot of bad actors in the moving industry (like a lot) . And the best line of defense you have against these scammers is yourself. Before you even entertain the idea of calling a specific moving company, take a few minutes to do a little digging online. Look for the mover’s state licensing and USDOT numbers, which are usually located at the bottom of the company’s website.
If those numbers aren’t there, you’re well within your rights to ask for them. You can verify a company’s USDOT number by plugging it into the Safety and Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER) system , hosted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). State-level licensing will need to be verified separately via whichever department movers are licensed under in your state .
Working with movers who are licensed and insured is the best thing you can do to avoid moving scammers . But it’s also important to look at customer reviews from multiple sources like Google, Yelp, Angie and Facebook. As you gather your moving estimates, take the time to vet each company over the phone. Don’t be afraid to pelt these guys with questions. If they don’t have good answers for questions regarding pricing, fees, materials and logistics, then they aren’t worth your time.
More Yahoo Local-approved U.S. movers
Best California movers
Bakersfield / Berkeley / Escondido / Fremont / Fresno / Huntington Beach / Irvine / Long Beach / Los Angeles / Norwalk / Oakland / Sacramento / San Diego / San Francisco / San Jose / Santa Cruz / Santa Rosa
Best Florida movers
Boca Raton / Bradenton / Fort Lauderdale / Fort Myers / Gainesville / Jacksonville / Melbourne / Miami / Naples / Ocala / Orlando / Pompano Beach / Sarasota / St. Petersburg / Tallahassee / Tampa / West Palm Beach
Best New York movers
Albany / Binghamton / The Bronx / Brooklyn / Buffalo / Clifton Park / Hamburg / Ithaca / Kingston / Manhattan / New Rochelle / Poughkeepsie / Queens / Rochester / Syracuse
Best Texas movers
Amarillo / Arlington / Austin / Beaumont / Corpus Christi / Dallas / Denton / El Paso / Fort Worth / Houston / Katy / Midland / Odessa / Plano / Round Rock / San Antonio / Tyler / The Woodlands / Waco
