With my years of experience, I would say full-service movers commonly charge by pounds. But movers do not solely charge by weight.
That is because the weight of your belongings is the most significant factor in determining how much time and labor will be required to move them.
The more your belongings weigh, the more expensive your move will be.
Moving companies have different ways of setting prices for moving estimation, such as charging by the hour, distance, home size, and item volume for flat-rate prices. Long-distance moves sometimes have transportation costs.
Moving companies might figure out costs by the cubic foot instead of the weight. By knowing these different ways, clients can pick a pricing system that works for them and their budget.
Let’s delve into our blog to explore different mover charges by pounds and estimates.
How Do Movers Charge & Estimate Cost to Move? Learn the Calculation
I have been in moving company jobs for years. I want to share beneficial insights on moving estimates and costs.
When you move locally, most movers will charge by the hour, and guess how much it will cost based on how many movers and trucks you need for how long! There will be different hourly rates for two movers, three movers, four movers, and so on.
Also, the hourly rate will increase if more moving trucks are needed. Some movers in the same area may charge a flat fee, too.
When moving long distances, movers will charge based on the weight of the items being moved, how far they are being moved, and any other fees that may come up.
I worked for a scientist, Mr. Ackroyd, 2 years back. It was a moving 2 bedroom apartment. Which had around 5K-6K pounds. At first, we estimated a truck and two movers were enough and estimated cost $150 an hour.
Unfortunately, he had 3-4 bulky pieces of furniture and it was impossible to carry 2, so we called one of our team members. Then it cost $225 for a truck and three of us.
It might cost up to $300 an hour for two cars and four movers in cases.
On the other hand, it was a short-distance move and the total cost was low enough. But for the same scene with a long distance moving may vary the long distance moving rates gradually. It can be up to $9K.
Difference Between Weight and Cubic Feet Moving Estimates
| Topic | Weight-Based Estimates | Cubic Footage-Based Estimates |
| Calculation | Calculated by the total weight of items. | Calculated by the total volume in cubic feet. |
| Packing Strategy | The way of packing is independent; charges are based on weight. | Needs efficient packing as cost is set by the space occupied rather than weight. |
| Variability in Moving Costs | Changes in fuel prices and transporting costs can have an effect. | Costs are more fixed because they depend mostly on how many things are being moved. |
| Billing Transparency | Billing is simple as charges are based on a standardized weight scale. | Comparatively complex; depends on individual moving companies and how they charge |
| Comparing and Choosing | Simple to compare weight-based quotes across different moving companies. | Because of the different ways that cubic footage is measured and reported, comparisons may need to be looked at very carefully. |
Beware of Moving Companies Charge Scams!
A few years back, when I was moving from Glasgow to Belfast for my client Monica, I had a very horrible experience of my own.
She had to move because of her job relocation and lost three packed boxes by us. So, we took responsibility and bought her what was lost.
But the fraud movers aren’t going to do that. So, just a heads-up, beware of moving scams!
Regretfully, there are dishonest movers out there, and you don’t want to jeopardize your belongings or hard-earned money. Even moving fraud rises 7% higher in 2023 than in 2022.
Source: Hire A Helper
These frauds may first provide you with a ridiculously low estimate before hitting you with unforeseen costs or, in the worst-case scenario, robbing you of your possessions until you make the payment.
Even this can happen if you are not careful enough!
FAQ
What is the Average Cost Per Pound to Move?
Determining the average cost per pound to move can be challenging for you as a client, as it varies based on factors like distance, moving company rates, and additional services.
However, as an experienced mover, I would say a rough estimate is between $0.50 to $0.80 per pound for local moves, while long-distance moves may range from $0.70 to $2.00 per pound.
What Weight is the Median for a 3-Bedroom House?
The median weight for a 3-bedroom house largely depends on factors like the amount of furniture, personal belongings, and household items.
On average, the weight of a 3-bedroom house could range from 5000 to 10000 pounds for a local move. For long-distance moves, the weight might increase, falling within the range of 9,000 to 13,000 pounds.
What Are Minimum Moving Companies Charges?
Some local moving companies charge very little for services. A business can charge as little as possible to complete an order. That is called the minimum.
Expect to pay for at least 2 hours of service, even for quick moves, as that’s the standard minimum for most moving companies.
You can get one or two movers for your local move at an hourly rate of $25-$50.
When trying to figure out how much it will cost to move, average prices per pound can help. But it’s important to know that there exist different ways to set prices in the moving business.
Before deciding on hiring movers, comparing personal quotes from reputable moving companies can help you decide.
Making well-informed choices leads to a smoother and cheaper moving process, whether you choose weight-based quotes or look into other options.
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