Calculating Moving Costs

It’s no secret that moving of any kind, including a home relocation, can be challenging. When you add understanding how much a move costs to the picture, things can get even more confusing. However, it’s important to learn whether a moving company is right for you and your budget before signing on the dotted lines.

This guide is here to walk you through some factors that determine or contribute to the cost of your move.

How Local Moves Are Priced

Moving locally will see prices based on the amount of time it takes to transport your items from one location to another and the costs involved. A household moving company would have hourly rates you can work with. Other factors for your local move include the number of crew members required and the time it would take to complete the job. These factors are used to calculate the total labor cost for the move.

You can expect residential movers in Orange County to include fees for fueling their trucks, depending on the distance to your new home.

How Long-Distance Moves Are Priced

If you’re going on a long-distance move, such as crossing state lines, the weight of the items being shipped is considered. Orange County long-distance movers will also assign a professional estimator to take a computerized inventory of all items to be moved. A mathematical formula is then used to estimate the total weight of items. The total weight and the carrier’s tariff rate are combined to determine the cost of moving the items.

Why In-Home Estimates Are Needed

Whether your move is local or long-distance, home movers should be able to inspect the items in person. This way, they can provide an accurate estimate that is fair to your budget and the moving company’s time and equipment usage. The company will also check if your move requires special circumstances, such as limited truck access or extra time needed to navigate stairwells/elevators in buildings.

Pricing for Additional Services

On a general note, you’ll pay more for additional services, such as packing and storage. These services may require extra manual labor or warehouse storage space. Also, you can expect to pay extra if you want the moving and storage company to supply disposable packing supplies like tapes and boxes.

Binding vs. Non-Binding Estimates

It’s in the best interest of a homeowner to have a binding cost estimate in writing. It helps you plan ahead with a budget for your move. Also, it protects you from extra charges that can arise from unexpected issues a moving company may experience during the move.

A non-binding estimate allows a moving company to increase the price during a move (within legal limits) to cover unanticipated expenses.

Schedule a Free Consultation Today with Our Orange County Movers

Planning a relocation doesn’t have to be stressful. You can count on the professional residential relocation services offered by Merit Moving Systems. Our residential moving company is committed to seamless moving services irrespective of the items involved and the distance to your new location. Call now to discuss your upcoming move with our expert residential movers, or fill out our online form to get started with a free moving quote.