What is the cost of a local move? Here, you can estimate the transport cost of your move. This will prepare you for discussion of an actual quote with the mover.
Most local movers charge $100-$150 per hour of move time. This time begins when the moving van leaves the company's property and ends when it returns to company property, so the distance between your home and the moving company will be a factor in the total charge.
Use this simple worksheet to make a rough estimate of your local move transport cost:
(You may wish to print this page)
Item
Low estimate
High estimate
Driving time from mover's yard to your home
hr
hr
Loading and unloading time
(see table below)
hr
hr
Driving time from your home to your new home
hr
hr
Driving time from your new home to mover’s yard
hr
hr
Total chargeable move time
hr
hr
Estimated transport cost at $100 / hour
$
$
Estimated transport cost at $150 / hour
$
$
Table of typical loading and unloading times
Household size
Low time estimate
High time estimate
One person [student size move]
1.5 hr
3 hr
One person apartment
2.5 hr
4 hr
Two-person apartment
3.5 hr
6 hr
Two-bedroom house
4.5 hr
6 hr
Three-bedroom house
6 hr
9 hr
Four-bedroom house
10 hr
16 hr
Caution: Any move of a home greater than 2000 square feet is extremely difficult to estimate without an on-site inspection.
Other move costs
Don’t forget that transport is only one of your costs. Be sure to include the other costs of moving.
Can’t afford a full-service move?
If the above estimate looks out of your range, consider ways to lower your moving cost.
Ready for a more accurate figure?
The above estimate is a rough guide only. Click here for an actual moving quote.
