If you’re planning to move furniture, it’s advisable to research what it entails. Knowing the furniture’s quantities, dimensions, and weight will help you make the right decisions. Let’s see ‘Does It Cost to Move Furniture?’.
The thing is, it costs to move furniture even over short distances. It costs even more if you have to move it long distance. Moving companies consider labor, time, and any special requirements as the basis for their costs. Thus, additional factors like the condition and value of your furniture will also significantly bear on the cost.
It’s not an easy undertaking hence the reason we’re here to help simplify it for you. We’ve shared more details in this detailed article on the costs to expect, why you need a mover, and how to choose a mover.
How much does it cost to move furniture?
The lowest hourly pricing you can expect is around $70 – $100. This rate applies if it’s a local move and your furniture pieces are few and not bulky, thus saving on time and labor.
Larger quantities or bulkier in a local move go for an average hourly rate of $ 150 – $200 or by weight or cubic feet.
Long-distance moves are pricey, and you can expect to pay anything from $1,000 to $ 20,000. These are flat rates determined mainly by distance, weight, and quantity.
The table below gives you an idea of the costs to expect based on distance.
| Distance | Miles | Low Estimate ($) | High Estimate ($) |
| Local | 50 – 250 | 70 – 100 | 150 – 500 |
| Long Distance | 400+ | 2,000 – 5,000 | 10,000 – 20,000 |
Note that these are just mileage and labor costs, and you should expect additional costs for gas and packing materials.
If you opt for a full service, the costs could be in the range of $1,400 – $2,500—depending on the number of items and packing materials.
The more experienced moving firms also tend to be pricier than smaller ones. The reason is their extra capacity and expertise to manage the move.
Imagine, for instance; you live in an apartment on the topmost floor. You need to move bulky or delicate furniture like a recliner couch or piano down a flight of stairs.
For this, you need an experienced mover with a proper understanding of the intricacies and the ability to handle them with ease.
Why should you use a moving company?
Some of these costs may be prohibitive, and you may consider taking charge yourself.
Here, you’ll contract an independent transporter if you don’t own a moving truck. Then undertake to haul and load the furniture yourself or with select helpers.
But why undertake the hassle (unless there’s a budgetary constraint) when a professional moving company can do it for you?
The best reason for engaging a mover is because they’re experienced at it and can guarantee the safety of your furniture.
If you have; (1) Delicate furniture, (2) A flight of stairs involved, (3) A long-distance move with lots of furniture, or (4) Need specialty equipment to lift bulky furniture, you’re better off with a mover.
How to choose a moving company?
With the significant investment, you’ll make in the move; you need to know how to select the best service provider.
The reason is you don’t want to risk your precious furniture and money on an unvetted provider. Below are the critical factors to consider.
1. Due diligence
Before engaging a moving company, do a background check to ensure they’re legally registered and authorized to do the business.
If they’re certified by the American Moving & Storage Association, that’s a positive. It means they’re constantly vetted and do adhere to industry standards.
If they’re a long-distance hauler, ensure they have a license by having a DOT number from the Ministry of Transport.
They should display this DOT number on their website, and you’ll use it to confirm their registration and insurance status.
2. Check reviews and recommendations
Do they have a reviews section on their website? If not, check their social media pages. The reviews section offers an insight into the heart and soul of an organization.
By going over their customer feedback for reviews and complaints, you’ll get a good indication of their values and priorities. As recommended by Google, a promising sign is 100 positive reviews with an average of 4+ star rating.
But beware of only positive feedback; such a mechanism could be subject to manipulation hence not realistic. The only way to be sure is by conducting in-depth research on their operations and relying on your gut feeling.
3. Capacity and capability
If everything checks out, that’s well and good. However, you need to be sure that they have the right equipment for the job.
Find out whether they have a proven track record of moving furniture, especially your type of furniture.
Vet their local office and equipment yourself by requesting a tour. Never book a mover online without verifying that they have the trucks, equipment, and experienced labor.
Do also confirm that they’ll be available to collect and deliver your furniture within timelines favorable to you.
4. Get an accurate quote
The best way to avoid any financial surprises is not to accept estimates for your move.
Once you’ve narrowed down the search and settled on a mover, request that someone from the company do a physical review and give you an actual quote.
The quote should cover every detail of your requirements. If it’s a full service, have them share detailed packing costs and labor costs. If there’s specialty equipment to aid the move, get all the expected costs.
Finally, a professional mover will require you to pay a minimum deposit of 20% or pay the total amount on delivery. In finalizing the transaction, ensure you agree on both sides’ expectations and that it’s all captured in writing.
Conclusion
This marks the end of our article on this topic – does it cost to move furniture. We hope you’ve found the information valuable enough to help you work out costs for your move.
Remember: The weight, dimensions, and value of your furniture are some of the critical factors determining the cost of moving. Others are distance, packing, and specialty services to support the move.
Finally, besides your cost considerations, focus on contracting a professional moving company with a solid reputation to safeguard your property.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it worth moving furniture long distances?
It’s only worth it if the furniture is sentimental or the moving cost is less than the furniture value. The size of your new space can also determine whether to move with the furniture or not.
- What is considered a local move?
A local move is any location within a 50-mile radius or less. Moving furniture from one house to another in the same apartment block and moving furniture to another place within a 50-mile radius are both considered a local moves.
- How much does it cost to ship large furniture?
Shipping large furniture locally can cost you anything from $ 150 to $ 200. Shipping it over a long distance can cost you upwards of $ 600 or more. Other factors that can bear down on the costs besides size are weight, value, packing materials, and specialty equipment.
