Moving into a new home is exciting but it also comes with plenty of stress. One of the biggest worries is figuring out how to shift all your belongings safely from one place to another. Usually, you have two choices, do it yourself or hire professional movers.
Handling the move on your own isn’t easy—it’s physically tiring, takes a lot of time and can quickly become overwhelming. On top of that, there’s always the risk of breaking or damaging your stuff.
On the other hand, getting help from professional movers takes away the stress of lifting heavy items and doing all the hard work yourself, but it usually means spending more money.
If you’re planning to hire a moving company but can’t figure out why it’s so expensive, let us break down the reasons and make the process easier to understand.
Why Does Moving Cost So Much?
The main reason is that many different things are involved in a move. One of the biggest factors is time—how long the movers work, how long the truck is in use and the cost of fuel. It also includes the use of special equipment to make sure your belongings are protected during the move.
Other things that raise moving costs include:
- The time it takes to drive between your old and new home
- How long it takes to load and unload the truck
- The distance from the truck to the entrance of each place
- Whether there are stairs to deal with
All these small details add up, especially when professional movers and the right equipment are involved to keep your belongings safe. That’s why they end up affecting the final moving bill.
How are Professional Moves Priced?
According to Forbes, in 2024 the average cost of hiring movers for a local move of a three-bedroom home is about $2,100. If you’re moving the same size home over a long distance, the average cost rises to about $5,500.
Aside from the points already mentioned, moving costs can also depend on the city or state you’re moving to. In most cases, the bigger the home, the more movers are required—and that naturally increases the overall cost.
All these factors come together and when you think about the stress of handling everything on your own, hiring professional movers often seems like the easier and smarter option.
If you’re planning a move soon, start by getting a free quote!
