Are you making preparations for your next move? If that’s the case, you should hire a professional moving company, especially if you’re moving out of state. After all, moving is stressful enough without adding the additional burden of relocating to a new form. An interstate transfer has its own set of responsibilities, annoyances, and moving pieces, from packing up belongings to finding a new home. So, unless you have the assistance of friends and family, it’s best to entrust all of these long-distance moving activities to a reputable moving company.
Although hiring a moving company will undoubtedly save you time and energy, it will almost certainly not save you money. Although hiring a moving company for a long-distance move can be costly, most people would agree that it is well worth the money. Here’s an estimate of how much an interstate relocation would cost.
What exactly is an interstate transfer?
Travel from one U.S. state to another is known as an interstate move, also known as an “out-of-state” or “long-distance” move. Your belongings will be transported across state lines in this form of movement.
The average cost of relocating
The cost of traveling out of state is mainly determined by where you’re going and how much you’re transporting. Based on an average weight of 7,400 pounds and a distance of 1,225 miles, and the various moving services needed, the average cost of an interstate move is about $4,900.
If these figures seem to be huge, bear in mind that an interstate transfer is typically much more costly than a local move. Long-distance movers must charge based on the weight of your shipment when crossing state lines, while local movers will charge by the hour.
As someone who has employed experienced movers to manage several cross-country moves, I can testify to the accuracy of the average cost listed above. For comparison, the cost of moving my one-bedroom apartment from Massachusetts to Florida was slightly more than $4,300 (around $5,000). However, I traveled more than the average 1,225 miles and packed many things into that apartment.
How are moving costs calculated?
As previously mentioned, three major factors influence the cost of an interstate move: 1) The weight of your household goods shipment. To put it another way, the more belongings you have, the more costly your transfer would be. 2) The distance between your starting point and your final destination. Those moving to a neighboring state, for example, can expect to pay less than those moving across the country. 3) Labor costs, which can vary from one state to the next.
Other things to think about:
Packing: Whether the movers are in charge of packing and unpacking all of your things, whether it’s just a mattress and boxspring or your whole apartment, you’ll be paid for the materials and time spent by the business. This involves some furniture assembly or disassembly.
Travel fees – Don’t forget about fuel and labor expenses while transporting your belongings. The will the distance you travel, the higher these fees would be.
Liability and valuation coverage – Under federal law, interstate moving companies must provide two types of valuation coverage to their customers: Full Value Protection and Released Value Protection. The more extensive alternative, Full-Value Protection, allows the mover to substitute products or compensate you for the item’s current value. Essential Released Value Security covers cargo liability.60 cents per pound. This is the more cost-effective alternative, but it only covers the essentials.
Third-party insurance: If you’re worried about your belongings, especially if they’re critical, purchasing third-party insurance is a good idea. Keep receipts, take pictures of all of your things, and thoroughly record everything. This documentation would be handy if you ever need to file a lawsuit. Also, keep in mind that your existing homeowner’s insurance policy will cover the damage if anything is stolen during the move.
Storage: Having your belongings held or stored by a moving company before, during, or after a transfer can be incredibly helpful for those who are moving long distances. Only be aware that this service will come at an additional cost. Storage rates differ from one moving company to the next, so be sure to inquire for details.
Keep in mind:
It’s essential to be aware of a few things before hiring a professional moving company to manage your interstate move:
Subcontractors – Before recruiting a mover, be sure to inquire into whether they outsource some parts of the job to subcontractors. These subcontractors are often employed by moving companies to manage part of the transition, even if they are not full-time workers. It’s better to avoid hiring a moving company that uses subcontractors because the same laws and policies don’t always bind the subcontractors as the moving company you initially employed.
Moving insurance: Although it is rare, damage to household items during a move does occur. That’s why it’s crucial to do your research to ensure that the moving company you’re considering hires has the required worker’s compensation insurance. This protection protects you from being sued by a moving firm in the unlikely event that a mover is harmed while transporting your belongings. Tip: If a moving company does not have insurance, likely, they are also unlicensed.
Scam movers – Trusting your belongings to rogue movers is the last thing you want to do when moving across state lines. To determine whether or not a mover is trustworthy and legal, check to see whether they are licensed and insured, as well as read through their customer feedback and complaint history. You can do so by entering their U.S.DOT number into the FMCSA’s search engine, which can be found under the “Search Movers & Complaint History” website tab, as well as searching the Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) website for ratings and feedback. Also, trust your gut when interviewing a moving business. This may be a red flag if the mover is unprofessional. Before providing you with a quote, all moving companies should conduct an in-person inspection or a video survey of your belongings. Never take an excerpt from the internet at face value.
How to Save Money
Become a member of AAA: AAA members may be eligible for unique moving and storage discounts. Atlas Van Lines, for example, provides free Full Value Security to AAA members moving from one state to another. Check out other AAA discounts on moving services here.
Pack your belongings yourself – Though hiring a professional moving company to pack your belongings will save you time and energy, it will not save you money (sorry!). Packing prices vary by moving business, but you can expect to pay a few hundred dollars more (at least). To save money on packing, I suggest doing it yourself or enlisting the support of friends and family.
Choose the best time to relocate – Believe it or not, the time you travel may significantly impact the total cost of your interstate move. If you have the flexibility, I highly advise you to take a day off work to relocate during the week. According to our study, the best time to relocate is in the middle of the month, during the week. This is usually when demand for moving companies is at its lowest, resulting in lower costs. While traveling on the weekend can seem more convenient, bear in mind that there are only so many weekends in a year, and most consumers will be competing for one. Also, if at all possible, stop moving during the “peak” moving season. With about 70% of Memorial Day and Labor Day moves, this busy driving season will not be the cheapest.
Reduce your belongings: As we’ve mentioned many times in this post, the more you have, the more costly your out-of-state move will be. There’s no avoiding it! So, before you pass, I strongly advise you to pare down your personal belongings. Begin by organizing your wardrobe, donating unwanted furniture, and decluttering different spaces. Check out our step-by-step guide to the pre-move purge for more tips on how to get rid of things.