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| | | Household moving companies will generally send a salesperson to visit the home in order to see the contents for a long distance move. They create an estimate based on the size and expected weight of a shipment, the distance traveled and the amount of handling at each end. | | |
| Typical costs: | - Moving the contents of a 600-square foot one-bedroom apartment from Washington DC to Los Angeles, California averages $3,600 -$5,000 for full service, which includes packing. Estimated weight is 3,400 pounds.
- The cost to move approximately 5,500 pounds of furnishings from a two-bedroom 900-square foot apartment the same distance and service level is about $5,100 -$6,400.
- The price to relocate the contents of a 1,500-sqaure foot three-bedroom house with eight total rooms and an expected weight of 12,000 pounds across the country with full-service packing averages $9,000 -$11,600.
What should be included: | - A full-service move includes packing, loading, transport, unloading and if contracted, unpacking of all household goods.
- Tip: When obtaining estimates from moving companies, find out whether it is a binding (final price) or nonbinding (possibility of additional charges) estimate and exactly what services will be performed for that price. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration lists an online glossary of moving terms and fraud prevention techniques.
Additional costs: | - Pianos or heavy items are priced individually depending on weight and access.
- Due to high demand, moving during summer months--May through September--costs about 20% more than the other months of the year.
- If the truck is too large for the delivery area and the items have to be shuttled to the destination in a smaller vehicle, an extra fee will be charged based on time and manpower.
- Tipping is a common practice in moving according to Movingatoz.com. Movers are generally tipped either $3 -$5 per hour or $15 per every 1,000 pounds moved.
- Moving insurance costs about $7.50 per $1,000 of value.
Discounts: | - Ordering online can mean a discount at some companies, and some movers offer 10% off for AAA members.
Shopping for a long distance mover: | - The American Moving and Storage Association offers an online website for getting estimates.
- Tip: Prepare a kit of items needed for the first night in the new house, including bed linen, medicine, teas and coffee.
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Article updated June 2007 |
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