How Much Does a Local Move Really Cost?

Don’t underestimate your moving expenses

Almost seven out of 10 Americans stay within the county when they move to a different home. Although local moving costs much less than long-distance relocation, the same supplies or packing services often prove necessary. Be sure to save enough cash for all of these expenses.

Costs of Taking on the Move Alone

Some people prefer to rent box trucks for local moves and try to take on the move alone. This option appears inexpensive but involves numerous hidden costs. Plan on paying $25 to $60 per day and 75 to 99 cents for each mile.

If you need to buy insurance for a moving truck, this service could raise the price by $15 to $25 per day. The rental company may also add various other fees and taxes, especially if you don’t clean the vehicle thoroughly.

Don’t forget that you’ll have to pay for fuel. Most box trucks burn a gallon of fuel when they travel only 10 to 12 miles. Heavy loads will result in lower gas mileage.

The cost of supplies can easily add up to a substantial sum. For instance, a major home improvement store charges about $28 for a large roll of bubble wrap. You’ll need pads, cardboard boxes and labels as well.

An appliance dolly makes it much easier to safely move washers, dryers, stoves and refrigerators. You can spend around $7 to rent it for a day or buy a low-end dolly for about $35 to $55.

You may also need to pay a friend or two to help you move large furniture and boxes. Even if they do it for free or for minimal cost, you will be under the obligation to help your friends with similar tasks in the future.

Time is also a cost that many people do not take into account when they are performing their own move. The time you spend moving could be spent taking care of other tasks related to your move or spent working. Depending on the size of the move and the flexibility of your work schedule, you may have to take a vacation day or two if the move cannot be completed in one weekend.

Do-it-yourself moving involves greater risks. The total expense may increase by hundreds of dollars if you inadvertently destroy a refrigerator or TV set. You could also suffer serious injuries while carrying heavy items or driving an unfamiliar vehicle.

In the end, the costs of moving yourself can start to add up, and they require much more time and effort than hiring a professional moving service.

Cost of Hiring a Professional Moving Service for a Local Move

Professional mover costs vary depending on the size and distance of a move, and if you are interested in packing services. Sawyers All Carolina Professional Packing & Moving can provide you a free quote for their services, so you know what to expect cost wise from the beginning.

Cutting Costs

Regardless of how you move, you can reduce the expense by getting rid of unnecessary items. Hold a yard sale, donate things or call a junk removal service before you pack any boxes. Don’t spend money to transport clothing that you’ll never wear again!

Sawyers All Carolina Professional Packing & Moving provides affordable local services in North Carolina and Pensacola, Fla. Our family-owned company has reliably served a variety of customers for 20 years. As of February 2018, the Better Business Bureau lists no complaints and gives us an A+ rating. To learn more, please contact Sawyers today.