Moving to a new place is exciting, whether you’re moving into your first home across town or a bigger home across the country. But moving can also be stressful, and it can seem like there are a million things to do before you pack. One of the most important things to plan is the cost of moving. More importantly, how much will it cost to hire movers? We put together a short guide to help you understand what goes into the high cost of moving, how much to budget for professional movers, and other considerations.

Overview of All Moving Costs

Deciding whether you’re going to DIY it or hire a professional mover is only one of the considerations that go into the high cost of moving. There are many other factors to moving costs, including:

• Cost of living changes, if moving to another state or city (Use this handy tool to compare costs of utilities, groceries, transportation, and more)
• Paying double rent or mortgage if move-in dates don’t line up
• Renting a moving truck (fees generally run $20 a day, not including gas and mileage costs)
• Storage units if you need to store furniture or belongings before moving

You can reduce some of these costs by moving into your new place quickly. Taking too long to move from one place to another can rack up costs surprisingly fast.

Cost of Hiring Professional Movers

According to Home Advisor, hiring a local professional mover costs between $80 and $100 an hour. You may be charged additional fees if movers need to take items down stairs or a considerable distance.

For long-distance moves, companies charge by weight and distance rather than time. With this type of move, you may be charged a flat rate as high as $10,000, not including gas and mileage costs. These costs do not factor in additional movers or truck fees.

Booking Professional Movers in Advance

For local moves (under 100 miles), book movers between 2 and 4 weeks ahead of time. When you book early, you’re more likely to get a time and date that best fits your moving schedule. For local moves during the busy season – between May and September – consider booking at least 4 weeks early.

For cross-country moves (over 100 miles), book as soon as possible! Try to book at least six to eight weeks ahead of time. Moving can be stressful, so book ahead of time and save yourself the worry.

How Many Movers Do You Need?

Depending on the size of your home, you may need to hire up to four movers. Moving Labor’s chart below shows roughly the amount of movers and time it will take to move for each home type:

Studio Apartment: 2 Movers / 3-4 Hours

1-2 Bedroom Apartment: 2 Movers / 4-5 hours

2-3 Bedroom Home: 3 Movers / 5-7 hours

3-4 Bedroom Home: 3 Movers / 7-9 hours

4+ Bedroom Home: 4 Movers / 7-10 hours

You will need to factor in the additional cost of movers ($25 to $25 per mover) and moving time into your schedule.

Make Preparations in Advance and Move ASAP

Moving doesn’t have to be stressful, and with a little preparation, you can put your mind at ease. To limit moving costs, book movers as soon as possible. Check the company’s rates and reviews online before hiring and try to move quickly. Storing items, paying double rent or mortgage, and renting supplies is expensive. The sooner you get to your new house or apartment, the less outgoing costs you will have!