Any way you slice it, moving can be expensive. The best way to get a handle on it is to understand how pricing works in the moving industry and plan ahead. While there are a few differences between local moves and long-distance moves, both have plenty in common. Our Portland long-distance movers dish on their cost-saving tips. Let’s take a look.

How Local Moves are Priced

A local move is typically any distance within a 50-mile radius of the origin address. It doesn’t necessarily have to be within the same city. Many people simply need a new set of walls or more space, so local moves are common. 

Hourly rates are the most common billing method for local moves. These rates can vary by company, season, local market, and size of the move. Hourly rates range from $50 to $250. That’s just for the labor to get the truck loaded and take care of any prep work that you’ve elected like packing or furniture wrapping. Moving companies also add on a transportation fee for truck and fuel use. For local moves, transportation fees are generally a flat rate.

How Long-Distance Moves are Priced

If you’re moving miles away, you can expect a slightly different pricing model. For starters, you’ll still have an hourly rate for packing and prepping. But when it comes to transporting your things—longer distances require freight shipping. This means that your transportation costs are based on weight rather than a flat fee.

Why You Should Get an In-Home Estimate

Regardless of the size or distance of your move, the only way to know for sure and plan ahead is to get an in-home estimate. Many movers in the industry use technology to digitize this process and provide quick, accurate moving quotes on the spot. Just make sure that you get a binding quote—one that the mover guarantees. If not, you might still be surprised when it comes time to pay the bill.

Pricing for Additional Services

Does white-glove moving service sound like a dream? While moving companies offer a wide range of services to make your transition more convenient, they are providing services at a cost. You can control your moving costs by carefully considering which services you really need ahead of time. For most budget-conscious customers, packing and prepping can be a DIY project.

The Difference Between Binding & Non-Binding Estimates

We mentioned something about binding estimates—but what does that mean, exactly? A binding estimate is one that the mover guarantees within certain conditions. It effectively locks the mover into a commitment to offer their services at the price they’ve quoted. And, it’s fairly standard in the industry. But keep your eyes peeled for companies that mark their estimates as non-binding. This means that they’re leaving the door open to tack on extra incidentals. 

The Bottom Line on Moving Costs

Each move is a little different. It can cost a few hundred dollars for a simple, local move or several thousand dollars for a long-distance move. Many estimates place the average cost between $4,000 and $10,000. This can be a big burden for some homeowners. Finding ways to control the costs, like planning ahead and being strategic about what to move, when to move, and how much to move is the key to saving money. Our residential movers in Portland can help you create a plan that works!

Prestige Moving & Storage has been helping Portland-area residents relocate for more than 60 years. Founded in 1961, we’re a trusted agent of Allied Van Lines. Our BBB-rated movers are a designated ProMover with AMSA and a six-year Women’s Choice award winner. Call today to schedule your in-home moving estimate.