Are you planning a local or long-distance Charlotte move? There are a lot of ‘moving’ parts to consider when planning a move. The best way to ensure a stress-free one is by hiring a reputable and reliable moving company. While hiring Charlotte movers will cost you more than a DIY job, you will sleep well at night knowing that your belongings are safe (and save yourself from the back pain too!). To help you budget for professional Charlotte movers we have broken down the expected cost of different types of moves, from local and long-distance, to full-service or labor only.
How Much Do Charlotte Movers Cost?
To accurately estimate the cost of your Charlotte move, you will first need to determine which type of move it is. If you are traveling 60 miles or less to your new home, this is considered a local move. For moves with a distance of 60-100 miles to your new location, it is considered long-distance. Once you have established the distance of your move, there are additional factors like packing, timing, and special circumstances to take into account.
Cost of Local Charlotte Movers
Most Charlotte moving companies will charge an hourly rate for labor on local moves. Be prepared to pay anywhere between $25-60 per mover per hour. It is important to note that this fee could fall over the $60 rate depending on the number of belongings in your home, specialty items like artwork, and special circumstances like difficult access points. Naturally, the cost of labor will vary depending on the size of your home and the number of belongings in it. For example, you can expect to pay more if you are moving from a four-bedroom home versus a studio apartment given the additional time and movers required for the job.
Cost of Long-Distance Charlotte Movers
Estimating the cost of a long-distance Charlotte move is more complicated because pricing is based on complex factors including shipment weight and mileage, along with the costs associated with a local move. Some moving companies will charge a flat rate fee of $1,000 for long-distance moves so expect your relocation to cost upwards of this figure.
Be Aware…
Some moving companies may quote you a fixed and seemingly cheaper fee than others. However, it is important to understand that these companies are likely not including common additional charges like insurance, supplies, fuel, and day-of surcharges.
At Gentle Giant our estimates include all of the fees associated with your move up front so that there are no surprises at the end, unlike many other companies. This means that oftentimes our estimates will be higher so that you will be fully informed. Be sure to ask what additional fees you will be charged at the end of your move when requesting quotes from other moving companies.
Additional Charlotte Moving Company Charges/Services
Labor is not the only factor that will affect the cost of your Charlotte move. There are several other considerations when choosing your Charlotte moving company. For example, you may wish to outsource all packing and unpacking to your moving crew. Or, perhaps you need a specialty item like a pool table moved. In any case, these added services will increase the cost of your move so keep this in mind when requesting your estimate.
Packing and Packing Materials
Local Charlotte movers will typically charge anywhere between $20-$60 per hour per worker for packing services. However, this fee will increase as the number of belongings to be packed increases. For long-distance moves, you will often be quoted a fixed price based on your move size and the nature of your items.
Storage
Many moving companies offer short-term or long-term storage for your belongings. The cost of storing your items will depend on the timeframe and number/size of the items.
Extra Fees for Specialty Items
Each additional service you require for your move will add to the overall cost. This includes services for specialty items like delicate artwork, pianos, heavy furniture, and more. For example, a move which includes the relocation of a delicate and expensive artwork may require a crate. While the additional service will increase the overall cost of your move, the peace of mind and safe delivery of such valuables is worth it.
Extra Fees for Special Circumstances
There are certain special circumstances that may arise during your Charlotte move which will add to the cost of your bill. For example, you may incur a long carry fee depending on the distance from the moving truck to your home.
Where movers are forced to go up and down flights of stairs and do not have access to an elevator you should be prepared to pay extra. Depending on how difficult your place is to access, the moving company may add anywhere from $200-$600 to your bill. Again, this ballpark estimate will decrease or increase depending on your specific circumstances. While many moving companies will add this cost at the end of the move, Gentle Giant’s move consultants assess situations like these at the beginning and ensure the costs are added to the initial estimate. This way you won’t have any nasty surprises at the end!
Moving Insurance
Most moving companies automatically provide basic limited liability insurance for your items which is valued at $0.60 per pound. While this type of insurance is free of charge it means that in the event of damage to your belongings, they are not fully insured. For those seeking better protection for their valuables, many moving companies, including Gentle Giant, will also offer alternative insurance options at a cost.
Tipping Your Movers
Moving is a strenuous and physically demanding job. In situations where you are happy with your moving crew you may wish to show your appreciation with a tip. Similar to tipping your waiter or taxi driver, it is customary to tip your moving team 15-20% of your final bill when you are satisfied with the service provided.
Are you planning a local or long-distance Charlotte move? Speak with a reputable Charlotte moving company like Gentle Giant. We have some great resources to get you started on your Charlotte move. Check out our moving checklist for information on how to prepare and use our free move estimate tool to determine the cost of your relocation.