The Average Cost to Move a 4 Bedroom House

Average Four-Bedroom House Moving Cost

Pulling data from real customer reviews and top mover quote forms, we’ve outlined the average four-bedroom moving costs for various distances below. Keep in mind that even though these prices have been derived from real moving data, each move is unique and pricing can vary dramatically. These figures should never be considered a viable substitute for getting your own moving quotes. It’s important to get multiple estimates and carefully consider your options before booking.

Factors that Influence Cost

Below are some of the main factors that can influence your moving costs. Understanding these factors can help you to budget for your move and potentially make changes to your plans in order to reduce your final bill:

• Distance: The further away you’re moving, the more you will pay. Longer distances require more fuel and more labor hours for drivers and moving crews.
• Shipment Weight: People own different amounts of items, and some people like to downsize before moving. So, even though your home might be the same size as another person, you might have fewer items to move. In general, the more items you need to move, the more you can expect to pay. This is because it can take your movers longer to move your items, and heavier shipments can also consume more fuel. Plus, if you have too many items, you may need to use a larger truck or multiple trucks.
• Ease of access: Difficult flights of stairs or tricky parking lots and driveways can dramatically increase your moving expenses. Access points can be properly assessed by a moving coordinator during a visual estimate.
• Long carries: Many companies will have fees for long carries between their trucks and your home. Fees typically apply at around 75 feet. Other companies may not charge this, but the extra time it takes to transport your goods from point A to point B will be reflected in hourly labor costs.
• Specialty furniture: Whether they require crating or unusually heavy lifting, many specialty items will come with a larger price tag attached to them. Pianos, hot tubs, and pool tables, for example, will often lead to fixed fees being added to your move.
• Time of year: Seasonality can be a big factor in determining price. Booking during the busy season of May through September can lead to higher costs due to increased demand for movers across the board.
• Last-minute booking: Booking a move within a week of your move date can lead to increased prices or convenience fees. Last-minute moves within 24 to 48 hours will often have larger fees as well, if the mover can even take the job on.
• Add-ons required: Add-on services, such as packing, auto transport, and other special needs, can inflate the cost of your move. The more you can do on your own, the more you can reduce your bill.

Popular Add-Ons

As we mentioned above, add-on services can be costly. Here are some of the most commonly requested add-on services and what you can expect to pay for them:

• Packing services. Packing services are often the most expensive add-on. If at all possible, consider packing and unpacking your home yourself. Packing a four-bedroom home can cost from $150 to $1,000+. Some movers will also offer various service levels, like full-service packing, fragile-only packing, or single-item packing.
• Custom crating. Some items need special care during transit to keep them safe. If you have very fragile or valuable items, you might want to consider using custom wooden boxes to keep those items protected. This can cost $50 to $200+ per crate.
• Debris removal. Debris and junk removal services are somewhat rare, but some movers can help to remove any trash or large items from your property that you do not wish to move with you. Cost for this service can range from $100 to $650 depending on how many items you need to remove.
• Furniture assembly. Furniture disassembly and reassembly are usually free of charge if necessary to efficiently pack the truck or to keep your items safe in transit. Some movers may also help you with assembling new furniture in your new home, typically for an hourly fee.
• Appliance installation. Not many movers provide this service, but some of the best moving companies do. Installing a refrigerator or washing machine can cost between $100 to $300.

Reducing the Cost of Your Four-Bedroom Move

As you plan and budget for your four-bedroom house move, here are some important tips that can help you to reduce your total cost:

• Give Yourself Ample Time: The planning process should ideally begin around eight weeks ahead of your move. This is when you should research movers in your area and begin scheduling moving estimates. Planning well in advance can help to ensure that your preferred mover is available while allowing you to avoid last-minute scheduling fees.
• Take Full Inventory of Your Home: Prior to getting estimates, you should create a full inventory of the items you need to move and the services you require. This will help to ensure that the quotes you receive are as accurate as possible while avoiding upcharges on moving days.
• Get Quotes: Shopping around is vital to ensure you get the best rate. Schedule in-person or virtual moving estimates with all movers you consider before making a final decision. You can then compare quotes and may even be able to use quotes as leverage to negotiate with movers.
• Do It Yourself: Add-on services can steeply increase your four-bedroom moving cost. The more you can do yourself, the less you will have to pay. Consider doing all of your packing, driving your car to your new home, etc.

What to Look for in the Best Movers

During any estimate you receive, ask for proof of required licenses or insurance policies:

• FMCSA Registration: All movers conducting interstate commerce are regulated by the FMCSA. Interstate movers must maintain an active FMCSA license as well as USDOT and MC numbers, which can be used to research a mover’s complaint history and registration status.
• Local Registration: Movers operating within a single state will often have local licensing requirements as well. Make sure you know what your state’s requirements are before booking.
• Properly Insured: Movers must maintain multiple insurance policies to legally operate. These include workers compensation and released liability. Workers’ compensation protects you in the event of a work-related accident during your move, while released liability covers damage to your belongings in transit.
• Well-Reviewed: Be sure to research customer reviews before booking, as they can often tell the real story about a mover. Good sources for moving company reviews include Google, Yelp, Social Media, and the Better Business Bureau.

Top Moving Companies

Now that you know what it costs to move a 4-bedroom house, you should have the information you need to confidently book with a mover. To help you with your research, here are some of the nation’s top-rate movers for both local and long-distance moves:

* Long-distance average cost is based on aggregate data from customer reviews for a two-bedroom home, moving 250 miles. Cost can vary significantly based on move weight and distance. Be sure to request a free quote to get an accurate estimate for your move.