Average Cost To Move A 5 Bedroom House

Average Five-Bedroom Moving Cost

Moving a five bedroom home can be costly. It is a large job that often requires at least a three person crew to complete efficiently. To help you plan for your relocation, we’ve laid out some average price points for five-bedroom moves by varying distance.

The figures below are just averages. Although they’ve been derived from real moving data, they should only be used to establish a baseline. They are not a substitute for getting your own quotes.

Factors that Influence Cost

There are many things that can influence the total cost of your move. Here are the main factors to consider as you plan:

• Local vs Long-Distance: Local moving costs are determined by hourly rates, typically with two-hour minimum charges. Long-distance moves typically start at 40+ miles and are billed at a flat rate calculated using shipping weight and move distance.

• Shipment Weight: Most 5 bedroom houses will have many belongings inside, but this amount can vary. The more items you have, the more crew members may need to be present to assist with your move. Additionally, more items may require bigger trucks or even multiple trucks. The weight in the truck can also increase the cost of fuel. All these factors boil down to the fact that the larger your shipment, the more you can expect to pay.
• Move Distance: The longer your move, the more you will pay. Longer moves mean more fuel and more time that drivers and crews need to be paid.
• Ease of access: This primarily applies to the parking situation at your home. Most moving companies use 26-foot box trucks. If your home has low-hanging trees around a point of entry, a small parking lot, or a winding driveway, you may have to pay more due to the fact that a truck may need to park further from your home.
• Long carries: Many movers will have some form of long-carry fee built into their contracts. This will typically kick in at any distance greater than 75 feet.
• Specialty furniture: Special items like pianos will have fees attached to them. Fragile or bulky items like glass hutches may come with charges for crating or special care as well.
• Time of year: Moving is a seasonal job, with most people preferring to move during the spring and summer. This means that most movers are busier during this time, so you will likely pay more due to higher demand.
• Last-minute booking: Moving companies tend to charge fees for booking with short notice. This can be especially true during the summer months.
• Add-ons required: Add-on services, especially packing, can substantially inflate your final costs. The more you hire your mover to complete versus doing it on your own, the more you will pay.

Popular Add-Ons

As we noted above, add-on services can have a large impact on your final cost. The more of these services you include, the more you will pay. Let’s take a moment to review some of the most popular moving add-on services and their associated costs:

• Packing. Packing a large five bedroom house on your own can be time-consuming. Hiring your movers to handle this task can help you to save time while ensuring items are better protected in transit. A full-service pack will likely cost you somewhere between $500 and $1,500 for your large home. Another option is to only hire your movers to pack your most fragile belongings, which can save you money.
• Storage. Most national moving companies offer short-term and long-term storage, often at secure facilities that they own themselves. Storage is typically billed on a prorated monthly basis, averaging around $200 per month.
• Crating. If you have oddly shaped or bulky items that are fragile or valuable, custom crating can be used to help keep them protected in the moving truck. Movers who offer this service will charge you anywhere from $50 to $250 per crate depending primarily on the size and shape of the item.
• Junk removal. Not every moving company will provide junk removal service, but it can be helpful if you plan on downsizing. Single-item removals range around $100 minimum while full truck loads can cost from $500 to $750.
• Car shipping. Most movers contract third parties to assist with car shipping. If you have one or more vehicles that you will be unable to drive to your new home yourself, a mover can assist you. Prices are primarily determined by how far you need to ship your car and whether you use a closed or open carrier. Costs can range from $500 to $1,500+ for this service.
• Appliance installation. Some movers can help you install appliances like stoves, dishwashers and washing machines. This typically costs around $100 to $250 per appliance.

Ways to Save on Your Move

Every dollar counts. Here are a few ways that you can reduce the cost of your move:

• Give Yourself Ample Time: Begin planning your move around eight weeks ahead of time. Begin researching movers near you and setting up in-home or virtual estimates. Ideally, your move should be booked a month in advance.
• Take Full Inventory of Your Home: Prior to any estimates, you should take a detailed inventory of your home and all the items you will need moved. Along with this, making a list of all services you may need will improve the accuracy of any quotes you’re given.
• Get Quotes: Even if your move is fairly simple, getting quotes from different providers is necessary if you want to get the best possible price for your relocation.

How to Find a Great Moving Company

During any estimate, you should request proof of all of the required insurance policies and licenses below.

• FMCSA Licensing: Any company conducting interstate moves must be licensed with the FMCSA and maintain active USDOT and MC numbers. These numbers can be used to look up a given mover’s registration status and complaint history through this link.
• State Licensing: Most states have organizations that regulate movers operating within states lines. In these states movers must maintain an active license and comply with regulations and rate tariffs.
• Insurance: Movers must maintain multiple insurance policies in order to legally operate. These include workers’ compensation and released liability coverage. The best movers will offer additional coverage options like full-value coverage.
• Well-Reviewed: Positive reviews are a must when evaluating a company in any service-based industry. Valuable resources for this feedback include Google, Yelp, Social media, and the Better Business Bureau.

Top Moving Companies

Now that you know how much a five-bedroom move should cost, here are some of the best moving companies to work with today. These companies are excellent choices for a wide array of moving needs:

* 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.