how much cost to move: field notes for smarter budgeting

What actually drives the price

I price moves weekly, and the total rarely hinges on one thing. It's the mix.

• Distance: local by the hour; long-haul by weight or cubic feet.
• Volume: fewer boxes beats fewer furniture pieces; weight matters.
• Access: stairs, long carries, elevators, tight doors, or shuttles.
• Date: weekends, month-end, and summer surge.
• Services: packing, crating, TV/hard-to-pack items, debris removal.

Real numbers I see on jobs

Local studio/1BR with a truck and two movers: $350 - $700. A fuller 2 - 3BR: $800 - $1,800. Long-distance (~1,000 miles) on a moderate 2BR: $3,000 - $6,500 depending on season and weight. DIY truck can look cheaper - $70 - $150/day plus $0.60 - $1.10/mile, fuel, insurance, and equipment. Add your time and help.

A quick scenario from last Thursday

Two-bedroom, 12 miles, elevator out, third-floor walk-up drop. The base came in at $1,050. Small backtrack: that was labor only - precisely, the truck and travel minimum added $120. With stairs, two TV crates, and a building COI, it settled near $1,360. Worth it for them: no injuries, and we finished before the street permit expired.

1. Base crew and truck
2. Travel time minimums
3. Materials/packing
4. Access surcharges
5. Valuation (insurance-like coverage)

Choosing the right path

If you're under 25 miles with light inventory, DIY can pencil out; heavy items, tricky access, or tight timelines tip to pros. Compare apples-to-apples.

• Ask for: a written, not-to-exceed number.
• What counts as travel time and fuel.
• Stair/elevator policies and long-carry thresholds.
• Valuation levels and exclusions.
• Extra stops, parking, and reschedule fees.

Match the mover to your situation: delicate art needs crating experience; fifth-floor walk-up needs a bigger crew. That's where the real savings hide.