iMoving makes it easier than ever to get your quote, but what goes into your final figure? Here are some of the biggest factors that decide whether you pay a lot, or pay a little:
1. Distance
When you’re dealing with moving companies from Florida to Georgia, it’s important to remember how far you’re traveling to get from point A to point B.
Sure, you may have a one-mile commute, but you could be traveling all the way from Key West. The distance makes up a big part of your final price.
2. Volume/Weight
Aside from distance, the physical size of your move is probably the next biggest factor. More stuff means a bigger price tag. We always recommend downsizing before you shop for a quote:
This way you’re not carrying a bunch of crap you don’t want, and you’ll save quite a bit when your movers weigh or size up your belongings.
3. Packing
Packing is an optional service. But just because it’s optional doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pay for it. Packing up all your stuff is a major time sink, and it can be frustrating if you need to make several trips to get boxes, tape, and other packing supplies. Fortunately, you can pay the pros to take care of it, and you’ll save big on sanity.
4. Storage
Sometimes, you overestimate your space. Other times, you underestimate how much stuff you have. And in some wonderful situations, you do both.
Whatever the reason, storage units provide a bit of extra square footage. They’ll also give you a bit more time to organize your belongings in your new place. It’ll cost extra, but some movers offer 30 days free.
5. Insurance
It’s rare, but sometimes items get damaged in transit. Under federal law, movers have to provide a bare minimum amount of insurance.
Unfortunately, that bare minimum is only good for $0.60 per pound. Want more than $2.40 for that broken monitor? You’ll have to pay extra for full-value insurance.
6. Access Fees
Here’s a little thought experiment for you: Think about how you get from your front door to the street. Are there any gates, staircases, long driveways, or elevators? These are all extra challenges for your moving team to deal with, and all these challenges will add more to your final price. Keep your movers in the loop ahead of time so there are no surprises on either end.
7. Shuttle Fee
A lot of cities are picky about who gets to park semi trucks on their streets. This means your movers may have to park their big truck on the outskirts and use a smaller box truck to ferry your stuff back and forth. It’s not convenient, it’s not cheap, but it’s unavoidable. Thank your city council for the privilege.
8. Gratuity
Yes, even in the moving industry, people are expected to tip. Unless your Florida to Georgia movers explicitly decline gratuities, you should set aside some cash for your moving crew. 15% - 20% of the total price is a good amount, to be divvied up between the whole team. Don’t forget the driver!