Why are long distance moves priced by weight?
Many long-distance moving companies charge by weight. Understanding weight-based pricing for long-distance moves can be beneficial.
You’ve decided to make a big move out of your current city or town, and you’re now shopping around for the best long-distance moving company in your area. It quickly becomes apparent that not all long-distance moving companies are alike, and you might be tempted to take the cheapest option to save some money to help you get set up in your new place.
So why are long-distance moves priced by weight? Long-distance moving companies – those that offer moving services to other cities or states – charge by weight rather than by the hour or by cubic feet for a few reasons. Here’s why moving companies operate this way and why it’s beneficial for the customer.
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Charging by weight provides a clear idea of moving costs
Charging by weight gives customers a better idea of what they’ll pay for an entire long-distance move. If you have, say, 5,500 lbs. of goods to move, that number won’t change during the move. Some movers might attempt to charge by the hour, which can quickly balloon out of control – or be manipulated – when you’re moving long distances. Some other movers may want to charge by cubic feet, which can also be skewed with unconventional truck packing.
The moving company considers the weight of the shipment, fuel costs, labor, and the distance traveled and presents you with an estimate. A written estimate is required by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) for long-distance moves. According to the DOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration guide, there are two types of estimates that you’ll regularly encounter: binding and non-binding.
A binding estimate guarantees you won’t pay more than what is quoted at the start of your move, at least as long as there are no unforeseen complications (such as parking permits or lack of elevators). A binding estimate should be very close to the total you pay when the move is over, as the moving company takes the estimated weight of your goods, fuel costs, and distance traveled into account.
A non-binding estimate is simply a ballpark estimate of cost, with weight, tariff, and other services considered. A non-binding estimate might not be even close to what you end up paying on the other side of the move, which is why it’s a good idea to find a company that offers a binding estimate.
Moving companies are required by law to weigh trucks at a weigh station to properly calculate tariffs. If you received a binding estimate, the actual verified weight of your goods shouldn’t change the cost of the move. If you received a non-binding estimate, the actual weight of your goods may be much higher than what was quoted, resulting in a higher cost.
You, as the customer, have a right to witness weighings to verify accuracy, though you’ll have to arrange the logistics to attend. Moving companies working with a non-binding estimate must also keep verified weigh tickets from each stop and provide them if requested. You may also request a shipment be reweighed to verify accuracy.
How much do long-distance moves cost?
How much you pay for a long-distance move generally depends on the weight of your goods and the distance you’re traveling, with fuel, labor, and other charges included.
According to Moving.com, a one-bedroom home or apartment can cost between about $1,000 and $4,500 to move depending on the distance. If you have a two or three-bedroom home, those numbers climb to between about $2,200 and $8,600. And if you have a sprawling home with four or five bedrooms, you can expect costs to exceed $14,000 if you’re doing a cross-country move. These are rough estimates only, and the ultimate cost of a long-distance move can also change based on the season and your geographic location.
As mentioned, even some binding estimates may be subject to additional unforeseen charges. It’s difficult for you and the movers to foresee all situations that might arise, and it’s not uncommon to arrive in a new city only to be presented with a new challenge. Even the front end of the move might present some additional charges beyond weight depending on the services you require from your movers.
Here are some unforeseen things that will usually add to the cost of your move:
Heavy or specialty items, such as pianos or antiques
Packing on unpacking services (beyond in and out of a truck or van)
Use of an elevator or climbing stairs
Moving supplies, such as extra packaging and padding
Parking permits
Long carries if goods must be transported in or out of an expansive apartment block
Shuttle service if the moving truck can’t be parked near your residence
Wrapping up
Do long-distance moving companies charge by weight? Yes, they do.
We recommend finding a long-distance moving company that charges by weight and that offers binding estimates. This gives you a clearer idea of what a move will cost, which can prevent overcharges at the other end of the journey.
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