In a nutshell, key factors will be a time of year, distance, quality of service, additional fees like elevator/stairs/shuttle/etc, whether packing is involved, storage needs. I always suggest to people to begin their moving quote using this super simple 100% guaranteed, instant moving estimate site. From there you can see the breakdown of every line item then compare quotes from there. The long version:
Obtaining moving company prices from local and long distance movers is enough to make one want to do the unthinkable. Hold in there, pull yourself out of the corner of that wardrobe box. This moving company pricing guide will help you navigate through completely unregulated and obnoxious pricing schemes to help you get the best value for your move.
Before getting down to the nitty-gritty of moving company prices – you should know a few simple things about moving companies in general. Just like health care professionals or restaurants – there are many different kinds of quality movers.
I have found this article about movers from quora to be an insightful explanation of moving companies and the quality difference.
Van lines – Usually priced about 25% higher than private moving companies because 25% goes to a corporate office.
Moving Brokers – Buy, sell, trade, barter your move to independent contractors – usually 5-10% less than private moving companies but you never know who will actually be delivering your items.
Private Moving Companies – For the rest of the article, I will be giving you private moving company fees – you can adjust these if you are considering a van line or moving broker. In my opinion, the best value for a move will be through a private moving company. Generally, they have their own trucks, own labor, don’t have to pay a corporate fee and have the best reputations.