Moving Cost Estimator
Quickly calculate/estimate the cost of your move based on distance, size, and services.
Introducing Our Moving Cost Estimator/Calculator
The Moving Cost Estimator/Calculator by Dumbo Moving NYC Moving Company is a free tool that you can use to get a price estimate for your expected move. You can enter your pickup address and destination (and specify the type of buildings), and our estimator will let you know the total costs your move will incur.
The moving cost estimator is a very useful tool for first-time movers, as it allows them to set their budget according to the estimated charges.
How Are Moving Costs Estimated – Pricing Factors
There are a number of different factors involved in calculating moving quotes. Here is a brief list along with explanations for each:
Moving distance: The main thing that decides the cost of the move is the distance that you need to cover. The further away the destination happens to be, the higher will be the costs incurred during the move.
Moving date: Depending on the date that you pick for your move, the cost can go up or down. For example, if you pick a date in the peak moving season (such as the summer months), it can be more expensive as compared to moving out-of-season. There can also be a cost difference depending on whether you pick a weekend for the move or a weekday.
Types of items to be moved: If the items that you need to move are simple and uncomplicated, the same will be the nature of your moving costs. However, if there are many fragile items or antiques that require special care, it can make the overall costs go up.
Services required: Do you need only moving services? Or do you also need the moving company to pack and store your belongings? Depending on the number of services that you need, your moving quote can either be quite affordable or quite steeply priced.
Volume or weight of items: Moving companies, including Dumbo Moving, use the volume or weight of items as a cost factor when providing estimates/quotes. Fewer items require smaller vehicles and lower fuel costs, while the opposite is true for a large number of items.
Accessibility of the location: If your home is located in a hard-to-access location, such as the 15th floor of an apartment building accessed through a side alley, it means more effort on the part of the movers. This can increase the costs incurred during the move and inflate the overall price.
Size of moving crew required: If your move is simple and doesn’t need a big crew, it will be more affordable compared to a complicated job requiring a lot of helping hands.
How Much Do Movers Cost in NYC?
Moving costs in NYC typically range from $1,000 to $3,500 for local moves, depending on apartment size, moving date, and required services. Studio moves average around $1,000, while two-bedroom moves may exceed $2,500. Prices increase during peak months (May–September) and when elevators or long carries are involved.
Of course, these are just general figures. To get a more accurate idea, you can use our estimator above.
Understanding Different Types of Moving Estimates
There are three main types of moving estimates that you can get from a moving company. Below, we’ll break down each type so that you can know when an estimate is binding and when it is not.
A binding estimate is a type of estimate that defines the exact payment that the customer has to make once the move is over. If a binding estimate is provided by a company, they are not entitled to take any payment beyond the quoted price.
A non-binding estimate is used to give a rough idea of the costs involved in the move, but it doesn’t restrict the company from demanding more if needed. For example, if additional services are required during the moving process, the company can exceed the initial quote and charge the customer for said services.
The third type of estimate is called binding not-to-exceed. These types of estimates set a maximum cost that the customer can be charged, which is not to be exceeded. If the cost is lower than the estimate, then the customer is asked to pay the lesser amount.
Higher Estimate Than Expected? Here is How to Save Money During Your Move
Here are some tips that you can follow to save money during your relocation.
Instead of hiring packing services, get your own packing supplies for a fraction of the price. Take some time out at the end of your day and pack your belongings yourself. This will help you save money that you would have spent on hiring packing services from the moving company.
If the moving company offers it, go for a truck rental instead of hiring a crew. This can help you save even more money, as you don’t have to pay the movers or tip them. You can load and unload your belongings and drive to the destination yourself. Once you are done, you can return the truck.
Before you start packing, find and dispose of any items that you don’t need. It’s easy to hoard unnecessary stuff in your home without even realizing it. That unnecessary stuff can get carried along with the necessary items, incurring more costs in packing materials and increasing the volume/number of boxes.
Try and move in the off-season, when prices are lower.
Instead of hiring handyman services to disassemble your furniture, do it on your own with some help from friends. This can also help you save costs.
Plan your move in a way that you don’t have to stay in limbo with your belongings before moving in. In that situation, you would have to get storage services, which will be an extra strain on your wallet. Start with your move only when your next home or office is fully ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is the moving estimator by Dumbo Moving?
The moving estimator by Dumbo Moving is fairly accurate. It does not give inflated and misleading quotes. It uses the provided information to give the quote.
You can specify the exact location for the pickup as well as the destination. You can also specify the type of building you’re currently in and the type of building you’re moving to. With these details, our estimator can work out an accurate quote for the move.
Is it more expensive to rent a truck or to hire a crew?
It is usually more expensive to hire a crew than to rent a truck. Renting a truck is more affordable as you don’t have to pay for the physical labor and tips. Plus, you can adjust your transportation trips depending on whether you’re being charged by the hour or by mileage. This can help you make the move cost-effective.
Is moving comparatively more expensive in NYC?
Yes, moving is more expensive in NYC compared to other parts of the US. That is because NYC has a higher cost of living than most places.
How much extra do I have to pay if there are additional items on the day of the move?
If you had mentioned a specific number of boxes or items prior to the moving day, but end up having more stuff to relocate, you will be charged beyond the initial quote.
As for how much extra you will have to pay depends on the number of additional items as well as their nature (i.e., fragile or non-fragile).
Which days should I pick for my move to save money?
You should pick Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for your move if you are looking to save money. These days aren’t as busy for moving companies, which is why they don’t charge as heavily. On the flipside, if you pick the weekend for your move, it can be more expensive.
Do movers charge extra if there are many stairs in the building?
Yes, you will be charged extra if there are a lot of stairs that the movers have to ascend and descend when carrying your belongings to and from the truck. Since more stairs mean more labor and time spent by the crew, you will have to pay more.
Do I need to tip movers?
Tips for movers are expected and anticipated. They are not compulsory, but many people tend to give tips as a way to acknowledge the good job done by their crew.
How much should I tip movers?
For local moves, you can tip movers around 10% of the total moving cost. For longer moves, where the percentage would be substantial, you can stick to a fixed amount, like $50 or $75.
You can also base your tips on the hours spent by each mover. For example, you could set it to $5 per mover, per hour.
Do moving companies provide packing materials for free?
No, moving companies don’t usually provide packing materials for free. It’s possible for a moving company to sell them to create convenience, but they come with a separate charge.
Is it cheaper to rent plastic moving bins than buy boxes?
Yes, it is usually considered cheaper to rent plastic moving bins than to purchase boxes. Here at Dumbo Moving, we offer this option to customers who want packing materials at a low price and don’t want to deal with all the packaging materials afterwards.
