Why are Moving Estimates for a Cross Country Relocation So Expensive?

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Why are Moving Estimates for a Cross Country Relocation So Expensive?

Staff Writer · Apr 20, 2010

Moving estimates for a cross country move can be surprising in the amount of their anticipated expense. While a cross country move usually costs more than a local one simply because of the length of distance traveled, there are several other aspects to a long distance move that affect the overall cost.

The Weight of Your Belongings

A multi-state moving company calculates the cost of your move based on the weight of your belongings. Usually, a company representative will view the size and quantity of the goods to be moved and provide a written estimate of the expected poundage of your move. This weight calculation differs from a local move, which is typically based on the amount of time the move is expected to take.

Often, the company will overestimate the weight of your goods to ensure they do not lose money on the move. Legally, the company cannot charge you an amount larger than their estimate. Therefore, if they underestimate the weight, they make no profit and may even lose money on the move. However, the company is able to charge the total amount of their estimate and then refund money to the customer should they have charged too much. Because of this, a company will often overestimate weight to protect themselves, meaning you will receive a higher estimate for your move.

Storage Charges and Other Miscellaneous Services

Storage costs, if any, increase the cost of the estimate. Storage refers not only to a specific request for the company to hold your goods for a certain amount of time, but also to leaving your goods on the truck should you be unable to accept delivery when originally agreed upon. In such situations, the company can charge up to $500.00 per day to hold your goods.

On any estimate, there will often be a charge for “miscellaneous services.” These charges include extra stops, storage, waiting time, delivery in and out of storage, and shuttle services. A shuttle is when the company is unable to pull the larger truck near your new residence and must first load your goods onto a smaller truck for delivery.

Gasoline Needs

To ensure a profit, the company and driver must recover the costs of gasoline. Because of the size of the truck and the length of the move, these costs can often be quite high. The longer the distance of your move, the more the company will charge for fuel.

Shipping Crates and Boxes

Hiring the company to pack your belongings will increase the cost of your move. The company will charge you for boxes, bubble wrap, paper and any other packing supplies it uses to wrap your belongings. Larger sized items, plasma televisions and other high value goods may need to be shipped in a specially made wooden crate. These crates are expensive, but often there is no way to avoid their need. Unless you have kept previously used crates, this charge will increase your estimate.

Cross country moving is not easy or cheap. Several factors not relevant to a local move can easily increase the cost of a long distance move. However, many of these charges are negotiable or even completely avoidable, and may be reduced or eliminated by questioning their necessity. Thoroughly investigate any estimate and do not hesitate to inquire into the quote’s specifics, as you may be surprised at how much doing so reduces the cost of your move.

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