No industry jargon, no confusion. Here’s exactly how moving costs are calculated — and how we make sure you never pay more than you should.
What Determines Your Cost
A legitimate moving estimate accounts for these — and only these. If a quote ignores any of them, that’s how surprise charges get added on moving day.
The further you're moving, the more it costs. A 500-mile move costs less than a 2,000-mile move. Simple.
More stuff = higher cost. A studio weighs 1,500–2,000 lbs. A 3-bedroom can weigh 8,000–12,000 lbs. This is typically the biggest factor.
May–September is peak moving season. Prices are 20–30% higher in summer. Moving October–April saves you money.
Pianos, pool tables, safes, hot tubs, and antiques require special handling equipment and expertise.
Third-floor walk-up? Long driveway? No elevator? These require more labor time and may add to your estimate.
If you need the carrier to pack your belongings (boxes, wrapping, materials), this is an additional service.
Where the money goes
Sample percentages for a typical 3-bedroom long-distance move. Your move may shift these slightly based on specifics.
Distance + weight
Distance + weight
Materials & services
Valuation coverage
Piano, antiques, etc.
How estimates work
Simple, transparent estimates based on the space your items take — not guesswork. Your moving cost is built from the cubic footage your belongings occupy on the truck, the distance, and the services required.
Before your move, our team carefully reviews your inventory to provide an accurate estimate and walk you through every detail. To ensure everything goes smoothly, we complete a final quality assurance review prior to pickup. If anything has changed — such as adding or removing items — your estimate may be adjusted to reflect the actual space and labor required.
Your estimate reflects the cubic footage your belongings occupy on the truck — not vague guesswork.
We carefully review your items and walk you through every detail before pickup.
A quality assurance check ensures the estimate matches what we're actually moving.
If your inventory or services change, the estimate is updated to reflect the actual space and labor required.
Your coordinator keeps you in the loop from quote to delivery — no guessing, no silent updates.
Final pricing may vary if inventory or service requirements change prior to pickup.
What other companies hide
Truck >75ft from your door
Per flight beyond 1st floor
For elevator-required moves
For elevator-required moves
When delivery date changes
Added on top of quote
No one to receive delivery
We disclose all potential fees upfront.
If a fee might apply to your move, you’ll know about it before you sign anything. Binding estimates, no deposits until you’re 100% comfortable, and your coordinator reviews every line item with you before you commit.
FAQs
Low-ball estimates are the #1 red flag in the moving industry. Some companies quote artificially low prices to win your business, then increase the price on moving day when your belongings are already on the truck. This is called a hostage move. Always get a binding estimate.
Yes. Get at least 3 quotes and compare them carefully. If one quote is significantly lower than the others, that’s a warning sign, not a deal.
Typically, a deposit is collected at booking (usually 10-25% of the total) and the balance is due at delivery. Never pay the full amount upfront.
Yes. Declutter before your move, move during off-peak season (October-April), be flexible with your dates, and pack your own boxes.
Join 1,000+ families who chose Quick Ship Van Lines for a stress-free move. Fill out the form below and we’ll get back to you in 30–60 minutes with a free, no-obligation estimate.
