Are you budgeting for an upcoming move? There are a lot of factors that can affect the overall cost of your move. For example, do you need full-service moving or just labor? Maybe you will require additional services like storage, or have specialty items like delicate artwork that demand crating for safe transportation. Below, the moving experts at Gentle Giant break down the estimated cost of your Philadelphia move.

How Much Do Philadelphia Movers Cost?

The first step in estimating the cost of your upcoming Philadelphia move is determining the type of move you plan to make. Is it a local or long-distance move? If the distance between your current and new home is 60 miles or less, this is considered by most moving companies to be a local move. For moves with a distance of 60-100+ miles to your destination, it is considered long-distance. Once you have established the distance of your move, there are additional factors like storage, packing, and insurance to think about.

Cost of Short-Distance Philadelphia Movers

Most Philadelphia moving companies will charge an hourly rate for labor on short-distance moves. Be prepared to pay anywhere between $25-60 per mover per hour. It is important to note that this fee could fall over the $60 rate depending on the number of belongings in your home, specialty items like antiques, and special circumstances like additional stops. Naturally, the cost of labor will vary depending on the size of your home and the number of belongings in it. The more items there are to be moved, the more movers and time will be required to do so.

Cost of Long-Distance Philadelphia Movers

Estimating the cost of a long-distance Philadelphia move is more complicated because pricing is based on complex factors including shipment weight and mileage, along with the standard local moving costs like labor. Some moving companies will charge a flat rate fee of $1,000 for long-distance moves so expect your relocation to cost upwards of this number.

Be Mindful…

Some moving companies may quote you a fixed and much cheaper fee. However, it is important to understand that these companies are likely not including common additional charges like insurance, supplies, fuel, and day-of surcharges.

At Gentle Giant our estimates include all of the fees associated with your Philly move up front so that there are no surprises at the end, unlike many other companies. Be sure to ask what additional fees you can expect to be charged at the end of your move when requesting quotes from other moving companies.

Additional Philadelphia Moving Company Charges/Services

Labor is not the only factor that will affect the cost of your move, be it a long-haul or short-distance Philadelphia move. For example, you may wish to outsource all packing and unpacking to your moving crew. Or, perhaps you need a specialty item like a grandfather clock moved. In any case, these added services will increase the cost of your move so keep this in mind when requesting your estimate.

Packing and Packing Materials

Short-distance Philadelphia movers will typically charge anywhere between $20-$60 per hour per worker for packing services. However, this fee will increase as the number of belongings to be packed increases. For long-distance moves, you will often be quoted a fixed price based on your move size and the nature of your items.

Storage

If you require short-term or long-term storage for your belongings many Philadelphia moving companies will have secure facilities for you to avail of. The cost of storing your items with a moving company will depend on the timeframe and number of items.

Extra Fees for Specialty Items

Each additional service you require for your move will add to the overall cost. This includes services for specialty items like delicate artwork, pianos, heavy furniture, and more. For example, a move which includes the relocation of a piano may require a crane. While the additional crane service will increase the overall cost of your move, the peace of mind and safe delivery of such a valuable item is worth it.

Extra Fees for Special Circumstances

There are certain special circumstances that may arise during your Philadelphia move which will add to the cost of your bill. For example, you may incur a long carry fee depending on the distance from the moving truck to your home. Where movers are forced to go up and down flights of stairs and do not have access to an elevator you should be prepared to pay extra.

Depending on how difficult your home is to access, the moving company may add anywhere from $200-$600 to your bill. Again, this ballpark estimate will decrease or increase depending on your specific circumstances. While many moving companies will add this cost at the end of the move, Gentle Giant’s move consultants assess situations like this at the beginning and ensure the costs are added to the initial estimate. This way you won’t have any surprises at the end!

Insurance

Most moving companies automatically provide basic limited liability insurance for your items which is valued at $0.60 per pound. While this type of insurance is free of charge it means that in the event of damage to your belongings, they are not fully insured. For those seeking better protection for their valuables, many moving companies, including Gentle Giant, will also offer alternative insurance options at a cost.

Tipping Your Movers

Moving is a strenuous and physically demanding job. In situations where you are happy with your moving crew you may wish to show your appreciation with a tip. Similar to tipping your waiter or taxi driver, it is customary to tip your moving team 15-20% of your final bill when you are satisfied with the service provided.

Are you planning a local or long-distance Philadelphia move? Speak with a reputable Philadelphia moving company like Gentle Giant. We have some great resources to get you started on your Philadelphia move. Check out our moving checklist for information on how to prepare and use our free move estimate tool to determine the cost of your relocation.