What is the Average Cost to Move a 3 Bedroom House Long Distance?

Both local moves and long distances moves will have their own associated moving costs. When you need to move a 3 bedroom house long distance, you may wonder about the average cost to move.

When considering moving costs, it’s important to weigh your options. While movers cost more than doing it yourself, the benefits of the total cost may make it worth your while. Jackson Moving & Storage provides comprehensive moving services. Our local movers and long distance movers provide packing and unpacking services, secure storage solutions, and customized moving plans for both residential and commercial moves.

In this informative blog post, we discuss the average cost of a long distance move, factors that impact moving expenses, and how professional movers can make long distance moves go more smoothly.

What Is the Average Cost for Moving a Three-Bedroom House?

The average cost of moving a three-bedroom house will depend on the method you choose for your move and how far you’re moving. For comparison, take a look at the average cost of a local move compared to the average cost of a long-distance move.

Local Moves

A local move is defined by most local moving companies as one that is less than 50 miles away and doesn’t cross any state lines. The average movers cost for moving a three-bedroom home locally is around $1,200 to $2,100. You can save on the local move cost by renting moving containers or using a truck rental company instead of local movers.

Hiring professional movers tends to cost around $1,500 to just under $2,000 for a 3-bedroom house. If you choose a moving container, it may cost up to $700. You may be able to get a truck rental for $100 or less, which can save on moving costs. However, bear in mind that you shouldn’t just think about how you’ll save money. A moving truck may not be a feasible option for you as not everyone is capable of a DIY move.

Long Distance Moves

If you are moving more than 50 miles from your home and across state lines, it is considered a long distance move. Professional long distance movers will be subject to the rules and regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for weight as well as when long distance moving companies require their payment.

A full service moving company is going to have the highest cost to move, but professional movers can save you a great deal of time and stress. Every moving company will have different charges, but on average, if you’re moving your three bedroom home 500 miles away, you can expect to pay anywhere from $6,000 to $8,000 for a moving company. With a moving container, you could pay close to $3,000 or just over $4,000 to move your three bedroom house. Truck rentals will be the cheapest option for moving a 3-bedroom house, with a maximum average of $1,000.

Keep in mind that there are more cost factors to consider when moving a three-bedroom home to the next state over, or even across the country, that go beyond whether you choose a professional moving company or get a rental truck and do it yourself.

Factors That Can Affect Your Moving Expenses for a Three-Bedroom Home

How much does it cost to move your home? The overall cost of moving a three bedroom home will depend on several factors, including the distance and how much stuff you have to move. Here is a look at what you can expect to help you create a moving estimate.

Distance

Naturally, a move that is only a short distance is going to cost less. The further you move, the more a moving company will charge because it will require more physical labor, plus gas and any tolls on the road. Professional moving companies may cost more, especially the further the move, but they eliminate many of the hassles.

You can save money by choosing a container instead of a moving company, but it will still be a major expense. If you’re on a tight budget, you may want to consider renting a moving truck to go cross country but the cost may wind up being more than you planned.

Peak Moving Season

Your moving date can also impact the cost of your move. If you move during peak season, which is in the summer months of June, July, and August, you will pay more than you would in the off-season. Summer is a popular time for moves as families often plan them while school is out to get children settled before the new school year. If it’s at all possible, try to set your moving date for fall, winter, or even spring. When a summer move is your only option, see if you can schedule it during the week rather than on a weekend when moving companies and rental moving trucks won’t be in as high demand.

The Size and Weight of Your Belongings 

Since professional moving companies need to follow the federal regulations set by the FMCSA for size and weight, this can impact the cost of your move. If you’ve only moved locally before, you may not know that a moving truck is required to stop at weigh stations. In some states, the large moving truck you’ve rented to move your whole home may also need to stop at weigh stations.

Full-service moving companies will be aware of these requirements and know when they need when making a stop. However, you may be driving through a state that requires your truck to pass through a weigh station. Failing to do this can result in a costly fine and you may find it less stressful to leave this all up to the moving company.

Type of Moving Company You Choose

There are different kinds of moving companies to choose from that can also affect the cost of your move. You can use the kind of place that lets you rent a truck for the cheapest option, though you will need to find people to help you pack and load the truck. Depending on the size and weight of the truck, you may need to stop at weigh stations.

You can also use a container rental that will transport your household goods to your new home. The only downside is that you will have to do all the heavy lifting. You could pay a little bit more to hire full-service movers to do the job for you.

Full-service movers often provide full value protection and insurance coverage to give you peace of mind when you move. With moving services, you can also choose additional services for additional costs. It may be more beneficial to use add-on services, especially if your employer is covering your relocation or if you have a large home to move. Additional services such as packing services can help you avoid the hassle of getting packing supplies and other packing materials.

You may want to weigh your options and compare them all. You could also consider a self-service mover, though you may not save money if you have a big house. Self-service tends to apply an hourly rate, and when it takes you a long time to load and unload, it’s going to cost more.

Tips to Help You Save on Your Long-Distance Move

It’s always a good idea to compare the rates of multiple movers before you commit to hiring movers. Planning ahead can help you get everything aligned for a smoother transition into the move. Once you find a rate that works for you, you can book the date and get ready to move.

You may want to consider packing services as this can ensure everything is organized and loaded properly. It will also reduce your stress since the professionals will have all the packing materials you need, such as bubble wrap and moving boxes.

It’s possible to shave a little off the cost of professionals by getting boxes from a third-party provider, such as someone in your neighborhood who is giving boxes away after their move. With free moving boxes and your own packing materials, you can make moving services more affordable.

Even if you have the money in your budget to afford boxes and other items that are provided by professional packing services, you may decide to take on the task of packing yourself. Always sort all of your items into categories and organize the boxes by room. Additionally, you should take special care with fragile items to protect them while they are in transit. Moving blankets are ideal for larger pieces of furniture to prevent dings and scratches. Get insurance coverage to help cover any unexpected issues with your belongings when you move them for further peace of mind.

When It Makes More Sense to Choose Professional Movers

Professional long-distance moving companies can pack, load, unload, and unpack for you to make your move less stressful. You can save some costs by packing and unpacking your items on your own but hiring professionals will be the best way to quickly get things done.

When you have a large home with three bedrooms or more, it is the most cost-effective choice to hire professionals. You may be at an age where you can’t easily lift heavy objects anymore. While you may have plenty of friends in your city who can help you pack up and load the truck, you may be on your own once you arrive in a new state.

Moving can be a great change for you but getting unpacked quickly is the best way to start feeling settled. Moving on your own may seem cheaper, but in many cases, things can quickly go over budget. With the help of professionals, you can stick to the budget and get the help you need for a smooth move, even across the country. If you’re preparing to move to a new state or more than 50 miles from home, contact Jackson Moving & Storage to get a free move quote and find out how we can help.