How Much Do Movers Cost in Orange County?
Trying to figure out how much do movers cost without understanding all of your moving costs in Orange County, CA, can be a complete nightmare. Not only is moving a stressful situation in the first place, but it can also quickly become expensive.
So just how much does it cost to hire movers? The answer depends on many variables we will cover in this moving guide.
If you want to learn more about the best movers in Orange County, CA, then you came to the right place. We will cover all the information you need to pick the right company for your needs, and we will point you in the direction of someone you can reach out to for additional information!
How Much Do Movers Cost?
How much do movers cost in Orange County? The answer to that question varies based on where you live, how far you need to travel, and how much stuff you need to be moved.
Of course, the Orange County movers company you decide to partner with also has its own rates that they charge. On average, you can expect to pay between a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars for movers.
Average Moving Costs
The average cost to hire movers local to you is around $80 to $100 per hour for two movers. If you need more people, you can expect to pay more per hour and person.
Some companies charge you more per hour or charge you per hour and per person. The total cost you pay for a local move depends on how long it takes to load, move, and unload your belongings. If you have a lot of things, you can expect to pay more for the total cost of your move.
Long-Distance Moving Costs
If you are looking to make a long-distance move to orange county, the overall cost will be more significant. On average, it costs approximately $5,000 to move more than 1,000 miles. If you live farther, you will want to consider that additional mileage cost.
Local Affordable Movers Orange County
If you need local movers in Orange County, you can expect to pay hourly for their services. You can expect to pay between $80 to $100 per hour, as mentioned earlier.
This number can either be higher or lower depending on how many items you need moved. For example, if you want to move a one-bedroom apartment, you may only need a mover team for about three hours. If your home is fully furnished, you can expect to pay around $230 to $500.
Large Home Movers
If you have a larger home with about three to four bedrooms, the cost of your overall move will be significantly higher than someone moving out of an apartment. If you have a fully furnished three-bedroom house, you may need a team of movers to get all of your items transported.
The team may need about seven to ten hours to complete the job. The estimated cost for this type of project is approximately $600 to $1,000.
Long-Distance Overall Cost
Whether you are moving to or from Orange County, CA, there are many reputable moving companies you can choose from. Most moving companies won’t charge you per hour when moving a long distance.
Instead, these companies will charge you per mile and the total volume of your items. Depending on the size of truck you need and the types of items you have, you can expect to pay between $1,000 to $8,000.
For example, if you move from Orange County to Phoenix, the cost to move your things may be around $3,000. If you need to move further out, to maybe somewhere like Houston, TX, you can expect to pay approximately $5,000 to $6,000.
Factors That Affect Moving Costs
A few key factors will affect your overall total moving costs. For example, the size of your home and the location where you need your items to go are major factors that determine your overall cost.
Distance and Travel Fees
As you now know, the further you travel, the more you can expect to pay in fees. If you move locally, your move will be much cheaper than moving halfway across the map. Keep in mind that if you do need to move outside of your state, there may be other fees in addition to paying per mile.
Specialty Items
Moving your family’s grandfather clock or other delicate antiques will require additional special handling. Movers charge more to transport more oversized items such as pianos and art.
Because these items require more movers, special handling, and extra care, you can expect to have an additional charge tacked onto your bill.
Most movers recommend that you move your own family heirlooms, jewelry, and other important items to reduce their liability if these items get lost during transit. If you decide to add these items onto the moving truck, ask the moving company if they have extra insurance to cover your high-value items.
Size of Your Home
As mentioned earlier, smaller homes and apartments cost less to move than a larger four-bedroom home. If you need to move your household a long distance, you will pay more.
To better understand how much your overall move will cost, your moving company may want to send someone to inspect your items. They can do a quick walk-through of your home to provide you with a better estimate of how much it will cost to move your items.
Accessibility of Your Home
If you live in an apartment complex without an elevator or there isn’t a close enough parking spot for the moving crew to set up, they may charge you an additional fee.
The many flights of stairs they have to travel and carry your items up or down can take extra time and care. Keep in mind that you live in an area where there is not enough space for the movers to drive their truck through; they may also charge you if they have to walk a distance.
Extra Stops
If you need items moved to your home and a storage unit, there will be an extra cost. You can expect to pay more if you need to load or unload items in multiple locations.
Additional Moving Cost Considerations
You can opt-in for extra add-on services such as storage and packing services. These additional features will cost you whether you move locally or long distance.
Packing Services
If you want movers to pack and unpack your home on your behalf, you can expect to pay an additional $200 to $500 or more. There may be additional fees for the supplies used, and you will need to pay for labor.
Most moving companies charge per hour for labor. The extra cost of having a moving company pack and unpack your home may be worth it.
When you let them pack your home for you, you save on time and the stress of packing up your home. This is great, especially if you have work and other obligations you need to tend to.
Storage Unit
If you need to store your items in a storage unit or a portable container, you must factor that cost into your moving budget. Storage units are fantastic if you need to store things you won’t need in your new home.
You can expect to pay around $50 to $200 a month for this storage unit or portable container. The total cost you pay each month depends on the storage location and the size of the unit you need.
Moving Insurance
As mentioned earlier, you will want to ask your moving company if they have insurance to cover any damages done to your items. They may have additional policies you can purchase from them to protect your items during transit.
You can also purchase your own insurance policy for your items if you want. The cost for a personal policy is around 1% to 5% of the value of the things you wish to insure.
Should I Tip My Movers?
Just like any service you receive, you have the option to tip the person who served you. If you want to tip your movers, you can do so.
Make sure that you review the moving company’s policy on moving to see if they add it to your bill or if there is a way you can tip the people who helped you move. In general, it is best to tip the movers around 10% of the total move cost. Of course, tipping is optional.
Saving Money on Your Move
There are several ways you can reduce the cost of your overall move. Of course, the price set by your moving company is a factor you can’t control, but you can donate your items to reduce your moving load.
Sell Unwanted Items
If you have items that have been sitting in your storage unit or your closet for months or years, you may want to let them go. You can donate your items to your local Goodwill or other thrift stores for them to sell.
If you want to sell your items, you can take some things to a pawn shop, or there are many different excellent apps you can use. For example, you can use LetGo to list your items for people to purchase.
If someone is interested in buying your item, they will send you a message, and you can either ship them the item or meet them in a public location to make the exchange. If you are a Facebook user, there is a Facebook Marketplace where you can also sell items.
Adjust Your Move Date
The demand for movers is much higher in the Spring and Summer seasons. If you can help it, you should move your moving date to be in the Fall or Winter season. During this time, movers are more readily available, and their prices are much lower.
Book Your Move Early
Moving companies tend to charge more if you book last minute. This is because they need to make sure that they have the proper staff on hand to make your move happen. If you know well in advance that you need to move, try to book your moving company at least one to two months in advance.
How to Choose a Mover
It is easy to become overwhelmed with the many different moving options available to you in Orange County, California. So how are you to find the best mover for you?
You can look at the companies review or check them out on the Better Business Bureau. You also can ask friends and family members for a referral. You will want to partner with a company that has insurance over their employees and the vehicles they use to transport your items.
Some companies offer you coupons for using their services to help minimize the cost of your move.
If anything, talk to the moving company and ask any questions that you need answering. If the moving company is unwilling to provide you with vital information or you feel uncomfortable, you may want to look for a better moving company.
Hire the Best Movers Today!
Now that you know how much do movers cost in Orange County, CA, it is time to partner with a reputable moving company. A professional mover can cost you hundreds, if not a few thousand dollars depending on the size of your home and the distance of your move.
Reducing the number of items you need to move can significantly affect the overall price of your move if you are looking to save.
Contact us now if you are ready to get your own personal quote for your move to or from Orange County, CA! Move Central is a powerhouse moving company in California dedicated to making your move as easy as possible.