How Much Does Moving Cost?

Posted on: September 23, 2017

Making a move, be it across the county or even just across town, can be an exciting experience. But it can also be a costly one! Note we did say can. The team at SMARTBOX often finds that the best way to keep costs down is to identify them, plan for them, and then build the moving strategy that fits your budget best. Need some help figuring out what you need? Our team is here today to help you understand the common costs involved.

Looking for a team that can help you keep costs lower and moving smoother? Contact SMARTBOX today to find out how portable storage in Bethesda can make your move stress-free!

Costs to Plan For

In a typical interstate move we would classify the following as things you’re going to need to plan for:

Going the distance (gas). By calculating the distance you’re going, the mileage your vehicle gets per gallon, and the common cost of gas in your state (or states you’ll be traveling in) is easily done and helps you put some hard numbers on the budget.
Moving insurance. If you’re taking advantage of a moving service then you automatically benefit from a legally-mandated liability insurance. However the coverage is minimal, meaning appliances or technology that gets damage will likely not be covered well at all. We highly recommend going in for beefier insurance on any move.
Storage rental. Whether you’re utilizing portable storage or on-site facilities, you’ll want to know what you’re paying in. Many movers allow for a 30-60 day grace period that is included in the cost of the moving service. If so you want to take advantage of this fur sure, but you also want to be aware of the time you have so that you don’t start getting charged.
For longer moves, hotel costs. If you’re going across a couple of states you’re going to need to rest your head for a bit. We’d recommend looking up and reserving hotel rooms beforehand to not only make plotting a course easier, but to also add the full cost of board to your budget (plus many hotels offer specials or discounts for online reservations).

Costs You Can Mitigate

These are the costs we find to be easiest to mitigate, meaning you can cut some corners without cutting quality, thus saving yourself some budget space:

Materials costs. Packing tape is probably going to cost the same nearly anywhere you go. However you can skimp a bit on boxes and other materials by asking local retailers for spare intact boxes. If you prefer safer, newer options, then look to local moving services, since they often offer moving materials for sale at very good rates.
Food and drink. We know that cooking ahead in the middle of a move is not something you want to do at all. Often it’s not even possible. However it’s likely that you’ve got some buddies helping you on your move. Rather than a spare pair of hands to haul boxes, see if a good friend or family member will take to the task of setting up some on the go lunches. This can actually save you way more than you might expect, since travel food is rarely sold at a fair price.

Making Moves Simpler with SMARTBOX

Looking for ways to minimize your moving costs while also keeping stress as low as possible. Contact the specialists at SMARTBOX! Not only do we provide excellent portable storage options, but our movers are also dedicated to making the process as comfortable as possible.

Service in Hours - Not Days

Testimonials

"Hello Chantel, I am writing to express my pleasure in being a customer of SMARTBOX. You have a wonderful and efficient product but I have been most impressed with the quality of the employees. Everyone I have spoken with or come into contact with at.
-Nick M

"Nick, I wanted to again say thank you for working with us for a discount on the Smartbox. I also wanted to tell you that both of the ladies I have spoken with in the office and the driver who dropped off the box were.
-Angela C.

"Selling Real Estate in a competitive market requires much more than installing a sign in the yard and putting an ad in the paper. Today’s sellers must show their homes in their very best light … and what that means is CLEARING OUT THE CLUTTER..
-Carrie Mock,

"I arrived home last night from an extended Thanksgiving trip to be welcomed by your beautiful gift package of goodies from Harry & David – what a delightful surprise! In fact, as I told Gretchen in an e-mail late last night, I couldn’t resist immediately.
-Linda

"We cannot speak more highly of the incredible level of customer service that we have received from SMARTBOX Maryland - beginning with Natasha advising us to the best value from among promotions you were offering at the time, to your kind assistance and advice during.
-T. & M. Kitch

"Nick Sage of SMARTBOX Portable Storage, performed a miracle for me and one of my clients at the very end of June, when all movers were having their busiest week. My client had arranged for U-Haul to deliver storage boxes to her house the day.
-Emily M.

"You should advertise more! I am so glad I came across your service when I did. I saved so much money by doing it myself. I will never rent a truck again. This is so much easier!"
-J. Pollard

"We are new to being parents of a college student. We had no idea how much time and energy it takes just to get her set up in the dorm room! When we moved our daughter out of the dorm last year, we had to.
-D. Raines

"Thank you for your donation of six SMARTBOXES for the residents that were displaced by the fire on December 12, 2006. The residents had so many donations of furniture and clothing and had no place to store it. This was the perfect solution for everyone!.
-Karen Brown

"SMARTBOX's sponsorship is a wonderful example of the cooperative partnership that is so important to help us meet the challenges of saving the Bay."
-Pamela Wilson