Even though moving to a new home can be exciting, few people look forward to this life event. After all, it can be stressful, hectic, and expensive. The good news is that you can hire professional movers who will help you alleviate much of your burden…and even help you manage your Chicago moving costs.
The best way to control your moving costs is to find out what your local companies take into account when they provide you with an estimate. You’ll need to know the factors that affect the cost of moving in Chicago and which variables you can control.
When you equip yourself with this knowledge, you’ll be able to find an affordable price with Chicago movers who can meet your needs and exceed your expectations.
Average Hourly Rate for Movers in Chicago
The hourly cost for movers varies based on how many people will be on your crew. Most professional moving companies have flat crew rates rather than a “per mover” rate. Here are some examples of hourly moving services in Chicago:
- 2-person crew: $110 – $160
- 3-person crew: $150 – $200
- 4-person crew: $190 – $240
- 5-person crew: $230 – $280
Your custom moving estimate will also include travel and material fees. If you have any particularly large or heavy items like big appliances or a mechanical bed, your moving company might also itemize those pieces as additional costs. The best movers in Chicago will give you a clear and transparent estimate, but others include a lot of fine print and even hidden fees. Carefully read every word of your estimate so you can avoid unpleasant surprises come moving day.
If budget is a concern for your relocation, talk to your local movers about how you can reduce your Chicago moving costs.
How to keep your Chicago moving costs low
There are many variables that affect the cost of moving in Chicago. It can seem a little overwhelming, but don’t worry! When you know which factors might increase your cost, you can put yourself in a great position to maximize every dollar of your moving budget.
What factors affect the price of a move?
Professional Chicago movers take several factors into account when they estimate your unique move.
Some of them are common sense: the larger your home and the more stuff you have, the more expensive the move will be. However, there are other factors that can affect the bottom line price, and understanding a bit about them can really save you some money.
Here’s a list of some of the factors that impact your Chicago moving costs:
- The size of your home and inventory list. Pretty obviously, the cost to move a one-bedroom apartment in Chicago will be less than a four-bedroom house. When you request an estimate from your local movers, be sure to provide a detailed, accurate inventory list of your belongings. The more accurate your inventory, the closer your movers will be able to get to the estimate on moving day.
- Stairs and elevators. Professional movers account for stairs, elevators, and the distance from your door to their truck when providing an estimate. For example, if you’re moving to and from a single-family home with a driveway, the movers will be able to get to and from the truck quickly. However, if they’re going up and down flights of stairs or waiting for elevators, the time (and your costs) will increase.
- Moving materials. Moving companies will provide packing supplies like wardrobe boxes, rental plastic moving totes, and specialty materials for TVs, artwork, and mirrors. You can rent many of these rather than buying them, but there will be a cost involved.
- Travel time. Part of your cost of moving in Chicago will involve a flat travel fee from the movers’ facility to your first location, and from your final destination back to their facility. If a moving company is close to one or both of your addresses, you might be able to save money. Your movers are on the clock during the drive from your old home to your new one, so a long commute or heavy traffic can drive up your expenses.
- Moving coverage. Even when packed and prepared with great care and the right materials, it’s possible that something might be damaged during your move. Fortunately, the law is here to protect you! All professional Chicago movers are legally required to offer basic coverage, though you can increase your protection for an additional cost. To find out what’s right for your belongings, learn about the different types of moving coverage.
- Timing. Oftentimes, moving companies charge higher rates during their peak times. You can expect your costs to increase if you move between April and September, the very end or beginning of the month, and on a weekend. If you have any flexibility with your move date, you might be able to substantially lower your costs.
Once you have a firm grasp of your home’s inventory, the moving materials you’ll need, and other details about your relocation, you can start requesting estimates from local companies to get a firmer grasp on your Chicago moving costs.
Weighing a DIY Move Versus Hiring Professional Chicago Movers
People who really want to reduce their Chicago moving costs sometimes consider a DIY move. However, when they add up the monetary expenses, the time they’ll spend, the stress moving can create, the need to repair or replace damaged items, and the risk of injury, they often opt to hire professional movers.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the challenges and costs of DIY moves:
- Moving truck. You’ll probably need to rent a moving truck. In addition to the daily rental fee, you’ll likely have to pay additional fees for mileage, gas, taxes, damage coverage, cleaning, and any tolls you go through. Most rental moving trucks are equipped with some basic moving supplies, but using them will drive up your overall cost.
- Packing supplies. You’ll have to source your own packing and moving supplies like boxes, tape, packing paper, shrink wrap, moving blankets, and dollies. In addition to being expensive, it can take a lot of time to track down and pick up these materials.
- Time investment. A DIY move means you’ll spend a lot of time packing your own belongings, plus finding the materials and calling as many family and friends as you can to help you schlep your heavy or oversized items.
- Damage to your home’s inventory. Professional Chicago movers are specially trained in packing, wrapping, lifting, and carrying even the most delicate items…and they’re also experts in safely packing a moving truck. Without their knowledge and expertise, you’re risking damage to your home’s inventory, and the cost to repair or replace broken items will be entirely your responsibility.
- Risk of injury. If you’re not trained in proper safety techniques for lifting or carrying big, heavy items, your DIY move could result in injury. In addition to being painful, getting yourself healthy could be quite expensive.
Weighing the costs, time, stress, and risks of a DIY move leads many people to the same conclusion: moving on your own versus hiring professional movers can actually increase your cost of moving in Chicago.
Moving on a budget? We’ll help you keep your Chicago moving costs low
Preparation is your key to a successful and low-cost move. When you know the factors that contribute to the cost of moving in Chicago and the challenges of a DIY move, you can make the best decision on which moving method is right for you.
We’re the experts in stress-free moves—and the process starts with a clear, transparent estimate so you know exactly what costs to expect on moving day. Let us help you have a smooth and wallet-friendly relocation.
Contact us today for your custom estimate!