Your moving costs will depend on the size of your home, amount of furniture and other belongings, whether you require packing services, and the distance moved:

• Movers cost $500 to $1,500 for local moves, which are typically under 50 miles.
• Moving companies charge $1,500 to $2,300 on average for moves within the same state.
• Long-distance movers cost $1,800 to $5,600+.

Moving rates are $25 to $50 per hour per mover. However, many moving companies charge by the weight or truck size instead of by the hour.

Tip each mover $5 to $10 per hour of work for small, simple moves or $50 to $100 per day for large, full-day or long-distance moves. Be sure to tip each crew member separately.

Confirm whether or not your homeowners or renters insurance policy covers your belongings if they get damaged or lost during a move. If your insurance policy does not cover your move, consider purchasing moving insurance.

• Interstate moving companies must provide basic and full-coverage insurance options, but the insurance doesn't protect items you pack yourself.
• Local moving companies are not required to provide insurance.
• Third-party insurance companies offer moving insurance for local and interstate moves.

Yes, you can hire movers just to load or unload a truck. For long-distance moves, it's sometimes more cost-effective to rent a moving truck yourself, hire local movers to load it for you, drive it to your destination yourself, and hire local movers to unload it into your new home.

Yes, you can hire a moving company to move items into or out of a storage unit. However, some storage facilities require you to be present when the movers are accessing your storage unit.

Full-service moving companies offer packing services for $30 to $50 per hour plus the cost of moving boxes, tape, and padding or wrapping materials. This fee is in addition to the moving cost.

Full-service movers typically:

• Provide all boxes, packing tape, wrapping materials, and padding
• Handle all the packing, including labeling the boxes by room and detailing the contents
• Use felt pads to protect items that cannot be taken apart, like mirrors, artwork, and TVs
• Disassemble and reassemble all your furniture
• Unpack everything at your new home, placing everything in the right room

Some full-service movers also hang mirrors and artwork and install TVs and other appliances.

Follow these tips to choose the best moving company:

• Look for movers who belong to the American Moving & Storage Association (AMSA).
• Read their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
• Get 3 quotes to compare.
• Confirm the movers are available on your preferred date.
• Ask about moving insurance options.
• Get a detailed contract in writing.

Ask these questions when hiring a moving company:

• How long have you been in business?
• Can you provide references?
• Are you a member of the AMSA?
• Do you offer in-person estimates?
• Do you calculate your fee based on weight, distance, or hourly rates?
• Does the estimate include packing services or materials?
• Do you disassemble and reassemble furniture?
• Are there any seasonal discounts or promotions?
• Do you offer a discount for military, seniors, or AAA members?
• Do you offer moving insurance? If so, how much does it cost and what does it cover?
• Do you background check your employees?