How Much Does It Cost to Hire Movers in Winchester?
Moving can be tiring, stressful and time-consuming. Whether you are moving to a new home, going off to college, or relocating your business, it will require a lot of effort. Fortunately, there are many professional moving companies that can do all the hard work for you. The question is how much would this service cost you? We have taken a look at the rates charged by some Winchester movers so that you can have an idea of how much to save for your next move.
How Winchester Movers Compute the Cost of a Move
No two relocations are exactly the same so there is no fixed rate that professional Winchester movers will charge for every client. You can get an initial estimate based on some basic information about your move, but you need to fine-tune this later with specific details so that you can have a more accurate number. With that being said, here are the fundamental factors that play a part in the total cost of a move.
Distance
You already know where you are coming from and where you are going so you should already know the distance between these two points. Moves that are shorter than 100 miles or that will not go outside the state lines of Massachusetts are considered to be local moves. Winchester movers usually charge an hourly rate for these local moves. Long distance moves, on the other hand, go beyond the 100 miles and cross state lines. These often come with a flat rate.
Number of Movers
For most Winchester movers, the hourly rate for a professional mover is between $25 and $50. Most local relocations require at least 2 movers, so you can expect to pay $50 to $100 per hour on moving labor. If you have a lot of items or a bigger house with three or more rooms, you might need up to 4 movers to finish the job quickly.
Items to Move
The more items you have, the longer it will take to complete a move. The number of items that you have is actually the main determining factor on how many movers you need, as well as the size of truck that you should avail.
There are also special items that are more expensive to move because they require special handling. For example, Winchester movers charge $75 to $150 for moving pianos depending on the size and type. For each extra floor that the piano needs to be moved, an extra $15 to $25 might be added to the cost.
Truck Size
Winchester movers offer a wide variety of trucks, from small pickups suitable for 1-bedroom apartments to 26-foot trucks that are more than adequate for moving a large 4-bedroom house. Trucks also come with an hourly rate that starts at $25 to $50. Extra trucks may also be available for a similar charge.
Date of Move
Summer is considered the peak moving season so rates are higher. Also, you can be charged higher during holidays and weekdays. Let’s say a mover charges $150 per hour on a regular day for a 2-man move. This can increase to as much as $250 per hour during peak season. If you want to save on moving costs, check the discounts offered by many Winchester movers during low seasons.
Accessibility
Some locations are much more difficult to access than others. If your home or business is right by the road where the truck can easily park, this should not be a problem. But if the movers need to park some distance away and need to haul your belongings a greater distance, they will likely charge you extra for this. Similarly, you can expect to pay about $100 to $500 more if access to your apartment includes several flights of stairs or very narrow hallways.
Optional Services Offered by Winchester Movers
Obviously, each service comes with its own price tag but the convenience that they offer is often worth the extra spending. You can choose the services that you want, of course, so you still have control over how much you are going to spend on your move.
Packing and Unpacking
This is a job that takes so much time, which many homeowners simply do not have, especially during the days leading up to the actual move. You can opt to pack some of your personal items on your own and just leave the movers to do the rest. For packing an entire household, Winchester movers might charge about $1000, including packing materials. The actual cost will depend on the number of items that you have.
Storage
If you are not bringing everything to your new location, you need a place to store your items for the short term or long term. Storage facilities in Winchester start at $50 for a 5x5ft unit. There are also much bigger 10x30ft units that you can get for about $400 to $500 a month.
Insurance
While insurance is definitely an optional service, we strongly advise you to get ample coverage for your belongings. For an extra $100 or so, you can get much better protection for your items compared to the mandatory basic coverage that will only pay you 60 cents per pound in case any of your items are damaged or lost.
Tipping
This one is not a service but of course, tips will be part of your moving expenses so you should include them when planning your budget. An amount equivalent to 5% of your bill is perfectly acceptable, and 20% is very generous. You should tip based on the performance of the crew during the entire move.
If you are planning a Winchester move sometime soon, make sure you hire a moving company that will take care of your belongings and complete the move without any unpleasant incidents. Stairhopper Movers has been one of the most highly recommended Winchester movers for more than two decades now. Feel free to give us a call and we will send you a free estimate for your local or long-distance move.