text: It’s no secret that moving can be a stressful process emotionally, logistically, and financially. Whether you’re moving across the country or just down the street, the costs associated with moving to a new home can be difficult to predict
  That’s why we’re here to break down the true cost of moving and the factors that affect it. We’ll also compare the cost of hiring a professional moving company to doing it yourself.
  The cost of moving on your own
  If you’ve decided to move on your own, without the help of a professional company, it’s a good idea to consider all the individual expenses that come with the process. From renting equipment and gas, to having to take time away from work, the hidden costs of moving can stack up over time
  Here are some of the major costs to expect during your move:
  Even if you opt for a DIY move, most people will need to rent a moving truck in order to transport their possessions to their new home. This is especially necessary for heavy furniture and large or oddly shaped items.
  The cost to rent a moving truck will vary based on a number of different factors like distance, time, and the size of the vehicle. The average cost of renting a moving truck is about $1,000 in total. However, depending on your needs, you could be looking at costs as low as $100 or as high as $3,000.
  If you’re moving on your own, you’ll need to buy some packing supplies. These may include:
  - Boxes or reusable bins
  - Packing tape
  - Packing paper
  - Bubble wrap
  - Box dividers
  The cost of purchasing these supplies can vary quite a bit. The problem is that trying to figure out how many packing supplies you’ll need for your move can be a nightmare. But on average, DIY movers spend between $100 and $400 on supplies.
  When it comes to moving heavier items, specialized equipment is sometimes necessary. From dollies and carts to ladders and ramps, it’s important to plan for what you’ll need so that you can rent or buy the equipment before moving day.
  Time and distance
  Moving doesn’t just cost money. It can also take up a significant amount of time. Many people end up taking time off work to pack up and move into a new place. Also keep in mind that the longer it takes you to move, the more you’ll spend on truck and equipment rentals.
  Amount of belongings
  The cost of moving can vary substantially depending on the size of your home and the number of items you need to move. For example, the cost of moving from one studio apartment to another in the same city will cost significantly less than a cross-country move from one four-bedroom home to another.
  The following factors can impact the cost of a move:
  - The number of rooms in your new and old place
  - Heavy, large, or fragile items
  - Irreplaceable items like family heirlooms and personal artwork
  - Furniture that needs to be broken down and reassembled
  Gas can have a huge impact on the total cost of your move, especially when fuel prices are high. Even if you rent a truck, you’ll still have to cover the cost of gas. Some truck rental companies also require that you return the vehicle with a full tank.
  Calculating the cost of gas will depend on the distance you have to travel and the specific areas of the country you’ll be driving through.
  No one wants to get to their new home and find a damaged bookcase or a cracked TV screen in the back of the moving truck. Unfortunately, it’s pretty common for items to get damaged during a move, especially without the expertise of professionals.
  Depending on the specific items, repairing or replacing damaged belongings can be pretty costly. It’s important to take extra care when moving family heirlooms or difficult-to-move items like musical instruments, artwork, gun safes, house plants, and fish tanks.
  The cost of hiring a moving company
  Many people try to move on their own because they’re worried about the cost of hiring professionals. But when you add up all the individual costs associated with a DIY move, it’s almost always less expensive to hire a moving company.
  The national average cost of hiring movers ranges from about $800 to $2,500, although longer-distance and complicated moves can cost more. The best part? When you hire pros, everything is included in one price. No surprises, no delays, and no emergency trips to the hardware store because you ran out of boxes.
  At ANC Movers, we provide free quotes so you know what to expect when it comes to paying for your move. Use our handy online calculator to estimate the cost of your move.
  Get the most out of your move with ANC Movers
  As a full-service moving company, we can handle all of your moving needs no matter the distance. We offer free, accurate quotes and we never charge any hidden fees!