How Much Does It Cost To Move a 5-Bedroom House?
Quick answer: The cost to move a 5-bedroom house locally may only be a few hundred dollars if you use a rental truck or as much as $7,000 for a full-service mover. Long-distance is much pricier, with potential costs of up to $20,000 when using full-service movers.
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Moving a five-bedroom house requires a lot of planning and labor for everything to go smoothly, and the costs reflect that. Here’s what you need to know about moving a five-bedroom both locally and long-distance, as well as the factors that influence your moving costs. We’ll also provide our insights on the best moving companies to use for these big moves, along with some money-saving tips.
Cost to move a 5-bedroom house locally
Local moves are generally considered to be any move of 50–100 miles or less – in other words, a move that stays within the same state and is rarely farther than one or two towns away from your current location.
For local moves where you use professional movers to load and unload your belongings on the moving truck, you’ll be charged an hourly rate per moving crew member. Costs can vary based on local demand, the number of movers you need, and how long it takes to load and unload everything.
Generally speaking, a five-bedroom house will require a four-person moving crew and can take up to 12 hours to complete. At an example rate of $175 per hour, this would put your moving costs at $8,400 ($175 x 4 mojvers x 12 hours).
For moving containers and rental moving trucks, your rate is primarily based on the size of the container or truck. However, you will also be charged a per-mile rate for truck rentals.
| Move Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Full-service mover | $1,287–$3,581 |
| Moving container | $564–$1,309 |
| Rental truck | $60–$132 |
Cost to move a 5-bedroom house long-distance
A long-distance move is generally considered to be a move of 400 miles or more. This is slightly different than interstate moves, which are relocations that cross state lines, regardless of distance.
Rather than being charged at an hourly rate, the cost for full-service long-distance moves is typically based on the estimated total weight or volume of your belongings, as well as the total distance of the move.
Quotes for moving containers or rental trucks will also be a flat rate based on the size of the truck or container, while also including the estimated mileage and number of days you will need for the move.
| Move Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Full-service mover | $4,380–$7,949 |
| Moving container | $2,275–$3,798 |
| Rental truck | $912–$1,647 |
Factors that impact the cost to move a 5-bedroom house
When moving a five-bedroom house, there are several factors that will influence how much your move will cost – sometimes by several thousand dollars!
Here are some of the most influential cost factors for large moves.
Moving method
The type of moving company you use will directly influence your total costs.
Full-service moving companies offer the greatest level of support by loading and unloading your moving truck, driving the truck to your new home, and offering additional services like packing and unpacking. Unsurprisingly, they are by far the most expensive option for moving a five-bedroom house.
Rental trucks are the cheapest option, since you only pay to rent the truck, but handle all the packing, loading, unloading, and driving yourself. You can also pair truck rentals with third-party labor companies to get extra help with loading and unloading the truck — a combination that is still usually less than a full-service mover.
Moving container companies offer a solid middle ground between full-service and DIY moves in terms of pricing. The container company takes care of transportation, while you are responsible for packing, loading, and unloading.
Move size
Quotes for five-bedroom houses can differ significantly based on each home’s particular belongings. To put it simply, the more your items weigh (or the more space they take up on a moving truck), the more expensive your move will be.
For local moves, this means more labor will be required. That additional manpower increases your total cost, since local moves are charged by the hour and size of your moving crew. With long-distance moves, the added labor expenses will be calculated as part of your flat-rate quote.
Even when doing a DIY or moving container move, more items means larger (and more expensive) trucks and containers will be needed.
Distance
As you might guess, the greater the distance of your move, the more it will cost.
Cross-country moves require several days to weeks to reach their destination, and moving companies will account for the cost of fuel, road tolls, and driver hours as part of your estimate. Even during a local move, extra mileage will add up – either in terms of hours charged or per-mile fees.
Locations
Your starting and ending locations can also influence your moving costs. This is because rates for labor, fuel, and other expenses incurred by moving companies vary in different parts of the country. To ensure they can operate at a profit, they will adjust your quote accordingly based on their anticipated expenses.
Complexity
Anything that adds to the complexity of your move will likely result in additional fees. For example, some movers charge extra for transporting antiques or specialty furniture like pianos or gun safes.
Accessibility issues may also result in extra charges. Movers may charge extra fees if they need to navigate multiple flights of stairs or if your property isn’t easily accessible and requires a “long carry” from your house to the moving truck. Reputable movers are generally upfront regarding these policies.
Timing
The time of year — and even the day of the week — you choose to move can significantly affect your total costs. Relocating during the peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) could cost several hundred (or even a few thousand) dollars more due to increased demand and reduced mover availability.
Similarly, moving on the weekend tends to be more expensive than a midweek move because of increased demand and reduced availability. Midweek winter moves tend to have the best availability and pricing.
Choosing the best company for a 5-bedroom move
Whether you want full-service support or are looking for the cheapest moving companies available, here are some of our top picks.
Safeway Moving
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4.85 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Safeway Moving specializes in long-distance moves and offers 30 days of free storage. This veteran-owned full-service moving company prides itself on using a triple-check verification system to ensure you get an accurate quote. With flat rate pricing and price matching, you can have confidence when moving your five-bedroom home.
Mayzlin Relocation
rating
4.9 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Mayzlin Relocation is known for offering binding flat-rate estimates, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support. This makes them well-suited for handling the logistic complexities of a five-bedroom move.
PODS
rating
4.8 / 5
89% of users select this mover
The biggest name in moving containers, PODS includes 30 days of storage with all rentals, giving you extensive loading and unloading time for your move. For a five-bedroom move, PODS recommends renting two 16-foot containers and one eight-foot container.
U-Pack
rating
5 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Although U-Pack only provides three days to load and unload everything, it can still be a worthwhile option for moving a five-bedroom house long-distance. In addition to moving containers, U-Pack offers freight trailers for larger moves. You only pay for the space you actually use inside the trailer, meaning you could save money with strategic packing.
Penske Truck Rental
rating
4 / 5
89% of users select this mover
For DIY moves, Penske Truck Rental offers reliable confirmed reservations for truck rentals. Their 26-foot trucks are large enough to moving a five-bedroom house, while unlimited mileage and roadside assistance offer peace of mind on long-distance moves. Frequent seasonal discounts and offers make them worth getting a quote from.
U-Haul Truck Rental
rating
4.15 / 5
89% of users select this mover
With more than 20,000 locations nationwide, U-Haul Truck Rental makes it easy to find a moving truck for your five-bedroom move. Their 26-foot trucks and patented Gentle-Ride Suspension help prevent damage while driving. They also offer a wide range of extra services, such as U-Box storage containers, self-storage facilities, and packing supplies.
How to save money on a 5-bedroom move
Thanks to the size of the property, moving a five-bedroom house can get pretty expensive. However, there are still several strategies for lowering your costs and saving money:
- Downsize. Downsizing is an essential task on any moving checklist. Before you begin getting quotes from moving companies, organize and sort your belongings to identify items you no longer want or need. Selling, donating, or throwing away these items means you’ll have fewer items that need to be packed and loaded onto the moving truck later. This will reduce the amount of labor required to complete your move and could even allow you to get a smaller moving truck — both factors that can result in major savings.
- Get multiple quotes. Always get moving quotes from at least three reputable (and comparable) companies before making a decision. Many full-service moving companies will price match their competitors, which can help you get a lower price with your preferred mover. Even with moving containers and rental trucks, prices can vary significantly between companies. Use our moving cost calculator to get multiple quotes quickly and easily compare pricing.
- Ask about discounts. It never hurts to ask what moving discounts are available when you request a quote. Many full-service movers and moving container companies offer discounts for seniors, students, military service members, first responders, and other groups. Seasonal discounts may also be available.
- Do your own packing. Using professional packers for a five-bedroom house could easily add a few thousand dollars to your moving costs. You’ll be able to save quite a bit if you do all the packing yourself and obtain your own moving supplies, rather than buying them directly from a retailer or moving company. Some companies also offer fragile-only packing services if you’re uncertain about packing certain valuables yourself.
- Be flexible with your timing. A little flexibility with your move date can also help you lock in a lower rate. Lower rates are often available for midweek moves, so don’t be afraid to ask if you can get a lower rate by scheduling your move on another day. Remember, moving during the fall or winter will typically help you get lower rates than a summer move.
FAQ
How much should I expect to pay to move a five-bedroom home?
The amount you should expect to pay for your move will depend on the size of your move, the type of mover you use (such as full-service vs. a rental truck), and the distance of your move. Using our moving cost calculator will help you get a cost estimate so you can have a general idea of what to expect.
What do moving costs include?
With full-service movers, your moving costs include all labor and transportation costs, including fuel and basic liability coverage. When using moving containers, your fees cover all transportation expenses, but you are responsible for loading and unloading the container yourself. For a rental truck, you will pay either a flat fee or a daily and per-mile rate to rent the truck. You will also be responsible for fuel costs. For each type of move, add-on services are typically available, which can increase your total moving costs.
Can you negotiate moving prices?
Yes, you can negotiate with a moving company to lower the cost of your move. The best way to negotiate prices is to get quotes from at least three comparable moving companies and then ask them to price match.
How do I financially prepare for a move?
To financially prepare for a move, use a moving cost checklist to create a moving budget that accurately reflects your expenses. You can make your move more affordable by downsizing (including by selling unwanted items), and by packing your belongings yourself rather than using professional packing services. Set aside extra money to prepare for unexpected costs during the move.
How much will it cost to pack a 2,000–3,000 square foot house?
If you wish to include packing services for a 2,000–3,000 square foot house as part of your move, expect to pay between $500 and $2,200 for professional packers in addition to your original moving quote. Your exact costs will depend on factors like the number of boxes needed to pack all of your items and whether you have specialty furniture or fragile items that require extra care during packing.
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