state to state movers

Find State-to-State Movers: Your Complete Guide

Buying GuideAre you looking to move your life and home from one state to the next, across the U.S.? This guide on what to expect from state-to-state movers should help.

The average American moves more than 11 times in their lifetime. Perhaps you’re an experienced mover, or you’re embarking on the first-ever in your life.

Either way, you may have some questions, especially if you’re on a budget and need to account for every dollar spent. Getting some answers can give you peace of mind and allow you to allocate your budget more wisely.

For your convenience, in this article, we answer some important questions about state-to-state movers.

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How Much Does It Cost to Move to Another State?

How much it costs to move to another state will depend heavily on how many belongings you’re bringing with you. Obviously, another factor will be how far you’re traveling, but the main one is how heavy your final shipment is. A very select few will base the price on volume rather than weight.

Movers Save Time and Money

Not only do you have to consider the amount of property you’re bringing with you and the distance you’re traveling, but you also have to factor in additional costs. For instance, if you have special requests not considered part of a “regular” move (such as car or boat transportation), the moving company may choose to put an additional fee onto your invoice.

If you do have any special requests, make sure this is established beforehand. You can have the company do a home visit to assess your possessions to get a more accurate estimate.

Because there are so many factors that affect the price of moving from state to state, your total cost may range anywhere from $3,000 to over $12,000. Most (if not all) reputable companies will offer free quotes, so make sure to request these from the movers you’re interested in.

What Is the Cheapest Way to Move out of State?

Cheapest State to State MoversThe cheapest way to move out of state is to take a bus as the ticket won’t cost much at all. If you have under 250 pounds of belongings, then all you need to do is bring them along with you on the bus trip, and you’re done!

However, this isn’t very practical. You won’t be able to bring any furniture or larger items as well as your pets. Plus, you have to get to the bus station with all your belongings then lug it all off and load it into either a friend’s car or taxi to get to your new house.

The bus also makes multiple stops, which can make what’d be a few hours drive into a whole-day ordeal. And they won’t handle your boxes carefully, which means your items can be easily damaged.

As you can see, the money you save by taking a bus just isn’t worth it. Another cheap option is the train, but that comes with the same disadvantages as taking a bus.

Hiring a professional moving company may cost significantly more, but in the long-run, it’s definitely the most cost and time-efficient way to move out of state.

How Much Do You Tip State-to-State Movers?

Movers work hard to get your treasured possessions transported to your new home, so you should thank them by tipping. However, you shouldn’t feel obligated to give them a tip, especially if they had poor attitudes and broke many of your items.

Tipping Movers

If you feel like the movers have earned a tip, then take some things into consideration:

  • Were they on time?
  • Were they friendly?
  • Did they take good care of your possessions?
  • Did they work hard all throughout? (Or did they keep taking breaks?)

Basically, tip similarly as to how you’d tip at a restaurant. No tip means they did a terrible job, a moderate one means they did a decent job, and a huge tip means they went above and beyond.

However, you won’t tip based on a percentage of the “bill.” Instead, you’ll tip by the person and by the hour.

A good start is $5/hour per mover, or $40/day per mover. If you feel they did an exceptional job and can afford to tip more, then you should do so.

Don’t make the mistake of handing all the tips to the foreman or driver at the end. Handing the tips out to each mover gives you a chance to thank them individually, plus it’ll ensure the money doesn’t end up all in the hands of an unscrupulous foreman or driver. Learn more on tipping standard here.

Do Movers Offer Payment Plans?

Finance OptionsIn general, movers don’t offer payment plans. However, you can find a select few that offer this option, plus many are willing to work with you to come up with a workable plan. It never hurts to ask while you’re calling around asking for estimates.

Some may ask you to pay a deposit to reserve a specific moving date. This is to cover their losses if you cancel your move and they lose out during a busy season.

Be aware that some rogue movers will request upfront deposits and then disappear with your money. So make sure you do your research and confirm you’re dealing with a reputable company before you put a deposit down (if required).

Make Your Move Smooth and Easy

Now that you know more about state-to-state movers, it should be easier to budget for and choose the ones that are optimal for your needs. The most important thing is you call around and speak to each company before you make a decision.

By getting all the details you need straight from the horse’s mouth, fewer surprises will pop up in the future. So don’t feel bad about getting multiple quotes and speaking to multiple companies. By all means, do so!

Making a move soon? Then get a free moving quote from us today! We’ll help you find the best movers at the cheapest prices.

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