Living in the capital city of the United States has its perks and downsides. While opportunities abound in this city, the cost of living here is also high. The weather is milder in DC compared to northeastern cities. According to Forbes, Washington is also one of the best cities to educate your children. If you need to move from one neighborhood to the other, knowing how much a local move in DC costs helps your budgeting.
How to Calculate a Local Move
You can move within DC in three ways – hiring a moving company, renting a moving truck, or renting a moving container. Like in other cities, the charge for hiring a moving company in DC depends on the bulk of the move and the number of crew needed. For example, a studio apartment that needs 2 movers has a base cost of $265 for the first two hours and $70 for the succeeding hours. A 4-bedroom house that needs 4 movers has a higher base cost of $414 for the first two hours and $115 for the succeeding hours (MoveBuddha).
Moving on a tight budget? You can opt for renting a moving truck and doing your packing. The base cost per vehicle is $20-$50 per day but has an additional mileage fee of $0.65-$1.19 per mile. Other fees you need to consider are the truck insurance, parking permit, and rental for moving equipment. With these quotes, renting a moving truck for a one-bedroom apartment may cost as much as $70, while a 5-bedroom house may need a moving truck costing up to $195.
Renting a moving container may cost up to $500 for 30-day storage, including the initial delivery and final delivery fee. Damage coverage, rental of moving equipment, and other supplies may cost another $500. If your neighborhood requires a parking permit, you need to spare up to $900 for the 30 days, bringing the total to $1,900 if you keep them moving containers and use them as storage containers for a month.
Factors That May Affect Moving Budget
Hidden Charges
Some moving companies, especially those that don’t give a written moving estimate, may have charges they don’t disclose to their clients. Oversized or heavy items like a swing set, piano, or pool table may require additional fees to pack, haul, and unpack. This particular scenario is why most moving companies recommend an on-site inventory to consider every item for the quotation.
Distance and Bulk of the Move
Hauling your belongings and furniture from the house to the moving vehicle may need additional fees, especially if moving from a 3-story building without a service elevator or if you need to hire a shuttle when the moving vehicle cannot park in front of the house.
How to Move on a Tight Budget
Consider your budget before planning your move. However, with the proper guidance, it is very doable.
Make a Moving Plan
Make a moving plan so you can work around your schedule. The plan should include finding a good real estate agent to find you a new house, contacting moving companies and getting quotes, collecting packing supplies, and getting good insurance coverage. Make a room-by-room inventory list of the things you have from the old house and what you might need in the old house.
Get a Written In-Home Estimate
The best way to get an accurate quote is to schedule an in-house visit so that the person in charge of estimating can do an accurate survey in case you need special moving equipment, scope the layout of the house and entryways, stairs, etc. It usually takes 30 minutes to an hour to complete the in-house estimate for a 2-bedroom house with a basement.
Hire Portable Containers
Portable containers that you can hitch to a vehicle are one way to save when you are on a budget. Compared with hiring a full moving service, you can save a lot by driving the car and the portable container to your new place in DC. You may also use these portable containers as temporary storage containers, which are helpful if you don’t have enough time to unpack your belongings immediately. However, this kind of move is best for small moves only.
How to Find the Best Movers
Here are some of the best tips for finding the best movers in DC.
Well-Maintained Fleet & Equipment
A well-maintained fleet and equipment are good indications that the moving company you’re considering is a reputable one. The fleet includes several vehicles of various sizes to serve the client’s particular needs. Moving equipment like a movable ramp, dolly, floor protectors, and even moving blankets and furniture covers are necessary for a successful move.
Well-Trained Crew
Reputable moving companies hire full-time crew instead of hiring part-time day laborers. This way, the clientele has the assurance that they have trained and professional crew to handle their belongings. Many companies require drug testing and regular training for their crew to ensure that you’re only getting the best services.
Offers Various Services
A good moving company offers various services to serve their clientele better, including specialized packing, eviction moving, and junk removal, especially after you move out of the house. Other companies even offer staging services if you want to sell your old house.
One Last Step
Washington DC is a great city to move in. Scope out the best neighborhoods in DC to live in before you decide to move. It is better to take your time than go through a nerve-wracking process of moving because you didn’t research adequately.