You only have 1 item to move...so why is it so expensive to find someone to move it?!?

So...you have a beloved recliner chair in storage, and you only need it moved to your garage at your house 5 miles down the street...you don't have a vehicle large enough to do this, plus the recliner is heavy! You don't want to bother friends to help, and you feel stuck figuring out how to move this beast of an item. So why when you call around to professional moving companies is it so expensive to get help?

Here's why:

1.Minimums: Professional moving companies need to charge hourly minimums to stay in business, most have 2 hour, or 3 hour minimums. Moving the dear old recliner may take about 15 minutes of real labor to load and unload, so you can see why this is already a bad fit for your needs.

2.Double drive time: Yes, professional moving companies do have to add on travel time aside from the labor, whether it be 5 minutes down the street, or 30, and this will add to your costs, and if this is a longer haul, gas surcharges may apply as well! Eeek!

3.Materials: Maybe you're moving a large round piece of table top glass that is 600 lbs or so, if it wasn't already crated (wrapped up properly to withstand the bumps and vibrations experienced by items in a moving truck while being transported), the  movers will need to charge for the materials to do so.

Here's your other options:

1.Bug a friend with a truck, and friends to help lift

2.Rent a UHAUL truck and some helpers who may or may not be professional

3.Leave it in storage and keep paying that huge bill each month to keep it there

There are a few problems with these options, 1.Friends can get worn out when you ask too many favors, plus do you have friends who can lift heavy items?, 2.Renting a UHAUL truck to move something is fine, but it costs money too! A simple pick up truck is $19.95 plus mileage and fuel per day for local moves, and it goes up from there. Plus the truck won't have a professional lift gate to help you with this heavy item. Then you have to pay the helpers you hire, and if they aren't professional, there are issues with legality, insurance, and liability you'll have to face, plus your item could be damaged during moving and you'll have no recourse. 3.Leaving it in storage is fine, but it'll cost ya! With prices of $100 and up per month, it could be an expense you don't need to make.

Here's why hiring a professional moving company like Fairprice Movers Inc. is worth it:

1.We are licensed and insured, so your items will be covered.

2.We are professionals, therefore your items will be moved safely.

3.We can install your item for you properly into your new home.

So what does it cost on average to get 1 item moved? Let's say the item is heavy, so we'll need 3 men, that can range on average per moving company, per season, and date, from $95 per hour and up to around $149 per hour let's say. That's about $300 to about $450 for just the labor, not including travel or gas or materials.

Suggestions to make the move more cost-effective:

1.Move something else! Have us  move the 1 item, and then use us to move things around the house you've needed help with, or purchase a piece of furniture you've been wanting from a store or person on Craigslist, and we'll pick that up and deliver it as well!

2.Share the move! Ask a friend if they have any items they need moved at the same time, we can make multiple stops, and use up more of that 3 hour minimum for you!

3.Be mindful of the day you're asking us to move it. First of all, don't be a last minute nelly! Then, pick a Monday through Thursday, and be really flexible with your time!

Hopefully this helps!

Happy moving!

Nancy and Team