What My Move from Texas to New York with IVL Actually Cost Me
As told to moveBuddha
- Mary moved from Austin, Texas, to New York, New York, in May 2022 to pursue her goal of living in New York City as a remote worker, a 1,750-mile move.
- After comparing three quotes, she hired International Van Lines, and her Texas to New York move was quoted at $5,000 but ultimately cost about $6,400.
- This is Mary’s story, shared as part of moveBuddha’s Better Moves Project.
This account is based on our chat with Mary, who moved from Texas to New York in May 2022 using International Van Lines. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
I’d been dreaming about living in New York City for years. When my job went fully remote, my partner and I finally had the opening we needed. We packed up our apartment in Austin and made the move in late May 2022.
I spent nearly two weeks researching and vetting moving companies before committing to one. I used moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator alongside Forbes, Angie’s List, and Yelp to compare options, and ended up getting three quotes before making my decision.
My International Van Lines experience at a glance
Here’s a quick summary of how my move with International Van Lines went:
- Communication: Getting a quote was simple and the initial process felt professional. The communication around pickup and delivery windows was less consistent, and IVL changed my delivery estimate on me more than once while my goods were in transit.
- Pricing accuracy and transparency: I paid about 30% more than my original quote. Most of the extra charges came from specialty crating that cost more than expected and a long carry at my New York City destination, both of which were largely unavoidable.
- Timeliness: Despite moving right before Memorial Day weekend, one of the busiest times of the year, IVL got my items picked up and delivered on schedule.
- Would I use International Van Lines again? Probably not. I’d give another company a try next time. That said, given the scope and timing of my move, IVL performed well overall.
rating
4.6 / 5
Why I chose International Van Lines
I started researching movers months before my move date, using moveBuddha alongside Forbes, Angie’s List, and Yelp to compare companies. My biggest priorities were keeping costs down, avoiding loss and damage, and making sure my household goods were picked up and delivered on time.
IVL’s $5,000 estimate was the lowest of the three quotes I received. It covered loading and unloading labor, transportation, elevator fees at both origin and destination, and basic released-value moving insurance.
My partner and I also paid to have custom crates built for a chair, a floor lamp, and a marble table top. After putting down a deposit to lock in the truck and crew, we got organized by making a detailed to-do list, inventorying our items, and packing a few boxes at a time.
Starting early made the process more manageable, though living in an apartment full of half-packed boxes for weeks was inconvenient and draining.
My move at a glance
| Moved from | Austin, Texas |
|---|---|
| Moved to | New York, New York |
| Distance | 1,750 miles |
| Moving company | International Van Lines |
| Moving quote | $5,000 |
| Actual cost | About $6,400 (the additional cost was due to miscommunication about the items that needed specialty crating and a long-carry in NYC ) |
Pickup day
IVL told me to expect the crew between 2:00 and 6:00 PM. They didn’t show up until 7:30 PM, and I was frustrated by the delay. But we were moving right before Memorial Day weekend, and timing issues like this are common during peak moving season. A lot of companies would have rescheduled or canceled entirely. IVL came through and got the pickup done as planned.
After a quick walk-through, the driver told me the custom crates would cost an additional $750 because my items were larger than expected. If you’re booking a long-distance move with specialty items, here’s what I wish I had known ahead of my move:
- Expect delays during peak season: If you’re moving between May and September or around major holidays, build flexibility into your plans. Delays are common, and window-based arrival times are rarely exact during busy periods.
- Get a thorough pre-move survey: Whether in-home or virtual, a detailed survey before moving day helps your mover accurately assess what’s going on the truck and flag anything that needs special handling.
- Point out which items need crates: Don’t assume your mover will identify everything that requires specialty packing on their own. Call out those items explicitly during the survey.
- Take precise measurements before requesting a crate quote: Crate prices are based on each item’s dimensions, so accurate measurements upfront can prevent unexpected charges on moving day.
The crew built the crates and loaded the truck in about three hours. I felt they did a nice job packing and crating all of my items carefully. I paid the next installment by personal check before they left.
Delivery day
I called IVL regularly while my household goods were in transit, but my estimated delivery date changed on me several times. That’s common on long-distance moves during peak moving season, when movers are juggling commitments to multiple customers and coordinating overlapping delivery windows. Keeping everyone on schedule is genuinely difficult for moving companies during those months.
In the end, International Van Lines delivered my items on time. The crew was efficient, and unloading took just a few hours. I paid an additional $150 for a long carry between the truck and the freight elevator. Long carries are standard in New York City, and most movers charge extra for them because they increase move time and labor costs. They’re rarely included in initial estimates because it’s hard to determine ahead of time whether a long carry will be needed.
I also had to sell a couch on Craigslist because it wouldn’t fit in the elevator, but that wasn’t IVL’s fault. A wrought-iron candelabra and a desk chair were damaged during the move, but I decided not to file a claim.
Final thoughts
rating
4.6 / 5
I didn’t feel like I got my money’s worth. My household goods arrived a few days later than I’d hoped, I paid about 30% more than quoted, and a few items were damaged. If I move again, I’ll give a different company a try.
That said, I was moving at one of the worst possible times of year. Some of my additional costs came from circumstances no mover could have controlled, including the truck not being able to park close to my apartment in New York. IVL’s performance wasn’t perfect, but relative to the scope and timing of my move, things went pretty well overall.
Planning a similar move? Use moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator to compare quotes and get a realistic picture of what to budget.
Tips for future movers
These are the practical steps we recommend based on Mary’s experience:
- Document the contents of every box as you pack: Write down what’s inside each box while you’re still packing it. A detailed record makes unloading and unpacking significantly faster and helps you quickly spot anything that’s missing or damaged on arrival.
- Build a thorough inventory before moving day: Create a complete list of every box, piece of furniture, and loose item before the truck leaves. You’ll want that record at the destination to confirm everything arrived and account for anything that didn’t.
- Measure your furniture before the move: Confirm that your key pieces will fit through doorways, into elevators, and through any tight spaces in your new place before moving day. A couch that won’t fit the elevator is a problem you can solve weeks in advance, not hours into the move.
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