The Cost To Move a Three-Bedroom Home: Your Cheapest Options

Moving from a three-bedroom home involves a lot of moving parts, but it doesn’t have to be difficult if you know what to expect. Our decades of experience in the moving industry tells us that the average cost to move a three-bedroom home locally will run you anywhere from $65 to $250 per hour, while long-distance moves are more often priced at a flat rate between $1,000 and $14,000.

Movers cost money, but the best moving companies make your overall moving experience much less of a hassle. Knowing the average cost of moving for your type of move can help you prepare your budget accordingly, choose the best moving services for your needs, and plan well so it’s a more seamless process.

The average cost to move a three-bedroom home locally

The cost of a local move from a three-bedroom home ranges from $65 up to $250 per hour. The cost of your move with a local moving company will change depending on whether you hire a professional moving company, opt for a DIY approach with a moving truck rental company or moving container company.

Ultimately, choosing between a professional moving company and a DIY move depends on your budget, preferences, and the complexity of your move.

Moving Company Moving Container Rental Truck
<50 miles $1,350 – $3,300 $800 – $1,420 $86 – $126
250 miles $2,212 – $5,300 $1,539 – $2,480 $435 – $758
<1,000 miles $4,200 – $7,250 $2,173 – $3,639 $999 – $1,823
<2,500 miles $5,997 – $14,191 $3,441 – $5,957 $2,127 – $3,954

Factors that affect the cost to move a three-bedroom home locally

Local moving companies set their average costs based on a number of factors. Here are a few you can consider while you set your budget:

  • DIY move vs. professional movers: A professional moving company will cost significantly more than local movers doing it on the side or DIY moving projects because they have more overhead from employees and other operating expenses.
  • Moving container and truck rental: Renting a moving container or moving truck can reduce your total costs even if you still pay for packing services or other loading labor. Consider the size you need carefully, as you don’t want to overpay for space you don’t need.
  • The complexity of your move: Movers charge based on the amount of logistical planning and labor necessary to complete your move efficiently. The more complex your move, the more they’ll need to plan.
  • Demand: Certain times of year and locations have more demand for moving services than other areas. If your current or new home is in a high-demand location, you may pay extra for this.
  • Weight of belongings: The amount of belongings you intend to bring with you to your new home will directly affect your prices. A one-bedroom apartment worth of stuff generally costs less than a three-bedroom home.

The average cost to move a three-bedroom home long-distance

No matter the distance, moving is a significant life event, and understanding the costs involved is crucial to ensuring a smooth and successful transition.

Factors that affect the cost to move a three-bedroom home long-distance

You can better estimate your long-distance moving costs by considering the following factors. They’re not all that different from local moving costs, but distance is among the most important factors for long-distance movers:

  • Truck rental or moving container: The size of your rental truck or container can be a major factor in how much you can expect to pay for it. Check out our best moving container companies to find the best value for your budget.
  • Length of rental: If you choose a DIY moving project over full-service movers, you’ll need to consider the length of time you’ll need your rental truck or moving container.
  • Full-service movers: Opting for packing, loading, or disassembly help can add to your total moving costs.
  • Distance: Distance is one of the most important factors in long-distance moves. Moving 500 miles is generally going to be cheaper than moving 1,000 or more miles.
  • Storage services: It’s not uncommon for movers to have a short lag between living situations when relocating. If you need storage services in addition to moving help, you can expect to pay extra.

Common add-on costs

Your moving quote may include one or more of the additional costs below when you move from a three-bedroom house:

  • Insurance: Moving companies have to carry basic valuation, which pays $0.60 per pound of belongings they move, but it’s rarely enough to cover the estimated cost to replace the lost or damaged possessions. You can often upgrade to full-value protection, but it’ll add to your total costs.
  • Accessibility: If movers have a hard time parking near your current or new home, you may see a charge for the extra labor.
  • Packing/unpacking: Packing and unpacking services add to the total time required to complete your move, plus the cost of any provided packing materials.
  • White-glove service: Many moving companies provide white glove moving services, including electronic installation and furniture disassembly. These services can often create a more seamless moving experience, so they can be worth the extra cost if you budget for them.
  • Heavy items: Heavy or fragile items can add to your moving expenses if they require extra heavy lifting, present a hassle when loading the moving truck, or require special equipment.

How to cut the cost of moving a three-bedroom home

On a tight budget? Here are a few cost-saving tips to reduce your financial burden when you’re moving out of your three-bedroom home:

  • Use a DIY or hybrid moving company. Handling some or all of the moving process yourself will undoubtedly trim your overall costs in the long run compared to professional movers. Consider renting a moving truck, trading favors with a friend, or packing yourself.
  • Declutter as much as you can. Don’t take anything with you that you can easily replace. Many movers charge based on the weight or amount of space your belongings take up, so reducing your items can positively affect the cost of your move.
  • Shop around. Don’t jump at the first moving estimate you get. Request as many free quotes as you can and take advantage of price-match guarantees if you happen to receive a lower quote elsewhere.
  • Be flexible. If you don’t have specific moving dates in mind, giving your movers a flexible date range can help you find the most cost-effective bid for your desired services.
  • Move outside of peak season. The spring and summer months have the most demand for moving services, so it can be helpful to move during the off-season if you can.
  • Evaluate your existing insurance. If you have existing renters or homeowners insurance, your household goods may already have some degree of protection. Review your coverage before paying extra for full value protection from your moving company.
  • Provide your own packing materials. Moving companies charge a premium for packing supplies, which can drastically increase your moving costs. Consider purchasing your own packing materials in bulk or asking local retailers for boxes and bubble wrap.
  • Ditch specialty items. Fitness equipment, bulky appliances, musical instruments, and outdoor gear can present a challenge, even for professional movers. Leaving these items behind can reduce additional costs for specialty services.
  • Scope out your current home and new location. Avoid unexpected fees by ensuring your movers can easily pick up and drop off your items throughout the moving process.

How to move a three-bedroom house

No three-bedroom house is exactly the same, nor are the people who live within it.

As such, you’ll need to carefully consider your moving options until you find the one that best fits your needs. We’ve broken them down below.

Full-service movers

Full-service movers can do it all and then some, but you may pay a pretty penny for it. When booking a full-service move, you may work with a broker, an intermediary who vets and organizes movers on your behalf, or a carrier, a private company that handles all parts of the move themselves. Brokers tend to have further reach and more availability, while carriers have a more personalized approach.

Safeway Moving

Safeway Moving is a veteran-owned long-distance moving company that gives back a portion of its profits to charity each year. While it doesn’t service most local moves, it offers a full range of packing, loading, and moving services that it will price match to its competitors if you receive a lower price elsewhere.

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Mayzlin Relocation

Mayzlin Relocation is a family-owned moving carrier that services all its reservations with its own employees. It has a stellar BBB rating and handles everything from small local moves to logistically complicated military and corporate relocations.

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Moving containers

Moving containers allow you to maintain control — and cut costs — throughout the moving process. They’re especially convenient if you’re willing to do some or all of the labor on your own, but you’ll need to confirm you have enough space to store it, especially if you live in a busy urban center.

They’re not the best for large moves on tight timelines but can be a big unlock if you need to temporarily store items in the middle of a renovation or ship a few things to a new location.

The biggest benefit of moving containers is that you have at least a few days to load them before they’re picked up. Other moving solutions tend to have much tighter timelines.

PODS

PODS is available in most corners of the United States, and its competitively low prices make it a convenient solution for cost-conscious customers. It offers multiple container sizes to accommodate various move sizes and types, including free 30 days of storage with every reservation if you need it.

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U-Pack

Compared to PODS, U-Pack has a broader reach, but it doesn’t take reservations for local moves. That said, they do service rural areas and even international locations, so it can be a compelling cost-saving measure for even the most complex moves.

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Moving truck rentals

Moving truck rentals are the most affordable option, but you’ll have to do nearly everything on your own from start to finish, including driving, packing, and loading. Moving trucks may be your frontrunner if you’re confident driving and have plenty of friends to help with the heavy lifting.

Budget Truck Rental

Budget Truck Rental is the most affordable moving truck rental in the game. It has nearly 3,000 locations nationwide with three different truck sizes and a well-built online reservation tool that can handle even last-minute bookings.

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Penske Truck Rental

Penske Truck Rental is competitively priced but doesn’t cut customer service to save costs. All bookings come complete with free roadside assistance. It offers compelling discounts for one-way rentals and military members (among many others), plus sufficient add-ons to customize your reservation to your needs.

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FAQs about the cost to move a three-bedroom home

What is the average cost of a long-distance move for a three-bedroom home?

The average cost of a long-distance move for a three-bedroom home depends on the distance, truck size, and add-on services. You can expect to pay between $2,500 and $4,700 for a long-distance move from a three-bedroom home before adding packing services or insurance.

What is the average cost of a local move for a three-bedroom home?

The average cost of a local full-service move for a three-bedroom home is between $1,250 and $2,100, but your costs may vary based on total distance, number of labor hours required, and any add-on services you select.

Is it worth hiring a moving company to move a three-bedroom home?

It can be worth hiring a moving company to move a three-bedroom home if you have any areas of your life demanding your focus and you don’t have a restrictive budget. It may not be worth it if you have a lot of time and help to do it on your own.

How do I budget for a long-distance move?

You can budget for a long-distance move by requesting multiple quotes and planning in advance. We recommend you have at least $4,000 in savings for a long-distance move from a third-bedroom home, so you have the flexibility to shop around, purchase optimal insurance, and add services that save you time and energy.

What factors affect the cost of moving a three-bedroom home?

Several factors affect the cost of moving a three-bedroom home, including:

  • The weight of your household goods
  • The distance of the move
  • Ease of access at the origin and delivery locations
  • Time of year
  • Additional services
  • Your chosen moving company
  • Insurance coverage
  • The hourly rate of moving labor
  • The size of your home/flights of stairs

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