06/29/2021
🤭It’s important to note that most reputable movers aren’t trying to scam you.
It’s just that a moving contract has lots of, well, moving parts. If you’re not familiar with every detail in yours, you could easily end up going wildly over budget. To clue you in on these hidden fees, here are some of the unexpected charges that could make your move far pricier than you expected
🔴Stairs tariff🧗🏼♀️
Although movers have the know-how to move furniture faster and more gracefully than you, their lives would still be easier if you were moving into (and out of) a ranch rather than, say, a six-story walk-up. As such, movers might charge an added fee for stairs amounting to as much as $50 or $75 per flight.
🔴Shuttle fee
A truck-trailer 🚛 can’t always squeeze into a cozy cul-de-sac or safely park in front of an urban high-rise. Interstate moving companies deal with this issue all the time; their solution is to get a smaller truck to shuttle over your belongings, often in multiple trips. And for this, they can charge a bundle💵.
So make sure to check the parking restrictions around your new (and old) home to know whether (or when) your moving truck can squeeze in. If it can’t, it’s worth scoping out if there’s a better spot nearby that would enable you to avoid the shuttle. Or, it might even cost less to rent two smaller moving trucks instead.😉
🔴Fees for packing, unpacking, and other related tasks📦
Asking your movers to take on additional tasks besides moving will raise your bill, according to Vlad Kuzmenko, founder and CEO of .
😉The most obvious example is asking a moving crew to carefully pack, then unpack, your belongings. But much smaller asks can also increase your bill—like disassembling the water hookup for your refrigerator. Or your washer. Or your dishwasher.
😅The reason? Such tasks are not your movers’ main job, plus there are liability issues. For example, if not done right, plumbing disconnections could result in leaks and property damage.
All in all, it’s best to hire your own plumbers, pack and unpack your own stuff, and do everything possible to guarantee that all your movers have to do is move your stuff.