Figuring out how to price moving jobs can be challenging and depends on a handful on factors. Whether you’re a seasoned mover or just starting out, finding that sweet spot in pricing is important to attract and retain customers without shortchanging your business.
It’s a fine balance – charge too much and you’ll scare customers away; charge too little and you risk your business’s profitability. So how do you find a pricing solution that works for both you and your customers?
From understanding the scope of the moving project to considering costs, we’ll cover the ins and outs of how to price moving jobs and what to account for when taking on a new job. Pack up your moving dolly and read on to learn everything you need to know to profitably price your next job.
How to Price Moving Jobs
**Click to auto scroll by section.
Overview: Pricing Moving Jobs Accurately
Accurately pricing your jobs is important for the success of your moving business. Striking the right balance is key. When you price jobs just right, you can attract a steady stream of customers and make sure that your business makes a healthy profit.
It’s not just about covering costs like trucks, labor, and fuel, it’s also about understanding what customers are willing to pay for a stress-free move. Fair pricing leads to happy customers, and happy customers are more likely to recommend your moving services to others.
Also consider whether you are taking on a local moving job or a long distance moving job. These two are usually priced differently:
- Local Moving Jobs: Local moves are usually priced by the hour. Keep in mind that you will need to charge an hourly rate that is based on how many movers will be needed to complete the job.
- Long Distance Moves: If you are taking a long distance moving job, it is best to charge by both the weight of the items you are moving and the distance you are moving your customer.
Moving Tip: Taking the time to get your pricing strategy right is not just good for your wallet, it’s also essential for building a strong, trustworthy brand and getting customers by word of mouth.
How to Price Moving Jobs
Now that we’ve covered the importance of accurate pricing, let’s learn more about the steps needed to price a moving job effectively. Following these steps will help to ensure that you provide a fair price for both you and your customers.
Visit the House
If this is a large move of an entire house or condo, you will definitely want to be on-site to give a quote. By examining the size and number of rooms, noting the big items like furniture and appliances, you can get a good idea of the time and labor needed to complete the move.
Don’t forget to consider the small stuff too, they can add up. Check for items that need may need special attention, like a heavy piano or antiques that need special care.
Ask the homeowner about the timeline for the move and any special requests they might have. All of these factors will help you estimate the time, labor, and resources needed, helping you give a fair quote.
Make an Inventory List
Making an inventory list before moving is important to accurately price the job and keep it running smoothly. Start by walking through each room with the homeowner and making a list of the large items: sofas, beds, dressers, refrigerators, and so on.
Don’t overlook the smaller items like boxes of books or kitchen gadgets. For each item, make a note of its size and if it’s fragile or requires special handling. Remember to check outdoor areas and storage spaces too.
Choose a Type of Estimate
When pricing moving jobs, it’s crucial to select the appropriate type of estimate. There are 3 main types of moving estimates:
Binding Estimate – These estimates offer a fixed price for the entire moving job, ensuring that the cost doesn’t change regardless of how long the job ends up taking or other circumstances.
Non-Binding Estimate – A non-binding estimate is a preliminary quote that can be adjusted based on the labor hours, equipment, and size of the actual job. You can bill up to 110% of the estimate at the times services are delivered and bill additional charges later.
Binding-Not-to-Exceed Estimate – This type of estimate sets a maximum price, but the final cost could also be lower if the moving job requires less work than expected.
Consider the Moving Date
When working out how to price a moving job, it’s important to consider the time of year. Typically, summer months, especially between May and September, are the busiest. Families prefer to move when kids are out of school, and the weather is more predictable.
Due to this high demand, you can generally charge more during these peak times. On the other hand, winter months tend to be slower. Bad weather and holidays can discourage people from moving, leading to lower demand. In these times, you might need to lower your prices to attract customers.
Set a 30 Day Limit: It is a good idea to set a 30 day limit for your customer to accept your quote. You don’t want a customer accepting a cheaper winter quote during the busy summer season.
Charge Based on Weight
When you’re figuring out how much to charge for a moving job, charging based on weight is one of the many options available to you. Start by weighing the customer’s belongings, either by loading them onto a truck and using a truck scale or by estimating based on an inventory list.
Next, set a price per pound, considering factors like distance, manpower, and any special handling needs. The standard price for long-distance moves currently hovers at around $0.50/pound. Using that rate, if you had a moving job and the total weight was 5000 pounds, the base cost would be $2,500.
Keep in mind that charging based on volume (the amount of space that your customers belongings take up, commonly measured in cubic feet) is illegal in some states as it is too easy to overcharge.
Don’t forget to factor in additional fees for services like packing or insurance. This method ensures the price reflects the actual effort and resources required for the move.
Factor in Distance
Accounting for distance is also important when you are figuring out how to price moving jobs. It is common for moving companies to charge based on mileage for long distance moves.
The average price per mile charged by long distance movers comes out to around $0.75 per mile. If you are moving a customer over 50 miles, it is a good idea to factor in mileage to account for costs like gas, tolls, and vehicle maintenance.
Factor Labor Hours
If you are moving a customer across town or under 50 miles, consider charging by the hour. First, think about manpower – how many people you’ll need to move everything safely and efficiently.
More hands might make the job faster, but each person adds to the hourly cost. You’ll have to decide for yourself how many movers you will want to use and where to draw the line in terms of profitability.
Most moving jobs take at least a few hours, so many movers have a rule: even if the job takes less than 3 hours, they still charge for 3. This makes sure that small, quick moves are worth the time and effort.
Consider Additional Costs
Accurately pricing a moving job for a customer is important. Before giving a potential customer an estimate, you’ll want to have a good idea of the actual location your customer is moving from and the location they are moving to.
There are certain situations where you should charge a customer extra. For example, if you are moving your customer out of an apartment and the apartment is on the 5th floor of a walk-up, you would want to charge extra for the labor involved.
Consider these situations where you might want to charge extra:
- Packing: Many customers pack their own belongings, especially smaller items. If they want you to pack for them you can charge extra for both time and the materials needed. Packing costs include boxes, tape, bubble wrap and usually costs $25-$50 per hour.
- Stairs: Charging based on how many flights of stairs you need to move your customer’s belongings up or down is a good idea. It is common to include a single flight of stairs
- Long Carry: Usually you can park close to where you are picking up or dropping off at, but this isn’t always the case. If you are in an urban area, parking can be an issue and carrying your customers belongings for a longer distance results in a larger time commitment. Always charge for long carries.
- Specialty Items: Even though you are a moving company, you will want to charge extra for certain items. Large and bulky items like pianos can be very difficult to move. You will want to charge extra for items like these to account for the extra time and equipment needed.
Moving Job Pricing Tips
When you are working out how to price your moving jobs, it’s a good idea to see what your competitors are charging. This doesn’t mean you have to match their prices exactly, but it gives you an idea of what people are willing to pay.
You can do this by calling a few different moving companies in your area and checking their rates for similar jobs. Then, think about what makes your service special or better. Maybe you’re extra careful with belongings or you’re really good at fast, local moves.
Pricing Tip: Being the cheapest isn’t always best. You want to make sure you’re making enough money to cover your costs and pay your team well, so find a balance that works for everyone.
Partner With LoadUp for Fixed Price Moving Jobs
Signing up with LoadUp as an independent contractor is a great way to find moving jobs in your area without the headache of figuring out how to price each one.
We offer set pricing, which means you’ll know exactly how much you’ll make from a job before you even start. Simply download the LoadUp app and apply to become a Loader.
Once accepted, you will have access to moving jobs and junk removal jobs in your area. Here’s how to get started:
- Download the App: The first step is to download the LoadUp app. It’s easy and free.
- Sign Up to Be a Loader: Once you have the app, sign up to become a Loader.
- Get Access to Jobs: As a Loader, you’ll see a list of available moving jobs in your area. These are posted by people who need moving services.
- Pick the Jobs You Want: One of the great things about LoadUp is that you get to choose the jobs you take. This means you can work on your own schedule.
- Earn Money: Every job you complete earns you money. It’s an easy way to use your truck to make a living or just earn some extra cash.
Once you’re approved, you’ll start getting job alerts for moving opportunities near you. With LoadUp, you can focus on doing the moving without worrying about the pricing.
Want Access to Moving Jobs? SIGN UP
Key Points on How to Price a Moving Job
When you are working out how to price moving jobs for your company, remember to think about the time commitment involved and the total weight on the items you are moving. This helps you set a fair price.
Also, look at what other movers charge to stay competitive but still make good money. Don’t forget to add a little extra for any special services, like packing or moving fragile items.
Setting fair pricing is very important. It’s not just about one job; it’s about keeping customers happy and coming back. If your prices are fair, people will trust your business more and recommend you to their friends.
If all this pricing stuff sounds complicated, LoadUp can help. By signing up with LoadUp, you get access to moving jobs with set prices. This way, you can skip the stress of figuring out how much to charge and focus on doing great work.
Related Articles from the Trash Talk Blog:
