How Much Does It Cost To Move A 3 Bedroom House? (Local & Long Distance)

Moving is an equally exciting, stressful, and expensive adventure. This time of transition will pay off, but figuring out the logistics in the meantime can be dizzying. That is especially true when moving with lots of furniture. So, what is the average moving cost for a 3-bedroom house?

It costs between $3,500 and $7,000 or more to move a 3-bedroom house house locally. You can expect to spend between $4,000 and $16,000 to move a 3-bedroom house long distance. Each person on the moving crew typically has a rate between $25 and $130 per hour, and crews consist of at least 2 people.

It’s also customary to tip the crew up to 20% of the value of the move. In that case, you would tip the crew $800 for a $4,000 move, but that’s up to your discretion. Follow along as we dive into the average costs of moving a 3-bedroom house.

How Much Does it Cost to Move a 3-Bedroom House?

On the low end, it costs $3,500 to move a 3-bedroom house. That said, it can cost up to $16,000 or more depending on how much furniture you have, and how far it must travel. Ultimately, the cost varies based on what type of move you require: local or long distance.

Local Moving Cost

You can expect to spend at least $3,500 to move a 3-bedroom house locally. It can cost up to $7,000 or more, but it depends on how much furniture you have. Local moves are cheaper than long-distance moves because of the lower mileage.

You also don’t have to pay the crew for as many hours as you would for a long-distance move. That said, local moving costs can increase as you add on more services. For example, white-glove service and special item handling, such as a piano, can add hundreds or thousands to the bill.

It’s rare for a local move to cost over $9,500, even for a 3-bedroom house. That price is only likely if you purchase premium insurance and tack on full packing, white glove, and furniture disposal services.

Long-Distance Moving Cost

Long-distance moves cost between $4,000 and $16,000 for a 3-bedroom house. Moving companies sometimes charge flat rates for long-distance moves based on the state you move to. However, it varies between companies, and you may have to pay based on mileage.

Long-distance moves can be pricey because you must pay a crew for more than one day of work in most cases. For example, you must pay a crew for several days of work if they move your belongings from New Jersey to California. This adds thousands of dollars to the overall cost.

Other costs, such as vehicle transportation, are also often necessary for long-distance moves. This can add up to $2,000 per vehicle to the moving cost. Long-distance moves aren’t necessarily always so expensive, and they vary based on weight, distance, time, and the services you choose.

3 Bedroom House Moving Cost Factors

Everything from the time of year to your insurance coverage package affects your 3-bedroom house moving cost. Not every cost factor may apply to you, but it’s important to know your options so you can budget accordingly.

Services

Before the big day, it’s important to figure out which services you require. Simple moving packages without add-ons are the cheapest. However, special packages like White Glove Service, furniture disposal, and full packing can add to the cost.

For example, a full packing service can add hundreds or even over a thousand dollars to your moving cost. It ultimately depends on how much furniture you have and the size of your home. Request a quote for special services before you decide so you can budget for your move.

Weight

Weight is one of the most important cost factors for moving from a 3-bedroom house. Your belongings will all wind up on a truck, so the crew needs to know the weight. Not only will the weight affect the haul, but it also affects the moving crew.

The weight of the haul also affects the truck you require. For example, a small truckload of belongings means that they may use the truck for someone else’s move as well. This means you won’t have a dedicated truck, but it can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

However, a truck dedicated to your belongings can cost over $10,000 when moving from a 3-bedroom house. This is often necessary for 3-bedroom houses because of the weight and volume of furniture.

Distance

How far is your new house from your old 3-bedroom house? Mileage is an important factor that moving companies use to determine the overall cost. For local moves, you can expect to pay at least 75 cents per mile, but it varies.

You must also pay for gas, and that cost goes hand in hand with distance. Gas prices vary between states, but you can expect to spend at least $3.20 per gallon. Depending on how far the move is, you may not be responsible for paying them to fill the tank.

Timing

It takes much longer to move from a 3-bedroom house than a studio apartment. The extra square footage takes longer to navigate, and it typically means there’s more furniture. In most cases, each person on the moving crew gets paid an hourly rate between $25 and $130.  

Depending on how long the move takes, this can add up fast. Most moves require at least 2-3 people, especially for a 3-bedroom house. If the move takes a 3-person crew 4 hours, you can expect to pay a minimum of $300.

That said, the labor fees could exceed $1,200 for a 3-bedroom house. It depends on the minimum rate, the size of the crew, how long it takes, and how much you tip them.

Vehicle Transportation

Depending on where you move to, you may need help with vehicle transportation. This is often necessary for long-distance moves across several states, or even across the country. Some moving companies can transport your vehicles for you.

Others simply have relationships with vehicle transportation companies and can arrange it for you. It costs an average of $1,600 to ship a car, but it varies by distance. Expedited car shipments cost at least $2,000 in most cases.

That said, the cost varies by distance, demand, and even season. It’s typically cheaper to ship your car in fall and winter when the demand isn’t as high. The demand is higher in spring and summer when most people move.

Insurance

Moving insurance is essential for any move, but some people forego it. Skipping out on insurance is a mistake as the cost is well worth it in case your belongings get damaged. Moving companies typically offer two insurance options: release value and full value.

Release value insurance is the cheapest option, and some moving services include it with the cost of the move. However, this doesn’t provide much coverage as it only typically covers $1 per pound per damaged item. This is better than nothing, but it’s not enough for many people who move with valuable items.

Full-value insurance coverage is pricier, but it’s the best option if you want to protect your belongings. Prices vary between companies, but you can expect to pay up to 5% of the total value of your belongings for full-value coverage. They assess the cost when they take inventory of your belongings and quote you. With this option, the moving company will reimburse you for damaged items, or simply replace them.

Tips

Tipping the crew is a relatively small moving cost, but it’s one of the most important. Movers work tirelessly to protect your belongings and safely transport them to your new house. Moving from a 3-bedroom house typically entails lots of hard work, so tipping is customary.

People often tip the moving crew 15% to 20% of the moving cost. You can split this cost up evenly amongst the moving crew, or tip each member individually. For example, if your move costs $5,000, you would tip the crew up to $1,000.

If the crew is made up of 4 members, you would tip them each $250. You aren’t required to tip any specific amount, but 15% to 20% is the standard. Granted, you must use your judgment to determine how much the crew deserves. They may deserve a 25% tip if they go above and beyond, or just 10% if they leave something to be desired.

How to Prepare to Move a 3-Bedroom House

Preparing to move from a 3-bedroom house can be quite intimidating. However, it doesn’t need to be hard, especially if you make a thorough checklist. Ideally, you should create the checklist at least 2-3 months before you move so you can get started early.

Organize Your Belongings

First things first, it’s important to organize your belongings. Go through your clothes, furniture, decorations, and collectibles to see what is essential. Separate your belongings into several categories.

For example, you can sort through your closet and create a pile of clothes that you plan to donate to Goodwill. Next, see if you have any clothes that you can pass on to a friend or family member. Bring whatever is left with you to the new house.

It’s also a good idea to get rid of any furniture that simply wouldn’t be a good fit for your new house. Moving companies will charge a small fee to remove your old furniture for you and dispose of it. Otherwise, you can simply donate the old furniture.

Take Inventory

Once you’ve organized, it’s time to take inventory of what’s left. Visualize your belongings in boxes and on a truck. You can pay the moving company for a full-packing service where they pack everything for you.

However, it’s still a good idea to organize everything so they get the job done quicker. This will only serve to save you money since the move may not take as long if everything is organized. It’s also a good idea to organize everything to make the consultation go by easier. The moving company will send a consultant, and it’ll be easier for them to provide a quote if they can easily see everything.

Call a Moving Company

Once you are organized and ready, simply call a moving company. A consultant will come out and figure out what kind of services you require. Make sure to communicate well and express your needs so you get the best package possible.

This is the most important step because it will help you budget for the move. Call the company at least 2 months before the move. That way, you can set a moving date and pack or make arrangements for your new home as needed.

So, How Much Does Moving a 3-Bedroom House Cost?

It costs between $3,500 and $16,000 to move a 3-bedroom house. Local moves typically cost $3,500 to $7,000 or more for a 3-bedroom house. Long-distance moves are pricier and cost between $4,000 and $16,000. Keep in mind that most people set aside extra cash to tip up to 20% of the value of the move for the crew.