Can I Hire Movers for a Storage Unit?
Moving into a new home isn’t the only time you may need help from professional movers. You’re not alone if you’ve wanted to enlist the help of a moving company for a storage unit. So, can I hire movers for a storage unit?
It costs an average of $115 per hour to hire movers for a storage unit, or $80 to $150 per hour. Movers often charge $60 per hour per person, so a 2-person crew costs at least $120 per hour before other expenses. Other costs include moving insurance, distance, shipping weight, and the shipping method. LTL shipping is the cheapest option.
You can save money when you hire movers for a storage unit if you forego special moving services. For example, packing everything without help can save hundreds of dollars. Follow along as we explore everything you must know about hiring movers for a storage unit.
Will Movers Go to a Storage Unit?
You can hire many moving companies to transport your belongings to a storage unit. This is a great way to free up some space in your home whether you’re moving or not. It can also help cut costs before a move if you store some belongings in a storage unit.
That’s because shipping weight is a big part of the cost of moving. Putting some of your belongings in a storage unit can lower the shipping weight once you eventually move. It’s also a great way to declutter your home even if you don’t plan to move anytime soon.
Some people store their items in a storage unit to protect them from damage. For example, this is a great idea if your home is in the line of a natural disaster, like a hurricane or tornado. Hiring movers for a storage unit is typically cheaper than moving all of your home’s belongings.
Cost to Hire Movers for a Storage Unit
You can expect to spend up to $180 per hour to hire movers for a storage unit. It’s typically much cheaper than moving to a new home. However, it’s important to consider the key factors that affect the cost, such as:
Distance
Transportation is one of the most important parts of moving your belongings into a storage unit. That’s why moving companies charge for mileage and fuel costs. The standard mileage price range is $0.50 to $1.00 per mile depending on the moving company.
This is typically quite affordable for local moves within 50 miles of the point of origin. However, the cost of mileage adds up quickly for long-distance moves.
Shipping Weight
Shipping weight is just as important as distance when it comes to hiring movers for a storage unit. Movers charge between $0.50 and $0.80 per pound for a move, whether it be a house or storage unit. However, some movers instead use a formula to approximate shipping weight based on the volume of your belongings.
For example, moving 1,800 pounds of items into a storage unit costs up to $3,000. This cost doesn’t include additional moving services, like full packing. The moving crew may weigh the truck when it’s empty and weigh it again after it’s full of your belongings.
Otherwise, they may charge a flat rate based on the size and volume of your belongings. Keep in mind that the cost per pound is separate from the hourly rate that movers charge.
Shipping Method
The shipping method goes hand in hand with shipping weight, but it’s a separate cost factor. Moving companies typically offer two shipping options: guaranteed shipping and less than a truckload shipping. Less than a truckload, or LTL, is the most common option when moving into a storage unit.
That’s because you don’t likely need a truck dedicated to your belongings unless you’re moving to a home. LTL is also the cheapest option and saves hundreds of dollars compared to guaranteed shipping.
Hourly Rate
It costs an average of $60 per hour per person to hire movers for a storage unit. For example, hiring 2 movers for a storage unit often costs $120 per hour. In some cases, you can get a reduced rate when a move calls for 4 or more movers.
In that case, you may spend $200 per hour instead of $240 per hour. While $60 is the average hourly rate per person, some companies charge up to $80 per hour per person. That said, large moving crews are rarely required for a storage unit move.
Moving Crew Size
The size of your moving crew affects the cost in a few ways. First, you must pay more per hour for each mover that joins the crew. For example, $120 per hour for 2 movers or $180 per hour for 3 movers, depending on the rate.
Second, the size of the moving crew largely determines how quickly the move will go. Storage units aren’t typically that large, and you can’t fit too much stuff in them. By that measure, a 2-person moving can often move to a storage unit and load it within 3 hours.
Bigger moves may take 4-6 hours depending on distance and the volume of belongings. That said, the move can go much faster if the crew includes more people. You may pay more per hour, but you will likely pay for fewer hours than you would with a small crew.
Insurance
Some people forego premium insurance when they hire movers for a storage unit. This is understandable as it isn’t likely as substantial of a move as a house is. However, moving always carries the risk of losing and or damaging items.
That’s why it’s worth the cost to pay extra for a premium coverage plan. Moving companies offer premium coverage rates that cover full compensation for lost and damaged items. This typically comes to cost 1% to 2% of the value of the belongings you are moving with.
Because storage units are relatively small, you aren’t likely to move many items at once, which keeps the cost low. However, premium insurance can be expensive when moving valuable items like art and furniture into a storage unit. Otherwise, you can opt for a complimentary insurance plan that covers $0.60-$1.00 per pound of damaged or broken items.
Reliable Storage Unit Moving Services
We may specialize in moving homes and businesses, but we’ve helped countless people move their belongings into storage units. The rates are naturally lower than moving into a home in most cases, but we put our all into it. Whether you’re trying to declutter or make room for a bigger family, we’re here to help. Call Optimum Moving at (855) 315-6683 to get an estimate for your storage unit move.
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