Hiring movers can feel confusing, especially when you’re trying to save money. Prices change based on distance, time, services, fuel, labor, and even the day of the week. But with the right strategy, you can easily find affordable movers without sacrificing quality or risking damage to your belongings.
In this guide, we break everything down into six simple sections to help you plan, compare, and book movers in a smart and budget-friendly way.
Know What Affects Moving Costs Before You Start
Understanding how movers calculate their prices is the first step in finding an affordable company. Most moving companies base their rates on a few important factors:
- Distance: Local moves are usually charged hourly, while long-distance moves are based on weight and mileage.
- Home size: More rooms = more items = higher price.
- Labor requirements: Stairs, long carry, and heavy items increase the cost.
- Date and time: Weekends and end-of-month are more expensive.
- Additional services: Packing, supplies, and assembling furniture can add fees.
Before contacting movers, have a rough idea of:
- How much stuff you’re moving.
- Your desired move date.
- Whether you want packing help or just loading/unloading.
Once you know this information, you can get more accurate quotes. Companies like My Fast Movers will ask these questions to provide a realistic estimate upfront.
Get Multiple Quotes and Compare Services, Not Just Prices
Never hire the first mover you talk to. Prices vary a lot between companies, especially during busy seasons. Request at least three written estimates so you can compare clearly.
When getting a quote, ask whether it is:
- Binding — the price cannot change after agreement.
- Non-binding — the price may change depending on final weight or time.
- Binding not-to-exceed — you only pay less if the move ends up cheaper than estimated.
This single question saves people hundreds of dollars.
Also compare:
- Travel fee or fuel charge
- Insurance options
- Equipment fees (dollies, blankets, straps)
- Extra charges for stairs or elevator
Pro tip: Some movers look cheap at first but add hidden fees later. Always ask for a detailed breakdown in writing.
You can get a fast, no-obligation quote online from My Fast Movers to start comparisons immediately.
Use Timing and Flexibility to Lower Your Moving Price
Timing is one of the biggest ways to reduce moving costs. Movers have busy and slow periods, and prices change based on demand.
Best times to move cheaply:
- Weekdays instead of weekends.
- Mid-month instead of the 1st, 15th, or 30th.
- Winter or fall instead of summer (May–August).
Even shifting your move by 2–3 days can make a noticeable difference in price.
If possible, ask movers:
“Do you offer off-peak pricing or weekday discounts?”
Most companies won’t advertise discounts publicly, but they give them when asked.
Flexible customers save the most. Booking 28–45 days in advance also helps lock in lower rates before schedules fill up.
Reduce the Workload: The Smartest Way to Pay Less
The price of your move is directly connected to how much work the crew has to do. So the easiest way to find affordable movers is to simply reduce how much they handle.
Declutter before moving:
- Sell furniture you don’t use.
- Donate old clothes and books.
- Throw away broken or unused items.
Less stuff = less cost.
You can also save money by preparing items before movers arrive:
- Disassemble beds and tables.
- Unplug and wrap electronics.
- Pack smaller belongings in advance.
Some movers also offer hybrid moving, where:
- You pack.
- Movers load and unload only.
- You choose who drives.
This can reduce the price by 30–50% while keeping your move safe and professional. Ask My Fast Movers about partial service pricing if you want this option.
Read Reviews and Check Credentials Before Booking
Price is important, but trust is even more important. A cheap mover can become expensive very fast if they break things or add hidden charges.
Check these before hiring:
- Google reviews for the specific branch.
- Website with a real address and phone number.
- USDOT number (for interstate moves).
- Licensing and insurance coverage.
Warning signs to avoid:
- They only take cash.
- No contract or extremely vague contract.
- Large deposit required before moving day.
- Price changes after loading begins.
Good movers are upfront and transparent.
Affordable doesn’t mean cheap — it means fair, honest, and professional at a reasonable price.
Final Strategy to Choose Affordable Movers the Smart Way
After following all the steps above, you’ll have quotes, dates, and options ready. Now it’s time to choose the mover that gives the best combination of:
- Price
- Services included
- Reputation
- Written binding estimate
Here’s the simplest decision method:
- Cross out the most expensive quote.
- Cross out the cheapest quote (usually low quality or hidden fees).
- Choose from the remaining companies based on service + value.
You can also ask movers to match pricing. Many will:
“I have another quote for less. Can you match or beat it?”
Use competition to your advantage.
Affordable moving is not luck — it’s planning. With a little research, flexibility, and preparation, you can easily save money and still get reliable professional movers.
Want to skip the research? Get a quick quote from My Fast Movers and compare it to two other movers to see what fits your budget best.
