I remember my last move. I swore I’d never do it myself again after I nearly threw my back out trying to get my mattress around a corner. So this time, I called the pros. I got the quote and my first thought was, “Wait, for THAT?!”

Turns out, I had no idea what I was actually paying for. I just saw the final number and winced.

After being in the storage business and talking to hundreds of people on moving day (you can always spot ’em, they have that specific look of tired panic), I’ve learned a thing or two. So let’s have a real chat about what’s really in that bill. No fluff, no corporate nonsense. Just the stuff you need to know so you don’t get that same nasty surprise I did.

The Sneaky Fees They Don’t Lead With

First off, forget the hourly rate they advertise. That’s just the opening act.

The real cost is in the details they don’t exactly lead with. Here’s what I mean:

The “We Have to Drive Over Here” Fee

Yeah, that’s a thing. The clock doesn’t start when they pick up your box. It starts when their truck leaves their warehouse. So if it takes them 45 minutes to get to you, you’re already paying for that. Always, always ask, “What’s your policy on travel time?”

The Stair Tax

I live in a third-floor walk-up. I might as well have had a sign that said “Add $200.” Every flight of stairs is more time, more sweat, and more risk for them. It costs more. Period. Same if they have to park half a block away.

The “What Is That?!” Surcharge

You know that heavy, awkward heirloom dresser your great-aunt gave you? Or that pinball machine? Movers see that and think “specialty item.” And specialty items need extra hands, special equipment, and more time. Cha-ching.

And then there’s the stuff you might not even think to ask about.

• The Insurance Illusion: The basic coverage they include is usually worthless. We’re talking like 60 cents per pound if they drop your 70-inch TV. For real, actual protection, you need to pay for upgraded insurance. It’s an extra cost, but after I saw a mover accidentally ding a doorframe (and my door!), I won’t skip it again.
• The “Of Course I Need Boxes” Trap: If you’re too busy to pack (no judgement here), they’ll do it for you. But you pay for the service and all the materials. That stack of boxes and a mile of tape isn’t free. It can add a shocking amount to the bill.

So, how do you fight back? How do you keep your hard-earned cash from vanishing into the moving van abyss?

You get sneaky. You become a moving ninja.

Your number one weapon? Have less stuff.

I know, it sounds simple. But be brutally honest. Do you really want to pay a guy $100 an hour to move that box of clothes you haven’t worn since 2012? Or the college textbooks you’ll never open again?

Go through everything. Have a “sell” pile, a “donate” pile, and a “why do I even have this?” pile. The less you have, the faster they are, the less you pay. It’s that simple.

Now, here’s where I give you the real insider secret, and yeah, it involves what we do.

What about the stuff you can’t part with but don’t need right now? Your seasonal gear, your kid’s old artwork, your collection of vintage… anything.

Instead of paying the movers a fortune to haul it to your new place just to shove it in the attic, pause. This is the perfect job for a small, short-term storage unit.

Seriously. We see people do this all the time. They move the essentials with the movers—their bed, kitchenware, daily clothes. The move is fast and cheap. Then, they take their time later to move the off-season stuff themselves in a couple of car trips to their new place. Or they just keep it with us until they’re truly settled and have the space. It makes the entire process less chaotic and way more affordable.

Think of it as a cheat code to lower your moving bill.

Final advice

Get three estimates. Read the reviews. And ask them point-blank: “Aside from the hourly rate, what other fees could come up?” Their reaction will tell you everything you need to know.

A good moving crew is worth its weight in gold when you see them effortlessly handle the couch you were dreading. You just gotta know what you’re really paying for.

Hope this helps you avoid my mistakes. Now go conquer that move.