Moving is an endeavor that requires lots of preparation, and sadly many people tend to forget the importance of preparing for their move. The number one thing a person should do is first assess his move. Is it long distance move? Is it a local move?
Some people are quite unfamiliar with these two moving terminologies and processes. Having no knowledge could lead to unwanted stress and increased moving costs. It is important to be educated regarding this topic so that you can be protected against moving scams as well as know your rights as a consumer.
Aside from consumer protection, knowing what kind of move you’re about to undergo will help in saving time, effort and money. The difference between local moving and long distance moving is quite tricky, but we’ve made it simple for you.
What is Local Moving?
Local move is any move that does not cross state or country lines at any point. It is also known as intrastate move. When you perform a local move, you are transporting your belongings within one state only regardless of the distance. For instance, you’re moving up from Cortez, Colorado to Julesburg, Colorado. Although the distance between two points is more than 500 miles and can be considered as a long distance move, it is still a local move because it is within Colorado only.
Local move sounds simple because it is within one state only, but it is actually complicated. Every state has their own different rules, regulation and requirements for local residential moving companies. Some state wouldn’t even require moving companies to have a license. This is why it is important to research and understand the outlined rules and regulations of each state regarding local moving.
What is Long Distance Moving?
Long distance move is any move that crosses at least 2 state or country lines at any point during. It is also known as an interstate move. When you perform a long distance move, you are actually transporting your belongings in and out of state lines and that includes any international move. Even if your move is travelling for a short distance but crosses the state line like moving from New Jersey to New York, it is still considered as a long distance move. The same thing can be said if your goods are moved via train.
All interstate moves and moving companies are governed by the rules and regulations of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or FMCSA. Every long distance move must be done by full service long distance moving companies that are assigned with a USDOT number, FMCSA registered and has proper insurance coverage.
How Do You Know if You’re Making a Long Distance Move?
It is easy to know if you’re making a long distance move. The most common one is if your move starts from one state and ends in another. The second is if the move starts in United States and ends in another country. If the move starts and ends in the same state but travels through another state or another country, it is still considered as long distance moving.
Cost Structure of Local Moving
The cost of local moving services varies according to states or cities. Some local residential moving companies offer flat rate for their services and the structure of their costs is hard to decipher. Many moving companies charge on an hourly basis. The rest charge on how much manpower is required to move your stuff. Technically it goes like this:
- 1 bedroom – 2 movers
- 2 or 3 bedrooms – 2 or 3 movers
- 4 bedrooms – 3 or 4 movers
- More than 4 bedrooms –at least 4 movers or more.
There are also other charges included in a local move like:
- Fuel surcharge
- Materials charge (packing paper, moving boxes, mattress bags and other moving supplies)
- Sales tax
- Insurance Premium
The moving company could add circumstantial charges like:
- Storage charges
- Overnight hold charge
- Craning charge
- Large item surcharge
- Crating charges
- Disposal charges
- Stair surcharges
Cost Structure of Long Distance Moving
Full service long distance moving companies will have a different cost structure compared to local moving companies. The cost would depend on 3 important factors.
- The amount of stuff you own
- The total weight of your stuff
- The distance you need to travel
When it comes to long distance moves, moving companies are required by law to charge by the pound. They must also follow the interstate tariff set by the US Department of Transportation and will then provide discounts based on it. Generally, there are two ways on how moving companies will set their charges:
- Binding Estimate – The moving company will first estimate the poundage before giving the price.
- Weight – You’re given a price per pound and the moving company will weigh your stuff.
Whether you’re moving locally or interstate, you need to know the facts to protect yourself and prevent unwanted stress. You need to find support from those who understand the entire moving process. Moving services are a good place to start.
For more information about local or interstate, check us out today.
