Moving to a new home is exciting, but nothing bursts your bubble faster than unexpected costs showing up on your final bill. You received a quote, budgeted accordingly, and thought you were all set. Only to discover additional fees you never saw coming.
The truth is, many moving costs aren’t exactly “hidden,” but they’re not always clearly explained upfront either. Understanding what might increase your moving expenses helps you budget accurately and choose a moving company that values transparency. Here’s what to watch for and how to avoid surprises on moving day.
Stairs and Long Carry Fees
If you live in a walk-up apartment, have a long driveway, or the moving truck can’t park directly in front of your door, you might face additional charges. Moving companies often charge extra when their crews need to carry items up and down multiple flights of stairs or transport them more than a certain distance (usually 75-100 feet) from the truck to your door.
How to Avoid It: During your initial consultation, be upfront about your living situation. Mention if you’re on the third floor with stairs, if parking is limited, or if there’s a long walk from the street to your front door. A reputable moving company will factor this into your quote from the beginning so there are no surprises later.
Specialty Item Charges
Pianos, pool tables, gun safes, antique furniture, large artwork, and hot tubs are all items that require special handling, extra manpower, or specific equipment often come with additional fees. These pieces need careful preparation, sometimes custom crating, and experienced movers who know how to transport them without damage. Some moving companies don’t even handle particular specialty items like All-Star Moving does.
How to Avoid It: Make a complete inventory of everything you’re moving and specifically call out any specialty items when requesting your quote. Ask whether your moving company has experience with these items and what the additional cost will be. For extremely valuable or delicate pieces, the extra expense for professional handling is worthwhile, in order to not damage these treasures. You simply need to plan for it.
Be Transparent About What You’re Moving
Communication is everything when it comes to avoiding surprises on moving day. Provide a complete list of items to be transported, because St. Louis movers like at All-Star Moving, rely on this information to provide an accurate quote and ensure they arrive prepared with the right equipment and manpower. Discuss your needs, expectations, and any specific concerns thoroughly before signing a contract.
At All-Star Moving, we believe the foundation of a successful move is clear communication from day one. Want to learn more about preparing for your estimate? Tell us about yourself and your move, and we will prepare an accurate quote for you.
Packing Materials: The Small Expenses That Add Up
Boxes, tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, mattress covers, wardrobe boxes. It all seems inexpensive until you’re buying enough supplies to pack an entire household. Many people underestimate how many boxes they’ll actually need, resulting in multiple trips to the store and a supply bill that’s double what they expected.
How to Avoid It: Start by getting an accurate assessment of your packing needs. All-Star Moving offers a virtual walk-through estimation process to not only help us understand what you are moving, but to also know what packing materials you’ll need. If you don’t want to do the packing part yourself, we provide a packing service to make things easier.
Disassembly and Reassembly Fees
Large furniture often needs to be taken apart to move safely and reassembled at your destination. While some moving companies include basic disassembly in their rates, others charge separately for this service, especially for complex items like wall units or furniture that requires specialized tools.
How to Avoid It: Ask what’s included in “basic” disassembly and what costs extra. If you’re handy, disassemble furniture yourself before moving day and keep all hardware in labeled bags taped to the furniture pieces. Take photos during disassembly so you remember how everything fits back together.
Insurance and Valuation Coverage
Understanding your insurance coverage options is crucial before moving day. While basic liability coverage is standard in the industry, it’s important to be informed about what your moving company offers beyond the minimum.
At All-Star Moving, we take insurance seriously. We carry multiple insurance policies covering every aspect of our business: general liability insurance to protect your belongings and any property we enter, vehicle insurance on all of our trucks, and cargo insurance that covers your belongings during transport. These aren’t optional extras, but they’re requirements enforced by government transportation authorities before we’re even granted Household Goods transportation authority.
How to Protect Yourself: Ask detailed questions about your moving company’s insurance coverage. What types of policies do they carry? What exactly is covered during transport? Can they provide current policy information? At All-Star Moving, we’re always transparent about our coverage. You can call our office anytime for up-to-date policy details. Additionally, check whether your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance covers items during a move. For high-value items, consider additional coverage to protect your investment fully.
The Bottom Line: Get Everything in Writing
The best way to avoid hidden costs is to receive an extremely detailed quote that addresses every potential fee and scenario. We can’t stress this enough- do not accept vague estimates! Ask for a binding quote or a not-to-exceed price whenever possible.
Questions to Ask Every Moving Company:
- What exactly is included in your base rate?
- Are there charges for stairs or long carries?
- How do you handle specialty items, and what are the associated costs?
- What are your fuel and travel time policies?
- What insurance options do you offer and what do they cost?
- Are there any other fees or surcharges I should expect?
Partner with a Transparent Moving Company
At All-Star Moving, we believe in upfront, honest pricing with no surprises. We’ll walk you through every aspect of your quote or estimate, explain potential additional charges, and help you plan for every scenario. Our goal is to make your move as smooth and budget-friendly as possible.
Most moving companies won’t come to your home to check inventory or do virtual walkthroughs before the move. This creates huge gaps in information which typically leads to surprise costs and really long moving days. All-Star Moving will come to your home or conduct a virtual walkthrough using the clients’ smartphone to be very precise with our estimates.
Ready to get started with a moving company that values transparency and white glove delivery? Contact All-Star Moving today for a detailed, accurate quote, and a move without hidden costs.