How to use it
A few inputs, one explainable answer.
- Enter combined labor cost per hour for the crew.
- Use either a mileage estimate or zero when distance is already included.
- Put truck, supplies, lodging, and known fees into fixed costs.
Method
How the estimate works
Labor hours × hourly rate are added to mileage, fixed truck or service costs, supplies, and travel. A contingency is applied last.
Worked example
Six labor hours at $160, 300 miles at $0.95, and $650 in fixed costs totals $1,895 before a 10% contingency, or about $2,085.
Assumptions & limits
What can change the result
- This is a planning budget, not a mover quote.
- Taxes, valuation coverage, long carries, stairs, tolls, and seasonal pricing may be separate.
- Mileage cost should reflect fuel or the provider’s quoted distance charge—not both.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What costs are easy to forget?
Tolls, parking permits, stair or elevator fees, extra mileage, meals, hotel nights, pet care, cleaning, storage, and replacement supplies are common omissions.
Does this provide a binding quote?
No. Company policies and prices vary. Request a written estimate and understand whether it is binding, non-binding, hourly, or weight-based.
How large should my contingency be?
Ten percent is a useful starting point. Complex, long-distance, or tightly scheduled moves may warrant fifteen to twenty percent.