How to pay for a move

A move bundles several expenses that arrive together: the transport itself, temporary storage, security and utility deposits at the new home, and the cost of replacing what breaks. The deposits in particular are easy to overlook, and they are frequently the reason a household borrows during a move.

The costs that arrive together

The transport cost depends on the distance, the volume and the service level. A full-service move with packing and unpacking costs far more than a truck rental with friends, and the gap is mostly labour.

Storage is the second cost and the one that lingers. A month of storage can become several, and the monthly fee continues while the new home is prepared. Ask for the monthly rate and the minimum term before signing.

The deposits are the third. A rental deposit, a utility deposit and sometimes a pet deposit all come due at the same time as the moving bill. Those amounts are frequently the largest single cash requirement of a move, and they are not part of the mover's quote.

The ways to pay

**Cash or savings.** The cheapest option. A move is often planned months ahead, which gives time to save the deposits and the transport cost.

**A credit card.** Useful for the deposits and for the mover's bill, and often the only practical option at short notice. A balance carried past the due date is expensive.

**A personal loan.** Unsecured and fixed term, and reasonable when the move is required for a job and the costs are known in advance.

**Employer relocation.** If the move is for work, ask whether the employer offers a relocation package before paying anything yourself. It is frequently available and frequently unclaimed.

• Get a written, binding estimate from the mover, not an hourly rate.
• Ask whether the estimate is binding or non-binding.
• Ask about the mover's liability for damage and the valuation coverage.
• Budget the deposits separately from the transport cost.
• Ask your employer about relocation benefits.

A worked repayment example

The example below uses the Federal Reserve H.15 bank prime loan rate and a standard amortising schedule. It is arithmetic from a published rate, not a quote, and it applies when a move is financed rather than paid from savings.

Worked example, with the assumption stated: $5,000 borrowed at the Federal Reserve H.15 bank prime loan rate of 6.75% (published 2026-09-16) repaid over 24 months on a standard amortising schedule. That gives a monthly payment of $223.30, total interest of $359.12 and a total repayment of $5,359.12. This is arithmetic from a published rate, not a quote: a real APR includes fees and is set by the lender from your credit, so your figures will differ. A shorter term costs more per month and less in total interest. For a move that is planned, saving the amount monthly costs no interest at all.

Compare the financed total with the cost of saving in advance. A move with a known date is a good candidate for saving, and the only reason to borrow is that the date is close or the move is unexpected.

Full service against DIY

A full-service move is expensive and reduces the physical work and the risk of injury. A truck rental with hired labour is cheaper and requires the household to pack and load, which is realistic for a small move and less so for a large one.

The middle option is a portable container: the company drops a container, the household loads it, the company moves it and the household unloads it. It is cheaper than full service and less physically demanding than a truck rental.

Ask each option for a written quote on the same inventory. A mover who quotes without seeing the contents is guessing, and the price can change on the day.

Protecting the move

Ask about the mover's liability and the valuation coverage. Basic carrier liability is calculated by weight, not by value, and it rarely covers the replacement cost of electronics or furniture. Full-value protection costs more and pays more.

Check the mover's licence and registration where the jurisdiction requires one, and check the company's complaint record. Interstate movers in the United States are registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and the registration can be verified.

Photograph valuable items before the move and keep the inventory list. A damage claim without evidence is difficult, and the photographs are the evidence.

When to move and when to store

If the new home is not ready, storage may be necessary, but the monthly cost accumulates. Ask whether the movers can hold the goods on the truck or in a warehouse and what the difference in cost is.

If the move is flexible, an off-peak date can cost less. The end of the month is the busiest and most expensive time, and a mid-month move can be materially cheaper for the same service.

If the move is for work, ask about the relocation package before paying for anything. Reimbursement is often available but requires receipts and a prior approval, and spending first can forfeit the benefit.

Ask the mover for the valuation coverage options in writing and compare the cost with the value of what is being moved. Basic liability is by weight, which is rarely enough for electronics and furniture.

Ask whether the quote includes stairs, a long carry, packing materials and the reassembly of furniture. Those add-ons are common and are frequently excluded from the initial estimate.

Ask what the mover's claims process is and how long you have to report damage. A claim filed after the deadline is a claim that is denied.

Where these figures come from

Related pages

• Moving costs by state and province
• Storage unit costs
• Loan payment calculator
• Affordability calculator

Frequently asked questions