Moving is not only a stressful experience, but it can also be an expensive one when using a professional moving service. While a small studio apartment move across town may only involve charges of $750, a 4-bedroom home moved across country can easily top $20,000. With that amount of money involved, it’s a good idea to be aware of additional charges that may be added to your final moving total, and to prepare by either budgeting for them in advance or avoiding them altogether. This article walks you through some of the most common ones, as well as offers some ways to avoid them.

NOTE: It may be too late to dispute the charges once the movers have arrived at your destination, in that most moving companies insist on being paid in full before they move a single box or piece of furniture into your new place. Be sure to get an estimate in writing beforehand and mention each of these fees specifically.

Surprise Fee 1: Accessorial Charges

What It Means

Some moving companies tend to group a number of different fees together into one category rather than going to the trouble of listing each one out, which makes it difficult to dispute. These services could include a number of different things, including packing and unpacking, taking apart or re-assembling furniture, making an additional stop at a storage unit for pick up or delivery, keeping the movers waiting, etc.

How to Avoid It

Plan your move ahead of time, eliminate unnecessary services, and be ready for the movers when they arrive.

Surprise Fee 2: Advanced Charges or Fees

What It Means

These are fees for which the movers have paid a third party, or “advanced” funds for. A classic example would be if the movers had to bring in additional help to move a grand piano, or professional workman to disassemble a mantle. Because the movers had to pay someone on your behalf, you have to reimburse the movers.

How to Avoid It

Take care of additional services in advance before the moving company arrives, and pay third parties directly. If nothing else, it should save time and confusion on Moving Day and eliminate any mark-ups the moving company is charging.

Surprise Fee 3: Appliance Service Fees

What It Means

If you need to have your movers either disconnect appliances from your old place or reconnect appliances at your new place, some movers may charge you for this.

How to Avoid It

There are two primary solutions for these fees- either negotiate them being eliminated from the charges or arrange for someone who knows what they’re doing to take care of it for you.

Surprise Fee 4: Auxiliary Service

What It Means

This is usually “moving speak” for the fact that the movers can’t easily get their moving truck near your old place, either because of parking issues or because there isn’t enough clearance for a large moving truck. It may require the moving company to use a smaller truck and then transfer the items to a second, larger truck.

How to Avoid It:

If the potential issue is parking, you need to make arrangements well in advance of your Moving Day to get neighbors to be willing to move their cars that morning. If your home, however, is located with a long, narrow driveway, for example, you may have to negotiate this one.

Surprise Fee 5: Elevator Carry/ Flight Charge

What It Means

Not surprisingly, these fees apply to those moving either to or from a location with multiple floors. The difficulty of moving belongings up and down stairs or fitting them into elevators can result in these fees being assessed.

How to Avoid It

You need to establish with your mover in advance what exactly these charges may be, and if steps you can take (like reserving the elevator in an apartment building) can get them reduced or eliminated.

Surprise Fee 6: Expedited Service

What It Means

Despite its name, your move may not be so much expedited as it might be just provided with a guaranteed delivery date. Just including that date in the contract might result in this fee.

How to Avoid It

The only real option you have for this one is being flexible with your arrival date and packing enough essentials to take with you to avoid needing your belongings sooner.

Surprise Fee 7: Linehaul Charges

What It Means

Linehaul charges are fairly typical on long distance moves, and are calculated based on the total weight of the items you’re moving and the distance you’re traveling.

How to Avoid It:

Unfortunately, this might be the one fee where you have little room to negotiate. Your only options are to budget in advance and be prepared.

Knowing about these 7 potential surprise fees should put you in good shape to reduce your moving costs to an absolute minimum.

Don’t miss out! Use this link for more FREE moving tips on moving, relocation, movers, and your change of address. One of our most popular articles is our Address Change Guide, including tips and tricks on making the process easier. Also, please visit our Moving Tips and Checklist Blog, which publishes the very latest moving information. These resources are filled with articles, tips and advice on your move.

Good luck with your move!

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