When planning a commercial move, one of the biggest considerations is budgeting for moving costs. Commercial moving company rates can vary greatly depending on several different factors. Understanding what affects the pricing will help businesses get accurate estimates and select the right moving company for their needs and budget. The top 5 factors that influence commercial moving rates are:
Distance of the Move
One of the primary determinants of cost is the distance that items need to be transported. Long-distance commercial moves require more time, labor, and fuel which drives up expenses. Moving companies determine pricing based on zones that show the estimated costs for local, intrastate, and interstate relocations. Local moves within the same city will generally have the lowest base rates as the distance is short. For example, moving from one office to another a few miles away may cost around $2-$3 per pound. Moves within the same state but further away can range from $3-$5 per pound on average. Crossing state lines makes a move long distance which increases rates to $5-$7 per pound or more depending on the exact distance.
Size of the Commercial Space
How much square footage needs to be relocated is another major determinant of commercial moving costs. Transporting office furniture, equipment, supplies, inventory, and other goods from a larger commercial space requires more labor hours and truck capacity. Move quotes will be based on the physical dimensions of the space being emptied.
Type of Items Being Moved
What exactly needs to be relocated also influences pricing. General office items like desks, chairs, and filing cabinets pose fewer challenges than heavy machinery, specialized electronics, or manufacturing equipment. Moving companies have differing levels of experience and equipment required to handle different classifications of goods.
Timing and Scheduling of the Move
When a move takes place it also impacts the commercial rates. Moves happening on weekends typically demand overtime pay so quotes will show weekend premiums of around 10-20% over standard weekday pricing. Rush jobs with very short notice of only a few days usually have surcharges of 25-50% due to the limited availability of crews and trucks on short notice.
Other Value-Added Services
Many commercial clients need additional services beyond basic transportation that get factored into total rates. Storage solutions are commonly utilized before or after a corporate relocation when the timing of occupancy changes. Short-term self-storage at secure, climate-controlled locations preserves belongings during transition periods. Options like full-service packing, transportation, self storage, and unpacking provide convenience through one point of contact but come at a premium cost. Customized quotation requests that outline needs for value-added services help facilitate competitive bidding among professional commercial movers.
Conclusion
With thorough planning that considers the key influencers above, businesses can make informed selections of moving companies best equipped to handle their specific relocation at responsive pricing. Reputable national moving brands provide the coverage capabilities and certifications necessary to deliver consistent commercial moves safely across any distance. Local mom-and-pop operations may offer competitive rates for small local job requirements through nimbleness and local market familiarity. Factor diversity allows enterprises to efficiently organize office or facility relocations within designated budgets.
