Calculating Your Costs Before Moving Day

Moving to a new home can be exciting—but let’s be honest, it can also sneak up on your wallet if you’re not prepared. I’m Brian Green, owner of Just Move It and a proud veteran serving the greater Orlando area. I’ve helped hundreds of families move across Central Florida, and one thing I hear time and again is, “I didn’t realize it would cost this much!”

So let’s fix that.

Whether you’re hiring professional movers like us, going full DIY, or somewhere in between, this guide will help you calculate every cost before moving day so you’re not caught off guard.

1. Start with the Big Picture: Are You Hiring Movers or Doing It Yourself?

Before you get into the nitty-gritty, figure out what kind of move you’re planning:

Full-Service Move: Movers handle everything—packing, loading, transporting, and unloading.
Hybrid Move: You pack and prep, but hire movers to handle loading and driving.
DIY Move: You rent a truck and handle it all yourself.

Each route has very different costs. Let’s break it all down.

2. Packing Materials: Don’t Underestimate This One

Packing supplies are the first moving cost most people run into—and they add up fast.

Here’s what to budget for:

Cardboard boxes or plastic bins
Bubble wrap or foam sheets
Packing paper or newspaper
Heavy-duty packing tape
Mattress bags or furniture covers
Stretch wrap for large items
Labels and markers

💡 Helpful Tip: One three-bedroom house typically needs 75–125 boxes. Depending on box sizes, expect to spend $150–$300+ just on materials unless you score free boxes from local stores or neighbors.

3. Moving Truck or Trailer Rental

If you’re going the DIY route, rental costs will vary depending on:

Size of truck or trailer
One-way vs. round trip
Rental company
Distance traveled
Fuel costs
Optional insurance

You might see an ad for a $29 truck rental, but with mileage, fuel, and fees, it’s often closer to $200–$300+ for local moves and $500+ for long-distance moves.

✅ Don’t forget: Most rental trucks get 10–12 MPG, so calculate gas based on the total miles of your move.

4. Professional Movers: What You’re Really Paying For

If you’re hiring a licensed moving company (like Just Move It), here’s what’s typically included:

Labor (loading and unloading)
Travel time to/from locations
Truck and equipment
Fuel costs
Insurance and liability coverage
Optional packing services

Movers usually charge by the hour for local moves and by weight/distance for long-distance moves.

🧾 Example: A local 2-bedroom move for an apartment on the ground level in Central Florida with 2 movers and a truck might cost around $400–$800, depending on how much stuff you’ve got and how many hours it takes.

📦 Pro Tip: Ask for a flat-rate quote or a detailed estimate. At Just Move It, we always walk through your home (virtually or in-person) so we can give you a no-surprises price.

5. Storage Costs (If There’s a Gap Between Moves)

Not moving in the same day? You might need temporary storage.

Self-storage unit: $80–$300/month depending on size and location
Portable storage container (like PODS): $150–$300/month plus drop-off/pick-up fees
Warehouse storage through movers: Often priced by volume and length of time

If you’re building a new home or dealing with a delay, factor in at least one month of storage costs.

6. Road Trip Costs: Moving Out of Town

Moving out of Apopka? Long-distance or out-of-state moves often come with extra expenses:

Gas
Hotels (if it’s a multi-day drive)
Tolls
Food and drinks on the road
Unexpected car or trailer maintenance

⛽ Pro Tip: Budget around $200–$300/day for a cross-state move, especially if you’re traveling with pets or kids.

7. Utility Set-Up and Transfer Fees

This one’s easy to forget until you’re in a dark, Wi-Fi-less house.

Check with:

Electric provider (Duke Energy in Apopka)
Water/trash services (City of Apopka Utilities)
Internet and cable (Spectrum or AT&T)
Gas, if applicable

Some providers charge setup or transfer fees, ranging from $25–$100 each.

8. Cleaning Services

Whether you’re selling, ending a lease, or moving into a home that needs TLC, cleaning can take up time you don’t have.

Hiring a cleaning crew usually runs:

Move-out clean: $150–$300
Deep move-in clean: $200–$400

If your old place isn’t spotless, you could risk losing your security deposit—so sometimes this is money well spent.

9. Hidden or Overlooked Costs

Let’s talk about the stuff that creeps up when you’re not paying attention:

Tips for movers (typically 10–20%)
Snacks and water for helpers
Pet boarding or daycare during the move
Childcare
Rental equipment (dollies, furniture pads, straps)
New furniture or appliances
Boxes and trash disposal fees
Repairs from moving damage

🧮 When we help clients move at Just Move It, we always suggest adding 10–15% padding to your budget for these types of expenses.

10. How to Stay Organized with Your Moving Budget

Here’s a simple checklist to help you total your moving costs:

Expense Category	Estimated Range
Packing Supplies	$150–$300
Truck Rental	$200–$500+
Professional Movers	$400–$2,500+
Storage	$80–$300/month
Travel Costs	$200–$300+/day
Cleaning Services	$150–$400
Utilities Setup	$50–$200
Hidden Costs Buffer	Add 10–15% extra

You can also use a spreadsheet or a moving app to track and adjust your numbers as you get quotes.

Need a Hand? Let’s Make It Easy

At Just Move It, we offer free quotes (no pressure, no surprises) and can help you figure out the total cost of your move—whether you need help loading a few items or moving across the state.

We’re based right here in Central Florida and proud to help families and businesses move across Apopka, Ocoee, Orlando, and beyond.

👉 Ready to get a moving quote you can actually trust?
Fill out our quick form and we’ll get back to you with a detailed, honest estimate—no hidden fees, no nonsense.