Understanding Costs Associated with an International Mover

When hiring an international mover, you need to consider several things, including cost. Unfortunately, this aspect of relocating overseas is one of the most misunderstood. Before you lock into a contract, take time to go over the information provided so that you will have a clearer understanding the pricing structure.

For starters, the price that you pay for international moving will depend on the volume of goods involved, their value, and the distance to the final destination. You can reduce some of the cost by having only necessary items shipped and then purchasing other things after your arrival.

As for shipping costs, a professional moving company will calculate the cubic feet within a shipping container required by your possessions. To come up with the volume, the expert will calculate the length times the depth times the height. For instance, a full-size refrigerator that measures six feet tall by three feet wide by two feet deep would take up 36 cubic feet of space.

As a good rule of thumb, a 1×20-foot container would accommodate a standard two to three-bedroom house, whereas a container measuring 1×40-foot would handle a four to five-bedroom house. Instead of you having to figure out the required space, an international mover will do that on your behalf.

There is also the issue of distance between the point of origin and the final destination. Now, some countries are more expensive than others, meaning that even when the distance isn’t as far, you could ultimately pay more. As a prime example, European countries are typically among the most expensive when shipping goods overseas.

You also need to consider miscellaneous costs, which can vary from one international mover to another. For instance, you could pay extra to have your possessions delivered to an apartment on a second level or higher without an elevator. Also, you would pay extra if the moving company has to use additional transportation such as a smaller delivery vehicle to maneuver narrow streets.

Finally, the cost that you spend to hire an international mover will vary depending on the mode of transportation, including ground, sea, and air, or perhaps a combination of two or more. Moving your goods by air will cost the most; however, your things will arrive quicker compared to shipping by sea. With your newfound knowledge and by asking a lot of questions of at least three reputable companies, you can choose the one that has the best service and the lowest price.