Are you looking to move to Richmond, Virginia? Perhaps you're relocating for a new job, or you recently got married, or maybe you just acquired a new home. Whichever the case, relocating is a pain, and you probably have countless concerns and questions.
Maybe you're yet to figure out how to move all your stuff and furniture to your new house or apartment. And you can't decide whether you should do it yourself or have a moving company movers do it for you.
But what's the cost of moving to Richmond anyway? This might just be the big question. And in all honesty, it is a tough one, as relocation costs could vary greatly depending on your unique needs and many other factors.
Luckily, you won't need to fret about that. This article will cover all you need to know about relocating to Richmond and help you draw a moving budget you can work with. But first, let’s see what there is to love about Richmond.
What's to Love About Richmond
Virginia's capital has numerous facets. But here are a few that make residents love living in this city.
Diverse Neighborhoods
Richmond boasts a wide range of neighborhoods, each suiting different tastes and needs. The city is nestled on the banks of the James River and features some breathtaking views. In fact, this is how Richmond earned its name – the view of the James from the edge of Church Hill is more like a duplicate of River Richmond's in England.
Oregon Hill, Shockoe Slip, Shockoe Bottom, Rocketts Landing, and Church Hill are among the neighborhoods that feature these spectacular views. If you're into historic properties, Church Hill, which hosts the famous St. John's Church - where Patrick Henry delivered the iconic "Give me Liberty or Give me Death" speech - is your stop.
Rocketts Landing, on the other hand, is the place to go if you want a townhouse or condo with views of the James River. It also features a boat club and marina, two pools, many restaurants, and stunning city views.
Heading downtown, houses at Shockoe Slip and Shockoe Bottom weave alongside the canal. The region is renowned for its biking and hiking trails, whereas their counterpart Oregon Hill, boasts a mix of contemporary and ancient architecture.
Ideally Situated
At the center of Virginia, Richmond is only a two-hour drive from Virginia Beach, Washington DC, and the Chesapeake Bay. It also brings you to the intersection of Interstates 64 and 95, which is only two hours away from Blue Ridge Mountain and even closer to Charlottesville wine country.
Unlike DC or NYC, Richmond's traffic is pretty forgiving, with an average commute of roughly 21 minutes. Therefore, the odds of encountering hours-long delays or road rage are minimal.
Entertainment and Arts
Richmond's arts and entertainment scene is diverse, with several fantastic theaters, including the Virginia Opera, Carpenter Theater, Richmond Ballet, and Altria Theatre. Richmond Ballet offers dancing lessons to youngsters, and there are plenty of large and small productions throughout different venues.
Every first Friday of each month, Richmond's Art District lights up, with the city swinging its doors open to embrace its creative and artistic culture. Street art and murals brighten the street, while the galleries and museums showcase some of the county's best artworks.
Carytown, a nine-block cluster of odd businesses and eateries, has an inclusive, non-conformist, and free-thinking culture. With all these offerings, it's apparent that Richmond is a "hipster's" utopia for any art buffs.
Recreation and Sports
Richmond is also a recreation and sports enthusiast's paradise. It is home to the Flying Squirrels baseball and Richmond Kickers soccer teams. And if you're a basketball buff, you can watch the Virginia Commonwealth University basketball team, one of the best in the college basketball league. Even more impressive, the northern edge of town features a NASCAR track that you can visit for some racing action.
Outdoor activities are nearly limitless for those who enjoy being outside. From jogging and fishing at Floodwall Park to whitewater rafting at Pony Pasture Rapids, there's something for everyone. The city is also notable for bird watching, with spectacular scenery at the Pipeline.
Golf enthusiasts can choose from a variety of public and private courses. The Crossings, Glenwood Golf Club, and Belmont are among the best public golf courses in the area. Those who wish to join a country club have many options, including The Foundry, The Hermitage Country Club, The Dominion Club, The Lakeside Park Club, Willow Oaks, and The Country Club of Virginia.
Intricate Cuisine
Richmond is a fantastic city to take your taste buds on a stroll. You can have everything from iconic pumpkin pies to more exquisite delicacies by award-winning chefs like Sally. And let's not even get started on the specialty cocktails worth trying at the Quirk Hotel's Maple And Pine.
In fact, in 2018, the city was home to the only restaurant in Virginia to cut it to Yelp's Top 100.
Factors to Consider Before Moving to Richmond
When you reach out to us or any professional moving company for a quote, you'll be expected to answer a series of questions designed to help us come up with an accurate estimate.
In other words, no two moving scenarios are ever the same, so we must first understand the specifics of the relocation to generate accurate rates. These specifics include:
Moving Distance and Travel Costs
Customers often get a quote over the phone for short-distance moves, say, under 100 miles, based on the volume of items requiring transport. Because the distance is shorter and the fees are simple to estimate, you'll often be charged at a flat rate instead of by the mile.
However, long-distance moves are rarely subject to flat fees. Picking one of the top interstate movers to help you relocate across state lines or more than 100 miles away will be more costly due to the additional time, fuel, and mileage expenses. Here are the average costs for both local and long-distance moves:
- Neighborhood relocation within the same city could range roughly between $900 and $2,400.
- Relocating to a different city in the same state could cost about $5,600.
- Cross-country or interstate relocation can range from $5,700 to $10,000.
Home Size
A person relocating between fully furnished apartments will have fewer belongings that involve weighty lifting by multiple movers. Since all there is to transport will likely be personal possessions in boxes, the overall cost can be lower.
On the other hand, a fully equipped four-bedroom house will take much longer to pack and relocate. It would also demand a bigger truck to accommodate the client's possessions and furniture.
For instance, moving the items of a furnished one-bedroom flat locally may cost somewhere between $240 and $500, whereas moving the items of a four- or five-bedroom house locally may cost up to $1,500, depending on the number of appliances and amount of furniture the customer wants to be moved.
Size and Type of Moving Vehicle
The moving truck size also influences moving costs. A smaller truck is less expensive because it may have higher fuel efficiency and less storage room. Moving a large family may necessitate hiring one or two 26-foot box trucks, and sometimes a 52-foot semi-truck and trailer. The larger the moving truck, the costlier the relocation.
Labor
Movers typically charge between $25 and $50 per hour. It is usual to be charged per hour and the number of movers. As the customer, you should anticipate paying $50 to $100 per hour to relocate the items of a modest apartment, as most relocation tasks involve at least two movers.
On the contrary, one should expect to pay at least $200 per hour for a larger household. The following charges are based on the number of movers involved:
- Two movers will cost between $50 and $100 per hour.
- Three movers will cost from $75 to $150 per hour.
- Four or more movers will cost between $100 and $200 per hour.
Accessibility
Movers will also consider the degree of accessibility to the house or apartment when generating an estimate. Moving bulky items and furniture on multiple flights of stairs will require more effort and time, not unless there's an elevator.
So, depending on how arduous it is to access your house, you may incur an additional $200 to $500 to the overall amount.
Season
Many people prefer relocating during summer time as the weather is more pleasant. That implies the demand for movers at the time could be high, leading to a surge in moving costs.
Up to 70% of all relocations occur between Memorial Day and Labor Day; therefore, you might want to consider rescheduling your relocation until the fall or winter, when moving services are readily available at affordable rates.
Tips for a Smooth and Less Costly Moving Experience
- Pack Your Own Stuff
This may sound trivial, but you'd be stunned how doing your own packing could help you save money. Although many moving companies can offer packing services, the option isn't cheap. The charges may vary between companies, but they are typically a couple of hundred dollars.
- Consider a Less Expensive Moving Date
The timing of your relocation can significantly impact your overall relocation costs. Generally, a mid-week, mid-month relocation is preferable. During these times, the demand for expert movers is lowest, resulting in reduced prices.
- Declutter
People always tend to have a lot of stuff they don't use or need lying around. If so, don't move it! Use this time to dispose of anything you don't necessarily need before relocation.
- Prep Your Electronics and Furniture
Unplug your appliances, bundle their cords, and take apart anything that requires disassembling, like furniture, for easy handling as you wait for the movers to arrive.
- Seek Out Free Moving Supplies and Boxes
Find free moving supplies and boxes from recycling drop-off points, office buildings, grocery stores, large retail stores, schools, and local liquor stores to save money. You could also discover free packing materials on local Facebook groups, Nextdoor.com, U-Haul Box Exchange, Freecycle, and Craigslist.
Professional Movers vs. DIY Moving in Richmond
If you're torn between employing full-service movers and a DIY move, ensure that you understand what the latter entails. Attempting to move everything yourself is tiring and arduous. And it may leave you incurring more than hiring professional, economic Richmond movers.
Bringing in a full-service moving company like Cavalier Moving saves you the stress and risk of injury from hard lifting and could also be your best cost-efficient solution.
Think about it; when moving everything yourself, you'll still need to rent one or two box trucks, pay per mile, and fill them with gas. You'll then need to persuade family and friends to help haul your stuff out of your current house onto the truck, then after you arrive, out of the vehicle, and into your new residence.
Plus, you may be forced to rent or buy dollies to carry bulky furniture safely. And let's not forget that purchasing relocation equipment yourself typically costs more than getting them directly from the moving pros.
Regardless of the upfront fees, you can't overlook the potential cost saving you enjoy from hiring expert movers. Consider how much you'd incur to fix scratched floors and walls or replace broken TVs and furniture if your friends or family help you with the relocation.
Average Cost of Moving in Richmond
The average moving expenses in Richmond could vary from one person to another, depending on how much time it takes to relocate. Like most cities, local rates will typically be charged by the hour for a specific number of movers.
The average quotation includes a two-person team, but if you have more stuff to move than the average person, it's best to hire a bigger team. It will cost more but will cut down the time you'd initially take to complete your relocation.
To estimate your moving expenses, multiply the hourly rate we provide on our quote by the projected hours required to finish your move. Then, include any additional services you need, such as furniture setup, packing supplies, etc.
If you're moving cross country, out of Virginia, or even out of Richmond, we'll consider that a long-distance move, for which we will offer you a binding relocation quote.
Why Choose Cavalier Moving
Relocating to a new city or apartment can be exhilarating. However, not everyone enjoys the actual relocation, and some are incapable of navigating the moving process themselves.
Luckily, professional movers like Cavalier Moving are a dependable source of aid for anyone who needs the task done fast and safely. So, why hire us?
Time Saving
Saving time is one of the primary reasons behind people hiring professional movers. Relocating a whole household of stuff is arduous and time-consuming, and most people have bustling schedules that don't spare much time for the task.
Letting a moving company handle the entire operation, from packing all your boxes to loading and unloading, speeds up the process.
Stress Reduction
Hiring movers also has psychological benefits. As mentioned earlier, relocation can be stressful. And it may prove liberating to delegate the process of packing, loading, and relocating tons of items to professionals.
You won't have to fret about creating the time to pack and relocate everything while still managing your family and work. Hiring movers is an excellent approach to making a stressful situation less distressing.
Injury Avoidance
Many clients choose to hire expert movers since it is practically safer. Some people could suffer from a medical condition, such as limited movement or a bad back, or they just don't want to put themselves at risk by heavy lifting.
If an accident occurs, demanding a trip to the hospital, the client may end up incurring more than the cost of hiring a moving company in the first place.
That said, contact us for your relocation needs in Richmond and beyond.