What movers charge
For a move within a town or a region, most companies charge by the hour for each mover, with a minimum number of hours, plus a fee for the truck or the drive to you. The hours run from the moment the crew arrives to the moment the last box is in, and stairs, a long walk from the truck or a piano add to them. Ask for a written quote that lists the hourly rate, the number of movers, the minimum and every extra fee, and compare at least two.
What doing it yourself really costs
A rental truck is cheap by the day and expensive by the mile: put in every trip, including the drive to return it. Moving trucks burn far more fuel than a car, and most must go back with the tank as full as you found it. Add the dolly and blankets, the rental's damage cover, and a day or two of your own time. The figure above counts the money, not the effort.
Moving to Gastonia from far away
Long-distance moves are priced on the weight or volume of your things and the distance, not by the hour. Get several written quotes after someone has seen what you are moving. A mover that carries household goods from one state to another must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and have a USDOT number: check it before you sign.
Then comes the move-in
The move is one bill; moving in is another: first month, deposit and fees. The move-in cost calculator adds them up, and the move-in inspection checklist protects the deposit from day one.