Why does the quote include the return journey?

Because the vehicle has to get back and the operator prices for it. On a one-way move that effectively doubles the per-kilometre rate, and it is the line most often misread when comparing quotes.

Is transit insurance worth it?

Almost always. At around one and a half percent of declared value it is a small part of the bill and the only cover against the single risk a move carries.

Everydayhome

Moving Cost Calculator

Moving cost by home size and distance, including the return leg that most quotes bury and the floor charges that surprise people on moving day. Transit insurance at one and a half percent of declared value is the cheapest part of the bill and the most often declined.

Also called: packers and movers cost, relocation cost calculator.

Moving cost

₹50,000

₹50,000 to move 350 km, of which ₹24,500 is transport and ₹18,000 packing. Packing and loading scales with volume rather than floor area, so the two bedroom band sets 18000 of the bill before anything moves. There are no floor charges, which is worth confirming in writing before the day. Transit insurance of 7500 is 15% of the bill and the only cover against the one risk a move carries. Transport includes the vehicle returning empty, which is why 350 km costs 24500 rather than 12250.

Packing and loading

₹18,000

Transport

₹24,500

Floor charges

₹0

Transit insurance

₹7,500

Cost a kilometre

₹143

Size multiplier

1.5

On the size

Packing and loading scales with volume rather than floor area, so the two bedroom band sets 18000 of the bill before anything moves. There are no floor charges, which is worth confirming in writing before the day.

On insurance

Transit insurance of 7500 is 15% of the bill and the only cover against the one risk a move carries. Transport includes the vehicle returning empty, which is why 350 km costs 24500 rather than 12250.

How this is calculated

The estimate

Item	Amount	Share
Packing and loading	₹18,000	36%
Transport	₹24,500	49%
Floor charges	₹0	0%
Transit insurance	₹7,500	15%

Method and background

How this is calculated

Packing and loading scales with the volume of a home rather than its floor area, so the size band does most of the work. Distance is charged per kilometre and usually includes the vehicle returning empty, which effectively doubles the rate on a one-way move and is the line most often misread in a quote. Floor charges apply where there is no lift and are per floor per trip, which adds up quickly on a third floor walk-up. Insurance is the item to buy: at one and a half percent of declared value it is a small fraction of the bill, and it is the only protection against the one risk a move actually carries.

a base charge scaled by home size, plus a distance charge that usually includes the return leg

b: Base charge
m: Size multiplier
k: Return factor

Worked examples

Each of these is asserted on every build. If a change to the engine ever moved one of these answers, the build would fail before the page could print it.

a two bedroom move of 350 km

Size of home: Two bedroom
Distance: 350 km
Base packing and loading charge: ₹12,000
Transport a kilometre: ₹35
Floors without a lift: 0
Charge a floor: ₹800
Transit insurance: Basic, 1.5% of value
Declared value of goods: ₹5,00,000
Vehicle returns empty: Yes

Moving cost₹50,000

12000 x 1.5, plus 350 km both ways at 35, plus 1.5% of 500,000

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a one way vehicle halves the transport

Size of home: Two bedroom
Distance: 350 km
Base packing and loading charge: ₹12,000
Transport a kilometre: ₹35
Floors without a lift: 0
Charge a floor: ₹800
Transit insurance: Basic, 1.5% of value
Declared value of goods: ₹5,00,000
Vehicle returns empty: No

Moving cost₹37,750

boundary: the return leg is the line most often misread in a quote

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Method and limits

What it assumes

A single vehicle load, since a second vehicle changes the structure of the quote.

What it deliberately does not model

Storage between dates, dismantling of large furniture and specialist packing are charged separately.
Peak season and month-end demand raise rates substantially in most cities.

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Frequently asked questions

Why does the quote include the return journey?: Because the vehicle has to get back and the operator prices for it. On a one-way move that effectively doubles the per-kilometre rate, and it is the line most often misread when comparing quotes.
Is transit insurance worth it?: Almost always. At around one and a half percent of declared value it is a small part of the bill and the only cover against the single risk a move carries.