3-bedroom long-distance move (400-1,500 miles).
$6,000-$12,000 typical cost. Per-pound rates $0.15-$0.21/lb.
The shape of the move.
$6,000-$12,000 typical. Per-pound rates of $0.15-$0.21/lb (MoveBuddha + Allied 2026). Dedicated truck or large shared-load consolidation. 7-14 day delivery window, full-day pack and full-day load.
What you're actually paying for.
Per-pound × 8,000-12,000 lb = $1,200-$2,520 line-haul. Packing services + materials $600-$1,500. Full-value insurance on a $100,000+ household value = $1,000-$3,000. Crew per-diem and lodging at this distance is meaningful.
What competitors won't tell you upfront.
Specialty items hit hardest: piano ($300-$1,200 cross-country), pool table ($500-$1,500), antique crating ($200-$1,000 per piece), gun safes ($400-$1,500 with stairs). At 3BR + long-distance, full-value insurance is non-negotiable.
Anti-pattern detection.
Reasonable: comprehensive in-home survey by FMCSA-registered mover, binding-not-to-exceed quote, written 7-14 day delivery window, COI for destination building. Suspicious: anyone quoting without a survey, large deposit, lack of FMCSA SAFER registration.