Moving Guides
Guides and calculation methods
Practical explanations of the budgeting rules, formulas, and assumptions behind each MoveIn calculator, so you can check how every estimate is reached.
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Featured guides by moving phase
Each guide explains the inputs and rules of thumb used in the related calculators.
Apartment & Housing
Upfront move-in costs
How deposits, application fees, first month's rent, and utility setup combine into a move-in budget. Pairs with the Move-In Cost Calculator.
Moving Costs
Truck rental sizing
How truck size is matched to room count and volume, with the formulas for mileage, fuel, and rental days. Pairs with the Truck Rental Calculator.
Packing
Packing supply rules of thumb
Common box, tape, and bubble wrap quantities based on room size and item count, with the arithmetic behind each figure. Pairs with the Packing Supplies Calculator.
How the numbers work
The assumptions behind every calculator
Each calculator states its inputs and applies a simple, visible formula. Distance models use the route length you enter, multiplied by a per-mile or per-kilometer fuel rate. Volume estimates convert room dimensions into cubic feet, then divide by the capacity of the chosen box or truck.
Labor hours are calculated from crew size and estimated job volume, and storage duration is multiplied by the monthly unit rate you supply. These are planning estimates built from your own figures, not certified quotes.