Furniture is often the hardest and most expensive item to move. Given the costs involved, homeowners often wonder: “Is it cheaper to move furniture or buy new furniture?” Before answering this question, there are several factors you’ll have to consider, such as the quality of your furnishings and the distance you need to travel. In most instances, shipping furniture is more economical, but not always. In this blog, we’ll break down the key variables to help you decide which option makes the most sense for you.

This guide covers the move furniture vs buy new furniture decision, including shipping costs, furniture condition, resale value, and sentimental value.

Should I Pay To Have Professionals Move Our Furniture or Just Buy New Furniture?

Moving Furniture vs. Buying Furniture

Before determining whether to buy new furniture, you’ll need to know how much it will cost to transport your current belongings. Shipping fees are normally based on three things.

• Weight. Transporting heavy items requires more fuel, which has a big impact on carrier costs. Due to weight limits, shipping heavy furniture reduces the amount of cargo the truck can carry, which lowers efficiency and increases cost per shipment.
• Volume. Moving trucks don’t have unlimited capacity. Large objects means companies have to accommodate fewer items, so they charge more to make up for the lost space.
• Distance. Hauling objects cross country not only consumes more fuel, but ties up vehicles, manpower, and equipment for longer periods. It also complicates logistics and increases vehicle mileage, leading to higher organizational and maintenance costs, all of which are factored into your price.

Our moving calculator can help you estimate the total moving cost and overall pricing for your move. Shipping is normally the most sensible option for short distance small moves or long haul moves and local moves but a small amount of furniture; but for relocations that are going out of state, and require interstate moving services, the picture is more complicated. In addition to transportation costs, homeowners also need to think about:

Furniture Prices

Buying new furniture isn’t cheap. Depending on what you’re purchasing, costs could range from several hundred to several thousand dollars ‒ far more than what you’d pay to ship it across the country.

Furniture Condition

Shipping old, worn-out items typically costs more than they’re worth. The same is true of low-value items, like flat-pack furniture, which is only designed to last a few years. In both cases, you’re probably better off spending money on new furnishings rather than paying to ship what you currently have. Well-built pieces, on the other hand, can last for years, especially if they’re in good condition, so moving them is normally a smart investment.

Furniture Size

Transporting oversized, oddly shaped furniture requires a lot of space and a lot of fuel, which is why moving companies generally charge more for them. Shipping these items is also risky. They’re not just hard to carry but often require careful dismantling and custom crating. Because they need such intricate preparation, it’s often more cost-effective to sell large pieces of furniture rather than ship them.

Resale Value

Antique, vintage, and custom-made furniture not only enhances your comfort and surroundings, but is often worth thousands of dollars, sometimes tens of thousands. Transporting these items isn’t always easy, but since their resale value is so high, their shipping costs are almost always less than the cost of purchasing a replacement.

Sentimental Value

It’s hard to put a price tag on family heirlooms. Furniture that’s been passed down through generations keeps us connected to our roots, giving it a personal significance that outweighs its transportation costs.

Ship Furniture Strategically

The decision to move furniture or replace it depends mainly on your circumstances. Most homes contain a mix of furnishings, some of which they can afford to leave behind. When planning your move, concentrate on valuable, well-built, or antique items first. Old, worn, and low-value furniture is easy to replace, so only bring it if you have room.

Final Considerations

Shipping furniture long-distance can significantly increase the cost of your move, so make sure you weigh the pros and cons carefully before making your final decision, especially if you’re working with a tight budget. Moving furniture:

• Saves Time. Instead of shopping for new furniture, you can furnish your home with the items you already own.
• Protects Your Investments. Replacing furniture with high resale value is expensive but shipping it preserves the value of your belongings.
• Safeguards Cherished Items. Family heirlooms have emotional value that can’t be replaced or replicated by purchasing new furnishings.

On the other hand, purchasing new furniture:

• Lowers Shipping Costs. Transporting furniture over long distances is potentially costly, especially if its resale value is low.
• Reduces Hassle. Purchasing items saves you time and effort, decreasing the amount of work necessary to complete your move.
• Creates a Fresh Look. Buying new furniture lets you update your style and take advantage of new materials.

For most homeowners, deciding whether to move a piece of furniture is part of the decluttering process. Keep the above criteria in mind when evaluating your furnishings, to determine whether it makes sense to move it or replace it.

Budget Moving Services

Whether you need help moving a couch or an entire bedroom set, North America’s full-service moving teams at Budget Moving Services provide safe, reliable, and convenient moving services, solutions, and support every step of the way. From planning to packing to shipping, storage, and final delivery, we handle the heavy lifting so you can concentrate on the adventure ahead. Contact us today for a free quote!

Related Guides: Move Furniture vs Buy New Furniture

This article is part of our Moving Cost Guide, our complete resource on moving costs. These related articles cover the next steps:

• Hourly Movers vs Flat Rate
• Moving Quotes vs Moving Estimates
• State to State Moving Costs
• How Much Do Local Movers Cost Per Hour?

Need a hand? Explore our moving prices or get a free moving quote. Before you hire any mover, you can verify its USDOT number with the FMCSA’s Protect Your Move resource.

Atlanta | Budget Moving Services

Local Moving and Storage Company Owner since 2010 in Metro-Atlanta and Gwinnet County for Residential, Commercial, and Specialty Moves such as Senior Moving, Military Moving Services, and more. The agents at Budget Moving and I also work as Real Estate Agents in Atlanta, Florida, and North Carolina. We also work with agents in various industries relating to Real Estate Property Development for Residential and Commercial Properties, Moving and Storage, and Logistics in order to understand and offer a stress-free full-service moving and storage service-based solution. Which is also why we specialize in residential, commercial, military, senior, and junk removal services and gather different POVs in multiple industries to provide our past, present, and future consumers with as much information as possible.Moving industry professional.