Moving can be a difficult process, both emotionally and physically. There’s the anxiety of settling in an unfamiliar city and the exhausting task of transporting all of your belongings from one place to another. And if those aren’t challenging enough, moving can also be costly. Professional moving fees are usually budgeted for, but there are several other unexpected expenses that can very quickly add up to a huge tab.
To anyone considering relocating, these are some of the things you should know to be financially prepared for:
What Affects the Price of Your Move?
Many things affect the price of moving, but these three are the major factors to consider:
• How far you’re traveling
Whether it’s to another city, on the other side of the US, or in a different country altogether, the distance you and your belongings travel will affect the total bill of your move.
• How much you’re transporting
The size and volume of your items are also a huge factor. For instance, moving huge furniture and appliances such as couches, beds, and refrigerators require a lot of space. More things also equate to more packing involved.
• When you’re relocating
Finally, when you plan on moving has an effect on professional moving fees. The peak season for moving is summer because children are out of school, work has more flexible hours, and the weather is better. If you’re moving at this time of the year, know that prices tend to be a little higher because of the increased demand for professional moving services or moving vehicles.
What Expenses to Expect from Moving
This list, though by no means exhaustive, covers the most common expenses in moving that are both expected and unexpected.
• Moving services and miscellaneous fees
Professional moving services are not entirely cheap, especially if you’re planning to pack up and move a lot of things. Other than getting to skip all the heavy lifting, the benefits of hiring movers are their experience and resources. They’re skilled, efficient, and reliable and can make your relocation safe and fast.
To add to their rates, you might have to set aside some funds for other fees. These include overnight fees to hold your things if you can’t move on the same day, stair fees if your apartment doesn’t have an elevator, parking fees, and even parking tickets that moving companies won’t pay for.
• Moving insurance
If you have items that are fragile or valuable, you might consider getting moving insurance. This provides coverage for things that are damaged or lost during the move, whether it’s from wrongful storage, mechanical or electrical accidents, or natural disasters.
• Packing supplies
If moving without professional help, you would have to purchase the packing supplies yourself. These include boxes, packing tape, packing peanuts, and foam pouches.
• Temporary storage
A delay or miscalculation on how much stuff you can move to your new place might create a need for temporary storage.
• Hotel stays and pet lodging
Overnight accommodation is a common expense for long-distance moves or delays with the process. Additionally, those who have pets also often have to find temporary boarding for their furry friends. Animals can be a distraction during the move and they can also feel anxious from strangers filter in and out and loud noises.
• Apartment fees
Other than rent, most apartments require security deposits as well as first and last months’ rent as a fee. There are even landlords who require move-in fees which, unlike security deposits, are non-refundable. When you settle in a new place, you also have to set up new utilities such as electricity, water, gas, cable, and the internet.
• Restocking home essentials
There are some items professional movers don’t move, such as perishables. To make your new place feel like home, you will have to restock on essentials like groceries and pantry items.
How to Cut Moving Costs
Whether you’re moving by choice or by necessity, there are a few ways to cut down on the overall costs of moving.
• Get a relocation loan
You might not be aware that it’s possible to get financial support for moving. There are personal loans specifically set up as relocation loans that can cover the costs of moving in-state or across the country. These loans include coverage for all the costs mentioned, even security deposits and first and last months’ rent.
• Get rid of your belongings before moving
For people relocating somewhere far, it’s usually better to get rid of belongings and purchase what you need there. That way, you won’t have to pay for storage for what you can’t fit into your new place.
• Get free help
If you’re not moving far or you don’t have a lot of belongings to begin with, consider enlisting the help of your family and friends. This can cut down costs significantly without professional services involved. Also try to look for cheaper supplies, such as free moving boxes from grocery stores or recycling centers, or buy in bulk to cut down on costs.
• Plan ahead
Because moving is often a challenging process, there’s no substitute for proper planning. Choose the right season to move to get the best deals from moving companies. Get parking permits near your building to avoid getting penalized. And set aside a budget for these expenses for better financial planning.
