When people think of moving, stress and worry are usually the first to come to mind. And making the moving day as stress-free as possible is what makes the whole relocation process more bearable. However, this is not possible if you keep worrying about all the expenses while movers are lifting your sofa. Taking everything and all possible scenarios into consideration is the only way to put your mind at ease. If you create a realistic moving budget and stick to it, you will feel a weight lift off your shoulders, even if you are moving to another state. And here’s how to financially plan for your relocation.
Hiring a moving company
Some people believe that it’s too expensive to hire a moving company. However, hiring movers will not only make the relocation more comfortable, but they can actually help you save some money. But it’s necessary to do thorough research to find a reliable company. If you’ve got trustworthy movers by your side, these are some of the things to keep in mind when creating a moving budget.
Moving fee or base rate
Moving companies charge by the distance and the weight/volume of your belongings. Once you narrow your choice down to a couple of companies, you can compare the moving quotes. But know that a company with a suspiciously low quote is usually not a good choice. Beware of the small print and hidden costs. Also, the fact that a particular company gave you the highest quote doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re the best.
Packing services
You must find out if some additional services are included in the price or not. Once you check out the services the moving company provides, consider paying for them if this can save your precious time. While movers can pack your belongings, you can also do this yourself if you have time and patience. Just make sure that, if you are planning an interstate move on short notice, you will need to learn how to prepare in a couple of days and pack quickly.
Specialty items fee
When creating a moving budget, some people forget that it’s more expensive to move items such as a pool table, piano, or art. These are called specialty items, and moving companies usually charge extra for moving them as they require careful packing and more attention during transport.
Create a realistic moving budget when organizing a DIY move
Self-moving usually seems like an inexpensive idea, but this does not have to be the case. Either way, there are certain key factors that you need to include in your moving budget.
Rental truck and gas
The costs of renting a truck will depend on the distance between your old and new home and the truck size, among other factors. If your new home is further than 50 miles away from your old home, gas costs can become a significant part of your overall cost.
You might have also noticed that the volume of your belongings affects your moving expenses whether you’re self-moving or hiring movers, which is why you should consider decluttering. There are more reasons to do it besides downsizing, and this is one of them. Your relocation will be both cheaper and more manageable.
Rental equipment
If you’re hiring a moving company, you don’t have to think about getting a dolly, ramp, and other similar pieces of equipment, as the guys behind A2B Moving and Storage already have everything you need. These are necessary for relocation, so if you’re moving by yourself, you need to rent or buy this.
Packing supplies
To protect your belongings, you need to find quality packing materials. You can get free boxes at a grocery store, but this might not be the best option for all of your items. Also, if you’re thinking about using older boxes, know that they might fall apart. In case you want to find the balance, invest in good and firm containers at least to protect the most fragile items. Use packing paper or peanuts as well to prevent these items from moving around the box. Packing tape is necessary to fixate the fragile items and secure the boxes. Also, you should use labels to know what’s in each box. Finally, other helpful supplies, such as moving blankets or protective corners, can prevent potential damage to your belongings.
Storage fee
During or after relocation, there’s a chance you’ll need storage for some of your items. Perhaps you will have to move out before your new home is ready for moving in. Alternatively, your new house might be too small to fit all of your belongings, so you need to find a place for them. Either way, if you need these services, you should find a good facility and check the storage fee. Many moving companies provide storage services, so you probably won’t have to look too far.
Moving insurance
After you pack your belongings with care, you might feel lucky and decide not to buy insurance. And if despite that, your precious belongings get damaged, such a decision might turn out to have been wrong. Unfortunately, accidents happen, and compensation can be very useful. However, know that basic coverage that moving companies provide is usually not enough, especially for valuable items. The best way to protect yourself is to get complete coverage. It will take a part of your budget, but you’ll get adequately compensated in case of an unfortunate event.
After moving in
Once you move in, your house won’t feel like home, even after you unpack. Of course, you’ve brought your belongings with you, but there will surely be a need for a new piece of furniture, or appliances. Also, you may have to pay some money to set up your utilities. Home essentials can add up, no matter how inexpensive individual items might be. To create a realistic moving budget, you need to include these costs as well. If there’s a need for additional minor renovations, it’s necessary to plan your fund accordingly. In the end, it’ll be worth it, since you will have a new home to live in and without having exceeded your budget.