Hidden Cost of Moving and How To Avoid Them

Planning and preparing for a move is not only about a career change or lifestyle. It is a huge challenge that affects you emotionally, financially, and sometimes physically. Finances are a major concern if you are planning to relocate. We all know that moving is expensive and you need a budget. This moving budgetmoving budget will include the cost of living in a new city, the expenses of moving, and the cost of hiring a moving company. But the expenditure doesn’t end here, as several additional fees and expenses await you.

Most people believe that whatever the mover asked for the move, will be the moving cost, and they can easily manage that much money. However, they are not aware of the hidden costs of the relocation process. This article will help you learn about all these hidden costs of moving and how you can avoid them. Suggestions from the movers at Van Lines Move can be helpful to you, and you can easily manage these hidden costs.

Hidden costs & ways to avoid them

1.Packing supplies- Americans spend $250 on packing supplies and moving boxes. Packing supplies are the essentials of the moving process, and for the security of the belongings, no one wants to compromise with the quality of boxes and other packing materials. However, you can avoid expenses by collecting free empty boxes from different locations. Other than this, you can use old linens, rugs, carpets, and newspapers to wrap the items.

2.Storage unit rent- People rent storage units to keep their belongings safe during the transition. The rent of a storage unit starts around $100 and can go higher with the size and location. The reason why customers have to pick the storage option is the delay by the mover on the moving day. This fee for storage space can be avoided if you schedule the move for early morning. Decluttering is another way to reduce the storage fees. Smaller will be the items, and smaller will be the storage.

3.Hiring a Professional Mover- Moving companies registered with the FMCSA are bound to provide written moving estimates. There are two types of moving estimatesthat a professional mover will provide to the customer- Binding moving estimates and non-binding moving estimates. Collect multiple moving quotes from different movers and compare them. Also, confirm with the mover if the cost of extra help like moving equipment, disassembling furniture, and more, are included in the estimate. Moving prices for hiring a mover can be minimized by reducing the size and weight of the shipment and comparing multiple movers for affordable moving services.

4.Moving Date and Day- Picking a day on the weekend during the peak moving season- June and September can cost you a lot. The moving costs are higher for the first and last weekends of the month and can go higher than that if you move during the months when the movers are difficult to find. So, pick a weekday for your move and plan an off-season relocation.

5.Moving Insurance- Buying moving insurance for your move is crucial as it will act as a shield for your belongings throughout the move. A wide range of moving insurance can be purchased depending on the amount you are willing to spend. In many cases, movers inform the customer that they will provide the insurance for the move, but they do not mention that it is available at an extra cost. So, before saying yes to moving insurance learn about the type and coverage of the moving insurance. Moving insurance of any type will not ensure the protection of certain valuables like jewelry.

6.Stair or Elevator in the building- Most moving companies like Van Lines Move consider the cost of moving via stairs or elevator while preparing the moving quote. Some mover provides moving estimates by considering basic details like moving distance, moving date, type of move, and size of house. These movers will demand for extra charges on the moving day if they have to use stairs for the move. Moving via stairs requires extra physical labor and special moving equipment. If your mover did not schedule a pre-move survey or ask about the stairs, get ready for last-minute expenses. But you can be proactive and inform them about the elevator and stairs in the building.

7.Heavy Item Moving Cost- Moving any heavy items requires a special moving strategy and equipment. Moving companies may charge extra for very large and heavy items. Heavy equipment moving companies with Van Lines Move can be an affordable option.

8.Truck Rental- If you opt for a DIY move, then hiring a truck is your first task. Each rental company has different methods of rent evaluation. Some truck rental companies charge per day, per mile and some consider both factors to evaluate the cost. Before renting a moving truck for your DIY move, ask the rental company for a detailed estimate and any additional fees associated with it like gas prices, halts, tolls, and meals.

9.Hotel stays and Travel expenses- While planning a cross-country move, people generally forget about the expenses like the cost of staying while traveling during the move for a hotel stay. The other expense that one should remember is the cost of travel. It can be either the travel tickets or by driving your car. Consider both the costs while preparing the moving budget. These expenses can be lowered by a major fraction if you book the ticket and hotels in advance.

10.Childcare and pet care services- Moving house is a site of risk and physical injuries. On the moving day, you need to ensure that your children and pets are safe. You can hire a professional babysitter or book a boarding place for your pet. You can ask your friend or family to watch your kids and pet while you are busy with the moving and can save money.

11.Move-out cleaning/ Junk removal- On a moving day, you have to clean the old house. It is ethically correct to clean the old house for the next tenant. To complete this task you have to hire a professional move-out cleaning service. Next, you have to get rid of the junk accumulated during the move and a junk-removal company will be the affordable option. These are additional expenses but are unavoidable. So, research and book junk-removal service and cleaning services in advance to avoid last-minute charges.

12.Preparing new home- There are several things you have to do when you move into a new home. The new house might need remodeling or painting which is a huge expense. There can be repairs in bathrooms, furniture, and more which are essential to avoid physical harm. When you move in, you need to decorate the house and for that you need to hire a handyman to take care of drilling, hanging paintings, and installation of electronic appliances. All these expenses cannot be avoided but researching and hiring the right service provider in advance can be less expensive.

13.Vehicle shipping- No mover will take your vehicle on the moving truck. You need a vehicle shipping company to handle your vehicles. Such companies offer safety, security, and on-time delivery of your vehicle. The cost of moving a car can fall between $600-$1,800. Many people consider driving their car instead of shipping it. You can weigh each option and pick the affordable and reliable one.

14.Tip your mover- Tipping your mover is entirely your choice. It can be a token of appreciation for all the hard work they do to deliver a safe shipment. This is an additional expense but can be avoided if you wish.

15.Utility costs- Various utility services are necessary for easy survival. When you move into the new house, you have to start the utilities which requires huge deposits.

Pick the right way to avoid the hidden costs

Plan your move with a professional full-service moving company that offers competitive rates. Prepare in advance to avoid any surprises or hidden charges. Ask as many questions as you want and avoid the last-minute or hidden charges while relocating to another state.