Moving is amongst the most significant moments of your life, and it is important to be prepared for this endeavor, whether it involves moving the belongings of a multi-room house or taking a much smaller collection of things from one place to another. Are you traveling across your city? Are you moving from one end of the country to the other? There are many factors that you need to consider during this move.

As you consider these factors, you want to take into account your costs, which can unexpectedly add up without you even realizing it.

Packing Supplies

In nearly all cases, packing supplies are a necessity. Even if you are paying someone else to pack your items for you, what you pay them will include the cost of the supplies that they are using.

With some moves, you may be able to get by with only needing to get boxes and tape, depending on how extensive your move is. You could purchase new boxes that are intended for this purpose, or you might be able to secure what you need by seeking out local businesses and getting used boxes from their deliveries. If you do get used boxes, make sure that they are clean. 

Regardless, you will most likely need to purchase some tape. Other items that you may need include box cutters, hand carts, bubble wrap, and moving blankets.

Professional Movers or a Moving Truck

In order to get your items from one place to another, you will most likely need the services of professional movers or rent a moving truck for you to do it yourself.

Professional Movers

Paying for professional movers can entail several sub-costs, so make sure that you fully understand any estimate that you are given. Some moving companies could add surcharges later down the line.

Possible surcharges could be related to the address that you are moving from or to, boxes that are overly large or heavy, and if the distance from the truck to where the items are to be picked up or dropped off is extensive. Making any last-minute adjustments could result in surcharges as well.

Moving Truck

If you are moving by yourself, you should keep in mind that a larger truck will generally cost more than a smaller one. If you are moving a long distance, resulting in you dropping off the truck in a different city from where you started, you should expect an additional cost.

Keep in mind that the cost of renting a moving truck will go up or down depending on when you are using it. So, if you have some flexibility with the timing of your move, aim to rent it during the week rather than over a weekend.

Additionally, note the cost of gas. You will usually be expected to fill your truck’s tank to a certain level before returning it.

Moving Insurance

You may want to purchase moving insurance to give you some peace of mind related to any unexpected happenings causing damage to your property.

Note that valuation coverage may be provided by the moving company. This is different than moving insurance as that only covers something that the company is directly responsible for, not a situation that is caused by an outside force.

Cleaning Services

There are two reasons to pay for cleaning services at the place you’re leaving: to increase the chance that you will get your complete deposit back and to save time during this stressful period. Otherwise, you may need to do all of that cleaning yourself before departing.

Storage Unit Rental

Depending on your circumstances, you may need to rent a storage unit near your new place. If you are downsizing your residence, you may not have enough room in your new place to hold all of your belongings.

Hotel Room

You may want to pay for a hotel room to stay in upon arrival at your new place. That could be because you do not want to immediately move into an unfinished place, especially if you didn’t bring a bed or couch to sleep on, or simply cannot yet due to the previous tenants still living there.

While these costs listed above are important to keep in mind, you may incur moving-related costs that you had not anticipated. It is important to put aside money to take care of these unexpected situations when they arrive.
By: Katherine Robinson, a writer for iMOVE

Visit my storefront — As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases