Plan for Unexpected Moving Expenses
Ready to move into your new home in Wedgewood Forest? According to Forbes, a move can average $300 to $1,500 for a local move and $2,500 to $5,000 for a long-distance one. And that’s just moving the furniture. There are associated costs you may not be aware of. Fortunately, we are. Take a look at our list of unexpected moving costs and plan accordingly.
Moving Supplies
You’ve got stuff and that stuff needs to be packed. If you plan to hire professional movers, packing boxes may be included. If you’re DIYing it, you will need moving boxes, packing tape, packing peanuts and moving blankets. Boxes will be your biggest expense. U-haul sells an apartment moving kit for $102.71 and a four-bedroom moving kit for $467.63. Over at Amazon, a pack of 10 medium-sized boxes is $27 and a three-pack of wardrobe boxes can run as high as $50. How many boxes will you need? Use this free online calculator from Moving.com.
Truck Rental
Speaking of U-haul, how much have you budgeted for a truck? Moving trucks average $157 for a local move and $769 to $1,170 for a long-distance one. You are also responsible for gas, sales taxes and rental fees for moving dollies. You may be asked to pay mileage fees for a local move.
Professional Mover Fees
According to Forbes, movers charge between $25 to $50 per mover, per hour for local moves and $600 to more than $10,000 for a long-distance move. Your cost depends on how many movers you use, how many rooms you need to move and how long it takes to load and unload the truck. Gas, tolls and other expenses are usually included in your estimate. Some moving companies will pack up your stuff for an additional fee. Do you have a piano or swing set? Specialty items are extra. Thinking of having your second car shipped? That will cost an extra $1,000 on average. Movers generally receive a tip at the end of the move, so factor that cost in as well.
Storage
If you must move out of your old house and your new house isn’t ready yet, you will have to store your stuff. If your move includes everything in your apartment plus everything you’ve been storing in your parents’ garage and the house isn’t quite big enough, you may need to rent a storage unit. Prices depend on where you live and how big a unit you need. Be prepared and get quotes ahead of time so you aren’t surprised.
Pet Boarding
Where will Fido be while you are moving? It’s probably not a good idea to have him underfoot. If you don’t have a friend who can watch him, you will need to find a boarding facility for a day or so.
Hotel Expenses
If you are moving cross country and not flying, you need to factor in the cost of hotels or motels. Even if you aren’t, moving is stressful and a night spent in a hotel can be better than staying up until 3 a.m. trying to put a bed frame together.
Appliances and Other Stuff
Your new Wedgewood Forest home comes with a stove, dishwasher and microwave but what about the refrigerator, washer and dryer? If you’ve been living in an apartment or rental, you will have to purchase those. Even if you are moving houses, your old refrigerator may not fit in your new kitchen. Ditto for couches, chairs, patio furniture and more. Factor the cost of replacing or buying new appliances and furniture into your moving costs.
Restocking the Kitchen
Movers won’t move your food. If you are moving locally and doing it yourself, it’s easy to pack up a few coolers. If you are moving long-distance you will need to fill up the fridge. It’s also worth it to budget for restaurant or delivery service meals. Chances are good you won’t be unpacking your kitchen the first day.
Utilities and Cable
If you are making a local move, call your utility companies and have them switch your accounts to your new address. There may be a small surcharge. If you are making a long-distance move, you may have to start all over again, especially with utility companies. Be sure to call them and let them know the date you will be moving in, so lights, water and internet are all available when you hit your new driveway.
