Moving: Have You Thought of the Cost?

Moving from one place to another one. When planning your relocation, you should always be prepared that it might involve more costs than originally expected. This often happens if the relocation is not planned properly, but sometimes even if it is. In today’s article I will break down the cost of moving houses to give you an idea of what to anticipate, both when moving on your own and when hiring a professional moving company. So what’s the catch you might ask? In short, there are basically two problems: when moving on your own, people usually underestimate the price of additional tools, packaging material, transportation or even the real value of the time they use for moving. Also if you decided to move using professionals, there might be a problem because you picked the wrong company, or they estimated the wrong price, or undervalued any additional necessary expenses not included in the company's bill. As I mentioned in the first article of this series, there are three options for sorting out your moving. What you have to consider is how much work you want or can do yourself: all the packing, loading, transporting and unloading can either be done by the movers, or by yourself. Or the happy mean is to hire a company offering a kind of a hybrid service. This is appropriate if you feel you like to have more control over the whole process. The level of service provided may also vary: sometimes only the transportation is provided, in other cases you can also request loading, unloading and transport of stuff you have already packed.

What’s involved? As the start of your moving plans, we always recommend that you sit down and plan the budget. If you do this, you are on a good way to a well-planned relocation without any unpleasant surprises. We can divide the costs connected to moving into four main categories: the transportation of your possessions, packing of your possessions, transportation of you and your family, and also the costs related to starting up in your new house. The actual move. The first step should be calculating the main price of moving your possessions. You’ve most likely already decided whether you will move on your own or will pay for a company. If you decided to use some professional help (more tips on how to determine which company is the right one for you will follow in one of the next articles), make sure you get a written price offer from them. It should say clearly whether the presented price is binding or not, that means whether it is the final price, or there may be other charges coming up. Include the price of tips – it’s generally around $25 per worker.

How much is the work?. Secondly, estimate the price of the manpower that will help you pack & load, whether it’s the professionals you might hire, friends and family ready to help you (they’d deserve at least a dinner!) or even the value of your time you have to take off, if that’s the case. Also don't forget to calculate the price of any necessary packaging material (boxes, bubble wrap, tapes etc.) and/or tools (i.e. dollies).

How much is the transportation?. Thirdly, think about how much the transport for you and your family will be - find out the prices of flights, train or bus tickets, or calculate the petrol price, if you want to drive. Also lodging, food and possible entertainment while travelling should be included into the total price.

The time after the relocation: back to square one There is usually a lot of trouble and additional costs connected to the moving, that people don't think about when they are in the middle of all the boxes. Utilities like setting up a cable or telephone services might include start-up fees. Another thing is groceries: you most likely emptied the fridge and freezer – both of these will have to get filled up again. Then items you left behind such as different household equipment needs to be replaced. Or maybe your new place needs a fresh coat of paint. Just try to think of all these items and jot down the price of all stuff you will have to purchase after the move, so that you are not surprised by the total sum.

As a realtor from Vancouver, I have always tried to help my clients even with this issue, therefore I would like to share with you some useful advice: 1) Always compare how much it would cost you to move a specific thing against how much the thing costs when purchased new. The result of this comparison might shock you. 2) You might have a chance to get a relocation package from your new employer, if you are relocating because of a new job. 3) For tax deduction possibility, make sure that you save all the receipts connected to the moving.

• Rate this Post!

  Select Your Rating:

  • 5 Stars (Excellent!)
  • 4 Stars
  • 3 Stars
  • 2 Stars
  • 1 Stars (Poor)

• Share this Post

  Share With A Friend:

  Your Name Your Email

  Friend's Name Friend's Email

  Optional Message

  Send

• Print
• Social Bookmarking

  Add to Bookmarks: