Hidden Costs Of Moving: Surprising Expenses You Should Know About
When you move to your new place, you probably have an idea of the total estimated cost of moving, but there may be many more unforeseen and hidden expenses that you are not considering. Without your knowledge, these unexpected expenses are responsible for a sizable portion of your relocation expenses. Knowing what these unforeseen costs are can help you be prepared for any other hidden costs that may further surprise you. In this blog post, we’ve compiled a list of every hidden expense you can encounter when moving. Once you are aware of these hidden costs, you can wisely plan your move. This will further help you save money and effort at the time of your move.
1. House Cleaning Services By Professionals
Hiring a professional house cleaner is important when you don’t have the time or energy to do the task yourself. It will help you reduce the stress of moving, but it may lead to an unexpected cost. If you are a resident of the home, you should be aware that the majority of real estate contracts require a thorough cleaning before relocating. If the house is not clean when you leave, you will be required to clean it, which would further delay the contract’s closure. Similarly, you must clean your rental home before moving out, or you may risk losing your security deposit. It is also possible that sometimes you can’t get your security deposit returned. Some landlords could look for any excuse to keep your security deposit money from you, so make sure you employ a professional for the cleaning job. You can finish the cleaning task quickly by hiring cleaners with experience. These professionals charge approximately $20 to $60 on an hourly basis, but it can vary based on factors such as the experience of cleaners, cleaning material used, etc. So make sure to include this in your checklist for estimating moving costs.
2. Packing Material
If you’ve already obtained packing supplies or hired professional movers, you may have factored in this cost during your estimation. However, if you’re planning to handle the move yourself, you’ll likely need to purchase packing supplies. Packing is crucial to ensuring the safety of your belongings, so it’s important to invest in good-quality packing materials such as boxes, bubble wrap, and tape. Choosing low-quality packing supplies to save money could result in damage to your items. In case you opt for professional movers, it’s worth noting that some companies include labor and packing materials in their service, while others may charge only for additional boxes. It’s essential to verify how packing costs are accounted for, as the policies of removalist companies can vary.
3. Insurance And Vehicle Registration
Securing insurance is a wise decision when moving. While you may take all precautions to prevent damage, uncertainties can arise at any time. Purchasing insurance helps reduce the cost of replacing damaged or broken items in the event of an unfortunate event. Professional moving companies often offer insurance policies, but if you’re handling the move yourself, it’s advisable to check with your insurance agent for a moving policy that covers potential losses. If you’re moving locally, you needn’t worry about changing your license or vehicle registration expenses. However, if you’re moving interstate, you may need to include the cost of updating your vehicle registration.
4. Groceries And Food At The Time Of Move
During the relocation process, there will come a point when everything is packed, and you may have either consumed your groceries or packed away your dishes and cookware. In such a situation, you might opt for takeout or food delivery, which can increase your grocery expenses. Additionally, after moving, it’s common to experience exhaustion from all the tasks involved, and you may find yourself ordering food more frequently during the first week. It’s okay to spend a couple of hundred dollars in your food budget for the initial month in your new house, but make sure to include these expenses in your moving cost checklist. Moreover, you may also need to restock your groceries from scratch to start building your new inventory.
5. Storage fees & Parking Charges
If you’re planning a long-distance move, it’s worth considering the cost of storage fees. Opting for storage services can provide added protection for your belongings, especially if you need to store them for an extended period. However, storage costs can be expensive, so it’s advisable to plan for a quick move to avoid incurring this additional expense. This is particularly relevant for interstate moves. Additionally, parking charges can be an unexpected cost when moving. Parking charges may seem like a minor expense, but it’s important to be mindful of parking regulations if you don’t want to pay a huge fine. Before moving, assess the parking situation at your destination. Plan where both you and the moving truck can park, and inquire about parking permits, etc. If the moving truck receives a ticket, you will be responsible for paying it.
6. Movers Tip
When moving, tipping your mover is an expense that is not outlined. You can decide how much to give the movers based on several factors. How much you tip will depend on how pleased you are with their work. This expense is not a requirement, but if you decide to give the moving company a tip because you value their hard work, you must include it in your hidden moving costs as it contributes to increasing your overall moving costs. Even though it is not a big expense, it is something that you should keep in mind when you are making a budget for your move.
7. Stair Fees
There’s a chance you’ll have to pay the stair fee if you’re moving into a building without a lift. Many businesses charge you more if they have to carry your belongings up the stairs. It won’t be difficult to guess why they charge more. Both you and the movers value time while moving, but utilizing the stairs to carry your possessions may take a lot of time, and extra effort, and pose a danger of being damaged. Additionally, the moving company may still charge you even though your building has a lift if it is not operational on the day of your move. However, not all moving companies follow the same policy, so make sure to confirm theirs in this regard.
8. Childcare And Pet Boarding Services
Moving is already a hustle, and with a child and pet involved, it can be even more challenging. It will be a good idea to leave your children and dogs with a childcare facility or a pet care facility while you are busy with the relocation process. Additionally, if you have a trustworthy family member or friend you can leave your child or pet with, do so. This unplanned expense can be avoided by leaving them with your friends and family. If this is not an option, you can choose to have your children and pets cared for by professionals. So, if you have children or pets, be sure to include this fee on your list of moving expenses.
9. Charges For Moving Special Large Items And Artwork
You could have to spend more on those pricey items if you’re moving heavy, special objects like a piano, a piece of art, or other decorative items. If the moving company you are hiring does not offer piano moving services, you might need to engage another specialist for the specific task. Things like a piano require a skilled professional. These experts are experienced in handling big items and can offer specialized equipment for moving them securely. Similarly, you should pick professionals who have experience handling special goods like an expensive mirror or a piece of art that you adore, etc. Expect this expense to be included in your moving expenses if you have a piece of equipment that requires special care.
10. Hotel Stay And Overnight Fees To Movers
Voltage requirements can differ when you are moving to a new place. An electrician can assess the electrical infrastructure in your new home and make any necessary upgrades to accommodate your appliances and electronics. They will ensure that the electrical system is compatible with your devices, preventing potential damage from voltage mismatches. Also, they are well-informed about circuit breakers and can easily connect your outlet to one with enough capacity to manage the load. These circuit breakers help protect the electrical system of your house from potential harm caused by short circuits.
11. Re-Buying Things After Moving
Who wants to bring their old rug or broom with them to their new place? When moving to your new space, you may want to replace a few items, such as a mattress, rug, pillow cover, curtains, etc. Additionally, you may also need to buy new furniture if your old furniture is broken or you have sold or donated it. If your new home doesn’t have enough room for all of your furniture, you’ll need to buy new stuff even though you don’t want to. Make sure to check that your new place has enough space for all your furniture and other larger items. This will also add up to an unexpected additional moving cost. Also, if, due to some uncertain event, some of your things got damaged during transit and you don’t have proper insurance, you may need to invest in re-purchasing those items.
12. Car Transportation And Fuel Costs
Transportation and fuel costs are other hidden costs that need to be factored into your moving costs. Several factors, including governmental regulations, taxes, and other factors, can affect fuel pricing. Therefore, whether you are relocating yourself or with expert assistance, this cost should not be ignored. People typically drive their vehicles or prefer shipping them when moving. Although shipping your car with the help of a professional requires very little work, it can be expensive. You can consider towing your vehicle, but keep in mind that the cost of gasoline will go up, and also make sure the rental truck or professional you are using for towing has the right tools for a safe journey.
13. Redecorating Cost
You’ve finally moved into your new house and noticed how bland everything is. You may need to purchase a few items to remodel your home so that it feels like home. It would be a good idea to include the expense of redecorating in your relocation budget. For example, imagine you want to paint your new house. Typically, you may receive a newly painted house, but this is not always the case. If you intend to paint your new home, it will be much more convenient for you to do it before relocating because it will save you from the hustle of moving your stuff. You can eliminate the cost of hiring a professional painter by doing it yourself, as you only need to pay for the material used. Similar to painting, if you wish to renovate your new property with new curtains, flooring, furniture, etc., these costs must be included in your moving costs.
14. Charges for Connections and Termination
Utilities such as water, gas, electricity, the internet, and cable connections might disrupt our routine, so keep them in mind when moving. If you relocate locally, the service providers will simply move the services to your new address, allowing you to keep the same services and connections. However, if you are moving across state lines, you must factor in the expense of connecting and disconnecting these services. This sum will include both the closing costs and reconnection fees for all of the services specified above. So, make sure to include these expenses in your overall relocation costs.
Conclusion
Hidden moving costs can add up quickly to hundreds or even thousands of dollars without you even realizing it and can shake up your entire estimated moving budget. The above expenses are some of those unexpected expenses that you may expect as you go along with your moving task. Keeping these points listed in your moving cost checklist will allow you to get an idea of what additional expenses you can expect without them, which will surprise you at that moment. This will also allow you to confirm several unexpected factors with your mover to avoid confusion during those uncertain events. Additionally, if you are planning a move and seeking a skilled professional to help you with your move, Harry The Mover is a reliable choice. Feel free to contact us and leave your moving stress with us. Our expert professionals will assist you by offering a smooth moving experience. To learn more about our services, you can contact us today at 1800 318 026.