Moving to a new home isn’t as simple and as straightforward as it might seem. There is a range of hidden costs involved with moving to a new place. In addition, these hidden costs can move into the thousands of dollars. However, it’s not just the big parts that can cost you. It’s the little expenses. Let’s take a look at some of the hidden costs of moving.
Packaging Materials
Strangely enough, this is one part of the process that people forget to factor into their expenses. They don’t take into account what they’re going to use to pack up all their items with. The occasional box and roll of bubble wrap here and there isn’t necessarily a problem, but it will add up. It’s not uncommon for big moves to cost up to $100 on packing materials alone.
“It’s important to shop around when looking for packaging material. Pricing can be all over the board. A good place to start your search is with online moving websites.” Explains Matt McCabe of HoustonMovers.org a moving company in the Houston area.
Transferring Utilities
The utilities still have to be moved over. This can carry a hefty fee. If you are being connected to the electricity grid, or you’re moving into an old house that needs to have running water, this is going to cost you. Utility companies can charge these fees because they know there is no getting out of them.
Do You Tip the Mover?
Tipping the mover isn’t always necessary, but it’s a nice thing to do. It’s not as critical as tipping in a restaurant, but most people still choose to tip their movers anyway. A rule of thumb is to tip somewhere between 10% and 20%, depending on performance.
Additional Insurance
Basic coverage has to be offered by all moving companies if they are to stay within the boundaries of the law. This is based on weight, so for every pound you are insured for 60 cents. That priceless China vase could be insured up to the same amount as your frying pan. You should take out additional insurance to make sure that all your valuables are insured at a proper amount. Of course, if you don’t have anything of value, this isn’t necessary, but for long distance moves it’s always wise to pay for this.
Packing Clothes
This is one of the biggest costs of moving because it takes up so much space, especially if you are packing up all those seasonal wardrobes. Movers charge by the amount of stuff they have to pack and move in their fleet of vehicles. However, did you know that you can simply leave the clothes in the wardrobe and they will be moved at no extra charge?
Charging by the Hour
Do bear in mind that many people fall victim to taking time to pack. This may not sound like nothing more than an inconvenience, but it’s actually one of the biggest losses someone can make. The reality is many people lose out by taking their time on moving day. Save money by packing your things days before the movers arrive. By quickening the process, you are going to save money on the hourly rates.
Conclusion
By understanding the way moving companies charge their clients, you can adjust accordingly to save money. When planning your moving budget, don’t forget to take all these hidden costs of moving into account.
I am gonna take note of those hidden costs, Pauline, especially that transferring utilities.
As a mover and a person that uses Hired help, tipping your mover is a must! Even buying them lunch if convenient is nice to see, especially if they are handling your stuff. Lots of people think it is included in the bill. I’m here to tell you that if a driver is contracted they get a small percentage of the overall sales, meaning their gratuity isn’t included!
These are what stops me from moving. But, I have so I have to consider these hidden costs. Thanks Pauleen.
Thanks for this article.
This is exactly what I´m loing for….that is, financial independence. But sometimes we don´t see the hidden costs of it.
Or the hidden costs of moving, forexample.
Thanks for letting us know what the real cost of things is