Getting Organized
The first step in estimating the cost of your move is to figure out how much stuff you own. The most efficient way of doing this is to list all the items you plan to take with you on your move, then assign a rough estimate for each item based on size and weight. This will allow you to analyze an approximate total cost for packing, loading, and transporting all of your things.
It’s also important to factor in the distance of your move since the pricing depends on the miles you must travel. If you’re moving within your city, it may be more affordable than if you’re moving to another state or country. Yet, you’ll need to know the best method to move your belongings from one home to another, whether that involves taking multiple trips, renting a moving truck, or hiring professional movers to assist you.
Hiring Professionals
After estimating how much it will cost to pack and transport your belongings, you will need to decide if it’s advisable to hire professional movers or do the work yourself. Professional movers can be an effective tool, mainly if you have a lot of furniture or heavy stuff. However, they generally come with a price tag. Remember to get quotes from a few different companies and compare them to the cost of doing it yourself. If necessary, try to book these services well in advance to lock in the best rates.
As you gather your estimates, remember to incorporate common expenses, such as:
- Packing services
- Moving insurance
- Specialty item packaging services (moving pianos, safes, artwork, etc.)
Moving Yourself
If you opt to rent a moving truck and do the move yourself, you may be able to save some money. Yet, there are more aspects to consider. First of all, you must consider the size of the moving truck you’ll need to rent. Smaller moving trucks may be more affordable, but they may not be able to fit all your belongings in them. Various rental companies charge by the mile as well as by the day, so be sure your cost estimate includes both!
Other costs to account for in your DIY moving budget include:
- Gas, tolls, and parking fees
- Moving insurance
- Additional moving equipment rental (ramps and dolly)
- Packing materials (boxes, tape, covers, etc.)
Other Costs
At last, there are a few extra fees associated with moving that you should be aware of. Depending on the move, you may need to think about other expenses such as temporary lodging, meals, storage costs, and expenses related to moving out and moving in (cleaning costs, security deposit, and utility set-up deposits, for example). Your new Lebanon property manager is a good resource to inquire about setting up utilities for the home you’re moving into.
By utilizing these guidelines and completing some research on your own, you should better understand how much your move will cost. Despite the fact that it’s hard to predict all potential expenses, following this advice should help you avoid any potential troubles down the road.
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