What Are the Hidden Costs of Moving?
Extra costs can be a real nightmare. Especially when your receipt turns out to be much higher than it should be. To avoid unexpected costs, confirm with your moving company whether or not they support a transparent paying system, and do it before hiring them. Ask them about all the details and hidden fees. Carry on reading to learn what are the hidden costs of moving and avoid potential stress.
When you need storage for your belongings
Renting storage is not cheap at all, but sometimes there is no other option. Depending on your needs, the average unit price for a regular storage unit is from $60 to $180 per month. If you prefer a storage unit with climate control, which is more costly, the price will be around $75 to $230 per month. The next step that can affect the price to be much higher is the storage location.
Moving insurance
When you are moving the accidents can happen at any given moment. That is the reason why it is so important to have moving insurance for your belongings. When signing a contract with a moving company, automatically, you will get basic coverage for your belongings. Nevertheless, when you are transporting valuable items, you will need an upgraded version of the insurance because it will allow the moving company to refund the replacement price of any lost or damaged items.
Notify the landowner about your leaving
Before leaving your old place, notify your landowner on time. You should inform them 30 days ahead of your moving date, which will provide enough time to find new renters and prepare the house for them. If you did not violate any terms of the contract, you will get the deposit that you gave before moving in.
Surprising situations during travel to your new home
Moving long-distance usually means that you will be arriving at your final destination late at night. That can be tiring and full of unexpected situations. One of the worst things that can happen is learning that your shipment did not show up yet, and there will be a few days delay period. The last thing you need at that moment is to freak out! Instead, be ready and stay calm. Moving is full of unplanned situations and hidden costs- the only thing you can do in this scenario is to be flexible in critical moments and prepare extra cash for the hotel and food during your travel.
At your new home, something is always missing
Moving into a new house or apartment always demands the purchase of something new that needs to be added or replaced. At the very beginning, you will probably need to spend more money to decorate a new place to your preference. Unfortunately, unexpected expenses can show up anywhere, but soon everything will be completed, and you will be relaxed and enjoy yourself in your new cozy home. For that reason, it will be better to check on the internet or visit a shopping mall for some special sales- to save your money as much as possible, because unexpected costs still can add up.
Rearrange your utilities
Whether you are moving short or long-distance, you should take care of utilities. Inform your utility company about your future leaving, cancel your internet and cable service 30 days prior and avoid paying service you will not use anymore. These things are something you may forget about in all the hassle during packing and moving, and cause a problem later when you reach your new home.
Moving confusions
Many moving companies are trying to cut costs and load possessions from two or three households in the same truck, which can cause trouble when all boxes are mixed and need to get unloaded from the vehicle. These unfortunate events will lead to further expenses when your belongings are not found, which means it will be necessary to replace and buy everything from these boxes. One of the options to protect your budget is to claim insurance from a moving company for your loss. To achieve this, you will need to make an inventory list before packing stuff. Also, do not forget to label your boxes before packing them inside the truck because this is how you may recognize your valuables. Otherwise, you will not be able to find them at any cost.
Packing supplies
Are you doing packing by yourself or with some additional help? If you were thinking of packing your belongings alone, you should be ready for a tough job. By choosing this option, you will save some money on your budget, but at the same time, you will work much more instead of hiring professional movers to finish this part. To skip unnecessary costs, you may find cardboard boxes in every shop as the grocery store or liquor shop- they can give them to you for free.
Additional packing supplies as tape, bubble wrap, a permanent marker for labeling, etc. you can find in almost any store, and these are really cheap. Also, some people are practical and very creative during their moving process, and they are using old clothes to wrap their delicate items. Like this, you will protect your belongings and at the same time have fewer things less for packing.
Moving cancelation fee, think about that
The moving company has individual regulations about cancellation fees. Many people are not aware of it at all. Not paying attention to details can be the biggest reason for you losing a few hundred dollars or even a whole deposit. Unplanned situations can happen at every moment and mess up all plans, but most moving companies will accept your cancellation without any fee if you inform them at least one week before your moving day. Otherwise, if your cancelation happens several days before the moving date, expect to pay an extra fee.