Getting Organized
The first step in estimating the cost of your move is to figure out how much stuff you own. A good way to achieve 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 create an approximate total cost for packing, loading, and transporting all of your possessions.
It’s also essential to figure out the distance of your move since the price depends on the miles you need to travel. If you’re moving within your city, it may be less pricey than if you’re moving to another state or country. Still, you’ll need to pick the most effective way to move your belongings from one home to another, whether that requires taking multiple trips, renting a moving truck, or hiring professional movers to help you.
Hiring Professionals
After assessing how much it will cost to pack and transport your belongings, you must decide whether it is favorable to hire professional movers or do the work yourself. Professional movers can be beneficial, particularly if you have a lot of furniture or heavy stuff. However, they commonly have a price tag. Don’t forget to get quotes from a few different companies and compare them to the cost of doing it yourself. If needed, try to book these services well in advance to lock in the best rates.
When you gather your estimates, don’t forget to include common expenses, for example:
- Packing services
- Moving insurance
- Specialty item packaging services (moving pianos, safes, artwork, etc.)
Moving Yourself
If you choose to rent a moving truck and do the move yourself, you may be able to save some funds. But there are several considerations as well. First of all, you’ll have to factor in the size of the moving truck you’ll need to rent. Smaller moving trucks may be more economical, but you may be unable 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
In the end, there are a couple of other fees associated with moving that you will need to think about. Depending on the move, you may need to consider other expenses like 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 Virginia Beach property manager is an excellent resource to inquire about setting up utilities for the home you’re moving into.
By adhering to these suggestions and completing some research on your own, you should be able to get a good idea of how much your move will cost. Even though it’s hard to predict all potential expenses, following this advice should help you avoid any possible negative outcomes down the road.
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