By Realty Times
Are you planning to move out to a new home soon? The idea of getting into a new environment is exciting, especially if you just bought an apartment or your first house. Of course, searching for and finalizing the purchase of your home is an intimidating process, but that’s not where the challenge ends.
The whole process of moving your belongings and family to this new compound is quite demanding. Anyone who has done it before will tell you that the stress can last for several months from the day you start planning to when you’ll settle. Apart from the time and energy required, you’ll also need enough money to make sure that everything runs as smoothly as possible.
To avoid spending aimlessly, it’s recommended that you create a budget based on your needs and what you can afford. This article will discuss some of the main factors that’ll have an impact on your total moving costs.
- 1. Volume of goods
The volume of your goods is the first major factor that’ll have a huge impact on the expenses you’ll incur when moving. It plays a huge role when deciding on the size of the truck that you’d want your local mover to use and the number of extra people you might need for the job.
The type of items you’re planning to transport also matters. Fragile goods, for instance, tend to cost more because of the care required. You’ll need to invest heavily in the infill and packaging materials. Most movers also require their clients to pay for extra insurance just in case anything happens during the trip.
To reduce these expenses, you might want to sort out any unwanted items from your belongings. Donate anything that you’re no longer using and sell those that still hold some value like electronics and books. This won’t only cut the volume but also the weight of the goods, which will have a ripple effect on the transportation costs. (2)
- 2. The distance covered
How far away is the new home from your current location? This is a factor that you must consider when calculating the total expected expenses. Of course, longer distances require more funds because, for one, the mover’s fees will be higher. There might be other costs incurred along the way, especially if you’re crossing interstate borders.
- 3. The time of moving
The time of the month that you decide to move may also affect the moving costs. Unfortunately, this is something that many people don’t know. You could actually save a lot by choosing a more favorable date. Most movers are busy during the last week of the month, and, as a result, they charge more for their services.
You can, however, take advantage of the low-demand dates between the 5th and 24th of every month. In fact, some firms go a step further and offer discounts for anyone planning to hire their services during this time. Keep in mind, though, that this doesn’t apply to every mover. So, do your research and find a moving company that best fits your needs.
Apart from the dates, annual seasons may also have an impact on how much you’ll spend on moving costs. The summer weather is favorable for the moving process. What that means, though, is that many people are likely to move during these months, and that gives the movers a reason to hike their prices. So, if these expenses are a serious deterrent for you, it’d be wise to choose other seasons for this project. (1)
- 4. Extra services and purchases
The money you’ll pay a mover for the transportation of your goods is just part of the expenses for which you should be ready to pay. Purchases that must be on your budget include packaging materials, package labeling tools, and some snacks for the day. If you have a lot of items to pack, then paying someone to assist you in packing and unpacking should be on your list. Your family can help you reduce these costs, though by helping out in any way possible. (3)
Conclusion
Moving to a new home is an exciting experience but also demanding. The process of packing, sorting, and ensuring that everything is in the right place can be draining. To avoid the pressure of doing financial calculations on your moving day, it’s a good idea to set your house-moving priorities and earmark enough money for the day. Some of the main factors that’ll affect the moving costs include the volume of goods, distance to the new home, and the time of the year. Include all these aspects in your calculations. Of course, you can call the mover in advance and ask them to help you with the estimates.