Getting Organized
The first step in estimating the cost of your move is to figure out how much stuff you own. The right approach to accomplish 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 help you determine the approximate total cost for packing, loading, and transporting all your possessions.
Estimating the distance of your move is vital because the fee depends on the miles you have to travel. If you’re moving within your city, it may be more affordable than if you’re moving to another state or country. Nevertheless, you’ll need to find the right approach to move your belongings from one home to another, whether that means taking multiple trips, renting a moving truck, or hiring professional movers to assist you.
Hiring Professionals
After figuring out how much it will cost to pack and transport your belongings, you will need to decide if it’s good for you to hire professional movers or do the work yourself. Professional movers can be very helpful, particularly if you have a lot of furniture or heavy items. However, they typically have a price tag. Be sure to obtain 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.
As you obtain your estimates, don’t forget to include common expenses, such as:
- Packing services
- Moving insurance
- Specialty item packaging services (moving pianos, safes, artwork, etc.)
Moving Yourself
If you prefer to rent a moving truck and do the move yourself, you may be able to save a few dollars. Yet there are further factors to consider. First of all, you’ll need to decide on the size of the moving truck you’ll need to rent. Smaller moving trucks may be reasonably priced, but you may be unable to fit all your belongings in them. Numerous 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
Additionally, there are a few other charges associated with moving that you must consider. Depending on the move, you may be expected to pay for 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 Emeryville property manager is a great resource to speak with about setting up utilities for the home you’re moving into.
By adhering to these recommendations and performing some research on your own, you should have a solid overview of how much your move will cost. Although it is impossible to predict all potential expenses, following this advice should help you avoid any unanticipated issues down the road.
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