Moving is a stressful and helpful process. This is due to various reasons, including leaving a familiar environment for unknown territory, finding new schools for children, potentially starting a new job and the general difficulties of moving.
Moving involves significant costs, from leaving your old home to settling in your new one as well as hiring personalised interstate moving services. It’s essential to plan your move carefully to avoid underestimating expenses. These are some tips that can assist you in preparing for the costs associated with moving to a new location.
Create a List and a Savings Plan Well Before the Start Date
To avoid financial difficulties and the last-minute scramble to gather funds, it is recommended that you begin saving money for your move as soon as possible.
To plan for the move effectively, creating a list of potential expenses and calculating the amount required for each expense is important. Though it may sound complicated, if you adhere to the rest of the suggestions, you can manage your finances effectively.
Make a List of All the Items in Your Current Home
It is essential to conduct an inventory whether you hire professional movers or move yourself. It would be helpful to list all the things you will carry with you and the ones you intend to sell or throw away for each room.
After making a list of items you want to move, split them into two categories: items to be moved by professional movers (if you are using them) and those you will move yourself. If you’re moving alone, you must determine the appropriate rental truck size and estimate the costs beforehand.
Hiring professional movers and renting a vehicle is recommended to ensure the safe transportation of your specialty items like a piano. Contact a moving company to get a price quote for those items and factor it into your budget.
Cost of Professional Moving
If your current employer is transferring you, don’t worry. The expenses for professional movers handling all tasks ranging from packing to transportation and unpacking at your new residence will be covered.
In to hire professional movers and pay for their services, it is necessary to do some research. You’ll receive various cost estimates depending on how much work you plan to do.
To determine the cost of moving, reach out to multiple moving companies and request estimates for their services. These companies may even send a representative to your home to give you the estimate. If the cost is too high, decide which tasks you can handle to lower the expenses.
The moving company will provide different estimates for packing, loading/transporting, and unpacking services. You can save significant money if you choose to handle the packing and unpacking on your own.
Additional expenses
Here are a few budget items you should consider, even though they may be challenging to come up with:
- If you are short on time or lack the motivation to clean your previous living space, have you thought about hiring a cleaning service?
- Do you need unpaid leave to move, and should you take time off from work? It’s an expense you should factor in.
- If you rent a truck and move by yourself, you must pay for gas.
- Are you planning to clean your new residence by yourself or hire professionals?
- On a moving day, having young children and pets around can be chaotic, so arranging for child care and pet care may be helpful.
Increase Your Total Estimate by at Least 5%
Adding an extra 5% (or more, if possible) to your total cost is essential to prepare for unexpected expenses and prevent them from becoming a financial crisis.
Sum The Total Up
Planning for a move can be very beneficial. After identifying all your expenses and coming up with as accurate estimates as possible, add up the total cost. This will allow you to start strategising how to save that amount before moving day. Preparing financially in advance helps reduce the stress of the move.
Organise a Yard/Garage Sale
You can achieve two things by selling any accumulated items you won’t be taking with you. Firstly, you’ll declutter your belongings. Secondly, you can earn some extra cash to save on moving expenses. Using an online seller managed auctions service can help you sell these items too. You can donate any unsold items to a non-profit organisation. If you have a lot of things to donate, some non-profit organizations can pick them up for free, saving you the cost of disposal.
Reduce Daily/Weekly Expenses
How do you dine at restaurants? How much do you typically spend on leisure activities? Can you identify any additional expenses that are not essential? If you require significant savings for your relocation, consider reducing your costs and determining a weekly amount to set aside for the move. Delay purchasing non-essential items such as new clothing or footwear.
Final Thoughts
Moving can be stressful and affect your mood, productivity, and overall well-being. However, you can avoid financial stress by planning your move early and saving the necessary money for expenses. Having a clear understanding of the expected costs and planning process can significantly reduce the burden on you.