If you’re planning to buy a house, you’ve probably given a lot of thought to your down payment, closing costs and new furnishings and appliances. Don’t forget to factor moving costs into your budget.
Potential Costs Associated With a Move
If you want to hire a moving company, you will have to pay for a truck and a team of movers. The amount of stuff you transport, its weight, the date you choose and the distance will all influence the cost. If you want to move heavy or valuable items, expect to pay additional fees. You should also plan to tip the movers.
You may have to purchase insurance in case your belongings get damaged in transit. The moving company may include limited coverage in its fee, but it may not be enough to replace an expensive item. Check your existing homeowners or renters insurance policy to find out if it will provide coverage during a move.
If you plan to move on your own with the help of family or friends, you will have to pay to rent a truck and fill it with gas, possibly more than once. Depending on the arrangement you work out, you may be expected to pay the people helping you or provide meals for them. If so, budget for those expenses.
No matter how you handle the moving process, you will have to pack up your possessions. If you don’t have boxes or storage containers, you may be able to find some boxes online or from local businesses or borrow some from friends. If not, you’ll have to buy boxes or containers, along with tape, bubble wrap, furniture covers and other packing materials.
You will have to clean out your current home before you leave. If you don’t want to deal with that stress on top of everything else, you can hire a professional cleaning crew. That may cost you hundreds of dollars, depending on the size of your house or apartment and the amount of cleaning required.
If you can’t fit everything you own in your new house, or just want to avoid clutter, you may decide to rent a storage unit. Fees will depend on the size of the unit you choose and the amount of time you rent it.
Budget for Things You Will Need Right After You Move in
Before you move into your new home, contact the utility companies to make sure you will have water, electricity, internet, cable and other services working when you arrive. The companies that provide those services may charge one-time fees.
Transporting food can add to your overall bill, so it’s a good idea to use up as much as possible before moving day. Once you get to your new home, you will have to go grocery shopping. Expect the bill to be higher than usual. You may also order a lot of takeout in the first week after you move in. Factor those costs into your moving budget.
