Getting Organized
The first step in estimating the cost of your move is to figure out how much stuff you have. An ideal approach 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 calculate an approximate total cost for packing, loading, and transporting all your stuff.
It’s also imperative to think about the distance of your move since the price depends on the miles you need to go. If you’re moving within your city, it may be less costly than if you’re moving to another state or country. However, you’ll need to identify the best approach to move your belongings from one home to another, whether that involves taking multiple trips, renting a moving truck, or hiring professional movers to aid you.
Hiring Professionals
After you’ve determined how much it will cost to pack and transport your belongings, you will need to decide if it’s beneficial to hire professional movers or do the work yourself. Professional movers can be a great tool, specifically if you have a lot of furniture or heavy items. Yet, they usually come with a price tag. It is a good idea to get quotes from a few different companies and compare them to the cost of doing it yourself. Preferably, try to book these services well in advance to lock in the best rates.
As you gather your estimates, remember to factor in common expenses, such as:
- Packing services
- Moving insurance
- Specialty item packaging services (moving pianos, safes, artwork, etc.)
Moving Yourself
If you opt to rent a moving truck and do the move yourself, you may be able to save a bit of cash. Yet, there are several other considerations. First of all, you’ll need to factor in the size of the moving truck you’ll need to rent. Smaller moving trucks may be less expensive, but there is a chance you won’t be able 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
Finally, there are a few other costs associated with moving that you will need to keep in mind. Depending on the move, you may need to factor in 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 Augusta property manager is a good resource to ask about setting up utilities for the home you’re moving into.
By using these guidelines and performing some research on your own, you should have a fair sense of how much your move will cost. While it’s hard to predict all potential expenses, following this advice should help you avoid any problems down the road.
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