Moving out is huge phase in the journey of growing up and adulting. The transition is not only big psychologically, socially and emotionally, it is also big financially.
Moving out can be less overwhelming if everything is planned out appropriately and a budget is set aside for typical moving expenses.
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What Are The Typical Costs Of Moving Out?
You might be wondering: what are typical moving expenses? Here are some things to keep in mind: storage, long carry fees, packing supplies, cleaning and more.
Long distance moves can take up to two weeks, and you might have to pay an extra fee for expedited delivery.
While all of these costs can add up, they can be well worth it if you’re moving across town or long distance.
Stair Carry Fee
Moving companies may charge extra for stairs when they estimate the cost of your move.
Some charge more if your stairs are too narrow or too long to be carried by elevator. Most will charge you for additional staircases.
If you’re moving to a large house or apartment with multiple floors, stair carry fees can quickly add up.
To make sure you don’t overpay for these services, check the details of the moving company’s policy.
The cost of a stair carry fee will depend on several factors. Some movers charge a one-time fee, while others may charge by the flight.
If you’re not sure how much this cost will be, you should ask about all potential extra fees.
If the stairs are too steep for an elevator, you might have to pay an additional fee for each flight.
Regardless of the fee, it’s always important to get an estimate of the total moving costs before you hire movers.
Stair carry fees are calculated the same way as the cost of a long carry, but your apartment’s rules may differ.
For instance, the stair carry fee is typically included in the cost of your apartment move, but if you’re moving to a three-story unit, you may have to pay extra.
For this reason, it’s best to check with your building’s administration before hiring a moving company.
Long Carry Fee
When a moving truck can’t park close enough to your home, it will charge you a long carry fee.
This fee is different for every moving company. In general, you will have to pay extra if the truck can’t park within 75 feet.
Depending on the distance, it may cost you up to $150 per hundred feet. The actual fee will depend on the distance and the size of your home.
Residential driveways may be too narrow for the truck to fit, or the driveway isn’t strong enough to support the weight of the truck.
If you live in a city, you may need to call local authorities to reserve a parking space for the truck.
However, even if street parking isn’t available, movers usually tag parking tickets on the bill.
It is important to understand how far a long carry fee will be before deciding to hire a company.
Packing Supplies
Moving to a new location can be expensive, whether you’re renting or buying.
There are many things to consider, from the cost of a plane ticket to the price of a moving truck.
Moving expenses also include a security deposit and first month’s rent.
Some people also need to budget for paint and deep cleaning. While moving can be expensive, there are also ways to save money.
You can find free boxes at local grocery stores and even use recycled newspaper.
A move that involves a long distance can cost several thousand dollars.
Additional expenses are associated with gas, tolls, and compensating the drivers.
This can add up quickly. Moving costs can range from $1123 to $14,107 for a long distance move.
To figure out the price of the move, make sure to factor in the costs of supplies, food, and lodging.
A full list of expenses can be found here.
Packing supplies are another major expense.
Packing supplies can be obtained for free, but they aren’t cheap, so ask for them as soon as possible.
Ask friends and family for used boxes or bags. Another option is to use your own towels and blankets to wrap fragile items.
Free packing supplies are also available online.
You can also ask movers for free boxes if they don’t mind reusing them.
Storage
The cost of a move varies depending on the size of the home and the distance traveled.
Extra stops and services may be necessary to move specialty items. High-value items, like pianos or grandfather clocks, require additional insurance.
Other expenses include pool chemicals or car batteries. Specialty items like jewelry, art, and other cherished items may be difficult to value.
Then, there are the extra expenses incurred in storing these items.
When you move into a new home, the expenses associated with this process can be staggering.
Depending on the type of move you are making, you may need to pay a security deposit and the first month’s rent.
Similarly, if you are purchasing a home, you may need to budget for a thorough cleaning and a paint job.
While moving can be expensive, it also has plenty of opportunities to save money.
It will take a bit of extra work on your part to find ways to cut down on these expenses.
Shipping vehicles is another costly expense. While these costs are typically nominal, they add up.
Another additional expense is paying to store your vehicle.
Storage can be costly, and it can cost anything from $50 to several hundred dollars a month.
These fees will vary depending on the type of move and the size of the unit. Fortunately, there are ways to save money without sacrificing the security of your belongings.
It’s important to leave a little wiggle room in your budget for extra costs, and it’s always best to be realistic about what you can and cannot do.
Delivery Fees
A move can be costly, so you may want to factor in delivery fees in your budget.
There are several types of delivery fees, such as the long carry fee and stair carry fee.
Long carries, for example, can cost several hundred dollars. Stair carry fees, on the other hand, are usually only applicable for large homes with many stairs.
These fees may be incurred for a variety of reasons, including long distance moves or long staircases.
Seasonal Costs Of Moving
Moving during the off-peak seasons is a great way to get lower moving costs.
The months of October through April are often more affordable than other times of year.
While the off-peak months are a great time to move, planning in advance is crucial to ensure a smooth transition. In this article, we’ll cover some of the benefits of moving during off-peak seasons.
To get started, download an app that will help you keep track of your belongings and estimate your moving costs.
Moving companies’ prices go up during the summer months because more people are moving.
Moving during this time is cheaper, but you will still have to factor in the costs associated with peak moving seasons.
Moving during these times also means that weekdays are more expensive. Avoid moving during these peak months by comparing moving quotes.
Ideally, you should move during the middle of the month when demand for moving services is at its lowest.
Moving during off-peak times is still possible, but be sure to plan ahead and get a quote from movers.
Another reason why moving in the off-season is cheaper is that fewer people are moving. Moving rates tend to be lower in the winter than during other seasons.
In addition, winter is the least expensive month to move, since fewer people are moving.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that winter is cold and often brings bad weather. So, you can plan your move accordingly. This will also save you a lot of money on your move.
Real Estate Agent Fees – $200-$400
There’s also an additional fee charged by real estate agents when selling your home. These fees vary based on location and other factors, so make sure to check with your agent before signing any contracts.
Utilities – $50-$150
Utilities include items such as electricity, gas, water, trash removal, internet, cable TV, phone service, etc. You need to budget intentionally for these expenses as well.
Cleaning – $100-$250
If you’re planning on cleaning before you move out, you’ll need to budget for at least $100-$250. It’s not uncommon for people to spend more than that just to clean up after themselves.
The cost can also cover the cleaning you may need to do in the place that you are moving into. Even though the place may be cleaned up for you, it always a great ideal to add your own cleaning touch before you settle in a new place.
In addition to the above expenses, you may also need to spend on insurance and permits.