Getting Organized
The first step in estimating the cost of your move is to figure out how much stuff you possess. An ideal way 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 help you estimate an approximate total cost for packing, loading, and transporting all your things.
It’s also essential to evaluate the distance of your move because the fee depends on the miles you must travel. If you’re moving within your city, it may be more economical than if you’re moving to another state or country. Nonetheless, you’ll need to pick the most efficient way to move your belongings from one home to another, whether that means taking multiple trips, renting a moving truck, or hiring professional movers to guide you.
Hiring Professionals
After estimating how much it will cost to pack and transport your belongings, you must decide if it is valuable to hire professional movers or do the work yourself. Professional movers can be a big help, mainly if you have a lot of furniture or heavy items. However, they typically contain a price tag. Remember to get quotes from a few different companies and compare them to the cost of doing it yourself. If possible, aim to book these services well in advance to lock in the best rates.
As you get your estimates, make sure you’ve involved common expenses, such as:
- Packing services
- Moving insurance
- Specialty item packaging services (moving pianos, safes, artwork, etc.)
Moving Yourself
If you elect to rent a moving truck and do the move yourself, you may be able to save cash. However, there are various factors to consider as well. First of all, you’ll need to measure the size of the moving truck you’ll need to rent. Smaller moving trucks may be more reasonable, but you may not be able to fit all your belongings in them. Several rental companies charge by the mile as well as by the day, so make 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
Lastly, there are a few more fees associated with moving that it’s important to remember. Depending on the move, you may need to incorporate 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 Weber County property manager is a great resource for queries about setting up utilities for the home you’re moving into.
By using these approaches and performing some research on your own, you should have a great idea of how much your move will cost. Although it’s difficult to predict all potential expenses, following this advice should help you avoid any unexpected issues down the road.
Are you seeking a new Weber County rental home? Real Property Management Northern Utah offers an inventory that is regularly updated. Check out our listings online.