Six Hidden Costs That Make Moving Even More Expensive
If you’re preparing to move, you’ve probably already made a commitment to pay for movers, budgeted for new rent and a deposit, and mentally prepared yourself for not returning the latter. But there are so many other tricky ways that moving can cost more than you thought. Here are six hidden costs to consider in your next move budget.
Unforeseen expenses for pets
Deposits and pet rentals are not the only costs associated with moving your animals to a new location. In particular, long-distance travel requires additional costs for the accommodation of your pets. These three hidden costs are common and easy to budget for:
- Airline Fees: If you’re flying, expect an additional charge to bring your pet on board – usually $100 or more. Different airlines have different policies and different fees, so shop around to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
- Medications: As a rule, pets do not like long journeys by air or by road. Your veterinarian will likely prescribe a sedative or sedative medication to help him deal with stress.
- Boarding: Depending on the circumstances of your move, you may prefer to accommodate your pet for a few nights while you pack up and/or while you settle into your new location. Research typical prices near your old or new home to find a great deal.
Cleaning team
Professional cleaning products are not cheap, but they are worth the money every time. (Although if you’re moving out of a small apartment, they’re probably more affordable than you might think.) The spring-cleaning phase of the move usually comes at the very end of the packing process, when you’re completely dry and can’t do a good job anyway—so why would not allocate some funds for professional work? You’ll get a professionally cleaned apartment and the peace of mind that comes with it, and hopefully you’ll get the value back on your deposit.
Replacing the things you threw away
Not everything can – or should – be with you when you move. Your dirty old toilet brush, shower curtain liner, expired over-the-counter medicines, and probably half of the stuff in your fridge and freezer should go straight to the bin, trash, or compost heap, not the moving box. Whatever essentials you end up throwing away, be sure to leave room in your budget for at least one emergency Target launch to replace them.
win
Whether you’re moving to the next zip code or to the other side of the continental US, the process is downright tedious. The last thing you want to do on the first night (or second or third night) is digging up your kitchen equipment and whipping up a meal. (And if you’re waiting for movers to deliver your stuff, you might not even have kitchen equipment to dig out.) Schedule a takeout delivery for at least a couple of nights and set aside enough money to cover that last. what you need is the stress of spending money you don’t have on the takeaway food you so badly need.
Driving license and vehicle registration fees
Transition to a new state? Don’t forget to factor your trip to the DMV into your budget. If you drive a car, you’ll need new licenses, license plates, and registration tags, which can easily set you back a couple of hundred dollars. Even if you don’t drive or own a car, you’ll still need a new state ID. Be sure to find out how much these things cost in your new state so you know what to expect.
Hidden moving company tariffs
If you can afford it, hiring movers is almost always worth the money: professionals will get the job done faster, safer, and more efficiently than you and two of your closest friends could ever dream of. However, some shipping companies charge extra on top of the standard hourly rate for unusual or complex cases. These four situations usually require additional costs:
- Elevator use: If you are moving into a high-rise building, your movers may charge you to use the elevator.
- Long distance transportation: Multiple flights of stairs or very long distance transportation may be subject to additional charges.
- Parking tickets: Citizens, take note: if your movers park illegally to unload your belongings, you could be on the hook for any parking tickets they receive.
- Large, heavy and/or fragile items: anything that is particularly valuable or difficult to move may cost extra.
The best way to avoid these charges is to know they exist so you can include them in your proposal. Be sure to mention any special circumstances to your movers and ask what extra fees they charge so you don’t get billed unexpectedly.