Making your move successful is to plan and prepare for every aspect of it. When moving long distances, you need to consider many factors that will affect the cost of your relocation. Here are some tips on how you can budget for your move.
Be Realistic About Your Moving Budget
If there's an item that you want to buy and it's more than $150, ask yourself if it's necessary for the move or if it can wait until later.
You should also ensure that your list is complete and includes everything that you need to pack before moving day arrives.
You might think packing would cost less than moving, but this isn't always true. The truth is that most people underestimate how much money they need for packing materials like boxes and tape when preparing their budget for relocating across town or country.
If you're looking at companies like PODS or U-Pack that offer self-service storage containers for long-distance moves, then be aware of any hidden fees, such as shipping costs, before signing up with them, so there are no surprises at checkout time.
Hire a Reliable Moving Company
Hiring a reliable moving company is essential to making your relocation as smooth and seamless as possible.
Look for a company with good reviews, ask friends and family for recommendations, check the company's website to see if it has a good reputation, and ensure that the state has licensed it.
You should also ensure that the movers are insured to protect against loss or damage to your belongings during transit.
Double-Check Insurance Options
Insurance is an essential part of any move. You'll want to ensure that you're covered should anything happen to your property. If you already have a homeowner's or renter's insurance policy, check your coverage and learn what it covers and doesn't cover. You'll find different insurance policies available, so ensure you understand what each policy offers.
You might want additional insurance if you plan to make major improvements or upgrades before selling or renting out your current home once you move away from it (for example, installing solar panels).
Make Sure Your Truck Is the Right Size
Before hiring a truck or van, it is crucial to measure the size of your items. The easiest way to do this is by using an empty box with dimensions similar to your items.
When you’re moving internationally, remember that there are different rules for shipping trucks versus cars or motorcycles.
If you are moving internationally, ensure your vehicle fits in certain sizes and categories so you can ship them safely from one country to another.
A good idea before renting a truck or van would be to book one with a GPS tracking device like a locator tracker. If something was to happen en route, such as misdirection, then you can know where your belongings are.
Set Aside Money for Professional Packing Services
You may want to consider hiring professional moving companies to pack your belongings. This can be a good option if you don’t have the time or energy to pack on your own.
However, hiring packing services can be expensive. So decide whether it would be better for you to do so yourself or hire movers who can take care of all the heavy lifting.
Consider Measures You Cannot Cost in Terms of Money
Another factor to think about is not all the costs can be measured in terms of money. Emotional costs may not be easy to quantify, but significant factors when relocating.
Consider the cost of your time, stress, relationships, health, and mental health. Moving will take a lot of effort and energy, so you should consider how much this will impact other aspects of your life.
Distance Between Your Current and Future Home
The distance between your current home and future home is essential when preparing a budget. If you're moving cross-country, for example, the cost of relocation will be significantly higher than if your move is within the same state.
The average distance between cities in the US varies from state to state — the shortest distance between two cities in Alaska is 6 miles, while the longest distance for any pair of cities in Hawaii is 4,000 miles.
While these numbers may seem daunting, there are several ways to get an accurate estimate of how far apart two places are:
- Use Google Maps' driving directions feature with realistic travel times.
- Find out how long it takes planes or trains (or other modes of transportation) to go from one place to another.
Avoid Relocating During Peak Season
If you can wait, do it. If you move during peak season, ensure you set aside extra funds for the additional cost.
Most people move during the summer or winter months when school is out, and business isn't as hectic as it is in the fall or spring.
So moving companies are busier than usual, making it expensive to hire a company to move your belongings.
Pay Attention to What You Need To Move and Pack
List what you need to move and pack. It's essential to keep in mind that you should not pack or ship certain things. For example:
- Your car (unless transported by truck).
- Appliances with gas or propane tanks.
- Large appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, and dryers.
Prepare for Unexpected Costs
It is vital to budget for the unexpected. There are always surprises when you move, from furniture that doesn't fit into your new place to replacing things like a broken window or stove damaged in transit. Make sure you have a contingency fund set aside.
Hiring a good moving company is essential to make relocation smooth and stress-free if you're moving long-distance.
With so many moving companies in the market today, it's easy for consumers to get confused about which one will be best for their needs.
Before choosing a moving company for your relocation, keep in mind these factors:
- The reputation of the company. Companies with excellent reputations can provide you with more information about their services. They also usually have positive customer reviews that can give you an idea of what kind of service they offer and how reliable they are in handling situations like yours.
- Insurance coverage is offered by the mover or movers themselves or by third-party insurance companies hired by them (such as Allied Van Lines). Always insist they sign this document before your move starts so that nothing untoward happens later during the transit or storage stage.
Conclusion
We hope this post has helped you understand the importance of budgeting for your move. Remember that a good moving company can make all the difference when planning a smooth relocation. If you're looking for reliable movers in your area, research.
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