Finding an ideal house and buying a home is everybody’s dream. However, many people forget about the struggles of relocating and the many costs related to it. Moving to another place won’t be cheap, even less so if you’re relocating to another city or a state. If you have a lot of household items to pack and move, it can be costly. Making a smart relocation budget is a must if you want to maintain control over your expenses. Many people spend way more than they initially planned just because they didn’t have a clear idea about how much everything costs. Making a budget can be a real lifesaver for this situation. This article will give you an idea about the various expenses to plan for when moving house, so you can be ready for everything.
Moving budget
People usually think that making a relocation budget entails stating the price of a new home, calculating the closing costs, and getting a moving estimate from a moving company. However, there is so much more you need to include in your budget. Consider all tasks and list your priorities to decide what is necessary and what is nice to have but not crucial. When relocating, there are many services that are not regarded as basic, but they can make your moving and the whole life during that period much more comfortable. Professional packing and unpacking, storage, moving insurance, etc., are all special services that cost extra.
Renting/buying a house
When you’re relocating to another place, the first thing you need to take care of and pay for is the new home. Whether you plan to rent or buy a new house, you will need financial investments, so it’s the first and main thing on your relocation budget.
The rates for buying or renting a house vary depending on the city and its neighborhoods. If you’re searching for a home in big-city downtown, you obviously need a bigger budget because the overall cost of living there will be high.
When you’re renting a home, start-up costs include a security deposit, the first and last month’s rent, an application fee, etc. When buying, initial costs are the down payment and the closing costs such as realtor fee, the fee for running your credit report, attorney’s fees, home inspection costs, a title search, an appraisal fee, a survey fee, etc. All of that combined usually ranges from 2% to 5% of the cost of your new home value.
Upgrades/repairs/renovations/décor
Depending on where you move, you’ll maybe need to set up new electric, gas, internet, and TV services. If there is a need to set up water and sewage or a new home security system, it can really cost a lot. Do you need to make some upgrades before moving into your new home? Will there be some repairs or home renovations? A house inspection before purchasing can help you a lot in calculating the real costs. Finally, if you need some new household items or appliances, factor them in as well.
Movers’ fees
Hiring professional movers is an excellent way to ensure peace of mind. But remember that mover’s fees will vary depending on different factors:
- Their brand, reputation, and experience – companies with many years of experience usually charge more than those new in the business. More experience in the field equals more efficiency. Experienced movers require a decent budget but offer great and reliable service.
- Season – avoid the peak season, and you will avoid high moving company rates. Also, the important thing to know is that they usually charge more during the weekend than on the weekdays.
- Type and volume of items you want to move
- Distance for transport – logically, if you move locally, it will cost you less.
Loading and unloading expenses
Suppose you need to transport very large, very heavy, or extremely sensitive objects such as a piano, pool table, or a safe. In that case, you’ll probably need to pay additional fees to the moving company. If you plan to move by yourself, you’ll need to acquire or rent specialized equipment and tools to move the bulky items. You’ll also need to buy sliders for moving the furniture to avoid the risk of damage or injuries.
Packing expenses
For packing, you may also decide to hire professionals to save time and focus on other things related to relocation. If you choose to do all the packing alone, you must ensure enough time for that process and good quality packing materials, such as sturdy boxes and packing tapes, good scissors, etc.
House cleaning
If you are renting or selling your current home, you need to arrange a deep cleaning before leaving. You can do it yourself or hire professional cleaning services. Include that in your moving budget. If there is something to repair in your present home, add it to the budget as well.
Travel expense
If you are moving long-distance, for example to another state, movers will deal with your furniture, but you need to arrange the travel for yourself and your family. So, flight tickets must find their way into the calculation. Traveling by plane is the fastest option, but the price may be high depending on the season and how early you made the purchase.
Storage expense
When you plan to move a house, be ready to face many challenges. Very often, the place you are relocating to is not completely ready to house your items. In that case, you’ll need to find a short-term storage solution. If you decide to rent a storage unit, you can safely keep your items while letting your old house be thoroughly cleaned for the new owners/tenants. Renting a storage unit has its cost, but it can save you a lot of trouble.
Unexpected costs when moving house
As you probably already know, things don’t always go as smoothly as planned. It’s good to be prepared for some unexpected expenses along the way, despite your excellent money management skills. Include some extra savings on your budget, just in case. People cannot predict each little detail, and there may be some unforeseen circumstances. It’s crucial to estimate the costs, but be sure something extra will pop up, so be financially ready when it happens.
Conclusion
Relocating will inevitably involve some stressing, but you can alleviate most of it with good organization and timely planning. There will be quite a lot of expenses to plan for when moving house, and if you consider all of them and design your budget accordingly, it will save you from many monetary tensions. Therefore, start saving on time to enjoy your relocation without too many headaches. Good luck!