Did you know that 30.4 percent of Americans are probably moving as renters? Do you also plan on moving soon? If so, you must feel overwhelmed with the seemingly endless tasks.
Moving is no easy task, and trying to move on a low budget is even more challenging. You need to find cheap moving boxes or a reliable mover, with no hidden costs involved.
This guide focuses on the hidden costs of moving that you should budget for.
Read on to find out how to budget for moving and what are the factors that affect the cost of moving.
1. The Cost of Having a Pet
If you are moving with pets, you’ll need to budget for their care while you’re moving. This can include boarding fees, pet-sitting, or even just the cost of feeding them while you’re away. All of these costs can add up quickly, so it’s important to be mindful of them when you’re planning your move.
Before you start packing your pets, be sure to set aside some money for the hidden cost of moving your pets. Consider the different costs of moving your pets:
Finding a New Veterinarian
The costs of finding a new veterinarian for your pets can add up to your costs of moving and take you by surprise if you’re not aware of them. Depending on where you move, you may need to pay for a new veterinarian consult to get your pet’s records transferred over.
Additionally, you may need to pay for new vaccinations or other treatments if your pet is not up to date on their shots. All of these costs can add up, so be sure to budget for them in advance!
Buying Pet’s Travel Supplies
Buying your pet’s travel supplies can also add to the cost of moving as well. Be sure to budget for their travel supplies, including crates, food, and toys. If you’re moving long distances, you may also need to budget for a pet-sitter or kennel fees.
Microchipped and Registering in Your New City
One of the most important things to budget is microchipping and registering your pet in your new city. This can be a costly expense, but it’s important to do in order to keep your pet safe.
2. The Cost of Storage
The cost of storage can be a hidden cost of moving that you need to budget for. If you are planning on moving and need to store your belongings, you may want to consider renting a storage unit. You may also need to pay for the safeguard cost of your storage unit, which can add to the cost.
There are many factors that can contribute to the cost of storage, such as the location of the storage unit, the size of the unit, and the type of storage unit you select.
Storage Location
There are many hidden costs of moving that you need to budget for, and one of those is a storage location. If you’re not careful, you could end up spending a lot of money on storage fees. To avoid this, research different storage options in your area and find the one that best suits your needs.
You should also consider the distance of the storage facility from your new home. The closer it is, the easier it will be to access your belongings.
Unit Storage Size
When budgeting for your move, consider the cost of the unit storage size that you will need to rent. The cost of the unit will depend on the size of your home and the number of belongings that you have.
Type of Storage Unit
When it comes to the hidden costs of moving, one of the most important things to budget for is the type of storage unit you’ll need. Depending on the size of your home and the number of belongings you have, you may need to rent a larger storage unit than you initially expected.
3. The Cost of Insurance
One of the hidden costs that are often overlooked is the cost of insurance. If you’re hiring a professional company, be sure to ask about their insurance coverage. Many companies offer basic coverage, but it may not be enough to fully protect your belongings.
You may want to purchase additional insurance to cover the full value of your belongings. This cost can add up quickly, so be sure to factor them into your budget.
There are a lot of different types of insurance that you need to be aware of when you are planning on moving. Here are a few of the hidden costs of moving that you need to budget for:
Auto Insurance
Auto insurance is a type of insurance that is often overlooked. It can take a big chunk out of your budget if you’re not prepared for it. There are a few things you can do to reduce the cost of your insurance when you move, but it’s important to understand that there will probably be some hidden costs that you’ll need to budget for.
Health Insurance
When you move, one of the biggest hidden costs is health insurance. If you don’t have health insurance, you could end up paying a lot of money for medical bills. Make sure you research the cost of health insurance in your new area before you move.
Renter’s Insurance
Another biggest hidden cost is renter’s insurance. This insurance protects your belongings in case of damage or theft, and it’s important to have if you’re moving into a new place. The cost of renter’s insurance can vary depending on the value of your belongings and the coverage you need, so make sure to get a quote before making your final decision.
Homeowner’s Insurance
Perhaps the common hidden cost is homeowner’s insurance. You need to insure your home against damages and theft when you move. The cost of homeowner’s insurance can vary depending on the value of your home and the amount of coverage you need.
4. The Cost of Renting a Truck
Another important hidden cost of moving that you need to budget for is the cost of renting a truck. While the cost of renting a truck may seem like a small expense, it can add up quickly.
Additionally, if you need to refuel the truck, the cost of gas can add up quickly. If you need to return the truck to the rental company, the cost of the rental may be higher than the initial cost. There are two main factors that can affect the cost of renting a truck:
The Size of the Truck
The biggest hidden cost when you move is the size of the truck you’ll need to rent. If you underestimate the size of the truck, you may end up making multiple trips or paying for extra fuel. Either way, it’s important to know the size of your belongings and plan accordingly.
The Distance You’re Traveling with the Truck
The cost of a rental truck is determined by the distance you travel. If you’re moving a long distance, the cost of gas and wear and tear on the truck will be significant.
5. The Cost of Taking Time off Work
The cost of taking time off work is another hidden cost that comes with moving that people don’t think about. If you have to take a week or more off work to move, that’s a lot of lost wages. Taking the time off from work can add up and make moving very expensive.
So, it’s important to budget for all of these costs when you’re planning a move.
6. The Cost of Hiring a Moving Company
One of the biggest hidden costs of moving is the cost of hiring a moving company. While it may seem like hiring a company is the easy way to move, it can actually be quite expensive. Make sure to get quotes from a few different companies before making a decision.
Hiring a residential and commercial moving company can add up to your moving costs quickly, so it’s important to factor them into your budget.
7. The Cost of Boxes and Packing Materials
Another hidden cost is the cost of boxes and packing materials. You can usually find boxes for free from friends or family who have recently moved, but packing materials can get expensive. Make sure to budget for tape, bubble wrap, and moving blankets.
These items can add up rapidly, and you don’t want to be caught off guard when the bill comes.
8. The Cost of Registering Your New Address
One of the many hidden costs of moving that you need to budget for is the cost of registering your new address. When you move, you will need to change your address with the post office, your bank, your doctor, and any other places where you have your mail sent. This can be a hassle, and it can also be expensive.
Find Out Hidden Costs of Moving and Be Ready
The costs of moving are expensive, and there are many hidden costs that people don’t think about. The cost of pets, storage, insurance, truck rental, taking time off work, hiring a moving company, packing of materials, and new address registration can add up to the average cost of moving quickly.
So make sure to budget for these costs when planning your move.
Did you find this article helpful? If so, check out our other articles to learn more about how to save money while moving and taking control of your finances.
