How Much Money Do You Need For Moving

By: ROS Team

Moving into a new home is an exciting time for anyone. It is an unfolding of a new chapter for you and your family. But if you do not plan well, the emotions can become a roller coaster ride. Among other things, planning well is about knowing how much to prepare for the move.

The actual cost of moving to a new home includes more than the price of the house. There are several other things you need to know. That includes hiring movers, car shipping companies, and many more.

Here is a Breakdown of What Expenses to Expect when Moving.

Transporting Your Things

The most common cost of moving comes with transporting your things. Different factors would affect the price, such as:

Where you are coming from
Where you are going
The number of things you are bringing
What you are moving

The location is the primary factor here. The farther the distance, the higher the price would be.

If you are bringing heavy or bulky things like furniture, expect to pay more for more space, a bigger van, and additional movers.

You may want to research how much you will spend to move your large items compared to purchasing new ones close to where you are moving instead.

One mostly overlooked issue is moving your car. If the destination is close enough, it would be okay to drive yourself. But if you have multiple cars, hiring a car mover is the more practical option.

That leads you to the next cost.

Moving Yourself

If you are moving to another state, it is best to have your vehicle shipped, then you and your family can take a plane. It is more practical in terms of your time as well.

Whether you opt to drive or take a plane, you have to factor in the cost of moving yourself as part of your budget.

Leftover Things

Moving to a new home allows you to declutter your things. There would be items you want or must bring with you. Some can be sold or donated. Then again, you might end up with a good chunk of stuff you do not know what to do with.

If that is the case, a storage unit could be a good option for you. While this brings more cost, it is practical for things you may not need now but will in the future.

Cleaning Cost

It is good manners to make sure you leave your old home in top shape. Whether you were renting or selling, get it cleaned. You can get a cleaning service for that, but it can get expensive. The cheaper option is to get some cleaning supplies yourself.

Once you arrive at your new home, you are looking at cleaning it as well. Unpacking can lead to a messy house. Have supplies ready to deal with the aftermath of all the activity.

Costs After Arriving

You might be looking at other miscellaneous costs, depending on your new home situation. If you are renting, prepare to pay a security deposit and advanced rent payment to your new landlord.

If you purchased a home, you should prepare for things like doing repairs, replacing smoke detectors, and installing a new security system.

Lawn care is another thing to look after if you are moving to a home with a yard. It takes more than purchasing a lawnmower. You need fertilizer, weed spray, and other tools—or get a professional to take care of it.

As for groceries, you most likely won’t be bringing a lot of food and consumables from your old home. You will have to stock up once you arrive.

Plus, moving into a new home takes time. You will not be settled in just one day. That means you may not get the chance to cook your meals right off the bat, so you need to prepare additional money for takeout or dining out.

Utility Costs

Electricity, water, and gas are necessities. Internet and cable are right up there as well. Know that when you are moving to a new home, you will need to take care of these—and most of them will have initial setup fees.

That is especially true if the previous homeowners have the connections shut off. You will need to pay a certain amount to get them back on. Prices for this can vary greatly.

You can expect to pay around $100 for new internet installation.

Paperwork Costs

You will need to update your paperwork to your new address. That includes insurance paperwork, registration, and driver’s license, to name a few. If moving to a new state, new license plates would come into play.

Other paperwork costs can include property tax. Some states do not have property taxes, so it is good to research the laws of where you are moving.

To ensure a smooth transition to your new home, plan, and research beforehand. That way, you do not end up draining your emergency funds. Be realistic with your predictions and get as much information as you can.