Preparing to move into a new house is one of the most stressful things that you can do. As well as everything else that goes into a successful move, you need to create and keep to a moving budget. You are making a major investment in a new house and can expect to be a bit stretched financially as you settle into your new situation. For this reason, creating and adhering to your moving budget is incredibly important.
Below are three essential items to include in that budget so that you can plan accordingly.
1. Movers
The first and most obvious thing that you will need to budget for is the moving company that you choose to hire to convey your furniture and personal belongings to your new home. This isn’t something to leave up to the first moving company that you find. Do your research and compare the costs of various movers. You will also want to get a quote, especially if you are moving a great distance.
The amount of money that you can expect to spend on your movers will depend on a variety of factors. How much will need to be moved, the distance that it will need to be taken, and whether or not you choose to pack your things yourself or if you’d like a full-service company to handle this will all come into play. Take time to establish exactly what you will want your movers to do so that you can find the right company to fit your needs.
2. Packing Materials
Once you have your movers booked, the next thing you will need to look into involves your packing materials. You will very likely need to box and bag up many items, and, unfortunately, the cost of packing materials can come as quite a shock. You wouldn’t think that cardboard boxes and other packing materials would be a great expense, but if you are going to pack up an entire house, you will need a variety of boxes in various sizes.
While smaller boxes might only cost a dollar or two, larger boxes suitable for hanging clothes and bigger items will be somewhere between $10 and $15 a piece. This isn’t to mention the added costs of bubble wrap, packing tape, and packing peanuts.
3. Accommodations
When you are moving to a new house, it is a good idea to budget for a night or two in a hotel, even if only as a contingency. It very well might be the case that you arrive at your new home only to find that an essential utility like water or electricity isn’t working correctly. It is preferable to have the ability to head to a hotel in such cases. Bear this in mind when you draw up your budget if you are moving a great distance that will require an overnight stop along the way.
Now you know what to budget for when you’re moving, so plan carefully and start your life in your new home as stress-free and smoothly as possible.