When planning a residential move, it’s important to have an accurate idea of the final moving costs so you can set an authentic moving budget. Estimating your moving costs, however, is not as simple as it seems at first.
The movers will provide you with an estimate based on the total weight of your shipment and the actual distance to your new home. But an abundance of other factors may also affect the ultimate price and make your relocation significantly more expensive than anticipated.
To make a good financial plan for your upcoming move, you need to know exactly what can affect your moving estimate.
Details Which will Impact Your Relocating Costs
Required moving services
The factor that will most impact the final cost of your move is the amount of moving help you’re going to need.
If you want your movers to take care of all aspects of the relocation process (including packing your goods, loading them onto the moving truck, transporting them to your new home, and unloading and unpacking your items), your move can cost you a pretty penny.
But if you opt to do some of the work yourself (such as packing your belongings or disassembling your large furniture), you won’t have to pay for those services, and will be capable of reducing the moving costs.
Keep in mind that any specific packing, handling, or transportation requirements you could have (like crating, exclusive use of the moving vehicle, or split pick-up or delivery) will also incur additional fees.
Sometimes, circumstances beyond your control may necessitate a specific service, whether or not you would like to use it or not.
Poor access to the pick-up and/or drop-off location is considered the most common obstacle that affects the flow of a move and results in extra charges. Here are several examples:
If your old home (or even your new property) isn’t accessible to large moving trucks because of physical constraints (such as narrow roads or weak bridges), your goods are going to be picked up or delivered with the help of smaller vehicles. This will likely incur an additional shuttle fee.
If the moving truck can’t stop in front of the entrance to your home and the movers must carry your items over a considerable distance (in excess of 50 to 75 feet), you’ll end up paying a long-carry fee.
If the movers must take your goods up or down a number of stairs (or wait long for an elevator), you’ll be forced to pay a flight charge (or perhaps an elevator fee).
If some of your furniture or appliances don’t fit through the doors or along the narrow hallways in your property, you will need hoisting services (that is, movers will take your large items in or out of the home through a window). These tend to be really expensive.
Storage needs are the second most common reason behind increased moving costs. If you require your belongings to be kept in the carrier’s warehouse (when your new home is not ready to be occupied yet, or because you’re moving into temporary housing and want your items safely stored until you find a permanent residence), you’ll be forced to pay an extra storage fee.
And if your items end up being held in storage for some time, because you’re unable to receive your shipment on the agreed date and time, all the warehouse handling costs are going to be at your expense.
You’ll also be charged extra for any idle time the movers waste waiting at your house . if you’re not ready when they arrive to pick up your goods.
The time of your move
The specific time of year when your relocation happens will also greatly impact the final moving costs.
It’s not a secret that moving company rates are a lot higher during the summer – the busiest moving season- in comparison with the remainder of the year. So, moving off-season (anytime from September to mid-May) will significantly reduce your moving costs, and will also allow you to ensure the help of experienced moving professionals at the most convenient time for you (reputable movers aren’t easily available during the peak season).
Also, remember that moving rates are usually higher on national holidays as well as on the first/last day of a month, when many people have to move house because of rental agreements or job-related considerations.
Whenever possible, avoid such peak periods and schedule your relocation for a day throughout the second half of a month when you might expect lower rates, plenty of available movers, and not as much hassle.
As far as specific days of the week are involved, the weekends are, of course, the busiest as well as the costliest. Tuesday, on the other hand, will be the least preferred day for a move, so you may receive a significant discount if you decide to relocate on a Tuesday.
Your moving insurance
The basic liability coverage (60 cents per pound per item) you get for free when working with professional moving services may not be enough to ensure your peace of mind, especially if you are relocating items of high sentimental or monetary value.
If you want full value protection (under which the carrier assumes liability for the full cost of repairs or the replacement value of any lost or damaged goods), your moving costs will go still higher.
With so many factors affecting your movers’ estimate, you have to be really careful when searching for your moving options and selecting the ideal movers for you. Get a few on-site binding estimates, compare the rates and conditions different moving companies offer, and then make your selection wisely.
If you are relocating to the Tampa Bay Area, Nick & Cindy Davis are here to assist you. We are always just a call to 813-300-7116 or a click here away