Calculating the true cost of moving can be a tricky business. Sure, you’ve probably budgeted for packing supplies, which are a must whether you’re moving yourself or hiring professional movers. Maybe you’ve researched truck rental companies or moving companies to get an estimate of those fees. But what about all the expenses leading up to moving day? What about the expenses you might incur just after the move?
As Central Florida real estate experts, the Erica Diaz Team has guided many happy clients through their move from one home to another. Today we’re sharing everything you need to know to calculate the true cost of moving, whether you own your own home or you’re renting. We want you to have the best experience possible on this exciting new adventure!
Keep in mind that pricing for everything listed below will range based on your location and where you’re moving to, the size of the home you’re moving from and to, any professionals you choose to hire, and even the time of year for your move. You’ll want to do plenty of research to put together a personalized budget based on your needs so you know how much to save. Read on to learn more!
Homeowners and renters alike should expect to pay certain fees in the course of moving. Many of these expenses differ, but some overlap. Here is what everyone should be sure to budget for when estimating their true cost of moving:
On top of the moving costs mentioned above, homeowners incur additional expenses unique to them. Whether you’re selling a home, buying a home, or both, here’s a breakdown of the most common costs to include in your moving budget:
Connect with a member of the Erica Diaz Team to help!
You renters didn’t think you escaped all those additional expenses, did you? While you might not have the same types of fees as homeowners, you’ve got quite a few expenses of your own to include when calculating your cost of moving. Some of these fees will be optional depending on where you’re renting, but it’s best to be thorough so you’re prepared.
Let’s hit the highlights:
Moving yourself might be more affordable than hiring professional movers, but there are definitely expenses involved. Aside from the packing supplies mentioned earlier, these are some costs you might need to budget for with DIY moves:
The cost of hiring professional movers varies based on a number of factors. In general, though, you can expect to be quoted one of three ways: hourly (most common), weight-based (can be hard to predict because it’s determined after your things are loaded), or a flat-fee (volume based). Some of the factors that will go into an estimate from professional movers include:
Your answers to these questions can make the difference between a quote for hundreds of dollars to a quote for thousands of dollars. Always get a detailed quote from any moving company so you know what is included in their fees and what is extra. It might be tempting to take the lowest bid you receive, but we encourage you to thoroughly research any moving company to avoid getting scammed. Otherwise, you might end up paying more in the long run!
We’ve shared some of our best pro packing tips before, but did you know many moving companies also offer professional packing services? This is a service offered for an additional fee wherein experts (usually from the moving company) wrap up, box, and label your items for you. You might want to include this service in your cost of moving if you’re short on time, have a disability that makes it difficult to pack yourself, or you have to move away before your things themselves can be moved.
Professional packers will bring supplies with them, but the cost of those supplies will be passed along to you. As a rough estimate, you can expect to pay roughly forty to sixty percent more to hire a professional packer versus handling the packing yourself. That said, many moving companies will only cover the cost of damage to your things if they have packed them themselves. That alone can make it worthwhile to hire a professional packer.
As you can see, there are many elements to factor into the cost of moving. Working with a knowledgeable Realtor will gain you access to invaluable resources that will help keep your move smooth, stress-free, and on budget. We are here to guide you through buying a home in Winter Garden, Florida or anywhere in Central Florida you’d like to go!
Central Florida is a thriving, ever-changing real estate market, and you deserve to partner with an expert to help you navigate it. Whether you’re buying or selling a home in Central Florida, our team would love to help. Contact us today!