So you’ve made the big decision to move houses and embrace a change of scenery? Congratulations and good luck! As you’re no doubt aware, moving out of home, whether to a new address just around the corner or somewhere much further afield, is one of life’s biggest (and most stressful) decisions. It can also be quite an expensive decision, depending on how far you’re moving and how many belongings you need to shift. Thankfully our professional movers in the Promovers team can take care of getting your life from A to B with minimum fuss. However, there are a few other key costs to consider.
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Professional Removalist | $800-2,500
Let’s start with the most obvious cost of all – professional movers. It’s certainly possible to cut costs by taking care of the move yourself. However, if you have a lot of furniture and belongings to move, not to mention big distances to cover, it always pays to hire the services of a professional removalist. Whilst fees for professional movers do vary by the amount of time you require their services, the number of removalists involved, and the difficulty of the move itself (some are known to charge per step on a staircase beyond level one!), Forbes estimates their average cost in the United States is between $1,400, with a range from $800-2,500. Naturally, moving to the next neighborhood will cost less than moving to another state on the other side of the country.
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Cleaning | $25-90 per hour
Moving house is a messy business and a task that requires cleaning, lots of cleaning at both ends! The new owners or real estate agent will be expecting the property you vacate to be as spotless as possible once you’ve left, and the new address you’re moving into is one you’d like to be looking fresh before you lay down your heavy furniture and household appliances. Cleaning costs to consider include hiring a professional cleaner (anywhere from $25-$90 across the US according to HomeAdvisor), or if you prefer to DIY, the price of buying common household cleaning goods yourself from the grocery store.
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Boxes! $0.80-25
Often overlooked when tallying the costs of moving out of home, cardboard boxes are a godsend to anyone undertaking this big task! Although not necessarily an expensive item, cardboard boxes may be needed in large quantities, depending on how much furniture, cutlery, and other various personal belongings you need to take with you. A quick search of the Home Depot website reveals cardboard boxes can be purchased from as low as $0.78 for the simplest option, up to $25 for a premium, heavy-duty box that comes complete with handles!
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Take Away Food | $5-20 per meal
The process of moving homes can take days in some cases when you consider the time involved in unpacking and properly setting up your furniture and basic household appliances at your new address. Keeping this in mind, you’ll likely face at least one day where takeaway food will fuel your move before your new kitchen is up and running. The cost of this? It depends on your tastes, with a cheap bowl of Stir Fry Noodles likely to set you back $5, whilst something a little fancier might be closer to $20. Something else to consider when tallying up your moving budget.
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Basic Utilities
Last but not least, you’ll want all your basic utilities (gas, electricity, water, and internet) up and running before you finally rest your legs at the end of a big move! Some utility providers will set you up in your new place for free, whilst others will charge you a modest connection fee. With this cost variable, it pays to shop around and ask ahead before you get moving!
Whilst moving out of a home can be stressful and time-consuming for many people, with a little prior organization and an awareness of the costs involved, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy a far smoother experience!
