Want to know how to avoid surprise expenses during your next move?
On one hand, there’s the excitement of moving into your new home. Packing up everything you own. Driving (or flying) away from your old neighborhood.
Then there’s the other hand. The financial reality of a move.
The total cost of your relocation rarely matches your expectations. According to recent Anytime Estimate research, 78% of Americans say they always or usually experience unexpected moving costs. In other words, nearly 8 out of 10 people have been surprised by an unplanned expense during a move.
What’s wrong with that picture?
Here’s the deal.
Most people budget for the obvious expenses. The moving truck. Boxes. Bubble wrap. Cleaning fees. But the hidden costs? They have a nasty habit of adding hundreds or even thousands of dollars to the final total.
And that’s exactly what this article is going to solve.
It’s time to stop being shocked by the total cost of moving. Calculating it accurately requires more than an estimate from a moving company. You also need to know where the hidden charges lurk and how to plan for them before they blow up your budget.
Continue reading to find out…
- Why Moving Estimates Are Almost Never Accurate
- The Sneaky Fees Most People Forget to Budget For
- Day-of-Move Charges That Add Up Quickly
- Post-Move Expenses Nobody Warns You About
- How to Budget Like a Pro
Why Moving Estimates Are Almost Never Accurate
Did you know that…
The moving estimate you received? It’s almost never a guarantee.
Move.org did some digging and discovered that close to 60% of customers experience price changes from the original estimate provided by their moving company. In other words, the majority of people pay more on moving day than they were quoted ahead of time.
Why do estimates change so often?
Movers base their estimates on the information you give them. Once they know how much stuff you have and how far they have to haul it, they crunch some numbers and tell you a price.
But details change. Things weigh more than anticipated. Loading and unloading the truck is more complicated than you thought. Or maybe there are stairs. Lots of stairs.
All of the above factors can balloon your estimate into a much larger number when the truck shows up.
The good news is that this is an easy problem to solve. Most movers provide binding estimates when you request them. Getting your price locked in is the best way to protect yourself against surprise charges on moving day.
The Sneaky Fees Most People Forget to Budget For
Before the moving truck even shows up, some expenses are inevitable…
Packing supplies get expensive quickly. Boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and packing paper run $150 to $250 for the average household. Most people severely underestimate how many boxes they actually need.
Storage fees also start adding up. When your move-out date and move-in date don’t line up perfectly, you need somewhere to store your stuff in between. Storage units run $100 to $350 per month depending on the size.
Cleaning costs also sneak up. Getting your old place presentable for your landlord or new tenants often requires a professional cleaning. Move-out cleaning runs $360 on average. Cleaning the new place before unpacking is another sneaky fee.
Utility deposits are a moving renter’s worst enemy. Electric, gas, and internet all require deposits. Activation fees alone on internet service can cost $50 to $100. Electric and gas deposits can tack on another $200.
All of these pre-move expenses can add $500 or more to your moving budget. The only way to stay on top of them is to plan for them far in advance.
Day-of-Move Charges That Add Up Quickly
Moving day is where the hidden fees really start to pile up…
Stair fees are no joke. If your movers have to carry your belongings up or down multiple flights of stairs, get ready to be charged extra. Expect to pay an additional $50 to $75 per flight.
Long carry fees apply in this situation as well. When the moving truck can’t park near your door, movers are forced to carry your belongings a longer distance. That could cost $75 to $150.
Heavy item surcharges exist for a reason. If you have a piano. Or a gun safe. Or any other oversized piece of furniture, your movers will charge extra for each heavy item. Add $75 to $100 to your total per item.
Shuttle services are a thing in certain areas. When the moving truck can’t fit into your driveway or down your street, your belongings may need to transfer to a smaller vehicle to get where they’re going. You will likely be charged $250 to $500 for that shuttle service.
Of course, never forget tipping. Movers expect to be tipped. Industry standard suggests $20 to $40 per mover. If you’ve hired a crew of three, tack on another $60 to $120 in cash.
Post-Move Expenses Nobody Warns You About
You think it’s over once everything is unloaded from the moving truck?
Think again.
Post-move expenses are where most people’s budgets come completely unglued. They sneak up on you after you’ve already spent a ton of money on the process of the move itself.
Replacing items that don’t fit in the new place is very common. That couch from your old apartment might look stupid in the new living room. Buying new furniture after a move is one of the most popular expenses.
Minor repairs also creep up fast. Shoving all of your furniture into a new place can cause damage to walls, floors, and door frames. Setting aside money for small repairs protects your security deposit.
Insurance adjustments occur as well. Your auto insurance might change with a new address. Zip codes make a difference on rates, even if you’re moving down the street.
The exhaustion tax is 100% real. When you don’t have the energy to make dinner, takeout adds up quickly in the first week.
How to Budget Like a Pro
Avoid the financial stress that most people experience during a move?
Easy. Do things the right way.
Here’s how to budget like a pro for your move.
Start by adding 20% onto whatever estimate you get. An additional buffer like this will cover the surprise fees that almost always show up during a move.
Get everything in writing as well. Ask your moving company for a detailed breakdown of every single fee they might charge you. Long carries, stair charges, heavy items… Know exactly what they charge extra for.
Time your move strategically too. Peak moving season costs more. If you have flexibility in your schedule, try to arrange your move during off-peak periods between September and April.
Declutter like crazy before moving day. Less stuff is cheaper to move. Plus you won’t be paying to move things you don’t even want anymore.
Track every expense as it happens. Small charges sneak up on you easily. Don’t wait until the end to try to total up what you’ve spent. Keep a running total to prevent sticker shock.
Wrapping It Up
Hidden moving expenses sneak up on nearly everyone. Packing supplies and storage fees. Stair charges and tipping. Post-move purchases and cleaning…
The true cost of moving is almost always higher than you initially expect.
But that doesn’t mean it has to blow up your budget and leave you in tears at checkout. By understanding where these sneaky costs are hiding and planning for them in advance, a budget-friendly, stress-free move is 100% possible.
In short…
- Get binding estimates to lock in your price
- Budget for packing supplies, cleaning, and utility deposits
- Ask about stair fees, long carry charges, and heavy item surcharges
- Plan for post-move expenses like repairs and replacements
- Add a 20% buffer to any estimate you receive
Preparation is the key to the difference between a budget disaster and a smooth transition. Know the hidden costs before they happen, and your wallet will thank you.
