Several major expenses are involved in the average move, and for most, there are quite a few smaller costs that factor in, too. Unfortunately, though, many people never budget for the smaller expenses that might be related to their move, but as you likely know, even little expenses eventually add up.
Which hidden moving costs should you know about so you can factor them into your relocation budget? Let’s take a look.
Paying More for a High-Quality Moving Company
Whether you’re planning to hire a moving company for loading and transportation help or you’re looking to go all in and opt for full packing services, you cannot settle for mediocre. While it might be tempting to hire the most affordable moving company you get an estimate from, taking that route is not in your best interest.
When it comes to hiring a moving service, you get what you pay for. Generally, that means the cheaper the quote, the lower quality the service. And even if you’re trying to move as affordably as possible, hiring movers is one area you should absolutely splurge on.
When you create your moving budget, be sure to budget for the highest-quality moving service you can afford to ensure your belongings make it to your new home on time and intact.
Upgrading Your Moving Insurance
When you hire a licensed moving company, by law, the company is required to provide you with liability insurance. This type of insurance, more commonly referred to as released value protection, will reimburse you $0.60 per pound, per article, for any items that incur damage or get lost during the move.
Although it comes standard, this level of coverage is woefully inadequate for most, especially those who are moving high-value items. Luckily, you’ll have the option to upgrade your insurance, but like any upgrade, it’ll cost you extra. Be sure to budget for that.
Pet Boarding and/or Child Care
If you have pets or small children, it’s best to make sure you arrange care for them on your move day. In the interest of safety (and efficiency) small feet shouldn’t be running around the property while your movers and packers are working.
You may want to board anxiety-prone pets overnight and arrange a full day of care for the kids, both of which can be fairly pricey unless you have an acquaintance that can help.
Heavy Items Fees
When you hire a moving company, appliance moving and furniture moving are typically factored into the overall cost of the moving services. But if you have any possessions that are particularly heavy, bulky and awkward, or otherwise challenging to move, there may be additional surcharges associated with moving those things. What kinds of items typically qualify? Things like:
● Pianos
● Sculptures or large pieces of art
● Pool tables
● Hot tubs
● Large safes
When you get moving estimates, make sure you ask each moving company about additional surcharges you may incur. If you’re getting a comprehensive in-home estimate, the movers should factor everything in your home into the quote.
Stair Fees
Do you live on the eighth floor of a walk-up apartment building? Does the elevator in your building routinely go out of order? Are there tons of stairs in your home? Depending on the amount of additional work involved due to the stairwells, your movers may charge you a stair fee. The cost of this fee can vary from company to company and not all moving companies tack on an extra charge, but it’s something to be aware of nonetheless.
Specialty Items Fees
If you’re planning to transport fragile or valuable items in the moving truck, you’ll likely be charged a specialty items fee since these types of items require special care. In some cases, these items may also necessitate the use of special equipment, which will likely incur a charge.
Like heavy items fees, make sure you ask each moving company about these types of surcharges and what they’ll likely amount to while you getting estimates.
Renting a Storage Unit
If you’re selling a home and closing gets pushed back or you’re moving locally and don’t want to transport everything to your new house, you may want to rent a storage unit. Many people who move to smaller places also choose to store some of their belongings and use them on a seasonal basis.
If any of these situations might apply to you, it’s in your best interest to budget for an additional $75-$150 per month for a climate-controlled storage solution.
Schedule an Estimate With a Rochester Moving Company Today
Planning to move out of your Rochester home? Our team at Ace Moving & Warehousing is here to help! We handle local, intrastate, interstate, and international moves and have proudly served Rochester residents since 1958. Whether you’re looking for full packing services, furniture moving, appliance moving, storage solutions, custom move plans, or anything else, we offer a wide variety of moving services to suit your needs.
Ready to get started? To get your estimate, give us a call today at 507-288-3341, request a quick quote online, or send us a message, and we’ll be in touch!