We all know how relocation can be stressful and expensive. There is a lot of stuff and steps to think about, so the good start would be to create a moving budget checklist and have everything calculated and planned. Because, to be frank, such an undertaking is not cheap at all. According to the website WorldFreightRates, the average interstate move costs $4,100, an in-state move $980, and local movers, on average, charge $25 per hour.
The best way to start your moving planning is by creating a financial checklist
Relocation can be challenging, and knowing how to cope with anxiety can help you finish all your tasks. Before professional long-distance movers start to pack your stuff, you have to consider the whole list of things. So, it is easy to underestimate how much should you budget for a move. There are so many fees you should consider. Knowing how to organize your move and following steps to creating a budget checklist can be a handy guide.
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How Much Should You Budget for a Move
No matter if you’re relocating alone or with your family, or even relocating with your pets, planning how much everything will cost depends on many factors. So you’re probably wondering how do you budget for a big move? Your home’s size and how many things you will actually bring to your new home can affect the expenses. Whether you’re hiring professional cross country movers or you’re making a move by yourself. Don’t forget the relocating truck and additional services such as insurance, packing, or storage facility.
Establish how much you need for each service and make your life easier because you certainly don’t want to end up with no money in the middle of the relocation. This will also help you adjust to a new town easier because you’ll avoid relocation stress.
Knowing in advance how much every service you'll need is going to cost you is the best way to prepare yourself for the move
Why You Need a Moving Budget Checklist
This is the first time you relocate or the fifth? It doesn’t matter much. Every relocation needs a good organization and a guide to planning your move. The same thing stands for your relocation finances. Every task you have to do is much easier with a checklist that will keep you updated and on track with everything you need to do. The same thing is for your finances. We all know how relocating can be stressful and chaotic. The last thing you need is to spend too much money on something you don’t even need.
First Step – Create a Budget for Moving Out
Whatever your reasons to move are, you should have a financial plan before relocation. That way, you can establish what you can or can’t afford. To avoid inconvenience and unpleasant situations, set an accurate list of every task and expense that should be covered.
If you don’t know where to start when creating a moving-out budget, you can apply the 50 20 30 budget rule. Let’s explain this finance rule in more detail. There are three categories: needs, wants, and savings. You have to divide your after-tax income and allocate it in the categories we wrote above, like this: 50% on needs, 30% on wants, and the 20% on savings.
Auto Transport
Move your car across the country in an open or enclosed trailer – for an affordable fee. We offer car transport as a standalone service, but you can bundle it with your household move and get a hefty discount.
Learn morePacking Service
Sit back and relax, we’ve got packing services covered. We use moving blankets, shrink wrap, bubble wrap and even custom wooden crating. Your stuff will be protected and carefully handled during the move.
Learn moreStorage Services
Our spacious climate-controlled units will protect your things until the drop-off. No need to worry about them because all items are labeled and secure, and each customer gets a dedicated unit mixup isn’t possible.
Learn moreStart Planning on Time
Knowing how to move efficiently will leave you an opportunity to sit down and think about every little cost you might forget in a hurry. If you don’t have a sudden last-minute relocation, start planning on time. Give yourself enough space for this process and create a reliable list of all the expenses and costs you’ll have to cover. But, if you have to move out suddenly because you got a job offer, hiring a professional long-distance moving company might be the right choice for you.
The relocation planning takes time - the sooner you start, the better organization you'll have
Hiring Professional Long Distance Movers – How Much Will It Cost You
Many people think that hiring long-distance moving services is more expensive than relocating on your own, but do you really know how much do movers cost for a day? Start researching for a reliable, professional cross-country moving company. If you have a friend that recently moved, ask him for a recommendation. Once finished research, call each company and ask for a free quote. It is the best way to know generally how much professional help costs. Don’t forget to ask for additional services, like auto transportation. Of course, moving insurance should be there, as well as storage services.
Know-How Movers Calculate Costs
If you prefer hiring trustworthy cross-country moving companies, make sure you know how they will calculate the costs. Most companies charge by weight and size of the shipment. You can ask for an in-house or video estimate of your things, and they will probably ask how many rooms are there to pack. Think thoroughly about what you want to bring with you.
Additional Expenses
You should always think about additional expenses, even the little ones. Be sure and check with the relocation company for additional charges. For example, would you have to pay the additional fee if professional movers have to carry your boxes and bulky items up to three or more flights of stairs? It is important to estimate the value of household goods, but notice that the insurance will be higher if you have a lot of valuable items.
Don't forget the tips for the relocation services
Costs of Packing and Logistics
Packing your stuff for relocation might be the most tiring but also an immensely important step. If you choose professional packing services, the costs will be included in the final bill, which means you don’t have to calculate by yourself, and the movers who know all the packing strategies will take care of it. This is a great option because you can check with the relocation company if boxes and packing supplies are included.
Check everything with professional relocating companies before the relocation day, like truck services and what is the best way to transport your stuff
Transportation From Your Old to Your New Home
How much you will spend on transportation can depend on many factors. The most obvious one is the distance between your old and new home. If you are relocating by yourself, you should put on your checklist costs for renting a truck, insurance, and gas. You might think it would save you some money, but when you put everything on paper, you’ll see that costs are nearly the same if you hire a professional long-distance moving company.
Ask the professionals for some tips and advice if you are planning to rent a truck
Rent a Storage
After you created a budget plan for moving out and calculated every cost, the mistake can happen. For example, when it comes to move-out and move-in dates, it can happen that your new home is not ready when you are. That’s why you should rent a storage unit where you can store your things and belongings. You know how crowded it can be if you decide to move in with a boyfriend or perhaps with a girlfriend, and you both have extra stuff. So, why throw away things you like?
If you can't make enough space in your future apartment for your stuff, rent a storage
How Can I Move Out Cheaply? Here Are Some Tips on How to Move on a Budget
We all know how a relocation process can be expensive. Here are some tips to help you save and not overspend your money.
How to Save Money on Packing Supplies
If you decided to do it on your own, you’d be needing supplies to pack your things. The boxes and wrapping paper can be costly, and you’ll be needing a lot of them. Start looking for some cheap supplies by asking at your local stores if there are some boxes they don’t need. If your friend moved recently, maybe there are supplies and boxes you can use. Another good way to find free supplies is to go online and check on FreeCycle and also some Facebook groups.
If you are wondering how to pack your fragile belongings without fancy wrapping supplies, here are some items you already have at home and can protect them:
- Blankets and other soft materials,
- Socks,
- Towels.
You might think the newspaper is the best option for wrapping your fragile stuff but think twice. It will leave your glasses and dishes dirty, and you certainly don’t want to wash everything again once you move in.
Declutter Your House
The declutter option is a good opportunity to lower your costs of transportation and storage services. If you are struggling with an enormous number of things and stuff you have to pack, decluttering is just a thing you need. Start room by room and put aside everything you don’t like or use anymore.
You probably already have some bulky stuff and don’t know how to pack them, like furniture, so why bother even preparing them if you don’t want them in your new place? Everything you won’t bring, you can sell online, or you can donate to organizations such as GoodWill. If you are having trouble with how to start decluttering your house, here’s a video with some tips and hacks.
Avoid Relocation Season
Wondering what the cheapest way to relocate is? One of the ways is to avoid the relocation season. Relocating in summer is certainly easier than relocating in cold and bad weather, but it’s also more expensive. Don’t think you can’t move during winter. It’s going to be a bit demanding and will require an extra step, but it will save you money. So start searching for some recommendations about long-distance movers near me.
Clean Your House
So, you’ve prepared the first apartment essentials and took note of the most commonly forgotten things to pack. However, there is another thing you need to consider. It is the cleaning part. You should clean your future house before moving in, but don’t forget the house you’re leaving. You can save some money and do it yourself with some tips on how to clean an apartment.
When your apartment is clean, you can get the best of it
Planning a Budget for Moving Out Just Become a Lot Easier
This was our step-by-step guide to creating a financial plan when considering cross-country moving. Remember there could always be an extra cost and fee, so having everything prepared on time will save you from unpleasant surprises.
Now that we answer how you budget for a big move, you can start with your checklist and enjoy yourself in your new home without any extra expenses.
