Reduce Moving Costs by Making a Budget
When moving home, unexpected events often arise. But when you have a plan and a budget in your mind and on paper, you would be able to decide quickly on how to respond to the unpleasant surprises.
You can make a moving budget using the MS Excel or GoogleDocs spreadsheet, but you can use paper and calculator if you are more comfortable with written forms. What is important is you cover all moving cost items and not miss anything that could trouble you later on.
The following are the moving cost items that you need to check:
- Moving company costs
If you decide to hire a moving company, track the following items: moving company charge, insurance for valuable equipment, additional charges for special services and professional moving packing service. - Moving house costs
If you are moving yourself, track the following: moving truck rental, gas consumption, truck insurance, moving equipment rental and related moving costs. - Cost while traveling to one’s new home
Most probably you would travel in your own car when moving, so add also car expenses. The other items would be: lodging costs, meals, child or pet care and temporary shelter. - Cost of packing and storage
Items computed under this category include: boxes, bubblewrap, newsprint, tapes, marking devices, labels, paddings, storage fees, additional insurance and moving and storage expense. - Cost of selling one’s home or leaving the rental home
The costs under this are: commission for the broker, fees for titling, legal fees, inspection and appraisal fees, advertising expense, cleaning and repairs and lease cancellation charges. - Cost of buying or renting a new home
Cost items included are: legal fees, survey fees, inspection and appraisal charges, home insurance, property tax, utility deposits, rental deposits and miscellaneous fees such as garbage disposal charges.
