The Most Expensive Things When Moving Your Home
Moving your house is a big deal. It’s stressful, expensive, and a lot of fun. However, there are a few things that you may forget to consider before you start packing up your stuff and loading it into your truck. These items can add up quickly, especially if you’re moving across the country.
Here are the most expensive things when moving your home.
1. Furniture
You may be tempted to skip furniture when you’re moving, but it’s actually one of the most significant expenses when moving. Not only does it weigh a ton, but it also costs a fortune to ship. Of course, you can save money by buying used furniture, but it’s better to buy new pieces that you don’t have to worry about breaking or losing.
2. Appliances
Your refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, and other appliances are heavy, so it makes sense that they cost a pretty penny to move. However, if you want to keep them in your old place, make sure you wrap them well with bubble wrap and tape. Otherwise, you could end up paying for their shipping as well.
3. Electronics
If you’ve got any electronics at all, then you need to think about how much it will cost to get those shipped too. Many people opt out of taking these along because they assume they won’t fit in their car. That’s not necessarily true, though. Look around online to see what options are available – some companies offer free pickup from your local store.
4. Artwork
Artwork is another thing that tends to stay behind when you move. This includes paintings, sculptures, and other artworks. They’re usually very fragile, which means they’ll require special care during transport. Some artists even charge extra for artwork that gets damaged while being transported.
5. Pets
Pets aren’t just cute; they’re also an essential part of many families. Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean that they’re easy to pack up. Make sure you take plenty of time to prepare food and water bowls for your furry friends. Also, make sure you bring enough toys and treats for them.
6. Kids’ Toys
Kids love playing with toys. While they might seem like little more than playthings, they can become valuable possessions if you decide to sell your house later on. As such, you should try to keep everything together in one box. Otherwise, you risk having to pay for multiple boxes to ship each item separately.
7. Clothes
Clothing is probably the easiest thing to overlook when you’re moving. After all, who wants to lug around a bunch of dirty clothes? The problem is that clothing takes up a lot of space. So unless you plan to donate your entire wardrobe, you’ll likely end up spending quite a bit of money on shipping.
8. Books
Books are great to read, but they’re also surprisingly heavy. In fact, books tend to weigh more than most other types of household goods. Because of this, you’ll almost certainly spend more money on shipping than you would on the actual book itself.
9. Collectibles
Collectible items are often overlooked when you’re trying to figure out how much something weighs. For example, do you know how much a baseball card collection weighs? Do you know how much a coin collection weighs? Chances are, you don’t. But, even if you do, chances are good that you didn’t factor in the weight of the packaging materials.
10. Household Items
This category includes anything from lamps to towels. If you haven’t already figured it out, you’ll definitely need to include these in your moving budget. Of course, you’ll want to use sturdy boxes to protect them from damage.
11. Antiques
Antique items are always going to be pricey. If you’re planning on selling your home after you’ve moved, then you’ll want to make sure that you price your antiques properly. Otherwise, you run the risk of overpricing yourself.
12. Jewelry
Jewelry is typically considered a luxury item. However, jewelry can quickly add up to thousands of dollars. If you’re planning on selling your house, then you’ll want to make sure that you price your jewelry appropriately. Otherwise, you’ll lose money on every piece.
13. Clothing Accessories
Accessories are another type of item that you may overlook when figuring out how much something weighs. For instance, do you know how much a pair of earrings weighs? How about a necklace? A watch? A scarf? All of these accessories are relatively light, but they still add up.
14. Sports Equipment
Sports equipment isn’t cheap, so you shouldn’t expect to find bargains when you’re looking to move. Instead, look for deals on sports equipment that you can resell once you’ve sold your house.
15. Personal Effects
Personal effects are things like photos, family heirlooms, and other sentimental belongings. You may feel like you’re saving money by skipping these items, but they’re worth a lot of money. Donating personal effects to charity is a great way to help others without costing you a dime.
16. Other Valuables
Other valuables include anything else that you value highly. From coins to stamps, rare collectibles to fine art, you name it. Anything that has monetary value is going to be costly to ship.
17. Insurance
Insurance is one of the best ways to protect yourself against unexpected events. Unfortunately, insurance is rarely inexpensive. If you’re moving across the country, then you’ll likely need to purchase additional coverage.
18. Utilities
Utilities are another expense that you may not realize until you’re ready to move. For instance, did you know that utilities can cost hundreds of dollars per month? If you live somewhere cold, then you’ll need heat and electricity. If you live somewhere hot, then you’ll need air conditioning.
19. Cleaning Supplies
Cleaning supplies are another thing that you may not realize until you’re ready to move. Did you know that cleaning supplies can add up to several hundred dollars? Whether you’re doing laundry or scrubbing floors, you’ll need soap, detergent, bleach, sponges, rags, etc.
20. Storage Space
Storage space is another thing that you may not realize until you’re ready to move. Have you ever tried to cram your entire life into a single storage unit? It’s possible, but it’s not ideal. Before you move, you’ll want to make sure that you have adequate room for storing your belongings.
21. Transportation
Transportation is yet another expense that you may not realize until you’re ready to move. Are you familiar with the different methods of transportation? Does your current area have public transit? Is there a train station nearby? What about a bus stop?
22. Miscellaneous Fees
Miscellaneous fees are one last expense that you may not realize until you’re ready to move. There are several miscellaneous fees associated with moving: moving permits, title transfer fees, escrow fees, etc. Be aware of these fees ahead of time.
23. Total Cost
Finally, we come to the total cost. This is the grand sum of all of the above. To calculate this, simply multiply the amount spent on each individual item by its respective weight. Then, add up all of the numbers.
24. Final Thoughts
Moving is hard work. It requires lots of preparation and organization. Fortunately, you can reduce the stress involved by preparing ahead of time. In addition, by making sure that you’ve accounted for all of the above expenses, you’ll be able to avoid unnecessary surprises down the road.
