Putting together your moving budget

Moving or relocating often involves a lot of different out of pocket expenses, some of them planned and others that may catch you by surprise. Given that the overall spending on your move will be a significant part of our total moving budget, you will want to make sure that you plan ahead and create a good budget of what you are likely to spend. We have included some of the things that you should consider below when you are creating your budget.

First, the fixed costs in leaving your old residence, such as closing expenses or lease termination, final utility bills, and other expenses that you cannot change, as well as the same expenses at your destination are factors that will need to be considered. These costs cannot be avoided and have to be a start to your entire moving budget.

Next, when looking at the costs to move your goods, the available money after the fixed expenses should be determined. If you are paying for the move yourself, it is critical to look at the amount you have available to spend for your move and to look at all options to help you meet that budget. Your options would probably be to pack and move yourself with a rental truck, work with a self-service moving company or to hire a professional moving company. If you choose a professional mover, there are a number of other things to consider. Depending on your budget you may or may not want packing or unpacking services. Remember that the mover can give you several options for service. They can do a full pack, partial pack, or just provide packing material. When getting the estimate for your move be sure and research all of your options with the mover. We strongly suggest having meaningful discussions with 3-4 professional moving companies. This exercise will give you a very good sense of the actual moving costs for your situation and let you really compare the costs and trade-offs of different levels of service and different types of companies. Additionally, by having multiple moving quotes available to you, you should have a little more bargaining power when you are making your final choice on who will handle your move.

If your move is being paid for by an employer, be sure that you totally understand that types of acceptable charges that your employer will allow. For example, as part of your company's relocation package, certain restrictions may apply. Some employers may allow a fixed amount of money, and anything over that amount would have to be paid by you. In addition some employers will require you to self pack your goods, and will not pay for certain items to be shipped such as motorcycles, four-wheelers, boats, and other recreational items. If these items are included in your shipment, and your employer did not allow them, you will be responsible for the extra costs. If your employer requires certain types of receipts of documentation to substantiate your expenses to be reimbursed, you will want to make sure that your moving company will provide you with these to facilitate your reimbursement from your employer. Today, it is very common for employers to request that their employees receive multiple moving quotes before they choose a mover. Again, you should speak to your human resources department to understand fully the policies of your company.

If you are diligent in your research and planning of your moving costs, you will not have any surprises. Be sure and communicate all of your needs to the mover so that you can get a good and accurate estimate of your costs. It may be advisable if your budget is fairly tight to insist on a Guaranteed Price estimate from your mover. If your move was estimated accurately the actual costs should not be any higher. However, if the estimator miscalculated the weight of the shipment, or the necessary services that were required in your move, if you have a Guaranteed Price estimate your charges would be at the fixed price you expected them to be.

Moving can be expensive but planning and carefully organizing your expenses can help keep you on top of things.