How to Estimate Moving Expenses

Relocating may be stressful, yet the costs of moving can be minimized with organization.

Moving from one location to another is a stressful time for most people. Regardless of whether you're taking over your next door neighbor's apartment or moving to Timbuktu, the stress is a major reason many people choose to hire a moving company. Before shelling out your hard-earned coins, take a moment to estimate your moving costs to make your overall moving day a satisfying experience.

Instructions

1. Decide whether you will use a professional moving company or simply find a few friends to put to work. For long distance moves--state to state or country to country--it's best to locate a reputable moving service to handle your relocation instead of relying on friends and family who may be missing in action on the day of your move.

2. Contact a truck rental company or a moving service to discuss the mileage and fees for renting a truck. Compare the costs of renting a truck, packing it, driving it your new location and unloading your belongings with the cost of hiring a professional company to take care of these necessities. If the "Do It Yourself" method is the better deal, be sure to factor in the cost of convenience, safety and replacement insurance that a professional can offer.

3. Find out the cost of packing supplies such as tape, boxes, wrapping paper (to wrap dishes safely) and other needed moving items. Look for store sale items before making your final purchase.

4. Factor in whether you will eat at restaurants or fast food establishments while moving or simply pack a cooler full of goodies. Most people forget that during a move, dishes have been packed away and utilities are either disconnected or scheduled for shutoff. This causes the moving budget to skyrocket due to unforeseen food expenses.

5. Make a chart of all your items and create a workable budget based upon your needs. Some websites, such as Move Idiot and Relocation.com, offer simple to advanced online calculators to estimate the cost of your move (see Resources).

References

• Mortgage News Daily: How do I best estimate moving costs?
• Moving Services: Estimate Moving Expenses
• Move Idiot: Free Moving Expense Wizard

Resources

• Move Idiot: Simple Moving Expense Calculator
• Relocation.com: Advanced Moving Expense Calculator