5 Tips to Create a Realistic Moving Budget

You’ve found the ideal house that checks all your boxes, and now you must find the right household movers. With careful organizing and preparation, you can quickly determine a reasonable budget for your move. Taking a solid inventory of your belongings and planning for the unexpected will lead you toward moving success.

1. Create an Inventory List

The first thing you’ll want to do is take an inventory of your belongings. Move room by room, writing down what needs to go to your new home. Start with large items like bulky furniture, and move to smaller items like boxes, clothing, and decorations. Be sure to account for pianos that require specialized moving and incur additional costs.

2. Decide What You’ll Do

Remember that some movers charge by the hour, depending on whether you move locally or long distance. While it may be convenient to have movers pack your belongings, it could cost a small fortune if you have a large home. Decide ahead of time what you’ll do and what the movers will do. Will you pack your own boxes? Are there some valuable items you’ll move yourself? Do you only need help with large furniture? The time duration of your move will largely determine your overall cost.

3. Schedule

The time of year you decide to move will influence the overall price. For example, moving during peak times like spring and summer will cost more than in winter. Planning a move during slower months could save some money if you’re on a tight budget. If a summer move is necessary, add a little more to your moving budget to cover the additional cost.

4. Research Added Expenses

While your moving company will give you a quote for your move, you’ll want to consider additional costs for your overall moving budget. Try to think of things like:

• Will you need to pay for child or pet care on moving day?
• Does your apartment or condo require moving insurance?
• Will your move require a trip to a storage facility if you have a lapse between your old and new home?
• Do you need to pay for overnight accommodations at a hotel while en route to your new home?
• Will your old home require any cleaning fees once you move?

Consider the potential hidden additional charges and add them to your overall budget.

5. Create an Emergency Fund

Even with the most careful and diligent planning, emergencies can happen. So be sure to set aside some additional funds in case of an emergency during the moving process. Emergency funds can cover a range of contingency plans, from sudden gas charge surges to unplanned overnight accommodations due to inclement weather. In most cases, you’ll never need to touch your emergency fund, but it’s wise to have money allocated for the move just in case.

Pro Movers Can Assist

Once you have the basics for your budget, start collecting quotes from professional movers. Contact us today for a quote on your move! We promise professional, convenient, and efficient movers to relieve the stress of your moving day.