CALCULATING YOUR MOVING COSTS

Be Prepared & Calculate Cost of Moving

1. Don't Let the Costs of Moving Sneak Up on You
2. Consider Moving Calculations to Maintain Your Budget
3. Don't Forget Your Moving Materials!
4. So, What's the Best Way to Calculate Costs?

1. Don't Let the Costs of Moving Sneak Up on You

2. Consider Moving Calculations to Maintain Your Budget

When you calculate moving costs, you’ll need to include the cost of renting a moving truck or hiring a moving company. This will be one of the more expensive items in your budget and of course, you'll want to know the average cost of moving expenses. If you like, you can start off by researching moving and rental companies online and getting free online estimates, to give yourself an idea of how much you’ll need to set aside. However, don’t forget that nothing is set in stone until you call the company and make arrangements with them, including agreeing on an official, binding price. Your budget won’t be complete without the actual price of the company, and you’ll need to go back and add it in. And if you’re moving, you’ll need to factor in the cost of gas: most moving rental companies require that you fill the tank back up to where it was before you drove off the lot at the rental facility.

3. Don't Forget Your Moving Materials!

You’ll also need to include the cost of packing materials, like tape, boxes, bubble wrap, and markers. We’ve discussed ways to save money on things like this before, such as using free newspaper instead of buying bubble wrap, but it’s a better idea to include anything you might potentially spend money on and have money left over after your move than to leave something out and have to go back and find extra cash for it in the middle of doing a million other things in preparation for moving.

If you’re hiring a professional moving company, don’t forget to include the tip for the movers in your budget.

If you want, you can even include the cost of selling your home and buying a new one or the cost of renting a new apartment in your budget, although we’d advise against including those items because it could make your moving budget a bit confusing. So, unless you’re a master budgeter, we’d suggest making a separate budget for buying, selling, or renting a new home to keep yourself more organized and if you have the time read our top 10 places to get free move boxes.

4. So, What's the Best Way to Calculate Costs?

We’d recommend that the best way to calculate your moving cost estimates is to do it yourself. Sure, there are plenty of online moving calculators that you can use, but if they don’t fit all the parameters of your personal situation (and they probably won’t, since they’re generally meant for everyone), then you’ll still have to add things in even after you’re done. Grab a calculator, pen, and paper, and sit down and make a list of everything you can think of that you’ll spend money on during your move. It’s important that your budget is accurate, and that you properly calculate moving costs that apply to you.