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Moving can be an exciting time as you prepare to start a new chapter in a different location. However, the process of moving can also be stressful, especially when it comes to figuring out how to pay for all the associated expenses. From hiring movers to packing supplies to transportation costs, moving expenses can quickly add up.
The costs of moving vary greatly depending on the distance of the move, the state of origin and destination, how many possessions you have, and your housing setup. Today we’ll dive into moving costs, including some real-world expense examples. Finally, we’ll explain how to use loans for moving costs to face these financial hurdles head-on.
Key Takeaways
When it comes to covering the expenses of moving, there are several common methods that people use to manage the costs.
Each approach has its advantages and considerations, so it's essential to choose the option that aligns best with your financial situation and goals.
When considering the cost of moving, it's important to understand the factors that can influence the overall expense. Two key considerations include the distance of your move and the size of your home.
The distance of your move is a significant factor in determining the cost. In-state moves, where you are relocating within the same state, are generally less expensive than out-of-state moves, where you are moving to a different state or region.
Out-of-state moves typically require more resources, such as fuel and labor, which can contribute to higher costs.
When it comes to moving, the size of your home plays a significant role in determining the overall cost. Here are some hard numbers courtesy of Home Advisor.
By understanding these factors and planning accordingly, you can better estimate the cost of your move and ensure that you are financially prepared for the transition.
Here are 8 ways to consider paying for moving costs.
No matter where you relocate to, there are some moving costs you’re bound to face. From packing up your things to getting them where they need to go, moving is no cheap move (pun intended).
You may be able to wiggle your way out of some of the expenses, but the decision is yours to make around all the typical costs associated with moving below.
As much as we wish you could snap your fingers and teleport your things cross-country, you can’t. To ensure your things arrive safely, you’ll need the basic moving supplies: boxes, tape, packing paper and peanuts, moving blankets, etc.
New moving boxes can range in price from $1-$14 and up. Online calculators can help you figure out how many boxes you’ll need.
For those looking to lower these costs, you could check online for second-hand moving supplies at a lower rate or even for free.
If you’re planning to hire a moving company, compare prices and check if their estimates include packing supplies.
Moving houses or apartments may require an adjustment in your furniture. If you’re going to a bigger space, you’re sure to find that you’ll need additional drawers, dressers, tables, chairs, etc.
In many cases, people find that they would like to replace old or worn-down furniture to start fresh in their new home.
Moving from a furnished to an unfurnished home is another situation that will bring about more furniture expenses.
Thinking about moving that 500-pound wardrobe on your own? Think again before you throw out your back; furniture is also something that may require you to hire help. Even if you hire a moving company, keep an eye out for heavy item surcharges for specific pieces of furniture.
Keep all these things in mind when packing up for your move.
You’ve finally packed up your life’s belongings and are ready to move. Now, the next question: How will you get there? Many people rent out a truck or haul a container to their destination.
While these options are cheaper than hiring a moving company, you’ll make up for it in sweat and manual labor. This is a great option if you have a close group of friends or family who are willing to help you out in exchange for a drink and lunch.
Depending on distance, hiring a truck or container will cost you, and you’ll also have to factor in expenses like gas and tolls.
The alternative to lugging your things across state lines would be to hire a company to do the job for you. There are many reputable moving companies across the U.S., but reliability comes with a fee. Those fees will vary depending on whether your move is local or long-distance.
Most moving companies charge between $25-$50 per hour for services. If possible, try to confirm a fixed bid for the job as opposed to an hourly rate which may cost you a lot more. Ask about additional fees, such as surcharges for heavy objects, elevator fees, etc.
Some companies are “full-service movers.” This service costs more but lightens your load, even including professional packers to pack your things for you.
Note that all moving professionals are usually tipped after a job well done, so account for this as part of your movers’ payment as well.
Many people wrongfully assume that their moving costs finish as soon as their boxes are in their new home. Unexpectedly, settling into your new home comes with its own set of moving costs to consider.
Before or after move-in, you may be faced with painting costs in your new home. You’ll want everything in order before getting settled in, which means paying for paint or a painter to do so.
New tenants or homeowners may also find mishaps they didn’t notice when signing for the new home, leading to certain home repairs upon moving in.
When moving into a new one, you’ll drag in quite a bit of dust. Be ready to shell out a few bucks on either a large set of cleaning products or a professional cleaner to leave everything looking good as new.
When moving to a new place, particularly if relocating states, you’ll have to re-register your vehicle and take out a new license. Each state has varying fees for these procedures, so make sure to research them to avoid any surprises at the DMV.
If you’re moving into a gated community or an apartment, take note of certain building fees that may apply to you upon move-in. These could include closing prices and sign-up fees for the community’s cable or internet plans.
If you’re moving into an independent home, you’ll still need to be aware of utility deposits that may be required to get your electricity and gas up and running. You can’t move into your new place in the dark, so try to sort this out before arrival.
While food is a consistent bill in everyone’s life, your receipt will be a bit higher for the first few grocery runs after moving into a new place. This is usually because most people don’t unpack their kitchen items and start cooking right away.
The unpacking process can be grueling, so plan a few take-out meals to ease the pain.
Whether you’re paying a communal fee for landscaping or contracting out on your own, the grass must be cut eventually. Some towns will find tenants or homeowners for unkempt lawns, so be prepared to invest in your own mowing gear or call a few landscaping companies for estimates in your area.
Moves can range in price anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars to a few thousand, depending on location and method. Let’s look at a few examples.
The lower end includes renting a truck or container, while the higher end comes with the bells and whistles of a moving company.
Moving packs enough stress on its own, and you don’t need the additional worry of how you will foot the bill. The important goal here is to move all your belongings safely and efficiently into your new home.
Whether you’ve decided to pack up on your own and drive yourself to your destination or hire professionals to ensure your move is done right, an installment loan can help guarantee that your moving costs are paid for up-front.
Instead of dipping into your emergency fund or drying out your savings, consider taking out an installment loan to ease the stress of your move.
An installment loan is a varying amount of money you can borrow for a specific purpose. People use installment loans for a wide variety of reasons, and moving costs are one of them.
Different lenders, such as banks, independent organizations, and credit unions offer installment loans.
You will repay an installment loan in monthly payments, which is why they are also referred to as installment loans. This means you can break down your repayment over a set number of months without worrying about repaying it immediately.
There are different types of installment loans which make them generally accessible to most people. From low credit scores to excellent credit histories, there is an installment loan option for almost everyone.
You must be a legal adult to obtain an installment loan on your own, and each lender has its own set of requirements. If you are moving and have a stable income or general assets like a vehicle or savings, you will likely qualify for an installment loan to offset your moving costs.
Let’s say you’re sitting in our example above and are moving from New York City to Miami. You receive a quote from a reliable moving company and add it to your expected expenses upon arrival at your new home. You decide you need an extra $5,000 to cover your moving costs.
Your credit score qualifies you for an installment loan at a reputable lender with an interest rate of 6% over 36 months. You receive the installment loan that same week and move safely and efficiently to Miami.
You will then pay back the loan through small monthly payments of $152 per month over the 36 months – that seems much more doable than shelling out $5,000 in one month!
Moving includes packing, shipping, clean-up, and manual labor. These moving costs can add up and bring in a big bill by the end of your move.
To face this expense and move with confidence, installment loans can help. An installment loan can give you anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand to help with your moving costs. The low monthly payments for installment loans are an affordable way to meet your moving deadline while protecting your bank account in the meantime.
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