All the Hidden and Unexpected Costs when Interstate Moving
Interstate moving is a major life change. It’s something to be happy about, but it’s also expensive and stressful. Whether you’re moving interstate, you can expect unexpected and hidden costs.
Interstate moving costs can add up quickly and take a big bite out of your total budget. Knowing how much these unexpected and hidden costs will cost goes a long way. Keep these things in mind to avoid the budget-related stress and hidden costs that come with interstate moving.
Costs of Decorating
Congratulations, you’ve moved in! You’ve noticed that your house looks rather plain and isn’t quite put together the way you’d like. It’s always a good idea to include costs for redecorating in your budget for moving interstate. You’ll want to make your new house feel like home as soon as possible, and including these costs in your budget gives you a better idea of what to expect. The cost could be a small fraction of what you paid your Interstate movers or it could be more, depending on how many and how big the repairs are. At the end of the day, it’s still best to keep these costs in mind and put them in your budget.
Parking
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that this made the list. When the interstate movers come, do you need a parking permit for the street? are excellent parking-related questions to ask. How long can I park here? How much will private parking set you back? By asking these questions, you may explain any prices and lessen the surprise of unwelcome hidden expenditures associated with your interstate move.
Packing Materials
Are you doing the packing yourself, or will you have someone come in and help? No matter what you choose, you will still need to include the costs of buying boxes, bubble wrap, packing tape, etc. in your Interstate Moving budget. In some cases, interstate removalists will pack for you, and the cost is usually added to the final bill. Other companies don’t charge for labour and supplies, but they may charge you for extra boxes, etc., during an interstate move. Keep in mind that Interstate Movers may have different policies than each other, so it’s best to know the cost and plan for it.
Storage
Even if you have a plan, not everything will go exactly as you expect. You need to be able to change your plans or wait if something goes wrong. Have you made a plan for where to store your things if the current tenants don’t leave on time? These are some of the unexpected and hidden costs of interstate moving. When this happens, you should look for other places to store the things that you can rent for a few weeks, especially if you are interstate moving. Make sure to include these costs in your budget for moving interstate and your list of things to do before moving.
Fees to connect or disconnect
If you move interstate, you’ll need to close your old utility accounts (for electricity, gas, the phone, and the internet) or open new ones for your new home. Both of these would require you to pay early termination fees, deposits, enrollment, connection, or set-up fees. Make sure to put these fees on your Interstate Moving checklist so that they don’t come up as hidden or unexpected costs. It’s best to call the utility companies weeks before you move to make sure everything is taken care of.
Replace any damaged, sold, donated, or discarded goods
When you were cleaning out your closet and house in preparation for an interstate move, it was a relief to see a lot of your things get thrown away, donated, or sold. But don’t forget that cleaning supplies or small items that you leave in your old home will need to be replaced in your new one. You might also want to replace things that get lost or broken during the interstate move. If you know ahead of time that there might be surprises and hidden costs during your Interstate Move, it will reduce any budget-related stress.
