Moving expenses are the common issue and concern for people relocating all around the World. Whether you are moving locally or preparing for a long distance North Carolina moving process, creating a relocation budget and calculating the cost to move home will be one of the very first tasks. Why not start with it right away? Planning your budget a few months in advance can take a lot of pressure and help you prepare for the move.
Creating the relocation budget- Where to start?
Moving can be quite pricey. In order to calculate the exact moving cost in advance, you will need to follow a few simple steps. Be aware that you will need to be a bit flexible when creating the budget. Some additional expenses may come up. However, you will be able to create a budget draft right away.
Here are the most important ones to help you calculate the cost to move home:
- The cost of hiring a reputable moving company.
- Packing material expenses.
- Transportation cost.
- Additional expenses will need to be included in your cost to move home calculation.
Hiring a reliable mover and getting the best quote
Most likely, the movers’ quote will be the biggest part of your moving budget. Therefore, the very first step is to contact a top North Carolina moving company and get a quote. Cost estimates may vary due to different movers’ services and their quality. Investing in a safe move by hiring a licensed and reputable moving company will pay off in the long run.
Moving scams are not uncommon. Therefore you need to make sure you research a moving company before agreeing to their terms and costs. The best way to choose the right mover is to research and contact more than one. Therefore, you will be able to compare their prices and services. Prior to calling the movers, research them online. Look for the reviews and evaluate their reputability by paying a close attention to their website and social media content. In order to additionally check their reliability and service quality, contact the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration).
An important part of the overall cost to move home – The movers’ quote
In order to calculate your moving expenses and get a proper relocation quote, start with filling out an online form. Reliable moving companies usually have a quote calculator on their websites. You might not be able to evaluate the size and weight of your move right away but the online cost estimators can provide you with an approximate cost. Write down the amount you get and use it to compare it to the one you get over the phone.
Keep in mind that the distance of your relocation will influence the moving expenses. Therefore, as local North Carolina moving cost will be lower, make sure you enter the final moving destination clearly.
Here are a few important questions to ask when contacting a mover:
- Is your move considered to be a local or long distance relocation?
- Inform them about the approximate home size and ask for an estimate over the phone.
- Are there any additional fees?
- Do they provide additional moving services like packing and storage and how much do they cost?
After checking a movers’ reliability and getting an acceptable quote, ask for an in-house estimate. Therefore, your mover will be able to give you an exact and tailored offer of the cost to move home. It will also give you the opportunity to get more valuable moving information and meet a company’s representative.
The cost of packing supplies
In order to make the whole relocation process stress-free, you can ask your mover to help with the packing. Reliable moving companies should be able to offer packing services in North Carolina at affordable rates. Besides saving a ton of valuable time, hiring professional packers will ensure your belongings are relocated safely. Avoiding any damages or injuries is the main benefits of having the pros to do the packing for you.
However, if you decide to do the packing yourself, you will need to pay attention to a few important details. First of all, you will need to gather the right packing material. In order to lower the overall cost to move home, you can look for free boxes from local businesses. Liquor stores will be a great source for getting quality and multilayered boxes for your breakables. However, investing in some high-quality packing material will help you relocate your antiques and valuable items safely.
Make sure you choose the right size of moving boxes. Buy fewer but bigger boxes may only seem as a money-saving step in the beginning. Larger boxes might make you overpack them. Therefore, carrying them around and avoiding injuries during the moving day may become less easy. Make sure you calculate the number of boxes you need for the move.
Don’t forget to include additional packing supplies’ expense into your budget. Packing wraps, tapes, label markers, moving dolly… All of which will be more than helpful during the relocation process.
The cost of your trip to the new home
Your relocation budget must include your transportation expenses as well. Will you and your family travel by plane or a car? Do need to book any hotel rooms along the way? Calculate the expenses like gas, restaurant bills, and accommodation.
Are there any additional moving expenses?
Just as we said, you will probably need to be flexible with your relocation budget. The overall cost to move home may vary due to different moving additional expenses. Utility bills for your current home might not be a relocation expense. However, adding them to your budget plan may help you plan your finances. In order to create an even more detailed relocation budget, think of all of the additional services or bills you need to settle before the move.
