How Much Does It Cost to Move?
So, you’ve decided to pack up your family and move out of town. So many things go into moving that the event can seem like too much to handle on your own. On the other hand, hiring a moving company can be expensive and tedious. If you’re selling a home, there are considerations to take into account if you need to raise its value without sinking a bunch of money into that project at the same time.
In this series, we’ll help you unpack your process and break it down into simple steps. Learn how to compare and contrast moving companies, decide whether you want to ship your car or drive it, and discover how to determine which home improvements will get you the most bang for your buck when you sell.
Moving on your own
This is often the most inexpensive and most time-consuming option.It is also quite convenient if you don’t have access to a company like North Coast Financial that offers real estate loans. There are some definite benefits. You’ll know exactly which box has the family photos in it if you keep a detailed inventory of your items (which we highly recommend). You’ll be able to keep all of your belongings with you and will have them upon arrival. If something breaks, you have no one to blame but yourself. And the money you save on the front end can be spend settling into your new location once you arrive. Check out You Move Me’s moving checklist to help you determine whether moving on your own is the best 
option for you.
When mapping out your costs, it’s important to consider everything from rental trucks/trailers, cost of fuel, and how far you’ll be traveling. If you’re traveling a great distance, make sure to factor in food and hotel stays. Most importantly, consider what you’ll need for packing supplies, such as boxes, tape, plastic tubs, moving blankets, tie downs, etc.
If you decide to rent a truck to haul your belongings, next is deciding what you’ll do with your vehicle (that is if you own one). There are a few options, if you’re locating to a commuter city, you can sell prior to moving and opt for public transportation or biking once you arrive in your new city. You can also rent a trailer and hitch your vehicle behind the moving truck. This will be an additional rental charge to take into account. Or you can ship your vehicle. Shipping is the most expensive option, but the least worrisome. Especially if you own multiple vehicles. Again, shipping costs will depend largely on the type of your vehicle, how many you need to ship, and how far you’ll be traveling. However, it’s said that the average cost to ship a car in the United States is about $1.34 per mile when shipping a car less than 300 miles. If you’re shipping a car 1,000 miles or more, the average cost is about $0.46 per mile.
If you create a plan and a budget far enough in advance, moving on your own will no doubt be the least costly option.
Hiring a moving company
If you’re of the mindset that your move will be complicated enough without having to pack and transport all of your items yourself, hiring a moving company may give you the peace and mind you’re looking for. Just make absolutely certain that after comparing prices, combing through reviews, and speaking to representatives over the phone, that the company is reputable with the Better Business Bureau and holds the necessary credentials from the Department of Transportation to operate legally. Always make sure to get an estimate before choosing a company. A good benchmark is about 3 estimates from 3 different companies before making a decision. To make sure this process is easy, be sure to have the details they need to give you a quote, prior to their arrival. If one of those companies require a large deposit, be cautious.
While the hard costs of hiring a moving company will be dependent on how far you will be traveling, how much stuff you have, and the services the company will be providing. Make sure to have the moving company disclose all fees with the services they are offering. If you plan far enough in advance, you can save or sell some items to cover the costs of hiring a professional. Also, make sure they can handle any fragile items like that cool red abstract painting you recently found at an estate sale.
Home improvement before you sell
If you’re also selling your home, you may want to paint the walls and add some new finishes to increase the selling price before your home goes to market. You want to maximize the return at resale, and we don’t blame you. But if you undertake the wrong home improvement projects, you could waste time and money that you won’t see reflected in your asking price if you’re not diligent and careful. Now is the time to remove asbestos-laden popcorn ceilings, stage the interior and exterior with some fashionable details, and repaint those orange walls a more neutral tone, but shy away from pet projects you’ve always wanted to implement (not everyone is as jazzed about an outdoor shower).
In 2017, Realtor.com released a list of the best home improvements to make that will directly affect the selling price of your home. Those being,
- Refresh your landscaping
- Touch up your entryway and/or mailbox
- Get rid of outdated light and plumbing fixtures
- Stage any odd spaces in your home that might confuse buyers
- Partial renovations (Such as replacing kitchen countertops and hardware or adding a new vanity to a bathroom)
- Remove any popcorn ceilings
- Have the carpet professionally cleaned or replaced if need be
- Paint the interior neutral colors
[Read more about home improvement]
Do you have any tips on how to pack? How to dismantle a room and organize the boxes accordingly?
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