Deciding to move involves a lot of factors, including hiring a Brisbane moving company should you go for professional movers instead of DIY. One important thing you should not overlook is the budget, which can easily get out of hand without a clear breakdown of the expected and actual costs.
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Break Down the Costs into Different Categories
There are three major categories that will help you get started on your lists.
- Where: The distance from your old address to the new one can heavily impact the overall price.
- What: Take into account all your belongings that need to be moved, especially large or bulky items. The heavier they are, the higher the moving cost.
- How: You can choose whether to move DIY or hire a moving company. Between the two, you may be able to save if you do it yourself but you also need to consider its impact on your time and energy.
Consider Location
- A local move, within the same town or city or less than 50 miles, tends to be more affordable. But you still need to account for the size of a move, hourly labour rates, and any additional fees.
- A long distance move that involves hauling your belongings greater than 400 miles or across state lines is expensive and complex. Depending on the moving company, you may be charged by the weight of your belongings.
Take Inventory of Your Belongings
- Document all valuable items and everything you want to keep.
- Create a comprehensive list of all your belongings, along with a clear labelling system for easier organisation.
- Make sure you take note of the weight, size, and value of each box. This will be beneficial if you’re moving long distances.
Decide on a Moving Method
- A DIY move is typically more affordable, but you still need to take into account truck rental, moving supplies, and fuel.
- If you need temporary storage, you also need to include its rental cost in your budget.
- Hiring professional movers may be more expensive than DIY, but you won’t need to do anything else except take inventory of your belongings.
- Consider the moving company fees, packing services, insurance, and other additional costs of hiring a moving company.
- Get quotes from three different moving companies and compare the rates. You should also read reviews on trusted business listings before you decide which moving company to hire.
Consider Additional and Unexpected Expenses
Expect additional expenses to pop up along the way so you can better prepare for them. These include:
- Last-minute repairs in your old home
- Utility deposits in your new home
- Repair and cleaning fees
- Security deposit for equipment or truck
- Extra charge for long carries, stairs, or elevators
- Fees for large or heavy items
- Toll fees
- Extra packing supplies
Prepare a Budget for Settling In
Some of the expenses you’ll have once you move into your new home include:
- New or additional furniture and appliances
- Initial groceries, toiletries, and other necessities
- Unavoidable home repairs or improvement work
Once you’ve created a budget based on the list above, make sure you can easily track and adjust your spending, using an app, tracker, spreadsheet, or whatever you’re most comfortable using. With more than two decades of experience in the industry, you can trust Ready Movers to make removal as smooth and stress-free as possible.
