Relocating across the country can be exciting, but it can also be expensive.
If you’re preparing for a major move like this, you’ll want to make sure you know what your move is likely to cost. Keep these tips in mind if you’re trying to calculate the costs of your upcoming move.
Start Crunching Numbers Sooner Rather Than Later
A lot of costs associated with moving will rise as your moving date draws nearer. For example, if you wait until the last possible minute to rent a moving truck or hiring movers, you’ll likely be quoted much higher rates.
If you start working on estimating costs early on, your total costs will likely be a lot lower. You should get a few moving company quotes to start with. This can only benefit you! After all, who doesn’t want to save money, especially when planning a move?
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Figure Out What You Need to Pay For
To estimate the costs of your move, you’ll need to decide what you’re going to be paying for. Are you going to be purchasing any new supplies for your move?
Do you need to buy a plane ticket for the city you’re moving to so that you can look at apartments? Are you taking your car with you? Do you want to hire movers?
Determine everything you’re going to be paying for. Once you have a complete list of expenses, you’ll be able to figure out what these things are likely to cost you.
Determine what you’ll be taking With You
If you’re only taking a small room’s worth of furniture with you, you’ll be paying movers a lot less. That’s why you should think carefully about what you plan on bringing with you when you move.
Now is the perfect time to go through your things and get rid of some items you don’t use anymore.
If you’re trying to decide what size of truck you should rent, or if you’re calling a moving company and asking for an estimate, you’re going to be asked about how many boxes and pieces of furniture you’ll be bringing with you.
If you’re able to answer those questions accurately, you’ll be able to rely on the estimates you receive.
Find Your Best Options
Before you start calling companies and asking them to give you moving quotes, you’ll want to identify some of the best options available to you. Try to learn more about your choices so that you can find the companies that are worth contacting.
If you’re planning on working with movers, for example, you’ll want to look for a moving company that has plenty of experience assisting with cross country moves.
You’ll also want to look at reviews for different companies so that you can spot the companies with a high client satisfaction rate. You should be wary of working with any companies that have negative feedback from their clients.
Start Asking For Estimates
Once you’ve determined what you need and who you would like to work with, it’s time to start exploring your options. Contact the companies you’re interested in working with.
Tell them what you need and provide them with the dates of your move. Ask them to give you a moving quote.
Typically, you’ll be asked some questions so that the company can give you a correct estimate. If you’re speaking with companies over the phone, you’ll want to make sure you write down the moving company quotes that they give you. That way, it’ll be easier for you to compare the estimates that you’ve received.
Take some time to look at the quotes you’ve been given before you decide who you want to work with.
Once you’ve made your choice, you should contact that company or companies so that you’ll be able to lock in service at the quoted rate.
Try to Control Your Costs
If you don’t plan your move carefully, you might underestimate how much certain things will cost you.
As an example, if you choose to drive a moving truck across the country, you might not underestimate how much you’ll be spending on gas or what it will cost to stay in a hotel overnight.
That’s why you should try to control as many of your moving expenses as possible. If, for example, you hire professional movers, fly to your destination, and pay to have your car shipped, you’ll know exactly what you’re going to be spending on your move. This will make it much easier for you to budget.
If you’re able to estimate the costs of a cross country move, you’ll find that your move is a lot easier to pay for. While moving can be stressful, especially when you’re moving across the country, you’ll be able to plan more effectively if you have accurate estimates for all of your expenses.
