Getting Organized
The first step in estimating the cost of your move is to figure out how much stuff you have. A helpful trick to achieve this is to list all the items you plan to take with you on your move, then assign a rough estimate for each item based on size and weight. This will assist you in figuring out an approximate total cost for packing, loading, and transporting all of your things.
It’s also critical to measure the distance of your move since the cost depends on the miles you have to go. If you’re moving within your city, it may be less costly than if you’re moving to another state or country. However, you must select the best way to move your belongings from one home to another, whether that means taking multiple trips, renting a moving truck, or hiring professional movers to assist you.
Hiring Professionals
Once you’ve calculated how much it will cost to pack and transport your belongings, you will need to decide if it’s beneficial to hire professional movers or do the work yourself. Professional movers can be a major help, particularly if you have a lot of furniture or heavy things. However, they usually demanded a price tag. Remember to get quotes from a few different companies and compare them to the cost of doing it yourself. If possible, try to book these services well in advance to lock in the best rates.
As you collect your estimates, make sure you’ve counted in common expenses, such as:
- Packing services
- Moving insurance
- Specialty item packaging services (moving pianos, safes, artwork, etc.)
Moving Yourself
If you choose to rent a moving truck and do the move yourself, you may be able to save a bit of money. But there are other factors to consider. First of all, you should consider the size of the moving truck you’ll want to rent. Smaller moving trucks may be cost-effective, but they may not be big enough to fit all your belongings in them. Several rental companies charge by the mile and by the day, so make sure your cost estimate includes both!
Other costs to account for in your DIY moving budget include:
- Gas, tolls, and parking fees
- Moving insurance
- Additional moving equipment rental (ramps and dolly)
- Packing materials (boxes, tape, covers, etc.)
Other Costs
Finally, there are some additional expenditures associated with moving that you should be aware of. Contingent on the move, you may need to consider other charges like temporary lodging, meals, storage costs, and expenses related to moving out and moving in (cleaning costs, security deposit, and utility set-up deposits, for example). Your new Minneapolis property manager is a wonderful resource to inquire about setting up utilities for the home you’re moving into.
You should have a fair sense of how much your move will cost if you obey these steps and perform some research on your own. Even though it is hard to predict all potential expenses, following this advice should help you avoid any potential problems down the road.
Are you in search of a new Minneapolis rental home? Real Property Management Viking has an inventory that’s always being updated. Check out our listings online.