Moving can be expensive. There are many hidden costs that can surprise you when it comes time to pack up and leave your home behind. The good news is, there are ways to avoid these hidden costs by being proactive before your move day arrives. Ready to find out the top six hidden costs of moving? Read on!
P.S. Need help to move your house? Our team at Mr.Mover is ready to assist you with your moving needs. Contact us to get a free quote!
Stair Fees
If you have stairs inside your home, moving from one level to another will probably increase the cost of your move.
If it isn’t included in the original estimate, most labor-only movers will charge a fee for running between floors during packing and unpacking.
Keep this cost in mind when choosing a mover or DIY move.
You can save money by not moving items that don’t fit on each level of the house.
Assembly and Disassembly of Furniture
Furniture and appliance costs can add up, especially if you’re moving into a new home that requires assembly or appliances that need disassembling.
Some movers will offer to put together your furniture for an added fee. Some may even suggest you purchase their tools to use in the process (which is recommended).
If the move goes smoothly and all your items are accounted for, these fees should be reasonable.
However, some companies may price gouge customers who aren’t careful about negotiations before the job begins.
If possible, avoid hiring a mover who quotes assembly and disassembly fees and do it yourself instead!
Cancellation at Short Notice
A common misconception about moving is that if a mover cancels at short notice, the customer doesn’t incur any penalty. This is not true.
Many labor-only movers have a “no show” policy – this means that if you don’t give them a 2-3 hour window for arrival and your items aren’t ready to go, they will charge you as if they were there the entire time.
Even worse? In some cases, they may also charge you for an extra team of workers who could have been working on another job instead!
In other words, make sure your items are packed and ready to move whenever the mover says they’re going to arrive.
This should avoid any last-minute surprises.
Rush Moving
Rush charges are another hidden cost that you should be aware of.
If your move is being rushed for an event or business meeting, you may have to pay extra fees to speed up the process.
This can also mean more workers on the job site, which could increase the chances of damage occurring within your items.
It’s best to avoid rush charges by giving yourself plenty of time before the day your mover arrives.
Long Carry Fees
Long carry fees are assessed when you have a larger load than expected, including high-rise buildings, multiple floors within one building, or more items than you initially said.
If your quote included moving to the first floor of an apartment complex, but it actually has three floors, this will likely cost more.
Most movers charge per item instead of hourly rates for long carries, so be sure to measure carefully before hiring help.
Added Insurance
If you’re moving across country lines, make sure to ask your mover about extra insurance costs.
If the company doesn’t include this in their rate structure, there is a chance they will make up for it with higher fees for other services.
Be sure to look out for these hidden costs when planning your relocation!
By being proactive before you move, you can avoid paying additional fees once your items are packed and ready to go.
What to Keep in Mind
We hope you found our blog post on the hidden costs of moving helpful and informative.
If you’re planning a move in the near future, we recommend that you take these factors into consideration to avoid any nasty surprises or costly mistakes down the road.
Moving is already stressful enough without having to worry about surprise expenses popping up!
If you have more questions in mind, give us a call today!