Hidden costs of moving and ways to avoid them

by | Jul 1, 2020 | Professional moving and storage

As we all know, moving can be expensive. The price of relocation is affected by many factors. Depending on the distance, the number of things you plan to relocate and all the additional services you might need. And if you are not careful enough about which company you are choosing for this – you might end up paying more than what you bargained for. It is common that in the end, you find a lot of hidden costs of moving, and end up paying more. This is just one of the reasons, why you need to hire reliable movers in Kansas that will provide you with a fair and honest price.

How to recognize the hidden costs of moving?

Well, first of all, you need to find reliable movers. Even if you are moving locally within Kansas – you need someone reliable. You need to do proper online research and find a moving company that has good reviews.

person at a computer doing research
Make sure to check the moving company online – website, reviews

Also, if you know someone who has relocated recently – ask them about their experience. Once you found a moving company that you like, ask them questions. And if you get unclear answers – that should be a red flag. Ask them about moving estimates, moving boxes, unloading, storage – those are all the things that can be hidden costs of moving.

The common hidden cost of relocation is hiring cheap movers

A lot of people want to save money, and when they see some movers that are affordable – they just hire them without any check. If you see that the price is really low, there is a great chance that you will end up paying a lot more. You need to check are they licensed and decide from there. It might seem like you are saving money at first sight it is not always true. You might end up paying much more. Usually, with a really cheap company, there are a lot of hidden costs of relocation. The change happens after you give them your belongings. So be careful, check their license and check their reviews.

Moving estimate is important

As you probably know, most moving companies will provide you with a free moving quote. The wise and the best thing to do is to check a few moving quotes before you decide. Make sure to ask all the questions. What is included in the price, how the price can change, etc. There are different types of moving estimates. The best one is the binding moving estimate, where you will pay what the moving company told you the first time. Make sure to get them in writing, because that way – the price will stay the same.

In case you choose a moving company that offers a non-binding estimate, you should know that they are legally allowed to change the price. This is one of the most common ways to pay at the end – all of the hidden moving costs. You can easily avoid this by simply getting a binding estimate, written. That way – you will know exactly how much you need to pay.

Packing and unpacking can be hidden costs of moving

Packing, as well as the unpacking, can be a rather long and stressful process. It consumes a lot of time, and you need to start doing this on time. A lot of people underestimate how much time will they actually need. So, they often find themselves in a situation where they need help. And the most logical thing is to hire packers. And that is the moment when your budget will change.

Person sitting in the room with moving boxes
Packing materials can be hidden cost of relocation – so make sure to check with your moving company

Also, moving companies offer services of packing and unpacking, and the customer is not even aware that it is charged extra. So before you sign a contract and hire a moving company – check everything. If you planned from the beginning to hire packers – add that to your budget. Keep track of all of your expenses.

Ask about packing materials

A lot of people assume that they can get moving boxes as part of their relocation. Sometimes that is the case, while usually packing materials are just one additional hidden moving cost. The best thing you could do is to ask your moving company about packing services, materials, and their prices. That way you will know the exact amount of money that you are going to pay in the end. Of course, you can try to find moving boxes for free. There are a lot of different ways to get the moving boxes, and not spend anything. But keep in mind that you need undamaged boxes, that are in good condition.

Will you be needing a storage unit?

Renting a storage unit is something that you need to plan in advance. You need to decide will you be needing it or not. Especially if you are moving long-distance, and there is a great chance that you might need a storage unit. People do not add them to their budget and end up paying more in the end if they decide to rent it. Hidden costs of moving don’t necessarily mean something that the moving company hid from you, it is usually something that you completely forgot about in the beginning when you created your budget for relocation.

Doing things on your own can lower the chance of hidden costs of moving

There are a lot of things that you can do on your own when it comes to relocation. Packing, unpacking, finding proper moving boxes, loading them into the truck. Those are all the things that can help you save some money and also can help you hidden costs of relocation. You might need help with some of the things, but you can always ask your family and friends for help.

person signing a contract to avoid hidden costs of moving
Before you sign a contract – ask all the questions!

The most important thing when it comes to relocation is to find a reliable moving company. Having professionals deal with your relocation can help with the budget and the whole process. If you are satisfied with the moving company make sure to leave an honest review. That will help a lot of people in the future. And also that can help you address any possible issues with the relocation itself. Advice is always welcome!

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