ANSWERS: 2
  • Faced with the decision to move or not to move, you should factor in all the costs involved. There are more expenses to moving than just renting a moving van. The costs depend upon how far you are moving, how many possessions you move and whether you do most of the work yourself or hire a moving company to help.

    Geography

    Figure out the distance between your current home and your new location. Whether you are renting a trailer and packing yourself or you are hiring a company to do this work for you, the further away you are moving from your original location, the more money it is going to cost. According to priceyourmove.com, as of 2009, a cross country move can run between $8,000 and $15,000, while a move closer to home may only run a few thousand. Those rates can be reduced drastically if you choose to do most of the work yourself.

    Size

    Plan for a big enough trailer to move all of your belongings. You will need at least a 26-foot truck to move the contents of a four bedroom house, according to U-Haul's truck and trailer guide. You can reduce the size you need by clearing out clutter and holding garage sales or taking items to a thrift store. If you are single or have a smaller apartment, you will likely be able to get by with a much smaller trailer or truck. This can help you save even more money. Expect to pay at least a few hundred dollars for the rental and cover the cost of gas. Some companies also charge a per-mile rate or charge that rate over a certain number of miles.

    Timing

    If you can arrange to move in the winter, when business is slow, then you'll have a better chance at getting a discounted rate on a wide variety of services.

    Considerations

    Plan for additional costs, such as buying boxes, packing material, tape, setting up utilities at your new home and eating out for a few days while you are in the process of moving.

    Bottom Line

    Plan for enough funds to move efficiently. If your company offers a moving allowance, be sure you request enough to cover the costs of moving to a new location, which can be considerable if the move is far away. Get quotes from several moving companies before you make a final decision. Be careful of scams: If one quote is considerably less than the others, proceed with caution.

    Source:

    U-Haul Truck Size Guide

    "The Moving Survival Guide: All You Need to Know to Make Your Move Go Smoothly;" Martha Poage; 2004

  • I've moved a lot! Even across country, and it never costed me over $1000! Losing my home did, but not the move. Then again I never used a pro. And it's been a while since I've moved. But if you want some tips let me know.

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