The Hidden Costs of Moving
Whether you’re buying a new home or moving from one rented flat to another, moving can be an expensive process. Quite apart from the cost of buying a new house or putting down the deposit on an apartment, there are a multitude of hidden costs that can spring up when moving. Being aware of them and taking steps to reduce them in advance is the key to success.
Buying a house comes with a wide variety of costs you might not be expecting. In addition to the cost of the house itself, you’ll have to pay solicitors’ fees, stamp duty and the price of a survey. If you’re selling your old house, you’ll also have an estate agent’s commission to deal with in most cases. Although none of these expenses is huge – at least, not huge compared to the cost of a house – they can mount up quickly, especially if you haven’t taken them into consideration in advance. At the very least, expect these to add several thousand pounds to the cost of your new home.
If you’re moving into a rented home, you won’t have to worry about these expenses. No matter what kind of move you’re undertaking, however, you’ll have to pay to move your belongings. You may not want to hire a mover, but moving still costs even if you do it yourself. Time, petrol and packing supplies are all costs that you’ll have to anticipate. You may be surprised to find how much cardboard boxes can cost! If you do hire a removals company, you’ll need to book well in advance to save money on the moving cost. Additionally, try to make sure that you avoid weekends or holidays for your move; prices will be higher if you choose a popular date. Another way to reduce moving costs is simply to purge down belongings before moving – of course, if you get rid of things you need, this will wind up creating another hidden cost.
Moving will almost always mean that you’ll spend some money on new furniture. You may think that you have everything you need, but you’ll find when you arrive that one of your bookcases doesn’t quite fit, or that a new larger living room means you need more chairs. A room that seemed perfectly bright during the day may turn out to need an extra lamp or two in the evening. Whatever the case, anticipate the unanticipated when it comes to furniture and appliances in your new home.
Redirecting your post is another expense you may not have considered. You can report a change of address to anyone who might be sending you mail, but a redirect from the post office is a good way of making sure that you don’t miss out on important messages from anyone you might have forgotten. Mail redirection costs vary; for a UK address, they range from £21 for up to three months to £50 for an entire year.
If you’re moving a long distance, a new location might mean having to change utility suppliers. Although this can be a nuisance, it can also provide an opportunity. Changing suppliers gives you the ability to comparison shop when you choose your new one. You may even find a way to reduce the electricity prices you pay by switching to a supplier with a lower tariff. On the other hand, you may find that costs go up, so be prepared for the possibility. Like the other hidden costs of moving, it’s possible to minimise this one, but it’s best to be aware that it is there.
