Hidden Moving Costs: 5 Expenses You Need To Budget For When Moving House

Moving house is expensive. You have to attend inspections, put down a bond or deposit, purchase everything you need to get organised to move, and possibly even take time off work to get everything sorted out. That's before you even begin the actual relocation process! 

In addition to these obvious costs, there are a few others that you may not have considered which can really throw your budget out if you're not expecting them. So, before you commit to the big move, make sure you've got the funds for the things on this list.

Removalists

It can be tempting to simply move everything yourself. However, the reality is that you probably don't have a vehicle large enough to achieve this. Even if you do, the process is stressful, time-consuming, and, in many cases, dangerous due to the size and weight of the objects you'll be moving. While it will cost a bit more than handling things yourself, we suggest engaging the services of a professional removalist company. 

You can find plenty of reputable but cheap removalists in Melbourne, Sydney, and other major cities, and you can use a comparison service to find a quote that works for you. By entrusting your possessions to these professionals, you’ll have some assurance that everything will be handled safely.

Storage For Your Belongings

If there is a gap between the date you leave your old place and the date you move into your new home, your belongings are going to need somewhere to live in this period. While some people might get lucky and have friends or family who can house their stuff, most people need to look into storage units. 

This is a commonly forgotten cost as people are usually more focused on where they're going rather than what happens while they're moving. So it's important to remember to factor your storage costs in if you're going to need the assistance of a facility. 

Moving Insurance

Accidents happen, so if you want to ensure that your belongings are covered while you're relocating, moving insurance is a good idea. Of course, it is also yet another extra cost that must be factored into the whole process. 

For a budget-friendly approach, we suggest first looking into whether your home and contents insurance covers your belongings while they're in transit. You may discover that moving insurance isn’t necessary after all. 

Cleaning Services

When leaving a rental property, it’s a wise idea to hire professionals to undertake your end of lease clean. You may also wish to hire a cleaner to ensure the home you're moving into (regardless of whether you're renting or buying) is clean and hygienic. 

Those who are moving out of their home and selling it will find that a properly cleaned space is far more appealing to buyers. In other words, everyone can benefit from professional cleaning services, and many will actually require them. So don't forget to factor these expenses into your budget.

Utilities

Finally, your utilities can be a significant drain on your resources when moving. Between paying final bills at your old residence and covering connection fees at your new one, costs can add up quickly. So it's important to have a buffer for these.

Moving into a new home is exciting, but it's also incredibly stressful. It becomes even more stressful if you haven't covered all your bases financially, so be sure to account for the costs on this list to make the process as smooth as possible.