5 Moving Expenses You Didn’t Know You Needed to Budget For
When moving home, there is a specific expectation that it won’t be cheap. There are costs associated with moving home, but it can be easy for first-time buyers to overlook some crucial aspects of the home with all the excitement of finally getting the keys.
On average, moving home in the UK can cost around £10,000 with various fees involved. But planning ahead can help you to understand what you need to pay for and even discover some parts of the moving process you might have overlooked.
Transportation
Transportation is often thought of as the most expensive aspect of moving home. The cost of transportation depends on several factors, such as distance, size of property and fuel costs. For a standard move between 17-20 miles away with furniture or heavy items, it would be around £500.
Repairs or cleaning services before moving in
One of the most important but often forgotten aspects of moving home is getting any necessary repairs or cleaning services before moving in. It’s easy to overlook this because you’re so excited about finally getting the keys, but it’s something that needs to be budgeted for.
Cleaning and repairs costs can vary depending on your property type, size and location. For example, a three-bedroom house in London will cost more than a similar property in rural Wales. The good news is that you might be able to get a quote from your estate agent and factor this into your budget when looking at properties.
Storage options
One of the first things you should think about is storage. What are your options?
Depending on the size of your move, you may need to look at storage options for a few days or weeks to help you get moved in and settled, especially if you are living in the home and doing renovation work first. The last thing you want mid-renovation is to be falling over boxes of stuff you can’t unpack yet.
You can look at self storage units to allow you to come and go as you please and add and remove items when you need them. This is an easier option for most people amid a house move.
Packing materials
When packing for your house move, you need to think carefully about how you will be packing items. There are many hacks available online for easier and cheaper packing options. But for many people, you still need a good quantity of cardboard boxes and packaging to protect your valuables.
Make a note of what you need and what you can use when packing such as vacuum storage bags for clothing, using towels to wrap dinnerware and so to make sure you have the right materials.
Mail redirection
There are two types of mail redirection: a temporary address and a long-term mail forwarding service. A temporary address is only available for a limited time, often around six months, and will not be accepted by all UK post offices. Long-term mail forwarding services are more expensive than a temporary address but can be arranged for up to 12 months at around £68.99 and are accepted by all UK post offices.
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