Making a long-distance move can be an expensive venture, incurring costs for rentals, gas, mileage and other travel expenses. In the early stages of your move, it’s helpful to put together estimates on the different costs so you can plan your moving budget accordingly. Some of the expenses you’ll have in a long-distance move include:
Moving Company Fees – depending on which company you use, it may charge by the load, by the size of the house you’re moving, or by the size of the truck or trailer needed for all your belongings. Get quotes from several companies before you decide on one and be aware of extra fees for additional mileage, delays and other unforeseen issues that could come up. Another factor that plays into the cost is whether you pack everything yourself or hire the company to do the packing. Fortunately, many companies make it convenient to get a quote over the phone or online so you can easily compare prices.
Truck Rental – if you’re making the move yourself and need to rent a truck, trailer or both, you’ll have the rental fees themselves, plus extra costs above that like gas and tolls. Many rental companies charge per mile for rentals and may require you to purchase additional insurance to cover the truck. You’ll also have to figure in the cost of gas, taking into consideration that larger trucks need more gas and most take diesel, which can cost more than gasoline. Like moving companies, truck rental businesses offer convenient over-the-phone and online quotes.
Lodging and Food – on a long-distance move, more than likely you’ll have to stop for food and you may even have to spend the night in a hotel. As you’re planning your budget, include the cost of meals on the road and any hotel and lodging costs for overnight trips. The longer and farther the trip, the higher these costs will be. You can save some money by packing your own snacks and meals and staying with family members or friends along the way. Planning out all your stops and overnight stays and choosing lodging and dining based on who offers the best prices can also help your budget.
Packing materials – People wanting to save money by packing up their home themselves will still have to spend money on packing materials. You’ll need cardboard boxes, packing tape and bubble wrap or other packing materials. Ask around if anyone knows of friends or family who have recently moved and can give you their moving boxes for free. Many local businesses like grocery stores and mass merchandisers let you have the cardboard boxes after shipments come in to the store.
Pets – moving your furry friends can mean extra expenses too, such as travel carriers, medication to help them travel and overnight boarding. Some hotels charge extra for pets, so if you’re staying overnight somewhere; you might have that additional fee.
Documentation and government fees – for those moving into Canada from another country, you’ll have to secure all the proper documentation and identification. You may even have to pay some duty or taxes on items you bring into the country. Check with the Canadian government to know for sure what you need to move into the country.
Miscellaneous – along the way, you might incur other costs like tolls and repairs. If you’re driving a rental truck and have your own personal vehicles to transport, you’ll have to rent a tow dolly for your car or find another way to get your vehicles to the new location. Movers with bulky or specialty items may also incur additional costs hiring specialty movers for items like pianos, pool tables or hot tubs.
