Hidden Moving Fees You Should Know About (and How to Avoid Them)

Unexpected moving expenses can stretch your budget if you’re not paying attention. There are many ways to shield your budget from high moving costs.

Moving is usually a stimulating milestone. However, it’s not only about renting a van or packing boxes. Many hidden costs can catch you by surprise.

This blog reveals the less apparent expenses you may encounter when moving, helping you plan and prevent any unforeseen costs.

Moving is costly. How expensive it is contingent on many factors. While many moving costs are estimated based on the distance and size of your move, many unpredicted things often arise.

Since these hidden costs can affect your budget substantially, we gathered some information on the hidden costs of moving that you need to be aware of, from weekend moves to paying extra to climb stairs.

Hidden Costs of Moving

Moving to a new location is exciting, but it’s no mystery that the costs can add up rapidly. With so many details to manage, such as packing, securing a new place, and hiring movers, it’s easy to concentrate on the big-ticket expenses while hidden moving costs go unnoticed.

Whether you’ve been planning your move for a while or you need to pack up immediately, not being totally prepared could cost you. Look out for these hidden moving costs:

Packing Materials

Even though it’s not a hidden moving cost, the cost of packing materials such as bubble wrap, specialty containers, tape, and boxes can add up fast. Save money by asking family and friends for old boxes, newspapers, or other packing materials.

You could ask the moving team for packing materials, but it will most likely cost you a pretty penny.

Anticipate spending a couple of dollars per box and per roll of tape. For specialty boxes, like picture and wardrobe boxes, the cost is more than a couple of dollars.

Moving Insurance

Federal law mandates movers accept liability for items during moving services. FMCSA-registered movers have options like waiver of full value protection or complete value protection.

Released value is inexpensive, but your items are valued and insured. This means you’d lose out significantly if any smaller, valuable items are destroyed or damaged.

Movers can also put a monetary limit on their liability for valuables like jewelry or art. Make sure you understand clearly the insurance coverage, asking if it covers damage to your home. Additionally, be sure to know what your homeowners or renters’ insurance covers. If you need additional insurance, moving companies typically sell third-party insurance coverage.

Stair, Elevator, or Long-Haul Fees

Anticipate extra fees if movers have to deal with elevators or carry furniture up flights of stairs. You might also pay more if movers can’t park close to the property and have to carry items a long way. Know your new home’s parking situation and layout ahead of time, and ask movers what extra costs to expect.

Professional Movers

Movers registered with the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) must provide written estimates. A fixed estimate ensures you don’t pay more than the estimate, only if new services are added to the bill. A non-binding estimate needs to be somewhat correct, but the final cost of your invoice isn’t definite.

Get estimates from a few movers, comparing costs according to similar or the same services. Ask if additions like disassembling furniture, moving equipment, or packing services are included.

Heavy Item Charges

Movers might put on you an additional fee for heavy, big, or bulky items (china cabinets, pianos, or backyard swing sets). There might also be extra fees if items must be lifted through a window.

Weekend or Summer Moving

Most moves happen in the summertime (June – September). Weekends are also quite popular, particularly the first and last weekends of the month. Because professional movers charge more at these times due to demand, avoid them if you can.

Parking Tickets or Fees

Don’t be shocked that this is on the list. We highly suggest asking parking questions like: how long can the movers park? Do you need a parking permit for the street when the movers show up? Is private parking available? Knowing the answers to these questions will help make clear any costs and lessen the surprise of unnecessary hidden costs.

Urban areas might not have assigned parking spots for moving trucks. If you, your movers, or your friends get parking tickets, you’ll need to pay them. Furthermore, if they must park in paid or metered spots, you’ll need to cover the costs.

Eating and Sleeping

Your move might take one or a few days of traveling based on how far you are going and your mode of transport. Do you need a bigger budget for airlines, parking, or gas?

Do you need to book temporary housing? How much should you budget for meals? Remember, until you’re in your new home, you may not have access to a kitchen, electricity, or gas. Keep these things on your moving checklist and moving budget, and you’re one step closer to curtailing hidden costs during a move.

Storage Space

A small home means less room for your things. If you can’t make up your mind on what to keep, you’ll have to rent a storage space. Sort your belongings beforehand into those you plan to keep and those you will donate or throw out.

Having a plan doesn’t mean everything will go precisely the way you have imagined. You need to be flexible enough to adapt to any possible delays or changes.

Have you created a plan for where to put your things should the current tenants not leave the property on time? These are deemed part of the hidden costs incurred with some moving services. In these situations, it is suggested to look for other storage facilities you can rent for a couple of weeks in case such delays happen, especially during a move from one state to another. Be sure to include these figures in your moving budget and moving checklists to prevent having these hidden costs.

Junk Removal

Can your building’s trash cans or dumpster handle all your discarded items before moving? If not, you’ll have to employ a junk removal service. Begin early and purge slowly to eliminate this cost.

Connection/Termination Fees

A local move may let you keep the same utility providers and transfer the ease of service to your new address. However, if you’re moving to another state, you’ll need to close the gas, phone, internet/cable, and electric accounts and open new accounts for your new place, meaning paying deposits and connection fees for new service.

Remember to keep in mind that these fees belong on your moving checklist so they aren’t hidden, unexpected costs for your move. It’s highly recommended to call the utility companies way before the move to guarantee that you have everything you need to make your move seamless.

Replace Donated, Tossed, Broken, or Sold Items

When you’re cleaning out your closet and your home in preparation to move, you probably feel relieved seeing a lot of your items donated, tossed, or sold. But remember, small fixtures and cleaning supplies that get left in your old house would have to be replaced in your new home. You may also feel the sorrow of items that get damaged or lost during the move and want to replace them. Brace yourself to expect the unpredictable situations and hidden costs during the move, which will decrease any budget-related stress that an interstate move will bring you.

Transportation and Travel Expenses

When thinking about the price of getting from point A to point B, travel costs will add up fast.

Driving costs – Long-distance moves include costs like fuel, tolls, and vehicle maintenance expenses. If you’re driving a big moving truck, gas costs can be considerably higher than those of a standard automobile.

Hotels and meals – If your move will go on for multiple days, include food and lodging expenses. Hotel stays can range from cost-effective motels to high-end, based on what you can fit in your budget and your preferences. Daily meal costs can also add up quickly, especially for families.

Car shipping services – If you’re not driving your vehicle, shipping it can be a substantial cost. Prices differ based on the type of vehicle and distance, with coast-to-coast transport typically being a huge cost. Enclosed transport or expedited shipping options for luxury vehicles could come at a higher price.

Avoid the Hidden Costs by Getting Professional Help

One of the best ways to eliminate the hidden costs of moving is to partner with movers who offer totally transparent pricing, even if you need emergency moving services.

At Checkmate, you will only pay for the services you need and use. We don’t add on extras, and we don’t try to pressure you into spending more on your move than you have to.

There are no hidden fees, and we offer free quotes. Reach out to us today to learn how Checkmate can simplify your move.