Often Overlooked Costs of Moving

By Julie DeLong, A-1 Freeman Moving Group 

Read the Fine Print

When you are getting estimates from moving companies in Austin, make sure and pay attention to the fine print. You should have a decent understanding of everything that is included in each estimate so that you can make sure you are comparing like services. If there might be something that you don’t understand, do not be nervous to speak up. If you believe something was overlooked from the estimate, it’s best to bring that to the moving company’s attention now than be upset later because of an additional charge.

· When you have awkward or bulky items that could require specific handling, such as a riding lawnmower, hot tub or baby grand piano, you will need to bring that to the professional mover’s attention so that any extra charges can be incorporated in the estimate.

· Similarly, be aware that a few items, such as gas appliances and also front-loading washing machines, might need a third-party service to unhook the item at your current residence and prep it for transit and then hook it back up at your new home.

· In the event there is not much clearance on your street which makes the moving van too big to fit, the moving company in Austin will likely need to shuttle your possessions to the truck using a smaller truck. There is normally an additional charge for this service, so it will be crucial to converse about it when you are getting your estimates.

· You will have a lot of boxes to get rid of after unpacking, so double check if an empty box pick up is included in your estimate or if that would be an extra cost.

Road Tripping to the New Home

If you are moving a distance that requires a road trip to get to your new home, you will need to remember to take into consideration travel expenses. Be sure to not only budget for a hotel room, but also factor in costs like food, tolls, gas, and also emergencies which might crop up while you’re travelling to your new house.

Change of Plans

Occasionally life happens and your best made plans crumble. If the paperwork for the closing of your new home becomes delayed or the construction that you had planned to be completed ahead of move in day go off track, you might need storage for your belongings. Inform your moving company in Austin as soon as possible with regards to the delay and talk about options with them. Should the delivery just needs to be delayed a few days, your possessions could be able to be stored on the trailer they are already loaded on. However, in the event it will be a long time before you will be ready to have your belongings delivered, your things will likely need to be placed into storage at a nearby warehouse. Remember that the longer your things are in storage, the higher the extra cost will be.

The Bottom Line

Yes, moving to a new house can be stressful. Yes, unplanned costs come up. However, if you do your research in advance as well as budget fittingly, you’ll be a step ahead if something unplanned happens.