Category: Moving Tips And Advice

Moving can be a stressful and expensive process, so it is especially helpful to be as prepared as possible before embarking on this extensive undertaking.  One way to do this is to create a budget ahead of time, so you can account for all expenses, and not be surprised by the cost when it comes time to make the move.  There are three main categories of expenses you will encounter for most moves; costs before the move, costs during the move, and costs after the move.  It is important to take into account each kind to come up with a comprehensive budget that encompasses all.

Costs before the move can include last month’s rent or final utility bills, early lease termination fees, and any incidental repair costs for your old home.  You will probably also want to factor in packing supplies, such as boxes, a handcart, or even preassembled moving kits.

Expenses during the move will probably be the largest you incur of the three divisions.  More than likely the highest amount you will be faced with is the cost of movers, and whether or not it is beneficial to hire professionals.  It is wise to obtain multiple quotes for this before making your decision, as you will want to make sure you find the best deal.  You may also need to include mover’s insurance, and possibly a tip for the movers, depending on your preference.  Another option would be to rent a moving truck or van and do most of the heavy lifting yourself.  You would still want to take into account the cost of the rental, the price of gas, and the need to purchase or rent additional tools, such as a loading ramp if you choose this route.  If you are flying to your final destination, factor in the cost of an airline ticket, as well as transportation to/from the airport.  Finally, another “during the move” expense would be the cost to transport your vehicle with a reputable auto shipping company if you will not be driving it yourself.

Finally, costs after the move will include all of those associated with your new home, such as rent, security deposits, parking permits, and utility costs/deposits.  You will also want to factor in the cost of meals (take-out or otherwise) as you get situated, in addition to your first grocery trip at your new location.  Oftentimes, people plan on making large purchases, such as new furniture or appliances, upon arriving, so take all of those expenditures into account as well.

After you have totaled up all of the easily predicted costs associated with moving, you will want to add an additional 10% which can comfortably cushion your budget to prepare you for unexpected expenses.  Armed with this number, you will now have a ballpark figure to shoot for when preparing and beginning the moving process.  The more information you have prior to your move, the better equipped you will be in the case of unforeseen obstacles during the move itself.

 

Image Courtesy: FreeDigitalPhotos.net / Stuart Miles

Most people assume they have only one option when changing addresses, but that’s not the case. There are three different ways to change your address with the U.S. Post Office–none of which will cost you more than $1. You also have options when it comes to having your mail forwarded, both in terms of the method used, as well as the cost and the length of time your mail will be forwarded. The basic details are outlined below, with more information in the links at the bottom of the page.

 

• Change of Address – A change of address with the U.S. Postal Service may either be permanent or temporary and can be done either online in person, or over the phone. If using the online change of address form, please note that it does charge $1 to your credit or debit card to verity your identity. If using the phone service, you can call 1-800-ASK-USPS, which will also require a $1 charge to verify your identity. If a change of address is temporary, it may be held in place for 15 days up to one year.

 

• Premium Forwarding Service – PFS allows you to have your mail bundled and sent to you once per week via USPS Priority Mail. This service can also be used between 15 days and one year and currently costs $17 per week, along with a $15 enrollment fee. (Please note: the online PFS option is not available for post office boxes.)

 

• General Delivery – This option is ideal for people in between permanent homes, traveling or with a temporary address. The post office will hold your mail for up to 30 days and it can be picked up at your convenience. This is a handy method to use for those without a physical address, as it can be sent using “General Delivery” as the address, which tells the post office to hold the mail on your behalf.

 

Scam Alert – Companies That Charge To Change Your Address

 

Avoid, avoid, avoid! This is not a legitimate service! It’s simply a company filing a free change of address form on your behalf and charging you for doing it–sometimes as much as $50 or $100. Do not fall for this.

 

Sites that charge you for filing a change of address form with the postal service are a scam and should be avoided at all costs. The only way you should pay anything for a change of address is when it’s an incremental amount ($1 or less) charged to you by the USPS as verification of your identity for a change of address.

 

Mail Forwarding & Change of Address Resources

 

USPS Change of Address – Update your address the easy way by using the online change of address tool from the USPS.

 

USPS Mail Forwarding – The basics of mail forwarding, including more information on the three options listed above.

 

Mail Forwarding For Expats – International mail forwarding information for expatriates an overseas travelers. Note that you will need to fill out USPS form 1583 if using a commercial mail receiving agent (CMRA) to forward mail internationally.

When you need to hire a household goods moving company, you should know that the selection process may bring numerous problems and concerns for you. This is because not all providers of such services can be trusted. In addition, only a few are known for providing quality and timely services. It is crucial that you go with a company recognized for superiority of rendered services, as you will be entrusting your valuables to their drivers.

Since the household goods moving company will be the one to take responsibility of moving and transporting your possessions, you want to be working with only the best movers in the industry. Fortunately, finding these professionals is not that hard, as long as you know which questions to ask. For starters, here three of the most important questions you have to have answered prior to making your final decision.

Question No. 1: Is your company as well as your drivers fully insured and licensed?

Never trust a company that does not carry any form of insurance and license. In fact, in order for a household goods moving company to be in accordance with rules, laws, and regulations, it has to be fully insured and licensed. If the service provider you are interested in cannot provide any evidence of this, do not be tempted even if you will be charged with the lowest rates. Insurance is very important as you want to make sure that all of your properties will be covered in the event that an accident occurs and your things get damaged in the process.

Question No. 2: Can you provide me with proof of satisfied customers?

Of course, there will always be complaints made against the best moving companies, regardless of how high the quality of the services provided is. However, this does not mean that you should already overlook this factor. You should check the service provider’s track record to see if its history has been plagued with countless complaints.

Ask the household goods moving company to provide you with proof of satisfied customers and then cross reference this. You should also consult with the Better Business Bureau as this is one of your best sources for such pertinent details. The BBB can provide you with information on registered moving companies, particularly their rating.

Question No. 3: How experienced are your household good movers?

Never forget to ask the moving company you would like to work with about the experience of the drivers and movers it has in employ. This is especially true if you will be moving from border to border and from state to state. Experience is crucial here, since the drivers and the movers have to be well-versed in border and state regulations.

In addition, interstate relocation also involves quite a number of issues and concerns that moving locally does not. Aside from state and federal rules, you should also keep in mind that moving long distance puts greater risk on your valuables and possessions. This alone is reason enough for you to make certain that you will be working with a highly experienced, professional, and equipped household goods moving company.