The reason you set a budget is so that things don’t get out of control financially. The problem with most moves in Canada is that things can add up pretty quickly, and what was once your bottom line suddenly becomes your top. If you want to know how to stay on task and make it to your new residence in the black, there are some critical things you can do to keep your costs low and not go outside of the money budgeted to get from one home to the next.
When you move, it is typically those small-ticket items that start to add up to a bigger moving budget. The key is to choose which things are economical to take with you, and which are better to leave behind and replace. If you are letting your emotions guide your decisions, it can end up costing you big time.
The best way to stay within your budget parameters is to create a “budget template.” Moving budget templates can be found on most major computer software programs like Excel or Microsoft Word. They have all sorts of mathematical formulas to calculate every aspect of your moving expenses, from boxes to post-move cleanups. They provide an easy breakdown of costs so that you aren’t discounting small things by thinking they won’t add up in the end. Even if you aren’t a computer guru, keeping track of expenses and anticipating costs are the key to having a move that won’t cost you for the long term.
Calculate moving company expenses
The biggest expense that comes from any move is the cost of the moving company. There are hidden fees and insurance charges, and if you don’t anticipate them, they will come back to bite your budget in the behind. Being aware of all the small up- and surcharges will ensure that you aren’t left with a larger bill than you can pay.
Moving company fee – Moving companies will add things like labor and fuel charges to their bill. If you ask for an estimate, try to choose the highest estimate to use for your budget. The biggest mistake people make is choosing the company who promises the lowest bill. Typically, the cheapest Winnipeg moving company has the most hidden fees and “additional” costs that you won’t see coming. If you budget for the most expensive mover, regardless of whether you hire them or not, you will be prepared for the worst-case cost scenario.
Extra charges – Make sure to plan for unexpected additional charges. Things like service charges, flight charges, and other long-haul services might run extra. If you don’t anticipate them, you might find yourself in the red in your new home.
Damages and claim costs – There will likely be some damage or claim costs if things don’t go as smoothly as planned. The best way to ensure that your budget doesn’t go over is to make a separate budget category for claim and damage costs. A 5% contingency fee built into your budget will help you to stay above the budget curve.
Moving yourself is not always a smarter decision
Although moving on your own might seem like a way to save money, that might not always prove true. There are many things that do-it-yourself movers don’t add into their budget. Calculating things like fuel costs and renting moving supplies are often underestimated, and can kill any chances of saving money. Also, if you choose to make the move on your own and something is damaged, you won’t have insurance to replace what has been lost. Sometimes it’s possible to spend a whole lot and end up saving very little.
Moving is one of the most stressful things that people do in life, and it also can be one of the most costly. If you are planning a move, make sure to be realistic and to anticipate for things to go wrong. After all, according to Murphy’s Law, whatever things can go wrong, will. Sometimes it is easier and smarter economically to let someone else handle your move, as long as you make sure to take all things into consideration when devising your moving budget.