Most homeowners underestimate the cost of relocating to a new house. Usually, they only consider house rent as the only cost. However, if you plan to move, you need to be wary of other hidden charges. By identifying the hidden costs, you can plan and budget accordingly. Whether you are relocating to a bought or rented house, here are five things you will need to factor into your budget. When you move home it’s important to understand the costs as your first step to ensure you can afford it.
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Van hire or removals company
Many people try to save money on the cost of hiring professional movers by enlisting the help of family or friends. While this can be a good option if they are available and willing to help, it is important to keep in mind that they may not always be available or willing to assist. This means that the likelihood of needing to hire a moving company is high.
It’s important to do your research before hiring a moving company, One of the best ways to gauge a company’s level of professionalism is by reading online reviews. This will give you an idea of the company’s reputation, as well as its level of customer service. It’s also a good idea to check if they are licensed and insured, this will give you peace of mind knowing that your belongings are protected in case of any damage or accident during the moving process.
Moreover, obtaining quotes from different moving companies, and comparing prices and services will help you choose the best option for your specific needs and budget.
Removal company services
Removal companies typically offer a wide range of services when it comes to moving houses. SO the cost will depend on the package you require. Some of the most common services include:
- Packing and unpacking: Many removal companies will provide packing materials and professional packers to help you pack up your belongings, and also to unpack them at your new home.
- Loading and unloading: The company will send a team to load your belongings onto the moving truck, and unload them at your new home.
- Transportation: The company will provide a moving truck and a team of movers to transport your belongings to your new home.
- Storage: Some removal companies offer storage solutions for those who need to store their belongings temporarily.
- Insurance: Many removal companies provide insurance options that can protect your belongings in case of damage or loss during transport.
- Assembly and disassembly: They can help you to dismantle and reassemble large items of furniture such as beds, wardrobes and desks.
- Specialised moving services: some companies offer specialized moving services for high-value or fragile items such as pianos, antiques, and artwork.
- Cleaning services: some companies may offer cleaning services before and after the move, depending on the package you choose.
Average prices for a removal company
You’ll need to speak to a few different companies for pricing and options they provide. Here is a rough idea of pricing:
- Hourly rate: Some companies charge by the hour for their services, which can range from £30 to £70 per hour depending on the location and level of service.
- Half or full day rate: Some companies offer half or full day rates for their services, which can range from £150 to £500 depending on the location and level of service.
- Flat rate: Some companies offer a flat rate for their services, which can range from £500 to £3000 depending on the distance, location and level of service.
- Packing materials: Some companies may charge extra for packing materials, which can range from £50 to £150 depending on the amount of materials needed.
- Insurance: Some companies may charge extra for insurance coverage, which can range from £50 to £100.
- Additional services: Some companies may charge extra for additional services such as dismantling and reassembling furniture, packing fragile items, or cleaning services.
Van hire
If like us you decide to move yourself then you may be considering van hire. You’ll need to work out roughly how much stuff you have and how many trips you’ll need to take to complete the move. We were limited on the size of the van I could drive on my license. The maximum size for us was a 7.5-ton van or Luton van. As we were moving a long distance we wanted to try and complete the moving in one trip. This meant we had a lot of clearing to do before moving day.
You should try and find a van that includes a tail life. This will save valuable time and effort on moving day. Heavy items will be difficult to lift into the back of a van.
The cost to hire a van in the UK can vary depending on several factors such as the type of van, the rental company, the duration of the rental, and the location. However, on average, the cost to hire a van can range from £40 to £150 per day.
- A small van like a Ford Transit Connect or a Vauxhall Combo can cost around £40 to £60 per day.
- A medium-sized van like a Ford Transit or a Mercedes Sprinter can cost around £60 to £100 per day.
- A large van like a Luton van or a 7.5-tonne truck can cost around £80 to £160 per day.
Keep in mind that these prices are only rough estimates and can vary depending on the rental company, location, and the duration of the rental. Some companies may also have additional fees such as mileage charges, insurance, and fuel costs. It’s important to shop around and get quotes from different rental companies and compare prices and services to find the best deal. It’s also important to check if you’re eligible for any discounts, or if you want to add any additional services like GPS or additional driver.
Moving supplies and packing materials
When moving, it is important to protect your belongings from damage or theft. To do this, you will need to purchase various moving supplies such as boxes, blankets, and packing tape. The number of supplies you need will depend on the number of items you have to move. You will also need to purchase boxes of different sizes, as larger boxes tend to be more expensive than smaller ones. In some cases, you may also need specialised packaging materials, such as custom cardboard packaging, to safely transport oddly-shaped items. Additionally, it is recommended to label your boxes with their contents and fragile items. This will help you keep track of your belongings and ensure they are handled with care during the moving process.
here are several additional packaging options that you can consider when moving. Some examples include:
- Bubble wrap: This is a great option for wrapping delicate items such as dishes, glassware, and electronics. It provides an extra layer of protection against impact and vibration during transportation.
- Packing peanuts: These are lightweight, foam pieces that can be used to fill empty space in boxes. They help to keep items in place and prevent them from shifting during transport.
- Furniture pads: These are large, padded blankets that can be used to protect furniture such as sofas, tables, and chairs during transport.
- Stretch wrap/shrink wrap: This is a clear or black, plastic film that can be stretched around items to keep them together and provide added protection. It’s particularly useful for keeping drawers and doors closed on dressers and other furniture.
- Packing paper: This can be used to wrap items such as dishes and glassware, and also to fill empty space in boxes.
You can also consider renting packing materials if you don’t have enough space to store them after the move, it’s also an eco-friendly way of packing. It’s important to keep in mind that the more fragile and valuable your items are, the more protective packaging you should use.
In addition to these materials, it’s also important to consider using strong, durable boxes, and enough tape to ensure that the boxes are securely sealed.
Internet services
Thanks to technological advances, workers do not need to report to work. Instead, they can accomplish some official tasks from their homes. However, you need to have the internet at home to continue working. So, when you move into the new house, you need to install the internet.
Some internet services providers install WIFI for free or at a particular cost. Once installed, you need to remember the monthly internet fees. Before the service providers can install the internet, they will need to know the location of your house. Some houses are in areas that receive poor network receptions. That will force you to rely on mobile internet, which is more costly than WIFI.
Solicitors
This is going to be one of the more expensive costs associated to your move. You will likely get a fixed rates but in many cases there could be hidden or unknown additional costs that you need to be aware off. Speak to a few different solicitors to gauge their services and confidence in selling your property, as well as buying a property.
Conveyancing Solicitors in Bath for instance charge fees anywhere between £850-£1500 + VAT as legal fees in addition to third party costs such as land registry costs or searches.
Estate agents
You don’t have to use estate agents to sell your property but it does make the process much easier for you. The cost of estate agents in the UK can vary depending on the location, the type of service, and the agent. However, in general, estate agents in the UK charge a percentage of the sale price as commission. The percentage can vary, but it usually falls between 1% and 3%.
- High street estate agents: High street estate agents typically charge between 1% and 2% commission, plus VAT (Value Added Tax) on top of that.
- Online estate agents: Online estate agents charge a flat fee, typically between £500 and £1000, and do not charge commission.
- Hybrid estate agents: Hybrid estate agents offer a combination of online and traditional services and their pricing can vary, but it’s usually less than the high street estate agents.
- Some online estate agents will offer basic packages that can cost as little as £99.
It’s important to keep in mind that the commission rate may vary depending on the location and the agent, so it’s a good idea to get quotes from different agents and compare prices and services.
When using an estate agent, it’s also important to understand the terms and conditions of the service they provide, such as the length of the contract, the marketing plan, and what happens if you decide to withdraw your property from the market before the contract ends.
It’s also important to know that the cost of the estate agent fee is usually paid by the seller, unless otherwise agreed upon, and it’s usually deducted from the sale proceeds.
Costs can be fixed or they can base it on a percentage of your property value. Don’t forget to negotiate with them on the cost as they will very likely be open to an offer. If you decided to take this job on yourself be prepared to spend a lot of your time talking and negotiating with potential buyers.
Conclusion
This is not an exhaustive list. However, this guide is an excellent place to start from. If you are concerned about omitting an item, you could hire an appraiser or a real estate agent. They will help you identify all the items you should pay for.
Some people also use online comparative market analysis (CMA) tools online. CMA will give you a rough estimate of the costs of moving to the house. However, the tool tends to leave out some items inadvertently. As a result, you will work with a lower budget. Only use this tool as a preliminary step.
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