“ Many factors come into play when determining the cost of your move , such as the distance you are moving , the size of your house , the number of movers required for the job , and whether or not you want the moving company to pack for you . According to Forbes . com , the national average cost of a local move is $ 1,400 , ranging from $ 800 to $ 2,150 . For long-distance moves , the average cost jumps to between $ 2,200 and $ 5,700 .”
organizations provide a flat rate package ( for example , $ 5,000 ) towards your relocation expenses ; others provide a package that tells you what they provide at no cap . If this service is available , you might be able to negotiate according to your moving requirements . Selling your home , if you own one , can be one of the biggest costs of relocation . It seems simple enough — you list your home for sale , and someone buys it . But if you live in a market where homes aren ’ t selling quickly , you might be stuck paying the mortgage on your old house while paying the mortgage or rent on your new place . You must also take into account the cost of trips to check out the new location and go house hunting . There ’ s also the cost of securing a local real estate agent to assist you in purchasing or renting your new home , especially if you ’ re not familiar with the area . Inquire as to what the church or organization is willing to do so it is clear what moving expenses you are expected to cover . Packing up your house for a long-distance move is time-consuming and can be costly as well . You might want to hire professional packers who will pack up your entire house in one or two days . They provide all the boxes , tape , bubble wrap and paper needed . They will also label all the boxes according to room and provide additional detail if needed . You can always pack yourself , but you will need to buy a lot of packing supplies , and that can become expensive depending on the size of your house and the amount of stuff you have . Hiring professional movers is the most expensive part of a major move . Many factors come into play when determining the cost of your move , such as the distance you are moving , the size of your house , the number of movers required for the job , and whether or not you want the moving company to pack for you . According to Forbes . com , the national average cost of a local move is $ 1,400 , ranging from $ 800 to $ 2,150 . For long-distance moves , the average cost jumps to between $ 2,200 and $ 5,700 . Additional charges might be incurred for moving large items like pianos and swing sets . If you are moving across the country , you might also need to have your car ( s ) moved with your possessions .
Two things to consider when moving longdistance or out of state . First , ask if the movers do these types of jobs themselves or subcontract them to other companies , to determine if there might be an additional cost for this type of move and if the subcontractor carries the same insurance . Second , request an in-person estimate so you won ’ t be surprised when you receive the bill . To save money , you might want to consider renting a U-Haul and moving yourself — if you don ’ t have a large house with a lot of possessions , that is . Getting your family to your new home can be costly as well . Do you need to fly ? The cost of airfare for the entire family can get expensive depending on the size of your family and where you ’ re going . It might be cheaper and easier to drive . This will also save you the cost of transporting your vehicle ( s ) to your new home . Additionally , any pets can travel in the car with your family , saving you more money on airfare .
IN THE MEANTIME … Have you considered if you will need temporary housing in your new location ? Timing is rarely perfect when you make a household move . You might arrive at your new home before your belongings , so you might want to consider renting a suite at an extended-stay hotel , especially if you have young children . Or your new home might not be available when you arrive , and you ’ ll need to temporarily store your belongings . Storage facilities can be costly , so be sure to do your homework . Rates vary by standard and climate-controlled units , size , location and availability .
There are many hidden expenses to consider when relocating , so planning ahead can help . Set a budget for your relocation costs and track your expenses . “ Surprise ” costs are less likely when everything is calculated in advance and you know what to expect .
Vincent J . Schera , ACC
® , CCP
® is Chief Human Resources Officer for
MMBB Financial Services . Schera brings with him more than 30 years of experience in human resources , employee relations , compensation , mergers and acquisitions for domestic and international businesses . He earned his B . S . in Accounting and M . B . A . from Manhattan College and is also a Certified Compensation Professional .
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