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Budget Guide for Moving House

April 30th, 2019

Moving house can be a seriously stressful (but also very exciting) time. You’re moving into a brand new house, and it’s a great opportunity to go through your things and have a bit of a clear-out, if required.

However, when it comes to moving house, between removalists, packing materials and extra costs, the cash can really add up! Fortunately, there are a few ways to make sure that you’re not breaking the bank during your removals process.

By following a checklist and knowing the hidden costs, you can make sure you keep your bank balance in check.

A checklist for moving

There are a few key steps you need to take when you decide that you’re going to move house. If you need financial help with any of these things, Nimble has you covered with bond loans to fit your needs.

1. Find a good removalist service – Word of mouth is a great way to find a reliable, efficient and careful removalist in your area. Check out Google reviews or speak to friends who’ve used them before to see if they’re going to be gentle with your belongings and help you out on the day where you really need it.
2. Collect packing boxes – Buying packing boxes from a removalist company can be expensive, so instead, try to source boxes from other places. Supermarkets, shopping centres and online community groups are good places to look/ask.
3. Pay outstanding bills and disconnect your utilities – This will include things like your gas, water, landline and internet connection.
4. Arrange for cleaners to give your house a once-over – Once everything is packed up and out of the house, it’s a great opportunity to have the house professionally cleaned, to ensure you’ll get your bond back.

Costs to expect when moving (including the hidden ones)

First of all, should you hire removalists or do it yourself?

The main reason that people hire removalists is for the sheer convenience. Removalists are usually professional trained and will easily handle loading your belongings onto a truck and unloading them at your new property. You can usually count on removalists to have all your belongings arrive safe and sound, and they might make your moving day easier and quicker.

Alternatively, you might choose to save yourself a bit of cash by choosing to hire a vehicle and complete your move yourself. If you have a fairly small property or not many belongings this can be ideal, as you’ll save money by buying your own packing materials and hiring your own truck. However, you must keep in mind that a DIY move is most definitely going to take you more time, cost you a bit in materials, truck hire and insurance, and it can be a strain on your body (not to mention your brain) lifting everything and fitting it all in your truck.

What costs can I expect when moving?

A recent study found that the average cost of moving house in Australia is $1,618. This particular study factored in removalists, cleaning and reconnecting utilities, however depending on your specific move, the costs may vary.

According to this same study, the total average cost for moving can be broken down into:

• $3,655 for a move where removalists do everything (including packing and unpacking)
• $2,099 for removalists (but where the owners did all the packing and unpacking)
• $782 for a DIY move with a truck or a trailer
• $624 for a DIY move using an owned truck or trailer (without hiring fee)

As you can see, moving costs vary greatly depending on how you want to move and how much stuff you have to move. Removalists typically charge using either an hourly rate or a flat-free structure. There are pros and cons to each, mainly that the flat-fee structure is easier to budget for, however the hourly rate structure could mean that you end up paying less if your move is completed quicker than expected.

Other factors to take into account include the size of your home (this is usually measured by the number of bedrooms) and how far away you’re moving (for example, are you moving just to another suburb or interstate?)

You should also keep in mind any home maintenance costs you’ll have to pay when you do move into your new home to make it liveable, in particular any budget renovations that need to be made immediately.

All these influences will determine the overall cost of your move. Be sure to communicate effectively with your removalist company before you sign a contract or make any kind of deposit, so that you can look out for hidden fees like extra men, wrapping fees or piano fees. A good rule of thumb is to look for removalists that are part of the Australian Furniture Removers Association.

Tips for moving house when you’re on a budget

There are a couple of ways to save money when you’re moving house if you’re on a budget.

• Take into account that time is money – If your removalist is charging by the hour, then you’ll want to make sure that you’re totally ready to go before they even arrive at your house. Check that your boxes are ready to go, your furniture is wrapped, and that everything else is prepared. You don’t want to be paying them to stand about waiting for you!
• Get rid of everything that you don’t need before you move – Moving house is a great opportunity to go through everything that you own and get rid of the things that are weighing you down. There’s no point in carrying stuff around to your new home if you’re never going to use it. Here at Nimble we recommend watching Marie Kondo on Netflix for some tidying inspiration!
• Rent the right size of truck and avoid moving in peak hour – Try to accurately choose the size of truck you need, as you don’t want to be paying more, only to have extra space left over in the vehicle. Also, avoid moving in peak hour, especially if your removalist is charging by the hour (and for the good of your stress levels!)

Having trouble thinking about how you’re going to afford moving costs?

Sometimes life gets in the way, and your budget doesn’t quite stretch as far as you need it to when you’re moving. We’re here to help in those times.

Here at Nimble we like to think that we offer the best payday loans in Australia for if you need a stress-free way to borrow money when you’re moving house. Whether it’s for hiring removalists or paying off your outstanding bills, we’ve got you covered. Apply now to find out whether you’re eligible.

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