Breaking Down Long-Distance Moving Costs
There are a lot of questions associated with long-distance moving—how will you adjust, how can you find a good school, will you be able to make new friends? But there’s one question that gets asked before any of the others: how much does it cost? The answer comes down to your budget, preferences, and handiness with a truck and boxes. In this blog we break down cross-country moving costs so you’ll know exactly what to expect.
One of the most difficult aspects of moving long distance in Canada is staying within your budget, but with good planning and some help from affordable long-distance movers, it’s possible.
If you want to skip all of the heavy lifting, consider getting a professional company to give you a free moving quote.
Here are a few things to consider:
DIY or Pros?
Going it alone comes with some benefits. You’ll save money on labour costs and other professional services. The drawback is having to take care of everything on your own (time is money), and risking injury, loss of property, or both.
DIY Costs
If you’re going DIY, then here are the factors to consider:
●Rental Truck: If the job is small enough, you can rent your own truck and do the heavy lifting yourself. We did some digging and found that renting a U-Haul in Toronto and dropping it off in Vancouver will cost around $2,500 + other added costs (taxes, insurance, etc.).
●Fuel: Driving from one coast to another is going to cost a lot in fuel. Trucks aren’t known for their gas mileage! Here’s a great fuel calculator tool. Warning: don’t expect anything less than $1,000 to get from Ontario to British Columbia!
●Tolls: There are several major toll roads in Canada depending on where you are going. Be aware of this extra cost.
●Storage: If your new home isn’t move-in ready, you may have to purchase storage in your new location. Although many are very affordable these days, it will most likely cost a few hundreds extra dollars and at least a full-day of your time.
●Time: Time is money. If you want to move yourself across country, it will cost at least a week to physically do it (packing, loading, driving, unloading, etc.). The preparation will take a lot longer than that. If you enjoy the process, then it really isn’t a cost. If you don’t enjoy the hard work, we suggest the pros.
Tip: You might be able to deduct moving expenses from your taxes.
Pros
Professional movers handle everything. You barely have to lift a finger (except to sign the papers). The service comes at a cost, but when all costs are added up, it really isn’t much more. The best part is using your free time to either work and earn money or prepare your life in your new home. Professional companies will charge for mileage, labour, storage, and perhaps a fuel surcharge, but when you consider the cost of getting your own truck, it nearly evens out.
Interested in figuring out how much your long-distance move will cost? Get your free estimate from King’s Transfer Van Lines today!