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Moving Expenses - Learn About Hidden Fees

You’ve hired a mover, packed up your stuff, said goodbye to your friends, and forwarded your mail to your new address. Everything is going exactly as you planned it, except…your movers suddenly demand that you pay thousands of dollars more than they quoted you. This may be your nightmare, but to prevent it from becoming a reality, you’ve got to make sure that you’re entirely prepared for your move. And that means anticipating hidden moving costs and making sure that all fees will be disclosed up front. Even if you’ve moved before, there may be hidden moving expenses that you’re not familiar with because of new circumstances that weren’t present in your previous move. So read on carefully to determine which surprise moving expenses you can avoid now, so you’ll have a smoother move later.

1. Surcharges for heavy items. This hidden moving expense is one of the most commonly missed moving fees because most people neglect to admit that they’ve got heavy items. You probably know that moving your piano will cost you extra (and if you didn’t, you do now!), but did you know that you may also get charged extra to move a ride-on lawn mower, snowmobiles and even especially heavy furniture? Make sure to survey your belongings in advance to see if anything is especially burdensome, and ask your movers if they’ll charge you more.
2. Moving supplies. Boxes and packing materials may not have been included in the cost of your move, but your movers will try to help you with the process by offering to provide you with these essentials. Be forewarned that you can purchase moving materials at a greatly reduced rate elsewhere, and that purchasing supplies from your movers will cost significantly more money.
3. Time and date of the move. You’re probably aware that there are peak moving seasons (such as the summer), when movers raise their rates. But did you know that moving in the middle of the month can be significantly cheaper than moving at the beginning or end, since most people move at those times to meet the end of their lease? Price your move for different times of the month – you may find that you’ll save more on the move than you’ll spend on moving during the busier times of month.
4. Tips. You tip your taxi driver, your waitress and your hair dresser...it makes sense that you’d need to tip your movers as well. While you may suppose this is included in the moving quotes you’ve received, this assumption is probably incorrect. You can estimate to pay each mover $25 for a one-day local move. Of course, tips for long distance moves can really add up, especially if your moving team consists of more than one or two people. Find out which ones are meeting you at the new home and which ones are just helping with the loading so that you can tip appropriately.
5. Transit costs. Read the fine print of your moving contract carefully. Does it say that you’re responsible for gas and tolls? Most movers try to sneak this clause into the contract, and unsuspecting customers don’t realize that they’re in for a surprise (gas for a moving truck isn’t cheap). If you don’t want to pay for gas and tolls, make that clear up front, and your moving company may agree to taking on these charges (or possibly splitting them).
6. Insurance. Your moving quote probably comes with minimal insurance, but if you don’t protect yourself properly, you could lose a lot in the event of accident or theft. You’ll need to insure the value of your items, which may be costly, so make sure to factor this price in – and not to accept minimal insurance offered in the policy.
7. Appliance charges. If your appliances don’t fit through doorways or need to be connected or reconnected your movers may need to pay extra for these services.
8. Supplementary (“shuttle”) moving services. If your new home is located in a remote location that won’t accommodate the big moving truck, your movers will need to transfer your belongings to a smaller truck to approach the house. This service, of course, is not free, and will require you to pay significant fees.

9. Elevator fees. It almost sounds counterintuitive, but some moving companies may charge you if they’ll need to use the elevator for your move. This type of service charge is especially common when you’re hiring movers by the hour, but other movers may charge you as well.
10. “Flight” charges. In contrast to the elevator charges, these charges are imposed by moving companies who may need to take the stairs instead of using the elevator. If you are moving to a walk up, check with your mover before signing any contract that includes flight charges.
11. Distance fees. If the rear of the moving truck must park more than 75 feet away from the front door of the house, you’ll probably get stuck with distance fees that result from the extra dragging of your items. If you’re aware of your home’s layout in advance, tell your movers in advance so that you can potentially reduce or avoid these fees.

The best way to avoid these hidden fees is to read your contract carefully and to be fully aware of your needs in advance so that you can negotiate with your moving company in advance. Armed with a bit of knowledge and a bit of gumption, you may just find yourself saving a good deal on your move!