The Cost of a Small Move in Los Angeles: How to Calculate the Total Expense
Your small move may only consist of packing up a one-bedroom or studio apartment and relocating across town. Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean your move is going to be cheap.
Moving can be more expensive than you think and usually is. Estimating the cost can help you prepare financially, but where do you start? In other words, what are the key steps for a small San Francisco move that’s going to end up costing you money?
What Goes Into Your Moving Costs
Some moving costs are pretty easy to calculate. You know there are going to be travel fees. Even a move down the block requires some traveling.
After all, it’s not like you can grab a few friends and lug your couch down the street. You’re going to need some type of vehicle, and it takes gas. Don’t forget about labor costs. Even your friends and family are going to expect some form of payment, whether it’s cash or plenty of drinks and pizza.
Okay, so you know there’s going to be labor and travel costs regardless of whether you use professionals or family and friends. If you’re going with professionals, your costs just went up. A professional moving service is going to charge you for labor, fuel, and time. So what other factors should you include in your moving costs?
Heavier Items are More Expensive
If your small move only consists of a few boxes and a couple of suitcases, you can probably skip adding in these expenses. However, if your boxes are packed full of large books, this may be a cost you’ll need to add to your moving expenses.
Heavier items are more expensive to move. Even if you’re relying on friends to move a heavy oak headboard. They’re probably going to want more than a few slices of pizza. Professional movers not only charge by the size of the load but also by its weight.
Add-on Moving Services
Some professional moving companies offer additional services. These services are often convenient but they’re also not free. What types of services can you take advantage of> You can hire movers to pack your belongings.
If you’re working full-time, finding an opportunity to pack can be challenging. Sometimes, the extra expense is a good investment. Expect professionals to charge a couple of hundred dollars to pack up your stuff.
Other add-ons that can increase moving costs include hiring movers to disassemble and reassemble your furniture. Once again, it’s a great time-saver, especially if you don’t have a clue how to put your couch or bedframe back together.
Moving Supplies
Your costs for moving supplies can be easily kept at a minimum, especially if you’re not purchasing things like boxes from a moving service. You can usually get free boxes from your local grocery store.
Just ask, and management will usually hand over a stack of broken-down boxes. Grab a roll of packing tape and you can easily reassemble the boxes. The packing tape will help ensure your belongings aren’t falling out the bottom of the box.
Along with boxes and packing tape, you’ll also need a marker and some packing material. Old newsprint is free and works great when you’re packing fragile items like dishes. If you don’t have a permanent marker in a drawer, they’re relatively cheap and easy to find. Chances are, you can find a selection at the corner convenience store.
Temporary Storage
Sometimes, your careful planning doesn’t quite work out. You’re out of your old place, but it’s going to be a few days before you can get into your new address. You’re going to need to rent a temporary storage unit. Thankfully, some storage places run specials where you get a month or so free with only a minimal deposit.
If you can find a storage place running rental specials, you can save big. You may even be able to rent the unit for under $10, but remember, if you’re not out by the end of the initial lease, you can be facing significantly higher costs.
Liability Insurance
This expense typically only applies when you’re using a professional moving service. Liability insurance helps protect your belongings and the movers if they injure themselves during the move. Most moving companies offer a variety of insurance policies so you can pick and choose one that best fits your needs and budget.
Even though this is a limited-time insurance policy, it still has a premium. The amount of the premium depends on the policy and insurance carrier, but it’s an expense to factor into your move.
Potential Additional Moving Costs
Moving can come with additional expenses that you probably haven’t considered. Did you know some moving services charge extra if their staff need to use the stairs or even the elevator?
In other words, if you’re not on the first floor, you may be hit with these charges before your stuff even leaves the door. You can be charged twice if your new place also requires the use of either stairs or the elevator. Yes, there are times when it really is cheaper to live on the ground level.
Transportation Fees
Since most moving companies aren’t going to allow you to ride in the truck with your belongings, you need transportation. This can even apply if you’re relying on friends. They may not have enough room to squeeze you in with all of your stuff.
If you have a vehicle, then you only need to worry about your fuel costs. Otherwise, you’re stuck going with either a cab or using a rideshare platform. Even a small move a few blocks away can cost over $20 in a taxi, Uber, or Lyft.
Tipping
You probably don’t need to worry about tipping your friends, but it’s a little different with professional movers. Chances are they’re going to expect a tip, and this means cash. How much you tip depends on the size of your move and your budget. Regardless of the amount, it’s still another expense.
Moving can be expensive, but it’s worth the cost when you’re finally settled into your new place. Hopefully, this guide makes it a little easier to plan and budget for your small LA move.
