17 Hidden Costs of Moving Nobody Really Talks About

Whether you’re navigating increasing mortgage rates or trying to land an apartment before the rent rises, getting into a home is expensive. 

But it’s not just the housing prices that are hard on your wallet. The actual costs of moving from point A to point B can make a dent in your bank account.

There are many unexpected expenses that can pop up and trip up even the most well-prepared, financially savvy renter or homeowner. 

Here are 17 of the most common hidden costs of moving so you don't get caught off guard next time you have to move.

Most rentals require you to pay the equivalent of a month’s rent before moving into your new digs. This fee, called the security deposit, is a sort of insurance policy for the landlord.

The landlord can keep the security deposit if a tenant abruptly moves out. If a tenant caused damage to the rental that the landlord must fix before renting to a new tenant, the security deposit will help cover those costs.

A security deposit is a significant expense that you may not have accounted for. And before you sign a lease, be sure you understand the terms for getting your security deposit returned to you in total when you move out.

Boxes, bubble wrap, and tape can be surprisingly expensive. But you may regret it if you skimp on supplies and end up with broken items.

There are ways you can find these items for less, though, or even free. Try posting on free neighborhood groups or asking local businesses if they have leftover newspapers and boxes. 

You may find someone who moved recently and will sell you their used boxes at a discounted price.

If you live in a high-rise or low-rise apartment building with a specific loading elevator, you may have to pay an additional fee to reserve the elevator.

It also may not be an optional expense if you’re moving any furniture that will require holding the elevator.

In big cities where street parking could be difficult, or there are specific permits for parking during certain hours of the day, you may have to get a moving permit to park a moving truck.

Depending on the city, this may have to be done through the DMV or a city agency and could run up to $80.

On the other hand, if you don’t get a moving or parking permit in your city, you could end up racking up parking tickets, which isn’t a warm welcome to your new home.

You could also end up with parking tickets if you try to take your chances by parking illegally when you drop by to unload a few items.

If you can’t make your move-in and move-out dates align perfectly, you could need to put items in a storage unit for a few days or even a few months. This could run you $80 to $150 a month or even more if you have a larger home. And you’ll have to pay a mover twice.

Try to overlap your closing dates if you’re selling or your lease end and start dates if you’re renting.

Even if you don’t have to store your items for many days, an overnight stay in the moving truck may also come with a fee.

Expect to pay additional fees if your movers hold your items from one evening until the following day.

Whether you have to find a home for your pet for a few nights between your old place and your new one, or you want to save your pet from the stress of movers and disruption, you might need to board your pet.

The average cost of a night boarding at a kennel is between $30 and $50, depending on your location. A couple of nights can add to the cost of your move, so make sure you factor it into your estimate.

Of course, your pets and your things aren’t the only ones that need to find a place to go between residences. You may need to stay in a hotel or a short-term rental if you aren’t able to time move-out and move-in dates.

If you’re about to move and have a fridge full of food, where will you keep it? If you don’t have immediate access to your new refrigerator, you could lose all that food — and money.

Think about how much everything from milk to mayonnaise and perishable food costs, and you might think twice about grocery shopping before a big move.

Try to use as much food as you can before you move, and have a plan to move refrigerated items like condiments so you don’t have to toss them.

Are you relocating from Minnesota to New York for a career move or retiring early from Maryland to Florida? 

If a move crosses state lines, additional charges could drive up the cost of hiring movers significantly. Plus, you’ll need to make sure the movers are insured for interstate travel.

While the movers you hire are ideally insured, it doesn’t hurt to get third-party moving insurance on top of the insurance legitimate movers are required to have.

There are three types of moving insurance to consider: full-value insurance covers the entire replacement value of your items; released-value insurance, which is a lower-cost option that covers items on a per-pound basis; or separate liability coverage.

An average moving company may not be able to pack and transport high-value pieces properly.

If you have rare decorative items, antique furniture, or valuable artwork, you may need to pay more for movers with specific experience handling and moving these items.

Have you ever heard this horror story? People found a great deal on movers, who then packed up the truck with all of their worldly possessions, and drove away — and never arrived at their new home. 

It happens. And it’s why you should make sure any mover you hire is properly licensed and insured.

Always build in a tip for your movers and offer them water and snacks throughout the day. 

Plan to tip your movers at least $5 to $10 for every hour they work. You may have to adjust that amount if it’s a particularly strenuous move or the weather isn’t cooperating.

Cash is king, but many movers now accept digital payment options like Venmo, Cash App, and Paypal too.

Besides remembering to turn off your old utilities and turn them on at the new place, you also need to consider whether there are any activation fees. Some companies charge a transfer fee, while others charge for a new service or setup.

Make sure you have everything arranged before you move in so there’s no disruption in service.

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of moving into a new home. You may want to spring for everything from new cooking utensils to new furniture.

While you may not need everything new, it’s helpful to build in the cost of things you might need to buy, such as window treatments. And you may want to splurge on a few items to make your new space feel like a home.

While these hidden costs add up, there is a way to use them to your advantage. Choose a top credit card for rewards, and put any expense you can on your card of choice. 

You’ll maximize your rewards, and you could earn a free flight or cash back, depending on the card you use.

It’s the silver lining of an expensive necessity, especially if you use the extra cash back to help pay your mortgage on your new home.