Rental
Charge. For an interstate move, you will need to provide
the origin and destination cities and the date you plan to
move to the truck rental company. Depending on equipment availability
in certain locations, prices may vary. Peak season runs from
the end of May until the end of September, so truck rental
rates may be higher during that time of year. Most people
move at the beginning of a month or the end of the month,
so prices may be even higher during these times. The rental
charge you are quoted includes a rental deposit that may be
refunded depending on the condition of the vehicle upon its
return, and a certain number of free miles (approximately
10% greater than the estimated actual mileage). The rental
charge does not include state taxes or other equipment you
may need to complete your move, such as cartons, boxes, pads
and dollies. You'll need a day or two to pack and another
to unpack, so be sure your quote includes these extra days
plus the days you will need for driving.
Make
sure you rent the right size truck! Remember, efficiently
loading a truck is an art, not a science. After a long,
hard day of loading all of your worldly possessions into
the back of a rental truck, the last thing you need to discover
is that you have run out of space but not out of furniture.
Automobiles.
How many cars do you have? Are you going to drive or tow
the vehicle(s)? A trailer package from a rental company
can cost an additional $150, plus another $45 for the trailer
hitch along with a $200 deposit depending on how many days
you are renting the trailer. If you are driving your own
vehicle, you'll need to factor in wear and tear on your
vehicle (34.5¢ a mile is the current standard mileage
rate according to the IRS).
Insurance
Charges. It may cost an additional $20 a day or
more for insurance during your move. Check the policies
that are offered carefully. Most car insurance policies
do not cover truck rentals, so you will need to purchase
separate liability insurance and property damage insurance.
Also, if you tow your car, you'll need separate insurance
to cover any damage that occurs during the towing. Most
of these additional policies do not cover you against theft;
so if your goods are stolen (truck theft can be a problem
if you are leaving the fully loaded vehicle unattended while
you spend the night at a hotel) you may not have any protection.
Pads
and Dollies. You'll need to rent pads so you do
not scratch your furniture. Pads generally cost $10 a dozen;
with a 26 foot truck (four bedroom house), you will need
at least 3-dozen pads. You may need appliance dollies, utility
dollies, or furniture dollies to help move heavy furniture
and appliances. Each dolly will cost an additional $5 to
$10 per rental.
Per
Move Value of Time. Who is going to do the packing
and unpacking? Who will pick-up, load, drive and unload
the rental truck? Who will drive the automobile? If you
are doing all of this yourself, it takes a lot of time.
Figure out your average hourly wage and multiply it times
the total number of hours you estimate it will take to pack,
pick-up the truck, load, drive, unload, etc. for you and
your spouse/family. This is your per move value of time.
Packing
and Loading the Truck. You might be able to collect
free boxes in anticipation of the move, but to minimize
damages, especially for an interstate move, it is highly
recommended that you purchase specialized boxes, like wardrobes,
dish packs, and mattress containers. You'll need tape to
secure the boxes and paper padding to secure the contents
of the containers before they are loaded on the truck. The
cost of packing materials may vary by state and state taxes
will also apply.
Expect
to pay about $200 for a 4-bedroom home, plus another $100
or so each for the kitchen and a home office, if you purchase
your boxes from a truck rental company. If you need wardrobe
boxes for hanging garments, expect to pay about $25 each.
You'll also need tape and rope to secure your cartons properly.
Some
truck rental companies also offer loading and unloading
service to load your furniture and the boxes that you have
packed yourself. This service can add several hundred dollars
to the cost of your move; be sure to get an estimate before
your sign-up for this service. Plus, the rental company's
liability for any damage that occurs to your goods during
the loading and unloading process will likely be minimal
or even non-existent.
Mileage
Charges. Mileage charges are usually included in
the rental agreement but may be limited; an additional mileage
charge may be assessed at an average cost per mile, usually
around 40 cents a mile for each additional mile over the
limit. Be sure to read your contract to see if there are
extra mileage charges or fees for one-way rentals.
Fuel
Charges. When you pick up your truck, the vehicle
will be full of fuel. You must return the vehicle with a
full tank or the rental company may charge a higher than
average price per gallon to fill the vehicle. You'll need
to calculate the cost of fuel used while driving the rental
vehicle. A 26-foot truck that is fully loaded will average
about 10 miles per gallon. If you travel approximately 1200
miles/10 miles a gallon, you will consume 120 gallons of
fuel. At an average price of $1.35 cents a gallon x 120
gallons, your fuel cost will be $162.
Appliance
Servicing. Refrigerators, grandfather clocks, washing
machines, gas stoves, etc. all may require special preparation
and handling to prevent them from being damaged when they
are moved. You may need to hire several specialists to ensure
proper handling of your possessions. These appliance service
charges will increase the cost of your self-move.
Destination.
Is your destination residence available for occupancy? If
not, where will you store your possessions? You may need
to secure a warehouse and unload all your household goods
into storage. The most common storage facilities available
for the self-mover are mini warehouse storage units. While
functional, these units may provide less than adequate protection
for your belongings. Security may be minimal, usually a
manager sleeping on the premise, no insurance coverage,
and no protection from fire or smoke damage.
When
your new residence becomes available you will need to rent
another truck, reload all your possessions from the warehouse,
deliver your goods to the final destination, and unload
everything one last time.
Other
Additional Costs to Consider:
