Moving on a Budget? How a Good Moving Cost Calculator Can Help

How can a moving cost calculator help you prepare for the big day?

When you are preparing for a move, a moving cost calculator is one of the tools that can help you see past the chaos and find peace of mind. An online moving cost calculator isn’t going to deliver you precise results, but even an estimate is helpful to keep you within a tight budget.

It’s important to note that a moving cost calculator is not the same thing as an official quote. A moving cost calculator considers similar moves to yours and may give you a ballpark figure of what it has cost to move a similar household a similar distance. In order to get an official quote in writing, you often have to invite a moving representative to your home to assess your situation specifically.

However, this doesn’t mean that a moving cost calculator is useless. Most of us feel more comfortable obtaining quotes online or over the phone, especially for a short-distance move. Thus, while an online calculator can’t provide exact figures, using one can go a long way to helping you prepare for the big day.

Get a Better Idea of the Supplies You Need

Many online moving calculators also help you realize which supplies you’ll need for your move and what amounts you’ll actually use. They ask questions about the size of your home and the types of furnishings you own. Along with calculating the costs of moving your possessions from Point A to Point B, you’ll receive a breakdown of the types and number of boxes recommended.

Depending on the calculator, you may receive very specific results including specialty-shipping boxes for fine china or bottles of wine. Or you may end up with a short tally of the number of medium or large-sized moving boxes you’ll need, and recommended amounts of shipping tape and other general supplies.

If you’re hiring a local mover, you may be surprised to learn they provide their own materials. Your provider may even offer to pack your belongings too, for a fee. Moving companies offer a wealth of services capable of saving your back and your budget. For example, by using an online shipping calculator, you may discover it’s actually less expensive to go with a full-service mover rather than purchasing supplies on your own and renting a moving van.

For more information on using a moving cost calculator to find budget-friendly services for your upcoming move or to get a free moving quote, contact the experts at Nilson Van.