When you move, you'll face a lot of unexpected costs. For example, paying a month's rent or mortgage twice, but also the costs of the move itself and furnishing and painting your new home.
Make the most of these three moving tips.
1. Moving yourself
Although a removal company offers convenience and peace of mind, hiring professional movers can be quite expensive. Arranging your own removal transport and enlisting the help of family and friends is a much more economical option.
A large van with a tail lift is spacious enough for your larger pieces of furniture and does not require a truck driving licence (large driving licence). Your costs will then be limited to the van rental, the purchase or rental of moving supplies, such as moving boxes and moving blankets, and some refreshments for your helpers.
Avoid the weekend
While it might seem obvious to move on the weekend due to your working hours, it's considerably more economical to move on a weekday.
A removal company charges a, sometimes considerable, surcharge for weekend moves. Moving on a Sunday in particular is expensive – sometimes twice as expensive as on a weekday.
Hiring a van is also often more expensive on a Saturday than on a normal weekday.
3. Right to relocation allowance
You may not be aware, but you might be entitled to a relocation allowance. This is often the case when you are forced to move because your current home is being demolished or renovated.
The compensation is a contribution towards the costs of moving and furnishing your new home. A minimum amount of €5,857 currently (January 2016) applies to this relocation allowance. You are entitled to this amount in all cases.
Don't rent too expensively! Also check our checklist about the preparing for a move, so that everything goes well.
