What Are the Costs Associated with Moving to Kansas City?
If you’re moving to Kansas City from out of state or another area in the state, you’ll be pleased to know that the actual cost of living is fairly cheap compared to other places in the country. The average home price is over $82,000 cheaper than the national average. Closing costs in Missouri range from about 0.93% to 1.86% of the final home sale price. And, the costs are similar in Kansas at 0.83% to 1.25% of the sale price. Before searching for moving companies in Kansas City, it’s important to factor these costs into the purchase of a new home in the area. It will affect your overall moving budget and you want to be prepared for additional costs. Other costs can include:- Appraisal Fees
- Property Taxes
- Title Attorney
- Title Search
How to Plan for a Move to Kansas City
Assuming you’ve got a good understanding of the fees you’ll have to pay for closing on a house in Kansas City, it’s now time to think about pre-planning your move. From changing your address on your driver’s license to other administrative tasks, these also sometimes add to the overall cost of moving homes. And, if you’re working with the best movers in Kansas City, they’ll help alleviate some of the financial costs and overall stress.
So, starting about two months beforehand, you’ll want to develop a moving checklist for yourself. This should include things like:- Registering your children for their new schools in Kansas City.
- Getting copies of documents and records from your family doctor.
- Getting copies of vaccination records from a vet if you have a pet.
- Figuring out what you’re going to take and what you’ll donate.
- Changing your address for all mail and official documents such as licenses.
- Booking the right kind of movers.
- Getting a full quote from the movers so you can plan ahead for the costs.
What Are the General Costs of Hiring Kansas City Movers?
KC moving companies can provide you with a detailed, comprehensive quote for your move, whether it’s a residential move or you’re moving an entire business. But, it also helps to understand the general breakdown of an average move. Generally, you can expect to pay for two things:- Hourly Moving Fees
- Transportation Costs
- Packing goods into boxes
- Packing materials
- Loading boxes into the vehicles
- Driving to the new residence or business location
- Unloading boxes
- Unloading heavy furniture into the house
Other Moving Costs to Consider
If you’re buying or selling your home or planning on moving a small business then you definitely understand that you’re always going to encounter unexpected costs. That’s just part of a large life decision such as this. Choosing the right Kansas City moving service can help ensure that you’re aware of all of these costs upfront, at least as they relate to the actual packing and moving. A great moving company will ensure that there are no hidden costs or fees when they give you a quote. But, just in case, here are some of the most common unexpected costs of moving. And, we’ll even throw in a few additional services you might consider to help make the move easier and less stressful for you.Moving Valuation
Moving valuation refers to coverage for items that have been lost, destroyed, or damaged during your move. While most moving companies include insurance in the cost of their services, you can also upgrade if they’ll be moving valuable items. If you’d like to upgrade (if you’re moving an entire office, for example), you can upgrade to a full valuation that covers 5 to 6% of the total weight of the items. Or, opt for separate liability converge if the items you’re moving are extremely valuable and you want to ensure they’re covered in the case of an accident.Moving Supplies
People often don’t consider this a larger cost of moving, but small items and packing supplies sure do add up quickly. Even if you’re having a company pack your belongings for you, it’ll likely still be included in the final cost. If you’re on a budget, you can get rid of the cost by asking grocery stores and clothing stores if they have old boxes they’re going to get rid of. Or, turn to your friends and family for help. Check out a moving calculator. Try to figure out how many boxes you will need according to how much you’re trying to move. Then, ask friends and family for boxes and other supplies before purchasing your own. Or, simply have the moving company take care of it all. It usually comes out to be more cost-effective this way anyways.House Cleaning
Whether you’re paying to clean your old home after moving out or are paying someone to clean your new one before moving in, cleaning is a good idea. If you’re moving out of an apartment, definitely factor this into the final cost of moving in Kansas City. Paying someone to clean your place will ensure you get that security deposit back. If you’re moving to a new home, it’s a good idea still to have someone clean the property, especially during times like these.Setup Costs for Utilities
Now, this is an especially overlooked fee. If you’re moving to Kansas City from out-of-state, you’ll likely be setting up new utilities and services. This includes water, electricity, cable, and phone lines.
Most utility companies will charge a setup fee, so it’s not as simple as arriving and calling them out to set up your new services. However, before you go with a new provider, check with your current one to see if they also offer services in Kansas City. And, you might also need to consider the costs of canceling your old services. If you’re canceling them early then you’ll have to pay an early termination fee.Packing Services
As mentioned above, this is definitely a cost you can waive if you’re prepared to pack everything yourself. However, it’s often far less stressful and eventually more cost-effective to let the moving company take care of that for you. When considering the stress factor, take into account the fact that they’re professional movers who know how to wrap fragile items and strategically pack up rooms.What Kind of Kansas City Mover Do You Need?
Understanding the costs of Kansas City moving companies really begins by working to figure out what kind of mover you need in the first place. There are different movers for different moves, obviously. And, a good moving company will provide you with specific services. Generally, these fall into three categories: local movers, long-distance movers, and commercial movers. Local movers will understand the local market and the local area. This means that they’ll not only be able to provide you with a competitive quote according to the local market, but they’ll also be able to get you to your new place safely and quickly. Long-distance movers are essential if you’re moving across the country. Whenever you find that it’s time to leave Kansas City, it’s absolutely worth the cost to hire long-distance movers to see you through the entire move. From driving the trucks to staying with your belongings from door to door, long-distance movers take the stress out of a cross-country relocation. And, they’ll usually let you stop along the way to pick up or drop off other items (such as that new couch you need to pick up). And, finally, commercial movers are well-versed in handling business equipment. This means that they know how to shrinkwrap office items such as computers, TVs, and other critical hardware. While commercial moves often have fewer boxes and items to move, hiring commercial movers is important. This kind of move is more about protecting expensive equipment rather than simply loading up boxes into a truck. Therefore, it’s best to trust the professionals. Each type of move comes with its own associated fees, of course. And, the fees usually reflect the time and effort the move will take. If you’re not sure what kind of Kansas City movers you need, it’s best to ask.