Just Bought a House? Don’t Forget To Budget for This $17K Expense

Buying a house comes with more expenses than just the down payment, the closing fees and the new mortgage payments. There are also moving costs to consider.

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According to research from Realtor.com, movers spent around $17,000 on average when setting up their new homes. And according to Anytime Estimate’s Moving Trends Survey, 70% of Americans reported regrets about their move, and 78% experienced unexpected costs during the process. With 38% admitting that the total cost of the move was higher than expected, it’s important that you do your best to prepare for this.

Here’s a look at how someone can spend $17,000 on moving-related expenses and how you can budget for this hidden cost if you’re planning on buying a new place in the next few months.

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How Does This $17K Break Down?

“When I first saw that recent survey claiming it can cost $17,000 to move and set up a new home, I didn’t flinch,” said YK Kuliev, a real estate investor and the owner of Yuba Home Buyer. “What surprises people most isn’t the cost of buying or renting the place — it’s what comes after.”

Here are estimates of how moving expenses can add up, with prices varying depending on the distance you move and the time of year.

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Professional Moving Services: $4K to $9K

Full-service movers, which include packing, loading and unloading, account for a significant portion of the moving cost. Kuliev noted that for a three-bedroom home, long-distance moves — over 1,000 miles — can easily hit $6,300.

You’ll also want to plan for additional fees if you’re moving specialty items, such as pianos or large pieces of furniture.

Packing Materials and Supplies: $500 to $1.5K

The cost of packing materials and supplies can shoot up, depending on the number of items you’re planning to move. You’ll need to factor in the cost of boxes, bubble wrap, tape and any other necessary supplies to store your items.

Transportation Costs: $500 to $2K

Renting a truck for a local move can cost between $20 and $100 per day, while long-distance rentals range from $1,000 to $2,000, plus additional expenses for gas and tolls.

Utility and Home Setup: $1K to $2.5K

Kuliev noted that connecting utilities, internet and cable services often requires deposits ranging from $10 to $500, as well as installation fees.

If you want to redecorate your home, you may have to spend money on paint, which can be expensive. Painting one room can cost anywhere from $300 to $2,000, which can add up depending on the number of rooms you choose to work on.

Unexpected Costs: $1K to $3K

Storage fees, last-minute repairs or replacing items damaged in transit can alter your moving budget. You may even have to spend money on temporary housing or travel meals when you’re moving.

How Can You Budget for This Expense?

Here are different ways to help you budget and prepare financially for your move.

Create a Separate Budget

“People budget for the big ticket items but forget the little things that add up,” said Fred Loguidice, a real estate expert and founder of Sell My House Fast Delaware. He suggested creating a separate budget by setting aside money six months before purchasing a home for the move.

Your moving costs are expenses that you’ll have to deal with in addition to closing costs, but budgeting for them accordingly can help you avoid any unpleasant financial surprises.

Research Costs in Advance

Start looking into prices for services you expect to need well in advance of your move, so you have as much time as possible to save up. Make sure you consider smaller fees, such as elevator costs and rush bookings.

The goal is to research costs in advance so that you can determine the best course of action for your move.

Audit Your Inventory Early

Kuliev suggested that before you even think about movers, you’ll want to walk through your home and ruthlessly declutter.

You could end up selling some of your furniture and other unused belongings — with the added bonus of boosting your moving budget — or you could donate items that you don’t want to bring with you.

Try To Limit Labor Costs

“The biggest savings come from avoiding the labor costs,” said Vidyadhar Garapati, a real estate expert and CEO at Movers.com. “Just loading and unloading items with full-service movers can cost between $100 and $200 an hour, and that adds up really fast.”

Kuliev recommended a hybrid approach, where you pack and unpack yourself but hire professionals for loading and transport. You can also use free packing materials, such as blankets or clothing, to cushion fragile items instead of purchasing bubble wrap.

Time Your Move Strategically

Keep in mind that prices are significantly higher during the peak moving season and on weekends.

Garapati pointed out that some moving companies offer early bird discounts, which can reduce your total cost by 5% to 15%, depending on the company. Early booking not only means getting the best price, but also avoiding the rush and being forced to settle for more expensive options.

Spread Out Home Setup Costs

You don’t have to paint the entire home and furnish every possible room on the day that you move in. You can spread this expense out over months as you settle into your new place.

You likely already allocated a significant portion of your savings towards the down payment and closing costs, so you want to ensure that the move doesn’t put you into massive amounts of debt.

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Sources

• Realtor.com, “Unpacking the Mover Mindset.”

• Anytime Estimate, “2025 Data: 70% of Americans Have Regrets About Moving.”

• YK Kuliev, Yuba Home Buyer

• Fred Loguidice, Sell My House Fast Delaware

• Vidyadhar Garapati, Movers.com

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Just Bought a House? Don’t Forget To Budget for This $17K Expense