Sharing a living space with roommates is a terrific way to afford a nice home and open up many more options for you—like bigger, better and even more desirable locations. If you and your roommate(s) are just starting the moving process, it’s best to begin with a moving checklist. From hiring movers to buying packing supplies, an organized to-do list will give you an overall view of the costs.
Do Your Research
Be prepared to calculate all moving costs by doing thorough research first. Start by deciding whether you’ll be moving yourselves or if you’ll hire professional movers. Then list all the possible expenses you’ll incur related to the move.
- Moving In: If you’ve decided to hire a professional mover or rent a moving truck, compare quotes to get the best deal. Next, be sure to get a breakdown of all costs so there are no surprises on your bill. Distance traveled, time frame of move and many other factors determine your final costs. Also consider the cost of buying boxes and other moving materials.
- Utilities: First, decide which services you need. Electricity, water and heating are givens, but it’s up to you and your roommates if cable TV, internet and landline phone services are necessary costs. Once you’ve come to an agreement on this, you’ll need to set up utility accounts for your new place. They are usually set up under one person’s name, so agree who signs up for each one. One-time installation and equipment fees may also be incurred during set-up, so budget accordingly.
- Basic Necessities: You’ll need some basic household items to set up your space. Cleaning supplies, paper goods, etc. are things to have on hand ahead of time if possible.
Splitting the Costs
As you’ve collected your moving data and begun to get an idea of costs, it’s time to decide how they’ll be split. This can become tricky if not spelled out completely.
Decide if you will divide the costs equally or if one person (or more) will be paying a different amount or proportionate amount. If your roomie wants the full array of cable services, and you’re fine with basic, she should take on that extra cost.
Most importantly, agree to be flexible. As your move date approaches and new expenses pop up, agree to be flexible about the moving costs. You may also decide to flex sharing the moving-in costs after it’s all done. But make sure all occupants are on board with that idea.
This post was provided by Nancy LaFever of MyMove.com, an online resource where you can find the information, products and moving coupons you need to streamline and save during a move.
