When you’re changing homes, you shouldn’t overlook the costs associated with the move. Even if you try to save as much as possible, it will always involve some expenses.
Size of the Move
An important aspect in determining the cost of a move is the quantity of items you need to relocate. Moving the belongings of a single person living in a small apartment is not the same as moving the possessions of a family of 5 living in a large house. Clearly, the more items you need to transport, the more expensive the move will be. This is because you’ll need more hours of work and perhaps a larger truck. In fact, some moving companies charge based on weight.
Distance of the Move
The distance between your current residence and your new home is another crucial factor in the cost. It includes transportation expenses, fuel costs, and the time it will take the team to travel from House A to House B. Some companies take into account the distance in kilometers, while others consider the number of hours the move will take. A local move will be the cheapest, happening when you move within the same city or a nearby municipality. If you need to move your belongings from one city to another, the costs will increase. It will depend on the distance in kilometers, as it increases fuel expenses and the number of hours for the transfer.
Services Hired
Currently, there are many moving companies offering various services to meet diverse needs. It’s obvious that the more services you hire, the more you will have to pay.
Packing and Wrapping
Undoubtedly, the most cumbersome part of the moving process is collecting all items, sorting them, and packing them into boxes for transportation. Packing services are the help you need for this entire process. If you hire this service, the company’s team will arrive at your property a couple of days before the move and pack everything. They will also organize the items by room, making it easier to arrange everything when unpacking. Furthermore, they provide boxes and the necessary supplies for packing delicate items.
Loading and Unloading Service
Once all your belongings are well packed, it’s time to load them onto the chosen mode of transportation. This aspect is physically demanding, and you can opt for a loading service. In this case, the company will send people to safely load everything onto the truck. When the truck arrives at your new home, they will also handle the unloading. This service greatly facilitates a move, but you can save this expense if you have a couple of friends who can help with this task.
Transportation Service
Whether you are moving down the street or to another city, transportation services will carry your belongings for you and provide an estimated time for your items to arrive at your new location.
Vehicle Rental
If you have experience driving a larger vehicle or have someone close who can, renting a truck is an excellent option. It is also a more economical service. This option gives you a bit more work but allows you to have more control over the process and certainty about when your items will arrive.
Move Date
There are times of the year when there is more demand for moving services, and consequently, prices rise. Generally, between October and April, prices may decrease, and you have the opportunity to negotiate the final amount. If you can choose the date of your move in advance, it’s a good idea to take this into account when planning.
Make sure to get different quotes from different companies for various services. This way, you can compare the estimates and decide what’s best for you according to your budget.
In general terms, moving services in Guatemala can range from Q500 (approximately $65) to Q5000 (about $650) for a local move within the same city. This fee may include packing items, disassembling and assembling furniture, transportation, and unloading at the new location.
If you have the resources, you can opt for a full-service move and avoid all the stress and fatigue it generates.
