Hidden charges to look out for when moving to a new home

While moving to a new area may seem like a great financial decision, there are often hidden fees that you should learn about prior to making the move.

While moving to a new area may seem like a great financial decision, there are often hidden fees that you should learn about prior to making the move.

Even if you're relocating a relatively short distance from where you currently stay, moving expenses can quickly add up. Most people understand typical costs related to moving including meals, gas and paying moving companies, but there are also several hidden costs that may arise. The following factors can add hidden costs to a move, but knowing this beforehand may help you avoid some expenses.

One thing that many people don't consider before moving is the fact that toll roads exist all over Canada. Traditional maps don't usually differentiate between toll and normal roads, but fortunately, there's an extensive list of Canadian toll roads, and checking this list before heading out can help you avoid the roads — or at least be prepared for them.

Many people who think they've gotten a great price on a moving company are surprised when they're hit with additional costs after the move. Some moving companies will add fees related to a long-distance relocation. Additionally, some companies add fees related to moving large or bulky items. Some movers will even charge extra if they have to use an elevator to get items in or out of a home or apartment. It's important to ask a company if any of these fees are applicable before the move date.

It would seem as though it would be easy to get utilities turned off in one place and simply have them turned on elsewhere. Unfortunately, this isn't always the case. In fact, certain companies require a deposit to have services including cable or electricity connected. Add this to installation charges and the cost to close out a final bill at the old home, and utility costs can quickly add up.

It's not uncommon to completely overlook storage fees, but a host of issues could arise that would require a storage unit rental. Closing on a house, if delayed, could necessitate the need for a storage unit. Similarly, environmental issue including storms that down power lines in an area could make a person's home not immediately safe to go to. The potential for this occurrence should never be ignored.

In a perfect world, moving from one place to another would be a simple process with no surprise fees. Sadly, that's not how it works in the real world. With the right preparation and foreknowledge, however, these costs and the stress that goes along with them can be minimized.