Moving your household items—whether by yourself with a rental truck or with the help of a moving company —is generally the largest expense you’ll incur in a move. However, there are other moving expenses and they can add up. You’ll want to consider all of them to get a moving estimate so that won’t be any surprises as you get your move underway.

What Goes into the Average Moving Cost?

You’ll get a moving cost estimate from your moving company, which will include insurance for any items broken during transit. Keep in mind that the insurance provided by most moving companies only covers a portion of the total value of your items. To be fully covered, you will need to get additional insurance.

Packing itself will involve some extra costs. You may hire a packing company or the moving company may provide this service. Even if you do your own packing, you’ll need to purchase boxes, tape and bubble wrap, etc.

You also may have costs involved in cleaning your current residence—especially if you are living in a rental and want to be sure you get your full damage deposit back. By the same token, if you are moving into another rental property you’ll have to pay security and damage deposits there as well. Utility on and off charges also may be incurred in moving, which you’ll want to factor into your total moving price.

If your move involves relocating to another city or town, plan for hotels, food and gas while you are on the road. If you are flying to your new location, you’ll want to factor in the price of your airline ticket as well as tickets for family members.

Can You Take A Moving Expense Deduction?

If your move is related to your work, then you may be able to write your moving expenses off your income tax. There are a number of criteria for tax deductible moving expenses.

• Year-to-move deadline: Moving expense must be incurred within one year of starting a new job
• Distance: Your new job must be at least 50 miles farther from your former residence than you last job (or office) was. For example, if you used to live 10 miles from your job, your new job needs to be at least 60 miles from where you previously lived.
• Employment status: Full time employees must work at least 39 weeks during the first 12 months after you arrive in your new job location. If you are self-employed, you need to work full time at your business for 78 weeks during the first 24 months of your move.

What are Tax Deductible Moving Expenses?

The IRS will approve moving expense deductions for the cost to move your household and personal items, some of the costs for insurance and storage and fees to disconnect and connect your utilities.

Other deductible moving expenses include some of your lodging and travel costs – meals are not included -- and the cost to ship your car. The IRS will even include the cost to transport your pets to your new residence.