A new baby, step children or an elderly relation; when we are trying to fit a growing family into our existing property, we can be left with the strong feeling that we need more space. As we start tripping over each other’s stuff in the hallway or invading each other’s privacy, there can be a strong desire to find more room before the situation gets unpleasant for everyone.
Moving is often the first thought that springs to mind, but in addition to the cost of a new property, there is the upheaval involved in moving, along with a number of additional costs which make it a costly and at times impractical option.
Costs of Moving House
Current data has yet to be published, but the average cost of moving in 2013 was £8,248. This figure doesn’t include the deposit that you need to find to secure a mortgage in the first place, so what does it cover?
Despite recent stamp duty reforms which are said to benefit most buyers, stamp duty is a fee that has to be paid on any property purchase. In addition there is the valuation fee which has to be paid to the mortgage lender in order for them to decide how much they are willing to lend against the property.
In addition there are the legal fees that have to be paid to a licensed conveyancer or solicitor in order to manage all the legal aspects of buying and selling. The surveyor has to be paid for a thorough inspection of the property being purchased to advise of any, structural issues, repairs or maintenance that are needed and if you use an estate agent to publicise your house and arrange viewings, they also charge a fee for their services.
Finally, whilst it may be possible to do it yourself with the lower cost of hiring a van, the majority of people also pay a removal company to physically transfer all of their possessions from one property to another.
Are there Alternatives?
If moving simply isn’t a viable option, there are a few alternatives that may offer a solution. You could look into the possibility of extending your property. Adding an extra room or two may be a more affordable option than moving, but it is subject to planning permission. If your application is successful, there are a range of building materials available, which can help you to get the space you need within your time or budget restrictions.
Another option is to have a thorough declutter of your possessions to create more space within your existing home. You may feel comfortable to pass some items, such as outgrown toys or clothes over to a charity shop or friends who would benefit from them. Amongst your possessions are probably items that you want to keep, but don’t need on display or at hand. For these items, a self-storage unit can offer the ideal place to keep them clean, dry, secure and out of the way.
Customers can gain access to their self-storage unit on any day of the week, so it is easy to collect items when they are needed. There are a full range of units available, so you can find the ideal option for your requirements. From a week or two, to a year or two, you can hire the much needed space for the time that you need it, so you can minimise tensions back at home. For more information on self-storage, Oxford based Barretts can assist. Visit our website on: http://barretts-selfstorage.co.uk/
