Pandemic Movers Face Surprise Costs and Unexpected Home Projects

Rhea-AI Summary

Angi's recent survey reveals that over one-third of U.S. adults moved sooner than expected due to COVID-19, with many opting for larger homes. However, 81% encountered issues post-move, including cosmetic flaws and plumbing problems. Nearly 89% faced unexpected costs, mainly from repairs. Key findings indicate the importance of home inspections, budgeting for hidden expenses, and hiring professional movers. The survey highlights the pandemic's impact on moving trends, emphasizing the need for better planning and preparedness in future relocations.

Positive

• 35% of respondents moved sooner than planned due to COVID-19.
• Significant shift to larger homes, with a 25% increase in 4+ bedroom houses.
• Majority of those hiring movers reported positive moving experiences.
• High interest in long-term residence, with nearly half planning to stay indefinitely.

Negative

• 81% found issues with their new homes after moving.
• 40% faced major issues like plumbing and electrical problems.
• 89% encountered unexpected costs primarily for repairs.
• 20% of those who waived home inspections regretted the decision.

DENVER, Nov. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A desire for more space and newfound flexibility drove people throughout the pandemic to move to larger homes and many moved sooner than planned, according to a new survey by Angi. As people moved into homes with more space, they also faced more issues and expenses than expected, regardless of whether they went through a formal inspection first.

This survey of 1,000 U.S. adults who moved during the COVID-19 pandemic reveals insights into how people moved, what they found when they arrived at their new homes, and what they learned along the way.

When and Where People Moved
Over one-third of respondents (35%) said COVID-19 made them move sooner than planned and 14% were not planning to move at all before the pandemic hit. As far as where they moved, the highest percentage moved into a large single-family home (4+ bedrooms), increasing the percentage in large homes by 25%. Townhomes also saw a boost in popularity, accounting for a 46% increase in residency.

How They Moved
65% of respondents hired movers to help with their move, with two-thirds hiring full-service and the other one-third hiring for part of the move. Of those who did not hire movers, the rational was primarily to save money (46%) and having friends and family available to help (40%).

"Regardless of whether people hired movers or did the work themselves, the majority found the pandemic exacerbated issues like availability of movers, delayed timelines and higher costs," said Mallory Micetich, home care expert at Angi. "Despite any challenges, the majority of those who hired movers were happy with the experience. With nearly half moving into homes they plan to stay in indefinitely, the investment was worth it to make sure their belongings arrived in good condition."

Nearly 1 out of 4 skipped a formal inspection before moving in, citing a faster move, confidence they could fix any issues themselves, and a desire to avoid being outbid. Of those who waived inspection, one out of five (20%) called it a terrible mistake.

What They Found
Four out of five respondents (81%) found issues with their new house after moving in, with over 40% finding major issues. The most common post-move issues were cosmetic (40%), followed closely by plumbing/leak issues (38%), electricity/wiring/outlets (36%), and water damage (34%). Plumbing and utilities were also the top two areas with the most surprises and fixes needed (15% and 11%, respectively).

Additionally, nearly everyone (89%) ran into unexpected costs after moving in, primarily due to necessary repairs (38%) or appliance repairs or replacements (37%). Unexpected costs also came up in other areas including cosmetic improvements (36%), utilities bills (35%), security systems (34%), insurance premiums (32%) or structural damage repairs (31%).

What They Learned
When asked if they could go back and tell themselves one thing to improve the moving process, they responded:

-  Do a home inspection – 17%
-  Hire movers – 16%
-  Budget more - It will be more expensive than you think – 16%
-  Ask more questions – 16%

"Moving is a major investment and it will save time, money and stress to plan ahead. Add a cushion to your budget, ask plenty of questions, and book pros in advance," Micetich added. "These steps will all make the moving process smoother and help minimize unexpected costs and projects."

Read the full survey results online at https://www.angi.com/articles/moving-statistics.

Methodology 
This survey was commissioned by Angi Inc. and was conducted using the online survey platform Pollfish and compiled by DKC Analytics. The sample of 1,000 U.S. adult homeowners (self-identified) who have all changed their primary residence since March 2020 was surveyed between September 24, 2021, and September 27, 2021. The margin of error is 3.1% and no weighting was applied to the sample. Pollfish's survey delivery platform delivers online surveys globally through mobile apps and the mobile web along with the desktop web. 

About Angi 
Angi® is your home for everything home—a comprehensive solution for all your home needs. From repairs and renovations to products and financing, Angi is transforming every touch point in home services. With over 25 years of experience and a network of nearly 250,000 pros, we have helped more than 150 million people with their home needs. Angi is your partner for every part of your home care journey. Angi is an operating business of Angi Inc., formerly ANGI Homeservices Inc. (NASDAQ: ANGI). 

Angi Media Contact 
Alaina Merrill 
Director of Media Relations 
alaina.merrill@angi.com 
(303) 963-8352 

 

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SOURCE Angi

FAQ

What percentage of movers faced unexpected costs according to Angi's survey?

89% of respondents reported encountering unexpected costs after moving.

What major issues did movers find in their new homes?

Common issues included cosmetic flaws (40%), plumbing problems (38%), and electrical issues (36%).

When was Angi's survey conducted regarding moving trends?

The survey was conducted from September 24 to September 27, 2021.

What did the survey reveal about the importance of home inspections?

17% of respondents stated that conducting a home inspection would have improved their moving experience.

How did COVID-19 impact moving habits according to Angi?

COVID-19 prompted 35% of respondents to move sooner than planned, with many seeking larger living spaces.