Moving is not always the most joyous of occasions. While you may be excited about being in a new location, the process of getting there can be all but taxing mentally, physically, and financially. In order to relocate without breaking the bank, it is highly recommended that you start early in the planning and preparation process so that you can save as much money as possible. Below are ten ways you can cut the cost of your move:
- Schedule Your Moving Date Strategically
Did you know that the date you’re planning to move could have a lot to do with how much household moving companies like Allied quote you? If you want to keep the costs to a minimum, it is best to move during the winter (as most families move during the summer to prevent interrupting the school year). You should also try to move mid-week and mid-month as the 1st of the month and weekends are high in demand. By planning it out ahead of time, you can choose a moving date that will save you money.
- Purge
When working with professional moving companies, you essentially pay for the cost of moving by the amount of items you have (weight). Getting rid of things you’re not going to use in the new home is the best way to avoid this hefty price tag. Sort through each room and remove things that you no longer have a use for. You can either donate them or have a yard sale and earn a few extra bucks.
- Label Properly
The longer it takes the movers to get everything unloaded from the truck, the more man-hours you’re going to have to pay for. To make the moving process simpler, it is important to clearly label the boxes so that the movers can easily place things where they belong in your new home.
- Enlist Help
If you’re not sure you want to pay for professional movers to pack your things for you, you can always look to your family and friends for assistance. Ask them to volunteer their time to help you get things situated. You can easily reward them by allowing them to have first dibs on items you’re not interested in keeping, or you can throw them all a nice appreciation dinner once you’re settled in your new home.
- Use Linens for Fragile Items
Instead of paying for moving materials like bubble wrap, you can secure your fragile items in linens. Using towels, sheets, and blankets, you can provide a decent cushion for your belongings so that they don’t break during the move.
- Shut Off Services Timely
Service providers typically won’t prorate your services so you’ll want to be strategic about when you have them shut off at your old place. While you may need the bare necessities like water and electricity, you can ditch services like cable, phone, and internet until you arrive at your new place.
- Purchase Large Appliances AFTER You Move
If you’re thinking of buying new appliances or furniture for your new place, wait until you actually arrive there to do this. Since most service providers will deliver your items to you free of charge (and set them up), it is best to allow them to move it into your new place as opposed to paying for the items to be moved by a moving company.
- Ask About Reimbursements
If your move is the result of a job, you might consider asking your employer about reimbursing you for some of the moving costs. Many companies offer some form of allowance for employees who have to move – especially if this is a result of the company expanding or in need of staff in another location.
- Do as Much as You Can on Your Own
While it would be nice to have a full-service move, if you can’t afford it, your best option is to do as much as you can on your own. This includes packing, getting most of the things near the door, unloading the truck and unpacking. This way, you’re only paying for the moving company to transport your belongings.
- Transport Lighter Items
As you know, the lighter the load, the less you’ll pay. If there are small items that you can load onto your personal vehicle – do it. Since you’ll be traveling to the new home anyway, it won’t cost you anything extra, but will save you from having to pay more to the moving company.
Moving is not always the easiest thing. It’s also not one of the most affordable events. However, with a bit of research and planning, you can make moving simpler and more affordable. Hopefully, these ten ideas will give you a good head start.