Let’s face it, moving is a pain. It takes a frustratingly long amount of time and lots of effort to box up all of your possessions from one place and move them to another. To ease the burden, some people choose to hire a moving company to do all of the work for them, but to some, this may seem like an affordable option. There are plenty of ways to hire a moving professional, while saving big on other areas of your move.
Reduce and Recycle
The more stuff that you have to move, the higher your moving costs will be. Most cheap movers provide quotes based upon the estimated weight of your move. So, if you have some possessions that you no longer want or use, give them away instead of taking them with you. Many donation centers will come and pick up working appliances, clothing, and household items for free. This option will also give you the added benefit of a tax deduction at the end of the year for the donations that you make. If you have items that they won’t accept then consider taking them to a recycling center instead.
Moving Supplies
If you have a rough idea of the date on which you will move, you can get moving supplies ahead of time for a reduced cost. Watch local stores for sales on rolls of shipping tape and labels. You can often get boxes for free just by asking local retail stores if they have some extra from products that they get shipped in. Pallets are often set outside businesses with a “free” sign attached to them too. There are also lots of places online that allow you to order used boxes and packing materials for a more eco-friendly relocation.
Plan it Out
If you plan on renting a truck for the move, try to choose a moving date that isn’t in the summer months or on a weekend. The rates are often much higher during this time because the moving trucks are in such high demand. This doesn’t mean that you have to move during the winter months though. The fall or spring work just as well. Also, use the moving truck to haul your largest possessions before you tackle the small ones. This way, you can return the moving truck faster, and you will be charged less. Small items can often be fit inside your car. And, ask your friends and family members that are going to help you which day works best for them. Get a clear schedule set up before you rent your moving truck, or you might end up not having enough help.
Calling in the Professionals
If there is no way that you can get anyone to help you move or complete the task yourself, hiring professional movers might be your best option. To keep your costs low, tell them what your available budget is, and ask them what services they will provide for that amount. Often, if you pack up your stuff and have it ready, or offer flexibility with your moving dates, they are willing to give you a discount.
Compare Moving Quotes
A common mistake among moving households is settling for the first movers to offer them a quote. If you do this, you’re basically shutting down other options that might be better than your current deal. That’s why you should obtain quotes from at least three different companies. Compare their prices, services, and insurance coverage with each other. Some known movers will charge more, given their excellent track record and satisfied customers. However, if you’re running tight on budget, hiring a new company isn’t such a bad idea. Just make sure that your potential mover has established a decent reputation already.
Find the Perfect Time to Move
Relocating on a budget is all about timing. Like any industry, the moving business has its peak and off-seasons. Summer is particularly the busiest time of the year. It’s when most families choose to move thanks to the pleasant weather. The roads are also packed with people heading to beaches and vacations. As a result, relocation demands skyrocket together with the prices.
Note that it’s also difficult to reduce costs around September. Why? Simply because school is starting and students are moving into their dormitories and apartments. If you’re quite keen on saving, execute your move during winter when you’ve got limited competition. But of course, you’ll have to deal with the harsh conditions. That’s why it’s best to time your move during the fall in which prices and the weather are still reasonable.
Hold a Yard Sale
Remember those items that donation centers didn’t bother to accept? You can still squeeze money out of those in a yard sale. Make sure you’ve prepared the prices beforehand so that transactions will proceed smoothly. If a buyer tries to bargain, don’t think twice about accepting and closing the deal. You’re going to throw stuff away that won’t sell anyway. Might as well get something than nothing. Besides a yard sale, you could try selling your goods on social media. People who live nearby might be interested and hit you up.
Be Resourceful When Packing
Packing your belongings while letting the movers handle the heavy lifting will save you a great deal. You can reduce expenses even further by using existing materials in your home as packing supplies. Sheets and blankets can be used as padding to mitigate impacts. Make use of old newspapers to wrap breakables. Load your books in suitcases and leave dressers as is. Lastly, you can wad extra laundry in fresh trash bags. It’s all about innovation and getting creative!
Ask Your Friends to Come Over
Skipping out on hiring movers leaves you with the daunting task of doing everything by yourself. But that’s impossible and unnecessary. People like to say ‘the more, the merrier’ so why don’t you ask your friends for help? What? Are you too shy to do it? Well, that’s what you’re thinking, but little do you know, they’re more than willing to assist you! Just don’t forget about the incentives! Buy everyone pizza or drinks on you tonight!
Plan Your Utility Transfer
Knowing when to transfer utilities will help avoid unnecessary expenses. Make sure to contact your provider and ask them to cut off utilities in your old home the day after moving out. It would be inconvenient to have no electricity or running water on moving day. Subsequently, instruct them to transfer the services to the new address the day before you arrive. This ensures that no utility service is wasted and you have no extra bills to worry about.
Watch Out for Moving Scams
All your efforts to save will be for nothing if you hire rogue movers. The worst-case scenario would be them giving you a too-good-to-be-true estimate, make you deposit a large amount, and then hold your belongings hostage in a warehouse unless you fork over additional cash. As for their typical modus operandi, rogue movers will include hidden charges after the move. You can avoid these situations by checking online reviews and ensuring that the movers are registered with the FMCSA.