Moving is not just stressful but can also be an expensive exercise. Most of us have a tight budget that we have to follow when relocating. Being able to save costs can help you hire professionals even if you are on a budget.
7 Top savings tips for moving include:
1. Downsize
The size of your move (the number of household goods) will affect the cost of your move in different ways. The more you have, the bigger the moving van or truck will be, which will cost more. It's also going to take longer to load and unload your belongings, meaning you pay more for an hourly rate.
So, get rid of furniture and other items that are broken, damaged, or that you never use. You can dispose of the items, give them away or sell them. Go to pawn shops or hold a yard sale. You can use the money that you make from the sales towards your moving budget.
Compare quotes from at least 3 local and 3 national movers. Local movers can prove affordable moving companies as they will also help you relocate across state lines and charge less than the bigger, national moving companies. Remember to compare the services on offer and not just the total cost of the move.
You can also ask a moving company that you prefer to use if they are willing to match a lower quote from another moving company. You may end up getting a better-quality moving service at a much lower rate.
3. Packing
Pack your loose items into boxes yourself. Although it is convenient to opt for a packing service to be included in your move, it will add quite a bit to the cost. You are getting charged for the labor and packing materials, boxes, tape, and other consumables.
Rather visit stores in your area and ask them for boxes. Most will be happy to supply you with as many boxes as you need free of charge. Newspaper makes a great alternative to other types of packing materials like bubble wrap and will effectively protect your belongings from damage.
4. Dates
Most people want to move at the end of the month and preferably on the weekend. These are the busiest times for movers and will come at a much greater cost. Opt for a midweek move and ask your moving company for a discount. Also, try to move in the middle of the month if possible as this will cost less.
Peak moving times are also seasonal. Most people prefer to move in the Summer rather than the Winter months. Opting for a Spring or Autumn move can help save you costs. Be aware that Winter relocations come with their own set of challenges and maybe more costly even though they are not in the peak season.
5. Extras
Ensure that the moving company has all the equipment and tools they need to quickly and effectively complete your move. If they need to hire equipment like trolleys or cranes to move special or heavy objects like pianos, you will pay the higher fee. If you have special requests, be sure to let the moving company know before quoting or choosing an affordable moving company specializing in moving special items.
6. Insurance
Find out whether your household insurance provider covers your goods for theft, damage, or loss while in transit. If they don't, find out about a short-term insurance policy. A professional moving company may be tagging on a fee to ensure that your goods are insured and that they aren't liable for any losses or damage at the end of the move. If you have your insurance, ask the moving company for a discount.
7. DIY
DIY moves are by far less costly than professional moves. You can hire a moving van and rope in some friends, family, or even neighbors to help with the heavy lifting. If you can't get helpers, you can hire labor at an additional cost. You can compare the costs of hiring a van and labor to the cost of a professional move and decide which is the better option.
If the professional move is only slightly more costly, this is the recommended route. DIY moves can be extremely stressful, and heavy lifting can result in injuries.
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