30 Jan 6 Tips on How to Save on Moving Costs

Moving homes is a notoriously expensive endeavor. Whether you plan to move across town or settle in another state, the cost of moving homes can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Be kinder to your pocket by doing your homework and planning a cost-efficient move. To help you get started, keep the following tips in mind before moving day.

Declutter Your Belongings

The rule is simple: if you don’t need something, consider not bringing it with you to your new home. Any broken or bulky pieces of furniture might be better off in the old house, like the giant, moldy mattress you hide in the backyard. Other items you should consider leaving behind include clothes you no longer use, trinkets you’ve already forgotten, and other knick-knacks that will just add to the clutter of the new house.

Aside from making your moving load lighter, you also have the chance of making some money for your future endeavors. Any decent toys, furniture, books, clothes, and items could be sold online on social media or a yard sale if you have the time. You may opt to donate them as well. There are several donation services that offer pick-up services, which helps you save time during this busy period.

Pack Your Items Yourself

While it’s possible for you to bring your belongings using your own car, most people turn to movers when they have a lot of stuff. Not only does it make the moving process significantly easier, but you also avoid accidents like carrying overweight items and breaking your back. Indeed, it’s often best to leave the heavy lifting to the pros.

That said, it doesn’t mean you need to afford all of their services. Case in point, consider hiring furniture movers who offer quotes on different types of services, such as packing, loading, unloading, and transporting. As packing takes a lot of time, you can save money by doing this part yourself.

Schedule Your Move Wisely

One of the most important things to remember is that moving prices aren’t constant. They change with the season, the day, and even the month that you choose to move. This is because there are days that people are more likely to schedule to move. Consequently, the demand for their services increases alongside their prices.

Hence, avoid scheduling during on-season (which usually falls between spring and fall) and at the end of each month. Moreover, you are far more likely to get a better deal to schedule during a weekday, particularly Monday to Wednesday.

Schedule wisely, and save more money.

Be Resourceful with Your Packing Materials

You may not realize it, but the costs of packing materials add up. Purchasing rolls of tape, boxes, markers, labels, and bubble wrap can cost you hundreds of dollars if you’re not careful.

To avoid overspending, try to resource your materials at affordable shops, like the dollar store. You can also use containers inside your own home, such as baskets, coolers, hampers, and shoeboxes, among others. Items such as towels and rags are great alternatives to bubble wrap as well.

Another way to go about your packing materials is to use recyclable alternatives. You can also consider hiring movers with packing services. Go to your local businesses and ask if they have old boxes that they don’t mind giving away, like wine boxes (for mugs and glasses) or heavy-duty boxes (to store books and other heavy items). Most business owners don’t mind giving these old boxes away for free, so they are definitely worth considering.

Ship Your Books Separately

The average bibliophile can have hundreds of books in their personal collection, and these books are far from lightweight. The last thing a book lover wants is to let go of any of their collected titles. However, the weight of all their books can significantly increase the costs of hiring movers.

To transport your books and still save money, consider transporting your books separately. There are shipping services that transport books at a lower cost than the average moving rate. You can always get your books at a later date, but at least you can decrease the burden on your pocket and still keep your beloved titles. Another option is to use moving and storage companies for this purpose.

Consider Shared Load Moving

Another great tip to save on move costs is to do shared load moving. In this service, your items are transported with the belongings of other people, which can significantly decrease the price of moving.

If you plan to go with this route, make sure to label your boxes and belongings properly. This ensures that they don’t get mixed up with other people’s stuff. You may even opt for decorative packing material, like a ribbon or a colored tape. This will make it easier for the movers to identify which is yours. You can also contact interstate moving companies and long distance moving companies depending on your destination.

Indeed, moving your belongings can be a costly process, but you don’t need to break your bank to accomplish it. With proper research, track spending, and efficient help, you can ensure a safe passage for your items and furniture from your old home to the next.