Moving to a new home is an exciting endeavor but can also be stressful and expensive. If you’re looking for ways to save money on your next move, this post is for you. We have compiled different strategies for all areas of the moving process where you can maximally save money. But before we dive in, remember that the secret to saving on moving costs is planning in advance. So, be sure to make the proper arrangements to successfully execute the following:
Rent A Moving Truck Or Container
If your belongings can’t fit in your vehicle, consider renting a truck and moving the things yourself rather than hiring a moving company. You can ask close friends and family members to help load and unload the items in the truck. Renting a truck saves you more money compared to hiring a moving company. To maximize the cost-effectiveness of the truck, have everything packed up and ready to be loaded before moving day so you’ll only need to load and offload your stuff by that time.
However, you may want to get a moving container if you don’t have people who can help you with your stuff. You can rent a moving container from a moving company. They’ll just park the container outside your home and allow you time to load your items at your own pace. After you’re done loading, you can contact the company to move the container to your new home, where you also unload at your own pace and call them to pick it up after you’re done.
If loading and unloading boxes seem too tedious for you, or if you just don’t want to drive a moving truck, then a moving container is an excellent low-cost option. However, according to OpenHouse, whether hiring movers is worth it comes down to cost vs. convenience. Ideally, although hiring movers is expensive, it helps you save time and energy.
Toss, Donate Or Sell Unwanted Items
The more items you have, the more you’ll spend moving them. So, if you’re looking to save money, you’ll have to get rid of, donate, or sell items you no longer need. You can start with the things you won’t miss and those that can be easily replaced upon settling in your new home.
Also, if you have food that you’ll never eat, donate it to your neighbors or a local food bank. Remember, selling unnecessary items not only means getting some extra cash, but also fewer items, less work, less storage space, and lower moving costs.
Pack The Items Yourself
Packing is the most stressful activity in the moving process. For convenience, you need to acquire packaging materials like boxes and packaging tape. Shop these necessities locally for better deals since buying them from a moving company would be more expensive.
After getting packaging supplies, it’s time to start packing. The most strategic approach is going room-by-room packing until you finish. Pack in a systematic way that uses fewer boxes to save space, time, and money.
Organizing your items according to common function and room use is a great strategy. This way, you can locate every item during transportation and when you’re unpacking in your new home.
Below are some more things to consider when packing your items for a move:
- Before packing, lay a piece of blanket or towel at the bottom of each box.
- Avoid filling boxes to the brim to manage the weight and avoid any damage during transportation.
- Label each box according to what’s inside.
- Have a necessity box. These items can help you in case of an emergency. They include a first-aid kit, hammer, or screwdrivers.
- Pack a separate box for necessities. This could include basic kitchen utensils, towels, and toiletries that you might need to use upon arriving at your new home.
Move During The Off-Season
Moving companies usually increase their charges between May and August. During this period, moving companies have a high demand. So, if you’re looking to save money, consider moving outside these months. The best months to move are between October and April, when movers aren’t busy and the rates are generally low.
Conclusion
Moving to a new home is exciting, but it’s also an expensive endeavor. With proper planning and foresight, you can certainly cut costs and even earn extra cash in the process. You can either sell your used items or donate your old stuff to charity to reduce packing and moving costs.
Aside from that, you can choose to rent a truck or a moving container if hiring a moving company is too expensive for you. If convenience is your priority, however, hiring a professional moving company is your best option.
