Moving is an exciting experience as it provides an opportunity to live in a new home, explore a new neighborhood and make new friends. It is quite stressful too. It takes a lot of time and effort to pack your belongings.
Once you have boxed up everything, you have to find a reliable mover to transport them safely to your new destination. Without proper planning, a move can actually burn a hole in your pocket.
Here are some local moving tips to save money.
Guesstimate the cost of moving
You can use online moving calculators to get a rough idea of how much the move will cost. Of course, these calculators estimate the cost of moving based entirely on the data you provide. If you miscalculate the weight of your belongings, these calculations will go wrong. Still, they are a good place to start. Once you have a decent idea about the cost, you can approach moving companies and get an in-house moving estimate. If you already have a rough idea of how much it will cost, it is easy to compare quotes.
Do not buy moving supplies altogether
If you buy paper, boxes, and bubble wrap for packing your items, you will end up spending a lot of money. If you have a friend or a neighbor who has recently moved, you can ask them to lend those moving supplies to you.
Furniture, grocery, or appliance stores may also have leftover boxes that you can procure for a nominal price. Make good use of whatever resources you have. For example, you can use T-shirts, towels, sweaters, or socks for wrapping glassware and other easily breakable items. Use kitchen towels to separate plates while packing them. Socks can be used to wrap glassware.
Whenever possible, use the original packaging. If you can’t find moving supplies for free, check out websites like Craiglist to search for people who are giving them away.
Host a garage or estate sale
Over the years, you may have accumulated a lot of items that you no longer use or need. Do you have to take all of them with you? Selling unwanted items before moving is actually a way to make some money. Prepare a list of all items that you do not really want. Now get rid of them by having a garage sale or an estate sale. You can also sell these objects online or list them on a neighborhood Facebook community.
If there are still unwanted items that you cannot sell, try donating them. When you donate items, make sure that you get an itemized receipt so that you can write them off on your income tax. By selling all unwanted items before moving, you not only earn some money but also reduce the overall cost of moving as now you have fewer items to transport. This allows you to use a smaller moving truck and thus save some money.
Use Media Mail
If you have a lot of books, use the Media Mail shipping service offered by the United States Postal Service as a cost-effective way to transport them to your new address. With Media Mail, you can transport books weighing up to 70 pounds for a little over $40. This way, you can also free up a lot of space in your moving truck.
Be prepared for unexpected changes
Your move in date may change at the last minute due to factors not within your control. Choose a moving company that will not charge you a fee for making a last minute change in the schedule. Also, discuss the possibility of staying with a friend or family in case the move is delayed. This way, you can save money on hotel accommodation.
Do your research before choosing the mover
Choose the best moving company you can find. While it is tempting to choose the lowest bidding mover, it is important to remember that the safety of your belongings rests on the mover. If they are not careful enough, they may cause considerable damage to your belongings and you will end up losing a lot more money than you saved by choosing them.
A low bidding company cannot offer excellent service. If you choose them, your belongings may show up late or they may get broken en route. In either case, repairing or replacing the valuables can cost a lot of money. This, however, does not mean that you should choose the highest bidding mover.
Choose a reputable company whose services are reasonably priced. Get quotes from several movers and compare them. Ask a family member or friend who has recently moved to recommend you a good moving company.
Pack wisely
If there are too many boxes, you will need a big truck to move them. This will increase the overall cost of moving. So use fewer boxes. Smaller items can be nested inside larger items. Using this strategy you can save a lot of space in the moving truck. By reducing the total number of boxes, you will be able to use a smaller moving truck and thus save money.
Cancel your utilities
Cancel your current utility services before moving. This is better than trying to transfer them to your new address. Many internet service providers offer special prices and discounts when you open a new account. This is a nice opportunity to shop around and find the best deals.
Ask for a good deal
Ask the mover if they can cut a deal for you. This might sound unconventional but many companies are actually willing to do it. Before choosing any particular mover, shop around to see what deals they are offering. Even if you think that you have found the best deal, it is still worth asking other movers if they can offer a better deal.
Measure dimensions
Measure the length and breadth of each room in your new home before moving in large pieces of furniture. If the sofa cannot get through the doorway, it is practically useless in your new home. To avoid such costly mistakes, measure the dimensions of your furniture. You should also measure the height and width of door frames, hallways, and stairwells in your new home. If there are pieces of furniture that will not fit your new living space, dispose of them before moving.
Resist the temptation to splurge on home decor
It is quite natural to feel excited about moving to a new home. It is also tempting to buy everything you find online or in stores to decorate your new home. Resist that temptation. Buy them only after you have moved in. This way you can at least save the cost of moving them to your new home.
Move yourself
If money is too tight, you may want to do the moving yourself. This is not recommended as it is a lot of work. Still, if your financial situation does not allow you to hire a moving company, consider packing your belongings yourself and renting a moving truck.
Moving does not have to be a costly or stressful affair. With the help of these local moving tips and a little bit of planning, you can not only stay within your budget but also save some money on your move.
