Moving can quickly get expensive between taking off time from work, hiring movers, putting down payments on homes, or leaving security deposits for apartments. To help scale down costs, many people look for easy ways to budget their moves.
The good news is there are numerous ways you can trim moving expenses. Here are six tips you can try to help you plan a budget-conscious move.
1. Move Off-Season
This isn’t possible for everyone but move during the off-peak season if you can plan for it. Prices might be lower for professional movers since demand is lower. If your move must be during peak season, try to move from Tuesday to Thursday since fewer people are moving during those days. Additionally, home and rental prices tend to drop.
2. Find Free Boxes
Boxes can quickly get expensive, especially if you’ve got a large household or years of accumulated belongings. Check grocery stores, liquor stores, offices, Craigslist, and other places people commonly find free boxes—this can save some money.
3. Use recycled or free packing materials
Packing materials can get costly, so instead of purchasing lots of bubble wrap, be inventive and see how you can get around paying for these items. Items you can use to wrap fragile items include towels, dish towels, clothing, or blankets, to name a few.
4. Reduce the Unnecessary
This is simple math—the more stuff you move, the more expensive it’ll be to transport. Whether you’re transporting yourself or hiring professionals for your move, you’re either paying in gas and time for multiple trips (or renting a bigger truck) or paying for weight with a mover.
Downsizing unwanted, unused, and broken items by giving them away, donating them, or throwing broken things out can go a long way toward reducing moving expenses. (Remember, to recycle anything eligible!) Holding a yard sale or selling stuff on Marketplace can also bring you extra cash.
5. Consider Not Bringing Some Furniture
Try to offload any bulky furniture by selling or donating these pieces if they aren’t exceptionally sentimental or easy to replace. Then, use the money you’d spend to move these items and buy new furniture for your new place. If donating, note what you’ve donated and ask for a receipt; you may be able to benefit come tax time.
6. Measure New Place
Be sure anything you bring will fit in the new place. Measure doorways, halls (some corners are tight!), and actual room space. If you have belongings with no place to put them, you certainly don’t want to pay to move them and make a costly mistake.
To save money on the move, the best thing to do is plan for it. Then, aside from the above, look for ways you can reasonably reduce costs—sometimes, it’s the minor ways you find that make the most significant impact.
Moving Made Easy
Moving is undoubtedly a big task, but DIY jobs can also be more costly than you think. Hiring pro movers who can get the job done quickly and efficiently may be the least expensive option depending on your circumstances.
Contact us today with any questions or to receive a free moving quote. We’re happy to help you explore your moving options.